The Japanese, when they decided upon importing some submarines from this country, had two specially built at Barrow. It was not thought advisable to send them under their own power, or in tow of tugs, to the Far East, so a special vessel was built for their accommodation. For two-thirds of her length her main deck could be removed and her bottom was constructed to permit of the two submarines lying side by side. In order to get them on board, this steamer, which was called the Transporter, was sunk in dock at Liverpool, the submarines were floated into place and the water was pumped from the dock, and, of course, from the steamer also. As it subsided, the submarines were carefully adjusted in their cradles, and when this work had been completed, the Transporter with her strange cargo returned to Barrow in order to be prepared for the voyage to Japan.
SUBMARINE D1, WITH WIRELESS TELEGRAPH MAST.
Photograph by Stephen Cribb, Southsea.
LAUNCH OF U.S. SUBMARINE “NARWHAL.”
Photograph supplied by the Fore River Shipbuilding Co.
FRENCH SUBMARINE “X.”
Photograph by Stephen Cribb, Southsea.