World War I submarines – Patrol Reports

Introduction: From Sail to Steel

Frank Lucius Pinney, Sr. began his distinguished naval career during a period of massive transition, witnessing the United States Navy systematically replace its wooden sail-powered vessels with armored steel steamships. He first entered the national spotlight for his extraordinary bravery during the Apia cyclone in Samoa on March 15–16, 1889, where the wooden steam-frigate USS Trenton was destroyed. For his conspicuous gallantry in saving lives and assisting in the preservation of his shipmates during the wreck of the Trenton, a special Act of Congress appointed him to the rank of Ensign.

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Introduction: The Bridge to Modernity

In the annals of naval history, the most celebrated vessels are often those with the longest lists of enemy ships sunk. However, the true strength of a naval force frequently rests upon the less decorated workhorses that provide the essential foundation for victory. The USS R-13 (SS-90) was exactly such a vessel. An R-1-class coastal defense submarine, she served as the critical “bridge” between the experimental, often unreliable underwater designs of the earlier O-class and the sophisticated fleet boats that dominated the Pacific in World War II.

Over a career spanning 26 years, the R-13 functioned not as a primary combatant, but as a vital laboratory for tactical development and a premier classroom for the men who would eventually lead the “Silent Service.” Her service can be defined by three primary phases:

Pacific Tactical Testing: A decade-long deployment in the Hawaiian Territory developing submarine doctrine and fleet integration.
Atlantic Training: A tenure at the Submarine School in New London, Connecticut, forging the skills of future wartime commanders.
World War II Coastal Defense: Active wartime service protecting vital shipping lanes and perfecting American Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) tactics.

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