In the present paper, dynamic characteristics and vibration control performance of a cylindrical shell structure are experimentally investigated and results are presented in the air and underwater conditions. End-capped cylindrical shell structure is manufactured and macro-fiber composite(MFC) actuators are attached on the inside-surface of the structure. Modal characteristics are studied in the air and under the water conditions and then equation of motion of the structure is derived from the test results. Structural vibration control performances of the proposed structure are evaluated via experiments with optimal control algorithm. Vibration control performances are presented both in the frequency and time domains.