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Photo # NH 90172:  USS Ajax with submarines B-2 & B-3 on board, 1913

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- U.S. NAVY SHIPS --

USS Ajax (1898-1925) --
Transports Submarines B-2 and B-3 to the Philippines, 1912-1913

In December 1912 the decommissioned submarines B-2 (Submarine # 11) and B-3 (Submarine # 12) were towed from Charleston, South Carolina, to the Norfolk Navy Yard, Virginia, where they were loaded on the collier Ajax for transportation to the Philippine Islands. The voyage, by way of the Suez Canal, took some time, with Ajax arriving in Manila Bay in April 1913. The two submarines were launched from her foredeck on 12 May and, after refitting at the Cavite Navy Yard, were recommissioned for Asiatic Fleet service in August and September 1913.

The Asiatic Fleet received all of its first submarines by shipboard conveyance, as they were much too small to make the long trip on their own. In April-July 1908, the collier Caesar carried out submarines Porpoise and Shark. She repeated the feat in July-October 1909, when she transported Adder and Moccasin. The collier Hector took three submarines to the Philippines in February and March 1915: A-3, A-5 and B-1.

This page features all the views we have related to USS Ajax when she carried submarines B-2 and B-3 from Norfolk to Manila Bay in December 1912 - May 1913.

For other images concerning these three ships, see:

  • USS Ajax (1898-1925, later AC-14 and AG-15). Named Scindia until 1901;
  • USS Cuttlefish (Submarine # 11, later SS-11). Renamed B-2 in 1911; and
  • USS Tarantula (Submarine # 12, later SS-12). Renamed B-3 in 1911.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

    Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

    Photo #: NH 90172

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, with submarines B-2 and B-3 on board, after transporting them from Norfolk, Virginia. Photographed in late April or early May 1913, before the submarines were launched from her deck.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 98KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98924

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, with USS B-2 (Submarine # 11) -- to starboard -- and USS B-3 (Submarine # 12) -- to port -- on her foredeck, circa 12 May 1913.
    She had transported both submarines to Manila from Norfolk, Virginia.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 440 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98923

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    In Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, preparing to launch USS B-2 (Submarine # 11) from her deck, circa 12 May 1913.
    Ajax had transported B-2 and USS B-3 (Submarine # 12) to Manila from Norfolk, Virginia.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 86KB; 740 x 445 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90173

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    Launching of USS B-2 (Submarine # 11) from her deck, in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, on 12 May 1913.
    Ajax had transported B-2 and USS B-3 (Submarine # 12) to Manila from Norfolk, Virginia.
    The launch Taro is in the foreground.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 81KB; 740 x 435 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 98925

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    With USS B-2 (Submarine # 11) floating nearby in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, just after the submarine was launched from her foredeck, circa 12 May 1913.
    She had transported both B-2 and USS B-3 (Submarine # 12) to Manila from Norfolk, Virginia.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 85KB; 740 x 450 pixels

     
    Photo #: NH 90179

    USS Ajax
    (1898-1925)

    With USS B-2 (Submarine # 11) and USS B-3 (Submarine # 12) floating nearby in Manila Bay, Philippine Islands, on 12 May 1913, just after they were launched from her deck.
    Ajax had transported both submarines to Manila from Norfolk, Virginia.

    Collection of Phillip H. Wilson. Donated by Mrs. Pauline M. Wilson, 1979.

    U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

    Online Image: 76KB; 740 x 465 pixels

     

    For other images concerning these three ships, see:

  • USS Ajax (1898-1925, later AC-14 and AG-15). Named Scindia until 1901;
  • USS Cuttlefish (Submarine # 11, later SS-11). Renamed B-2 in 1911; and
  • USS Tarantula (Submarine # 12, later SS-12). Renamed B-3 in 1911.


    If you want higher resolution reproductions than the digital images presented here, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


    Return to Naval Historical Center home page.

    Page made 12 November 2003