USS B-2 (SS-11)

USS "B-2" (SS-11) was a "B"-class submarine of the United States Navy. Her keel was laid down by Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts, under subcontract from Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, as "Cuttlefish", making her the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the cuttlefish, a ten-armed marine mollusk similar to the squid. "Cuttlefish" was launched on 1 September 1906 sponsored by Miss Eleanor Gow, daughter of Commander J. L. Gow, and commissioned on 18 October 1907 with Lieutenant E. J. Marquart in command. She reported to the Second Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet.

"Cuttlefish" operated along the Atlantic coast, running experiments, testing machinery and equipment, and conducting extensive training exercises until going into reserve at Charleston Navy Yard on 30 November 1909. Recommissioned 15 April 1910 she served with the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet until joining the Reserve Torpedo Group at Charleston Navy Yard 9 May 1911. The boat was re-named "B-2" on 17 November 1911. "B-2" remained in reserve until placed out of commission 4 December 1912. On 6 December 1912 she was towed to Norfolk, Virginia, and loaded on board USS|Ajax|AC-15|3 for transfer to the Asiatic Station. Sailing via the Suez Canal, "Ajax" arrived at Cavite, Philippine Islands, on 30 April 1913 and "B-2" was launched 12 May. She was recommissioned 2 August 1913 and assigned to the Torpedo Flotilla, Asiatic Fleet. She remained on duty in the Philippines until decommissioned at Cavite 12 December 1919. "B-2" was subsequently used as a target.

References

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08011.htm navsource.org: USS "Cuttlefish"]
* [http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss11.htm hazegray.org: USS "Cuttlefish"]