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S-438 Martin Schaffer Photo Collection
S-438 Martin Schaffer Photo Collection

Topic
  • Ordnance and Weapons
  • Boats-Ships--Submarine
  • People-Places-Things--German
  • Exhibits
Document Type
  • Finding Aids Glossaries Guides
  • Photograph
Wars & Conflicts
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  • Image (gif, jpg, tiff)
Location of Archival Materials
  • NHHC
Author Name
Place of Event
Recipient Name
Title: Martin Schaffer Photo Collection
Description: Collection of 36 negatives and prints related to the Navy Memorial Museum, specifically development of Willard Park and large scale museum artefacts. In 1981, Schaffer was assigned to survey several midget submarines on exhibit at the museum. All the submarine photographs were taken at the Naval Historical Center warehouse, building 70.
Accession#: S-438
Donor: 
Copyright Owner: Martin Schaffer
Circa: 1981
Format: Black & white negatives, black & white photographs

Collection Guide: 

S-438-A
Three photographs, two showing Willard Park Display Area at the Washington Navy Yard while it was in the early stages of its 1981 major reconstruction. The other image shows the USS Balao (SS-285) fairwater that is on exhibit in front of the museum.

S-438-B
11 photographs showing details of German Type XXVIIB “Seehund” two-man submarine of late WWI construction. Views show features of the design and the deterioration of structure after years of outdoor display. Also seen are views of a German T-III Torpedo, which is associated with the submarine.

S-438-C
Six photographs of Japanese Kaiten Type 2 or 4 Suicide Submarine of 1945 vintage, which shows features of the design, especially topside, and deterioration from years of outdoor display. Also seen are other views of the German T-III Torpedo.

S-438-D
16 photographs of the exterior and interior of the Intelligent Whale, a manpowered submarine built in 1864, showing many details of the design including: arm crank (for turning propeller), steering and diving mechanisms, and hatches.

For information about the rest of the collection: nhhcphotoarchives@navy.mil