[1] For surface running, the boats were powered by two 600-brake-horsepower (447 kW) diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft.

[2] L-7's keel was laid down on 2 June 1914 by Craig Shipbuilding Company in Long Beach, California.

After shakedown, L-7 departed the West Coast on 20 April 1918, arriving Charleston, South Carolina, on 10 June.

Patrolling off Charleston until 15 October, the submarine finally steamed for the waters of Europe to battle the U-boats.

Arriving Ponta Delgada, Azores, early in November, she joined Submarine Division 6 for anti-submarine warfare operations.