Submarines Built in Puget Sound
The United States was involved in World War I from 1917 to 1918, but preparations for wartime actually began a few years earlier. During this era, the Puget Sound Navy Yard’s primary mission was the construction of ships and submarines. This online exhibit explores the world of the U.S. Navy in the Pacific Northwest a century ago.
Starting in 1912, the Puget Sound Navy Yard, as well as the Moran Brothers shipyard in Seattle, built submarines that saw service during World War I. In all, fourteen submarines were built in the Puget Sound in the early 1900s. Many saw service in World War I, and one served through World War II.
Submarine Construction, Puget Sound Navy Yard, Dry Dock 1
They were known as “pig boats” due to foul living quarters and unusually stubby hull shape. Primitive by today’s standards, they were state of the art for their time. Yet these innovative boats were fraught with the risk of injury or death.
Submarines built in Puget Sound: