The USS Bonita, later designated C-4 (SS-15), was a notable early 20th-century American submarine, representing the evolution of naval underwater craft. As a member of the C-class, she was an enlarged version of the preceding B class, measuring 105 feet 3 inches (32.08 meters) in overall length, with a beam of 13 feet 10 inches (4.22 meters) and a mean draft of 10 feet 10 inches (3.30 meters). Her displacement was 238 long tons (242 metric tons) on the surface, increasing to 275 long tons (279 metric tons) submerged, with a maximum diving depth of 200 feet (61 meters). The crew comprised one officer and 14 enlisted men. Powering the vessel were two Craig gasoline engines, each producing 240 brake horsepower, used for surface travel, and two 115-horsepower electric motors for submerged operation. This configuration allowed her to reach speeds of 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph) on the surface and 9 knots (17 km/h; 10 mph) underwater. Her operational range was 776 nautical miles (1,437 km; 893 miles) at 8.13 knots when surfaced, and she could cover 24 nautical miles (44 km; 28 miles) submerged at 8 knots. Armament consisted of two 18-inch (450 mm) torpedo tubes located in the bow, with two reloads, totaling four torpedoes. The vessel was built by Fore River Shipbuilding Company in Quincy, Massachusetts, under a subcontract from Electric Boat. Launched on June 17, 1909, and commissioned on November 23 of the same year, Bonita was later renamed C-4 on November 17, 1911. Throughout her service, C-4 operated primarily along the Atlantic coast, initially with the Atlantic Torpedo Fleet and later with the Atlantic Submarine Flotilla. She undertook tactical exercises and development operations, notably in Cuba and the Panama Canal Zone. In August 1917, she participated in exploring Panamanian ports as potential submarine bases. Decommissioned at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone, on August 15, 1919, she was sold on April 13, 1920. Her service marked an important phase in early American submarine development and operational tactics.

This description has been generated using GPT-4.1-NANO based on the Vessel's wikidata information and then modified by ShipIndex.org staff.