These vessels had features intended to increase underwater speed, including a small sail and a rotating cap over the torpedo tube muzzles.

Tactical doctrine for harbor defense submarines dictated that quick "crash dives" would not be necessary, thus the considerable time it took to dismantle this structure and stow it below was not considered a liability.

Starting with the N-class, built with lessons learned from overseas experience, U.S. submarines had bridges more suited to surfaced operations in rough weather.

On 20 May 1913, the five C-class boats of the First Group, Submarine Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet, departed Norfolk, Virginia for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

On that date the C-class boats, now of the redesignated First Division, escorted by four surface ships, sailed for Cristóbal in the Panama Canal Zone.