Rare Naval photo: 1916 Full Dress Torpedo Class aboard the USS Montana (need help with uniforms & rank

[LeCauroy]

Hi guys,

    This is a family photo of a Torpedo Class aboard the USS Montana in the summer of 1916. I think it is rare because I couldn't find anything like it on the internet.

     My grand uncle LT Donald Washburn is in the front row second from the left. He graduated from Annapolis and was the commander of the U.S.S. N-4 submarine in 1918. 

     I don't know much of anything about the U.S. Navy, torpedos and submarines.

     Questions:

1) Is this a graduation ceremony?

2) What would you do in a torpedo class?

3) What are the ranks of the officers and enlisted?

4) Did you have any information on the USS N-4?

5) Information on the USS Montana?

6) How can I get LT Donald Washburn's dossier? All I found was a very brief record on Fold 3. 

7)  What is that piece of cloth on Donald's right hand in the first portrait?

Thanks for any help you can give me.

Daniel

 

Edited 29 July , 2021 by LeCauroy
forgot something

[The Treasurer]

US Naval History and Heritage Command have good service summaries on all US warships. Follow the links for N-4 and the armoured cruiser Montana:

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/n/n-4.html

https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/m/montana.html

The single stripe on the sleeve indicates an Ensign in the 1916 photo (lowest officer rank).

[LeCauroy]

Treasurer,

    Thanks for the helpful links and the info on the ensign uniform. Any idea what that piece of cloth that appears to be wrapped around Donald’s right hand is in the first photo? 

Daniel

[KizmeRD]

Isn’t he simply holding his white gloves in his right hand?

MB

[LeCauroy]

Oh right. Duh. I need to observe more carefully. 

 

Edited 29 July , 2021 by LeCauroy
mistake

[Michael Lowrey]

No enlisted in that photo. Looks like just commissioned officers and warrant officers.

[KizmeRD]

Daniel - you should show your photo to the Submarine School in Groton CT - it looks to me like your Grand Uncle may have been a student in the very first class of 24 USN officers who began studies for submarine duties. I’m sure that they would be interested in seeing the photo(s), and they may well be in a position to provide you with additional information.

The Submarine course lasted six months and included training on all aspects of submarines, torpedoes, engineering and electricity. 

MB

[LeCauroy]

Thanks for the info Michael.

[LeCauroy]

MB,

    That’s a great idea. Thanks for suggesting that and giving the background.

      Question: Where did you get the information on the submarine school? I would like to learn more about that. 

Daniel

[KizmeRD]

4 minutes ago, LeCauroy said:

Question: Where did you get the information on the submarine school? I would like to learn more about that. 

Daniel

There’s a passing reference to the original 24 trainee submariners here..

https://mybaseguide.com/installation/nsb-new-london/community/naval-submarine-school/

MB

[LeCauroy]

7 minutes ago, KizmeRD said:

There’s a passing reference to the original 24 trainee submariners here..

https://mybaseguide.com/installation/nsb-new-london/community/naval-submarine-school/

MB

Thanks!