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Washington, D.C., 1931. "Man partially submerged in tank with breathing apparatus." Last seen here on this guy, probably at the Navy Yard. View full size.
This is not the full scale escape training tank at the New London, Connecticut sub base, so I agree that the navy yard is a possibility.
The underwater breathing gear shown here was developed following the loss of the submarine S-4 in 1927. She sank in only 110 feet of water, and the surviving members of her crew suffocated in still-intact compartments while rescuers were unable to reach the sub due to bad weather.
He appears to be holding a knotted piece of rope between his legs, presumably so he doesn't float away as the tank fills up.
This man is totally submerged in a tank using a momsen lung a device used to escape from submarines. He is either testing it or practicing with it.
[His head is above water, as indicated by the distortion and light refractions from surface ripples only on his shoulders on down. -tterrace]
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