Naval History and Heritage Command

Description: Collection of 19 photographs and documentary materials on the small commercial use submarine Explorer designed by Simon Lake and tested in 1932. The photographs were taken in Pelham Bay, Long Island, in late 1932 and show the “baby sub”, Explorer, both in and out of water. Other subject matter consists of the sub’s remote controlled “arm” and its grab bucket, for picking up and moving items; the propeller; rudder; wheel (for rolling on the ocean bottom); air hose connecting the boat to the “mother ship”; the hatch cover; diver Frank Crilley on the “mother ship” preparing to work with the boat; and diving equipment on the “mother ship”.