USS H-8 (SS-151)

The Imperial Russian Navy ordered 18 "H"-class submarines from the Electric Boat Company in 1915. Eleven were delivered, and served as the American Holland class submarines, but shipment of the final six was held up pending the outcome of the Russian Revolution of 1917, and the boats were stored in knockdown condition at Vancouver, British Columbia. All six were purchased by the United States Navy on 20 May 1918 and assembled at Puget Sound Navy Yard.

"H-8" (SS-151) was launched on 14 November 1918, three days after the signing of the Armistice with Germany, and commissioned on 18 November 1918 with Lieutenant Commander Ralph W. Holt in command.

From there she sailed to San Pedro, California, where she was attached first to SubDivs 6 and 7. Operating with her sister ships, "H-8" engaged in extensive battle and training exercises out of San Pedro, varying this routine with patrols off Santa Catalina Island.

In August 1919, "H-8" played the part of U-98 in the silent film "Behind the Door", which starred Wallace Beery, Jane Novak, and Hobart Bosworth.

In company with SubDivs 6 and 7, and tender USS|Beaver|AS-5|3, "H-8" departed San Pedro on 25 July 1922 and arrived in Norfolk, Virginia, on 14 September. She decommissioned there 17 November 1922. Her name was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on 26 February 1931. She was sold for scrapping 28 November 1933.

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