List of Balao-class submarines
List of Balao-class submarines and their dispositions. 120 of these boats were built during and after World War II, commissioned from February 1943 through September 1948, with 12 commissioned postwar.[1] This was the most numerous US submarine class. Nine of the 52 US submarines lost in World War II were of this class, along with five lost postwar, including one in Turkish service in 1953, one in Argentine service in the Falklands War of 1982, and one in Peruvian service in 1988.[1][2] Also, Lancetfish flooded and sank while fitting out at the Boston Naval Shipyard on 15 March 1945. She was raised but not repaired, and was listed with the reserve fleet postwar until struck in 1958. Some of the class served actively in the US Navy through the middle 1970s, and one (Hai Pao ex-Tusk) is still active in Taiwan's Republic of China Navy.
The primary improvement of the Balao class over the preceding Gato class was an increase in test depth from 300 feet (91 m) to 400 feet (120 m), which was shared with the subsequent Tench class. This, combined with generally less wartime service than previous classes, led to the Balao and Tench classes being preferred for modernization programs and active postwar service. 36 Balaos were modernized under various GUPPY conversion programs, plus 19 received the more austere "Fleet Snorkel" modernization, often in connection with foreign transfers.[3]
SS-361 through SS-364 were initially ordered as Balao-class, and were assigned hull numbers that fall in the middle of the range of numbers for the Balao class (SS-285 through SS-416 & SS-425–426).[4] Thus, in some references they are listed with this class. However, they were completed by Manitowoc as Gatos, due to an unavoidable delay in Electric Boat's development of Balao-class drawings. Manitowoc was a follow yard to Electric Boat, and was dependent on them for designs and drawings.[1][5]
Cancellations
A total of 125 U.S. submarines were cancelled during World War II, all but three between 29 July 1944 and 12 August 1945. The exceptions were USS Wahoo (SS-516), USS Unicorn (SS-436), and USS Walrus (SS-437), cancelled 7 January 1946. References vary considerably as to how many of these were Balaos and how many were Tenches. Some references simply assume all submarines numbered after SS-416 were Tench class; however, USS Trumpetfish (SS-425) and USS Tusk (SS-426) were completed as Balaos.[6][7] This yields 10 cancelled Balao-class, SS-353-360 and 379-380. The Register of Ships of the U. S. Navy differs, considering every submarine not specifically ordered as a Tench to be a Balao, and further projecting SS-551-562 as a future class.[1] This yields 62 cancelled Balao class, 51 cancelled Tench class, and 12 cancelled SS-551 class. This article follows the information in the "Register". Two of the cancelled Balao-class submarines, Turbot and Ulua, were launched incomplete and served for years as experimental hulks at Annapolis and Norfolk, Virginia. Two of the cancelled Tench-class boats, Unicorn and Walrus, were also launched incomplete, never commissioned, but listed with the Reserve fleet until struck in 1958 and scrapped in 1959. The cancelled hull numbers, including those launched incomplete, were SS-353-360 (Balao), 379–380 (Balao), 427–434 (Balao), 436–437 (Tench), 438–474 (Balao), 491–521 (Tench), 526-529 (Tench), 530–536 (Balao), 537-550 (Tench), and 551-562 (SS-551 class).[1]
Abbreviations
Abbreviations and hull classification symbols for postwar redesignations/conversions:
- AGSS — auxiliary submarine (various roles including sonar testing and some pierside trainers)
- FS — "fleet snorkel" conversion, including a snorkel and streamlined sail
- G IA, G II, etc. — various GUPPY conversions, usually including a snorkel, streamlined sail, improved batteries, and upgraded sonar and electronics
- IXSS — unclassified submarine
- PT — pierside trainer for naval reservists, reportedly immobilized by removing the propellers[8][9][10]
- SSA/ASSA - cargo submarine
- SSG — guided missile submarine
- SSP/ASSP/APSS/LPSS — amphibious transport submarine
- SSR — radar picket submarine
- Struck — Struck (deleted) from the Naval Vessel Register, usually followed by scrapping or other final disposal, or sale to a foreign navy
Ships in class
Ship Name | Hull No. | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned/ Recommissioned |
Decommissioned | Fate |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Balao | SS-285 | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine | 26 June 1942 | 27 October 1942 | 4 February 1943 | 20 August 1946 | AGSS 1 April 1960; struck 1 August 1963, sunk as target 4 September 1963, conning tower preserved as memorial at US Navy Museum, Washington Navy Yard, DC[11] |
4 March 1952 | 11 July 1963 | ||||||
Billfish | SS-286 | 23 July 1942 | 12 November 1942 | 20 April 1943 | 1 November 1946 | PT 1960-1968, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 April 1968, sold for scrap 17 March 1971[11] | |
1 January 1960 | 1 April 1968 | ||||||
Bowfin | SS-287 | 23 July 1942 | 7 December 1942 | 1 May 1943 | 12 February 1947 | PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 1 December 1971, memorial at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii[11][13] | |
27 July 1951 | 22 April 1954 | ||||||
10 January 1960 | 1 December 1971 | ||||||
Cabrilla | SS-288 | 18 August 1942 | 24 December 1942 | 24 May 1943 | 7 August 1946 | PT 1960-1968, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1968, memorial at Galveston, Texas 1968-1971, sold for scrap 18 April 1972[11] | |
May 1960 | 30 June 1968 | ||||||
Capelin | SS-289 | 14 September 1942 | 20 January 1943 | 4 June 1943 | N/A | Lost to unknown cause, circa 2 December 1943[1][11] | |
Cisco | SS-290 | 29 October 1942 | 24 December 1942 | 10 May 1943 | Lost to Japanese air and surface attack, 28 September 1943[1][11] | ||
Crevalle | SS-291 | 14 November 1942 | 22 February 1943 | 24 June 1943 | 29 July 1946 | AGSS 1 April 1960, PT 1962-1968; struck 15 April 1968, sold for scrap 17 March 1971[11] | |
6 September 1951 | 19 August 1955 | ||||||
11 April 1957 | 9 March 1962 | ||||||
Devilfish | SS-292 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 31 March 1942 | 30 May 1943 | 1 September 1944 | 30 September 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, used for explosives tests, sunk as a target off San Francisco, California 14 August 1968[1][11] |
Dragonet | SS-293 | 28 April 1942 | 18 April 1943 | 6 March 1944 | 16 April 1946 | Struck 1 June 1961, scuttled in Chesapeake Bay[11]after tests 17 September 1961 | |
Escolar | SS-294 | 10 June 1942 | 18 April 1943 | 2 June 1944 | N/A | Lost to unknown cause, probably Japanese mine, 17 October 1944[1][11] | |
Hackleback | SS-295 | 15 August 1942 | 30 May 1943 | 7 November 1944 | 20 March 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, sold for scrap 4 December 1968[11] | |
Lancetfish | SS-296 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Boston Naval Shipyard | 30 September 1942 | 15 August 1943 | 12 February 1945 | 24 March 1945 | Flooded and sank Boston Naval Shipyard 15 March 1945, raised but not repaired, listed with the reserve fleet; struck 9 June 1958, sold for scrap 20 August 1959[11][14] |
Ling | SS-297 | 2 November 1942 | 15 August 1943 | 8 June 1945 | 26 October 1946 | PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 1 December 1971, memorial at Hackensack, New Jersey[11][15] | |
March 1960 | 1 December 1971 | ||||||
Lionfish | SS-298 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania/Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine | 15 December 1942 | 7 November 1943 | 1 November 1944 | 16 January 1946 | PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 20 December 1971, memorial at Fall River, Massachusetts[11][16] |
31 January 1951 | 15 December 1953 | ||||||
1 March 1960 | 20 December 1971 | ||||||
Manta | SS-299 | 15 January 1943 | 7 November 1943 | 18 December 1944 | 10 June 1946 | AGSS 16 August 1949, target ship 1949-1953, PT 1960-1967, hull tests 1967-1969; struck 30 June 1967, sunk as target 16 July 1969[17][18] | |
2 August 1949 | 6 December 1955 | ||||||
1 April 1960 | 30 June 1967 | ||||||
Moray | SS-300 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 21 April 1943 | 14 May 1944 | 26 January 1945 | 12 April 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 April 1967, sunk as target 18 June 1970[17] |
Roncador | SS-301 | 21 April 1943 | 14 May 1944 | 8 June 1945 | 26 October 1946 | PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 1 December 1971, sold for scrap 1 February 1973, conning tower internals preserved at US Navy Museum, Washington Navy Yard, DC, external fairwater preserved at Naval Base Point Loma, San Diego, California[17][19] | |
February 1960 | 1 December 1971 | ||||||
Sabalo | SS-302 | 5 June 1943 | 4 June 1944 | 19 June 1945 | 7 August 1946 | FS 1952; struck 1 July 1971, sunk as target 21 February 1973[17][20] | |
1 June 1951 | 1 July 1971 | ||||||
Sablefish | SS-303 | 5 June 1943 | 4 June 1944 | 18 December 1945 | 1 November 1969 | FS 1951, AGSS 30 June 1969; struck 1 November 1969, sold for scrap 29 July 1971[17] | |
Seahorse | SS-304 | Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California | 1 July 1942 | 9 January 1943 | 31 March 1943 | 2 March 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, sold for scrap 4 December 1968[17] |
Skate | SS-305 | 1 August 1942 | 4 March 1943 | 15 April 1943 | 11 December 1946 | Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests July 1946; sunk as target 5 October 1948, struck 21 October 1948[1][17][21] | |
Tang | SS-306 | 15 January 1943 | 17 August 1943 | 15 October 1943 | N/A | Lost due to circular run of own torpedo, 24 October 1944[17] | |
Tilefish | SS-307 | 10 March 1943 | 25 October 1943 | 15 December 1943 | 12 October 1959 | FS 1960, transferred to Venezuela as Carite 4 May 1960; struck 1 December 1960, decommissioned by Venezuela for spare parts 28 January 1977[17][22] | |
30 Jan 1960 | 4 May 1960 | ||||||
Apogon | SS-308 | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine | 9 December 1942 | 10 March 1943 | 16 July 1943 | N/A | Converted to remote control, sunk in Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests 25 July 1946; struck 25 February 1947[1][17][23] |
Aspro | SS-309 | 27 December 1942 | 7 April 1943 | 31 July 1943 | 30 January 1946 | AGSS 1 July 1960; struck 1 September 1962, sunk as target 16 November 1962[17] | |
23 September 1951 | 30 April 1954 | ||||||
Batfish | SS-310 | 27 December 1942 | 5 May 1943 | 21 August 1943 | 6 April 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962, PT 1960-1969; struck 1 November 1969, memorial at Muskogee, Oklahoma[17][24] | |
7 March 1952 | January 1960 | ||||||
January 1960 | 1 November 1969 | ||||||
Archerfish | SS-311 | 22 January 1943 | 28 May 1943 | 4 September 1943 | 12 June 1946 | AGSS 22 February 1960; struck 1 May 1968, sunk as target 19 October 1968[17] | |
7 March 1952 | 21 October 1955 | ||||||
1 August 1957 | 1 May 1968 | ||||||
Burrfish | SS-312 | 24 February 1943 | 18 June 1943 | 13 September 1943 | 10 October 1946 | SSR 1 February 1949, SS 15 January 1961, transferred to Canada as Grilse 11 May 1961; returned to US and struck 19 July 1969, sunk as target 19 November 1969[17][25] | |
2 November 1948 | 17 December 1956 | ||||||
17 January 1961 | 11 May 1961 | ||||||
Perch | SS-313 | Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut | 5 January 1943 | 12 September 1943 | 7 January 1944 | 15 January 1947 | SSP 20 January 1948, ASSP 31 January 1950, APSS 24 October 1956, PT 1967-1971, LPSS 1 January 1969, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 1 December 1971, sold for scrap 15 January 1973[17] |
20 May 1948 | 31 March 1960 | ||||||
11 November 1961 | 27 May 1967 | ||||||
Shark | SS-314 | 28 January 1943 | 17 October 1943 | 14 February 1944 | N/A | Lost to Japanese surface attack, 24 October 1944[1][17] | |
Sealion | SS-315 | 25 February 1943 | 31 October 1943 | 8 March 1944 | 16 February 1946 | SSP 5 April 1948, ASSP 31 January 1950, APSS 24 October 1956, PT 1960-1961, LPSS 1 January 1969; struck 15 March 1977, test hulk, sunk as target 8 July 1978[17] | |
2 November 1948 | 30 June 1960 | ||||||
20 October 1961 | 20 February 1970 | ||||||
Barbel | SS-316 | 11 March 1943 | 14 November 1943 | 3 April 1944 | N/A | Lost to Japanese air attack, 4 February 1945[1][17] | |
Barbero | SS-317 | 25 March 1943 | 12 December 1943 | 29 April 1944 | 30 June 1950 | SSA 5 April 1948, ASSA 31 January 1950, SSG 25 October 1955; struck 1 July 1964, sunk as target 7 October 1964[17] | |
28 October 1955 | 30 June 1964 | ||||||
Baya | SS-318 | 8 April 1943 | 2 January 1944 | 20 May 1944 | 14 May 1946 | AGSS 16 August 1949 (sonar tests); struck 30 October 1972, sold for scrap October 1973[17] | |
10 February 1948 | 30 October 1972 | ||||||
Becuna | SS-319 | 29 April 1943 | 30 January 1944 | 27 May 1944 | 7 November 1969 | G IA 1951, AGSS 1 October 1969, SS 30 June 1971; struck 15 August 1973, memorial at Philadelphia, PA[17][26] | |
Bergall | SS-320 | 13 May 1943 | 16 February 1944 | 12 June 1944 | 18 October 1958 | FS 1952, transferred to Turkey 18 October 1958 as Turgutreis; sold to Turkey and struck 15 February 1973, decommissioned by Turkey 5 April 1983, renamed Ceryah Botu 6, receiving ship at Gölcük Naval Base until sold for scrap in 2000[17][27] | |
Besugo | SS-321 | 27 May 1943 | 27 February 1944 | 19 June 1944 | 21 March 1958 | AGSS 1 December 1962, FS 1966, transferred to Italy 31 March 1966 as Francesco Morosini; returned to US custody and struck 15 November 1975, sold for scrap 16 April 1976[17][28] | |
Blackfin | SS-322 | 10 June 1943 | 12 March 1944 | 4 July 1944 | 19 November 1948 | G IA 1951; struck 15 September 1972, sunk as target 13 May 1973[1][17] | |
15 May 1951 | 15 September 1972 | ||||||
Caiman | SS-323 | 24 June 1943 | 30 March 1944 | 17 July 1944 | 30 June 1972 | G IA 1951, sold to Turkey 30 June 1972 as Dumlupinar (S339); decommissioned by Turkey 6 February 1983, renamed Ceryan Botu (Y-1247), battery charging hulk at Gölcük Naval Base; sold for scrap 15 September 1986[29][30] | |
Blenny | SS-324 | 8 July 1943 | 9 April 1944 | 27 July 1944 | 7 November 1969 | G IA 1951, AGSS 1 October 1969, SS 30 June 1971; struck 15 August 1973, scuttled 7 June 1989 as part of artificial reef near Ocean City, Maryland[1][29] | |
Blower | SS-325 | 15 July 1943 | 23 April 1944 | 10 August 1944 | 16 November 1950 | FS 1950, transferred to Turkey 16 November 1950 as Dumlupinar (D-6); struck 20 December 1950 (probably purchased by Turkey),[1] lost due to collision with MV Naboland 4 April 1953.[29][31] | |
Blueback | SS-326 | 29 July 1943 | 7 May 1944 | 28 August 1944 | 23 May 1948 | Transferred to Turkey 23 May 1948 as 2. İnönü, struck 28 May 1948,[1] FS 1953; decommissioned by Turkey 30 November 1973 and returned to US custody, fate unknown[29][32] | |
Boarfish | SS-327 | 12 August 1943 | 21 May 1944 | 23 September 1944 | 23 May 1948 | Transferred to Turkey 23 May 1948 as Sakarya, struck 28 May 1948,[1] FS 1953; decommissioned by Turkey 12 December 1975, returned to US custody and sold for scrap 1980[29][33] | |
Charr | SS-328 | 26 August 1943 | 28 May 1944 | 23 September 1944 | 28 June 1969 | FS 1951, AGSS 1 July 1966, PT 1969-1971, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 20 December 1971, sold for scrap 17 August 1972[1][29] | |
28 June 1969 | 20 December 1971 | ||||||
Chub | SS-329 | 16 September 1943 | 18 June 1944 | 21 October 1944 | 23 May 1948 | Transferred to Turkey 25 May 1948 as Gür, struck 28 May 1948,[1] FS 1953; decommissioned by Turkey 12 December 1975 and returned to US custody, sold for scrap 22 May 1976[29][34] | |
Brill | SS-330 | 23 September 1943 | 25 June 1944 | 26 October 1944 | 23 May 1948 | Transferred to Turkey 25 May 1948 as 1. İnönü, struck 28 May 1948,[1] FS 1953; decommissioned by Turkey 29 November 1972 and returned to US custody, fate unknown[29][35] | |
Bugara | SS-331 | 21 October 1943 | 2 July 1944 | 15 November 1944 | 1 October 1970 | FS 1951, AGSS 30 June 1969, SS 1 October 1969; struck 1 October 1970, slated to be sunk as target but sank under tow 1 June 1971[29] | |
Bullhead | SS-332 | 21 October 1943 | 16 July 1944 | 4 December 1944 | N/A | Lost to Japanese air attack, 6 August 1945[1][29] | |
Bumper | SS-333 | 6 November 1943 | 6 August 1944 | 9 December 1944 | 16 November 1950 | FS 1950, transferred to Turkey 16 November 1950 as Çanakkale, struck 20 December 1950;[1] decommissioned by Turkey 8 November 1976, fate unknown[29][36] | |
Cabezon | SS-334 | 18 November 1943 | 27 August 1944 | 30 December 1944 | 24 October 1953 | AGSS 1 December 1962, PT 1960-1970; struck 15 May 1970, sold for scrap 28 December 1971[29] | |
April 1960 | 15 May 1970 | ||||||
Dentuda | SS-335 | 18 November 1943 | 10 September 1944 | 30 December 1944 | 11 December 1946 | Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests July 1946, PT 1946-1967, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1967, sold for scrap 12 February 1969[29] | |
11 December 1946 | 30 June 1967 | ||||||
Capitaine | SS-336 | 2 December 1943 | 1 October 1944 | 26 January 1945 | 10 February 1950 | AGSS 1 July 1960, FS 1966, transferred to Italy 4 March 1966 as Alfredo Cappellini; struck and sold to Italy 5 December 1977, fate unknown[29] | |
23 February 1957 | 4 March 1966 | ||||||
Carbonero | SS-337 | 16 December 1943 | 15 October 1944 | 7 February 1945 | 1 December 1970 | Loon missile test launcher 1949, FS 1952, AGSS 30 June 1969, SS 1 October 1969, struck 1 December 1970, sunk as target 27 April 1975[29] | |
Carp | SS-338 | 23 December 1943 | 12 November 1944 | 28 February 1945 | 18 March 1968 | FS 1952, AGSS 1 May 1968, PT 1968-1971, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 20 December 1971, sold for scrap 26 July 1973[29] | |
18 March 1968 | 20 December 1971 | ||||||
Catfish | SS-339 | 6 January 1944 | 19 November 1944 | 19 March 1945 | 1 July 1971 | G II 1949, struck and sold to Argentina 1 July 1971 as Santa Fe (S-21); damaged, grounded, and abandoned following British air attack 25 April 1982, scuttled 10 February 1985[29][37] | |
Entemedor | SS-340 | 3 February 1944 | 17 December 1944 | 6 April 1945 | 10 December 1948 | G IIA 1952; struck and sold to Turkey 31 July 1972 as Preveze; decommissioned by Turkey 20 March 1986, fate unknown[29][38] | |
24 October 1950 | 31 July 1972 | ||||||
Chivo | SS-341 | 21 February 1944 | 14 January 1945 | 28 April 1945 | 1 July 1971 | G IA 1951; struck and sold to Argentina 1 July 1971 as Santiago del Estero (S-22); decommissioned by Argentina January 1981, sold for scrap 1983[29][39] | |
Chopper | SS-342 | 2 March 1944 | 4 February 1945 | 25 May 1945 | 27 August 1969 | G IA 1951, AGSS 15 September 1969, PT 1969-1971, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 1 October 1971, salvage and rescue hulk, sunk 21 July 1976 while being rigged as underwater target[29] | |
Clamagore | SS-343 | 16 March 1944 | 25 February 1945 | 28 June 1945 | 12 June 1973 | G II 1948, G III 1962; struck 12 June 1975, memorial at Patriots' Point, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina[29][40] | |
Cobbler | SS-344 | 3 April 1944 | 1 April 1945 | 8 August 1945 | 21 November 1973 | G II 1949, G III 1962; struck and sold to Turkey 21 November 1973 as Çanakkale; decommissioned by Turkey 22 January 1998, fate unknown[29][41] | |
Cochino | SS-345 | 13 April 1944 | 20 April 1945 | 25 August 1945 | N/A | G II 1949; lost due to battery fire 26 August 1949[29] | |
Corporal | SS-346 | 27 April 1944 | 10 June 1945 | 9 November 1945 | 21 November 1973 | G II 1948, G III 1962; struck and sold to Turkey 21 November 1973 as 2. İnönü; decommissioned by Turkey 2 September 1996, fate unknown[29][42] | |
Cubera | SS-347 | 11 May 1944 | 17 June 1945 | 19 December 1945 | 5 January 1972 | G II 1948; struck and sold to Venezuela 5 January 1972 as Tiburon; decommissioned by Venezuela and sold for scrap February 1987[29][43] | |
Cusk | SS-348 | 25 May 1944 | 28 July 1945 | 5 February 1946 | 24 September 1969 | SSG (Loon missile test launcher) 20 January 1948, FS 1954, SS 1 July 1954, AGSS 30 June 1969; struck 24 September 1969, sold for scrap 26 June 1972[44] | |
Diodon | SS-349 | 1 June 1944 | 10 September 1945 | 18 March 1946 | 15 January 1971 | G II 1948; struck 15 January 1971, sold for scrap 12 May 1972[44] | |
Dogfish | SS-350 | 22 June 1944 | 27 October 1945 | 29 April 1946 | 28 July 1972 | G II 1948; struck and sold to Brazil 28 July 1972 as Guanabara, deleted by Brazil and sold for scrap 1983[44][45] | |
Greenfish | SS-351 | 29 June 1944 | 21 December 1945 | 7 June 1946 | 19 December 1973 | G II 1948, G III 1961; struck and sold to Brazil 19 December 1973 as Amazonas, struck by Brazil 15 October 1992, sold for scrap 30 January 2004[44][46] | |
Halfbeak | SS-352 | 6 July 1944 | 19 February 1946 | 22 July 1946 | 1 July 1971 | G II 1948; struck 1 July 1971, sold for scrap 13 June 1972[44] | |
Dugong | SS-353 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cancelled 23 October 1944 as of 29 July 1944[1] | |
Eel | SS-354 | ||||||
Espada | SS-355 | ||||||
Jawfish, ex-Fanegal[44] | SS-356 | Cancelled 29 July 1944[1] | |||||
Ono, ex-Friar[44] | SS-357 | ||||||
Garlopa | SS-358 | ||||||
Garrupa | SS-359 | ||||||
Goldring | SS-360 | ||||||
Hardhead | SS-365 | Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | 7 July 1943 | 12 December 1943 | 18 April 1944 | 10 May 1946 | G IIA 1953; struck and sold to Greece 26 July 1972 as Papanikolis, decommissioned by Greece 31 December 1992, fate unknown[44][47] |
6 February 1952 | 22 May 1952 | ||||||
24 March 1953 | 26 July 1972 | ||||||
Hawkbill | SS-366 | 7 August 1943 | 9 January 1944 | 17 May 1944 | 20 September 1946 | G IB 1952; transferred to the Netherlands 21 April 1953 as Zeeleeuw, struck and sold to the Netherlands 20 February 1970; decommissioned by the Netherlands and sold for scrap 24 November 1970[44][48] | |
10 December 1952 | 21 April 1953 | ||||||
Icefish | SS-367 | 4 September 1943 | 20 February 1944 | 10 June 1944 | 21 June 1946 | G IB 1952; transferred to the Netherlands 21 February 1953 as Walrus; returned to US custody and struck 15 July 1971, sold for scrap 15 August 1971[44][49] | |
5 May 1952 | 29 July 1952 | ||||||
10 December 1952 | 21 February 1953 | ||||||
Jallao | SS-368 | 29 September 1943 | 12 March 1944 | 8 July 1944 | 30 September 1946 | G IIA 1954; struck and sold to Spain 26 June 1974 as Narcíso Monturiol (S-35); decommissioned by Spain on unknown date, scuttled 31 December 1984[44][50] | |
4 December 1953 | 26 June 1974 | ||||||
Kete | SS-369 | 25 October 1943 | 9 April 1944 | 31 July 1944 | N/A | Lost, possibly to Japanese submarine attack or mine, circa 20 March 1945[1][44] | |
Kraken | SS-370 | 13 December 1943 | 30 April 1944 | 8 September 1944 | 4 May 1948 | FS 1959; transferred to Spain 24 October 1959 as Almirante García de los Reyes, decommissioned by Spain 16 September 1974, struck and sold to Spain 1 November 1974, recommissioned by Spain 1 September 1975 due to casualty to Narciso Monturiol (S-33), decommissioned by Spain April 1981, struck by Spain and sold for scrap 1 April 1982[44][51] | |
1959 | 24 October 1959 | ||||||
Lagarto | SS-371 | 12 January 1944 | 28 May 1944 | 14 October 1944 | N/A | Lost to Japanese surface attack 4 May 1945[1][44] | |
Lamprey | SS-372 | 28 February 1944 | 18 June 1944 | 17 November 1944 | 3 June 1946 | Transferred to Argentina 21 August 1960 as Santiago del Estero; struck and sold to Argentina 1 September 1971, scrapped for spare parts 1971[44][52] | |
1960 | 21 August 1960 | ||||||
Lizardfish | SS-373 | 14 March 1944 | 16 July 1944 | 30 December 1944 | 24 June 1946 | FS 1959; transferred to Italy 9 January 1960 as Evangelista Torricelli; struck 1 July 1976 (or 15 July 1978), fate unknown[1][44][53] | |
1959 | 9 January 1960 | ||||||
Loggerhead | SS-374 | 1 April 1944 | 13 August 1944 | 9 February 1945 | 16 June 1946 | PT 1960-1967, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1967, sold for scrap 29 August 1969[44][54] | |
1 June 1960 | 30 June 1967 | ||||||
Macabi | SS-375 | 1 May 1944 | 19 September 1944 | 29 March 1945 | 16 June 1946 | Transferred to Argentina 11 August 1960 as Santa Fe (S-11); struck and sold to Argentina 1 September 1971, scrapped for spare parts 1972[44][55] | |
6 May 1960 | 11 August 1960 | ||||||
Mapiro | SS-376 | 30 May 1944 | 9 November 1944 | 30 April 1945 | 16 March 1946 | FS 1960; transferred to Turkey 18 March 1960 as Pirireis, struck and sold to Turkey 1 August 1973; decommissioned by Turkey 20 November 1973, used as battery charging hulk through 1975, sold for scrap 1980[44][56] | |
1960 | 18 March 1960 | ||||||
Menhaden | SS-377 | 21 June 1944 | 20 December 1944 | 22 June 1945 | 31 May 1946 | G IIA 1953; struck 15 August 1973, underwater target 1976; sold for scrap 1988[57][58] | |
7 August 1951 | 13 August 1952 | ||||||
6 March 1953 | 13 August 1971 | ||||||
Mero | SS-378 | 22 July 1944 | 17 January 1945 | 17 August 1945 | 15 June 1946 | FS 1960 (references vary as to completion of this); transferred to Turkey 20 April 1960 as Hizireis, struck and sold to Turkey 1 August 1973; sold for scrap 9 October 1980[57][59] | |
1960 | 20 April 1960 | ||||||
Needlefish | SS-379 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cancelled 29 July 1944[1] | |
Nerka | SS-380 | ||||||
Sand Lance | SS-381 | Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine | 12 March 1943 | 25 June 1943 | 9 October 1943 | 14 February 1946 | Transferred to Brazil 7 September 1963 as Rio Grande do Sul, struck 1 September 1972; returned to US control 12 October 1972, sold for scrap 1 June 1974[57][60] |
6 April 1963 | 7 September 1963 | ||||||
Picuda | SS-382 | 15 March 1943 | 12 July 1943 | 16 October 1943 | 25 September 1946 | Proposed for minelayer conversion that was cancelled 1952, G IIA 1953, transferred to Spain 1 October 1972 as Narcíso Monturiol, struck and sold to Spain 18 November 1974; decommissioned by Spain 30 April 1977, fate unknown[57][61] | |
19 June 1953 | 1 October 1972 | ||||||
Pampanito | SS-383 | 6 November 1943 | 15 December 1945 | PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971; struck 20 December 1971, memorial in San Francisco, CA[57][62] | |||
April 1960 | 20 December 1971 | ||||||
Parche | SS-384 | 9 April 1943 | 24 July 1943 | 20 November 1943 | 11 December 1946 | Target in Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests July 1946, PT 1948-1969, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 8 November 1969, sold for scrap 18 June 1970[57] | |
10 February 1948 | 8 November 1969 | ||||||
Bang | SS-385 | 30 April 1943 | 30 August 1943 | 4 December 1943 | 12 February 1947 | G IIA 1952; transferred to Spain 1 October 1972 as Cosme García, struck and sold to Spain 18 November 1974; decommissioned by Spain and sold for scrap 30 December 1982[57][63] | |
1 February 1951 | 15 May 1952 | ||||||
4 October 1952 | 1 October 1972 | ||||||
Pilotfish | SS-386 | 15 May 1943 | 30 August 1943 | 16 December 1943 | 29 August 1946 | Sunk in Operation Crossroads nuclear weapons tests 25 July 1946, later raised; struck 25 February 1947, sunk as target 16 October 1948[1][57] | |
Pintado | SS-387 | 7 May 1943 | 15 September 1943 | 1 January 1944 | 6 March 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, sold for scrap 19 February 1969[57] | |
Pipefish | SS-388 | 31 May 1943 | 27 October 1943 | 22 January 1944 | 19 March 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, sold for scrap 4 February 1969[57] | |
Piranha | SS-389 | 21 June 1943 | 5 February 1944 | 31 May 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 March 1967, sold for scrap 11 August 1970[57] | ||
Plaice | SS-390 | 28 June 1943 | 15 November 1943 | 12 February 1944 | November 1947 | Transferred to Brazil 7 September 1963 as Bahia, sold to Brazil 1972, struck 1 April 1973; sold for scrap 1978 when Brazilian preservation efforts failed[57][64] | |
18 May 1963 | 7 September 1963 | ||||||
Pomfret | SS-391 | 14 July 1943 | 27 October 1943 | 19 February 1944 | April 1952 | G IIA 1953; transferred to Turkey 1 July 1971 as Oruçreis, struck and sold to Turkey 1 August 1973, decommissioned 15 September 1986, fate unknown[57][65] | |
5 December 1952 | 1 July 1971 | ||||||
Sterlet | SS-392 | 4 March 1944 | 18 September 1948 | FS 1952, BQR-4 bow sonar 1955; struck 1 October 1968, sunk as target 31 January 1969[57] | |||
26 August 1950 | 30 September 1968 | ||||||
Queenfish | SS-393 | 27 July 1943 | 30 November 1943 | 11 March 1944 | 1 March 1963 | AGSS 1 July 1960; struck 1 March 1963, sunk as target 14 August 1963[57] | |
Razorback | SS-394 | 9 September 1943 | 27 January 1944 | 3 April 1944 | August 1952 | G IIA 1954; struck and sold to Turkey 30 November 1970 as Muratreis, decommissioned by Turkey 8 August 2001, memorial in North Little Rock, Arkansas[57][66][67] | |
January 1954 | 30 November 1970 | ||||||
Redfish | SS-395 | 12 April 1944 | 27 June 1968 | AGSS 1 July 1960; struck 30 June 1968, sunk as target 6 February 1969[57] | |||
Ronquil | SS-396 | 22 April 1944 | 1 May 1952 | G IIA 1953; struck and transferred to Spain 1 July 1971 as Isaac Peral; struck by Spain 1982, fate unknown[57][68] | |||
16 January 1953 | 1 July 1971 | ||||||
Scabbardfish | SS-397 | 27 September 1943 | 29 April 1944 | 5 January 1948 | FS 1965; transferred to Greece 26 February 1965 as Triaina, struck and sold to Greece 31 January 1976; decommissioned by Greece 12 January 1979, but used for training until at least 1982, fate unknown[57][69] | ||
24 October 1964 | 26 February 1965 | ||||||
Segundo | SS-398 | 14 October 1943 | 5 February 1944 | 9 May 1944 | 1 August 1970 | FS 1951; struck 8 August 1970, sunk as target[57] | |
Sea Cat | SS-399 | 30 October 1943 | 21 February 1944 | 16 May 1944 | 2 December 1968 | AGSS 30 September 1949, SS 11 December 1951, FS 1952, AGSS 29 June 1968; struck 2 December 1968, test hulk 1968-1972, sold for scrap 18 May 1973[57] | |
Sea Devil | SS-400 | 18 November 1943 | 28 February 1944 | 24 May 1944 | 9 September 1948 | AGSS 1 July 1960; struck 1 April 1964, sunk as target 24 November 1964[57] | |
3 March 1951 | 19 February 1954 | ||||||
17 August 1957 | 17 February 1964 | ||||||
Sea Dog | SS-401 | 1 November 1943 | 28 March 1944 | 3 June 1944 | 27 June 1956 | AGSS 1 December 1962, PT 1960-1968; struck 2 December 1968, sold for scrap 2 January 1971, but sale cancelled and sunk as target 18 May 1973[57][70] | |
February 1960 | 2 December 1968 | ||||||
Sea Fox | SS-402 | 2 November 1943 | 13 June 1944 | 15 October 1952 | G IIA 1953; struck and sold to Turkey 14 December 1970 as Burakreis, decommissioned by Turkey 1 July 1996, battery charging hulk until sold for scrap in 2003[57][71] | ||
5 June 1953 | 14 December 1970 | ||||||
Atule | SS-403 | 2 December 1943 | 6 March 1944 | 21 June 1944 | 8 September 1947 | G IA 1951, AGSS 1 October 1969, SS 30 June 1971; struck 15 August 1973, sold to Peru 31 July 1974 as Pacocha; lost in a collision 26 August 1988, raised 23 July 1989, used for spare parts and presumably scrapped[72][73] | |
8 March 1951 | 6 April 1970 | ||||||
Spikefish | SS-404 | 29 January 1944 | 26 April 1944 | 30 June 1944 | 2 April 1963 | AGSS 1 July 1962; struck 1 May 1963, sunk as target 4 August 1964[72] | |
Sea Owl | SS-405 | 7 February 1944 | 7 May 1944 | 17 July 1944 | 15 November 1969 | FS 1951, BQR-4 bow sonar 1955, AGSS 30 June 1969; struck 15 November 1969, sold for scrap 3 June 1971[72] | |
Sea Poacher | SS-406 | 23 February 1944 | 20 May 1944 | 31 July 1944 | 15 November 1969 | G IA 1952, BQR-4 bow sonar 1955, AGSS 1 November 1969, SS 30 June 1971; struck 15 August 1973, sold to Peru 1 July 1974 as Pabellion de Pica (later La Pedrera), removed from service for pierside training 1995, fate unknown[72][74] | |
Sea Robin | SS-407 | 1 March 1944 | 25 May 1944 | 7 August 1944 | 1 October 1970 | G IA 1951; struck 1 October 1970, sold for scrap 3 June 1971[72] | |
Sennet | SS-408 | 8 March 1944 | 6 June 1944 | 22 August 1944 | 2 December 1968 | FS 1952; struck 2 December 1968, sold for scrap 15 June 1973[72] | |
Piper | SS-409 | 15 March 1944 | 26 June 1944 | 23 August 1944 | 16 June 1967 | FS 1951, BQR-4 bow sonar 1954, AGSS 15 June 1967, PT 1967-1970; struck 1 July 1970, sold for scrap June 1971[72] | |
Threadfin | SS-410 | 18 March 1944 | 30 August 1944 | 10 December 1952 | G IIA 1953; transferred to Turkey 18 August 1972 as 1. İnönü, struck 1 August 1973, sold to Turkey 18 August 1973; decommissioned by Turkey 11 August 1998, fate unknown[72][75] | ||
7 August 1953 | 18 August 1972 | ||||||
Spadefish | SS-411 | Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California | 27 May 1943 | 8 January 1944 | 9 March 1944 | 3 May 1946 | AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 April 1967, sold for scrap 17 October 1969[72] |
Trepang | SS-412 | 25 June 1943 | 23 March 1944 | 22 May 1944 | 27 June 1946 | PT 1960-1967, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1967, sunk as target 16 September 1969[72] | |
February 1960 | 30 June 1967 | ||||||
Spot | SS-413 | 24 August 1943 | 19 May 1944 | 3 August 1944 | 19 June 1946 | Transferred to Chile 12 January 1962 Simpson; struck and sold to Chile 1 August 1975, deleted by Chile 1982, fate unknown[72][76] | |
19 August 1961 | 12 January 1962 | ||||||
Springer | SS-414 | 30 October 1943 | 3 August 1944 | 18 October 1944 | 26 June 1946 | Transferred to Chile 23 January 1962 as Thomson; struck and sold to Chile 1 September 1972, deleted by Chile on unknown date, sold for scrap[72][77] | |
24 September 1960 | 23 January 1961 | ||||||
Stickleback | SS-415 | 1 March 1944 | 1 January 1945 | 29 March 1945 | 26 June 1946 | G IIA 1953; lost in a collision with USS Silverstein (DE-534) 28 May 1958[72][78] | |
6 September 1951 | 14 November 1952 | ||||||
26 June 1953 | N/A | ||||||
Tiru | SS-416 | 17 April 1944 | 16 September 1947 | 1 September 1948 | 1 July 1975 | Completed as G II, prototype G III 1959; struck 1 July 1975, sunk as target 19 July 1979[1][72] | |
Trumpetfish | SS-425 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | 23 August 1943 | 13 May 1945 | 29 January 1946 | 15 October 1973 | G II 1948, G III 1962; struck and sold to Brazil 15 October 1973 as Goias, struck by Brazil 16 April 1990, fate unknown[72][79] |
Tusk | SS-426 | 8 July 1945 | 11 April 1946 | 18 October 1973 | G II 1948; struck and sold to Taiwan 18 October 1973 as Hai Pao, still in service[72][80] | ||
Turbot | SS-427 | 13 November 1943 | 12 April 1946 | N/A | N/A | Cancelled and construction suspended 12 August 1945, launched incomplete, machinery test hulk at Annapolis, MD, sold for scrap 24 March 1993[72][81] | |
Ulua | SS-428 | 23 April 1946 | N/A | N/A | Cancelled and construction suspended 12 August 1945, launched incomplete, ordnance test hulk at Norfolk, VA 1951-1958; struck 12 June 1958, sold for scrap 30 September 1958[72][82] | ||
Unicorn | SS-429 | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | Cancelled 29 July 1944[1] | |
Vendace | SS-430 | ||||||
Walrus | SS-431 | ||||||
Whitefish | SS-432 | ||||||
Whiting | SS-433 | ||||||
Wolffish | SS-434 | ||||||
Unnamed | SS-438 through SS-457 | Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut | |||||
SS-458 through SS-463 | Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin | ||||||
Chicolar | SS-464 | ||||||
Unnamed | SS-465 through SS-474 | ||||||
SS-530 through SS-536 | Cramp Shipbuilding Company, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | ||||||
See also
References
- Bauer and Roberts, pp. 275-280
- United States Submarine Losses in World War II, Naval History Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington: 1963 (Fifth Printing)
- GUPPY and other diesel boat conversions page
- Fleet Submarine index page at Navsource.org
- Friedman 1995, p. 209
- Silverstone, pp. 203-204
- Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 145-147
- These were in commission but classed as "in commission, in reserve", thus some were decommissioned and recommissioned on the same day to reflect the change in status
- Friedman 1995, p. 285
- "Guavina (SS-362)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
- Friedman 1995, p. 297
- USS Bowfin memorial website
- "Lancetfish (SS-298) (sic)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
- New Jersey Naval Museum website
- Battleship Cove website
- Friedman 1995, p. 298
- Manta (SS-299) at Navsource.org
- Roncador (SS-301) at Navsource.org
- Sabalo (SS-302) at Navsource.org
- Skate (SS-305) at Navsource.org
- Tilefish (SS-307) at Navsource.org
- Apogon (SS-308) at Navsource.org
- Muskogee War Memorial Park website
- Burrfish (SS-312) at Navsource.org
- USS Becuna memorial website
- Bergall (SS-320) at Navsource.org
- Besugo (SS-321) at Navsource.org
- Friedman 1995, p. 299
- Caiman (SS-323) at Navsource.org
- Blower (SS-325) at Navsource.org
- Blueback (SS-326) at Navsource.org
- Boarfish (SS-327) at Navsource.org
- Chub (SS-329) at Navsource.org
- Brill (SS-330) at Navsource.org
- Bumper (SS-333) at Navsource.org
- Bóveda, Jorge (2007). La Odisea del submarino Santa Fe. IPN editores, pp. 79–90. ISBN 978-950-899-073-0 (in Spanish)
- Entemedor (SS-340) at Navsource.org
- Chivo (SS-341) at Navsource.org
- USS Clamagore memorial website
- Cobbler (SS-344) at Navsource.org
- Corporal (SS-346) at Navsource.org
- Cubera (SS-347) at Navsource.org
- Friedman 1995, p. 300
- Dogfish (SS-350) at Navsource.org
- Greenfish (SS-351) at Navsource.org
- Hardhead (SS-365) at Navsource.org
- Hawkbill (SS-366) at Navsource.org
- Icefish (SS-367) at Navsource.org
- Jallao (SS-368) at Navsource.org
- Kraken (SS-370) at Navsource.org
- Lamprey (SS-372) at Navsource.org
- Lizardfish (SS-373) at Navsource.org
- Loggerhead (SS-374) at Navsource.org
- Macabi (SS-375) at Navsource.org
- Mapiro (SS-376) at Navsource.org
- Friedman 1995, p. 301
- Menhaden (SS-377) at Navsource.org
- Mero (SS-378) at Navsource.org
- Sand Lance (SS-381) at Navsource.org
- Picuda (SS-382) at Navsource.org
- USS Pampanito memorial website
- Bang (SS-385) at Navsource.org
- Plaice (SS-390) at Navsource.org
- Pomfret (SS-391) at Navsource.org
- Razorback (SS-394) at Navsource.org
- Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum website
- Ronquil (SS-396) at Navsource.org
- Scabbardfish (SS-397) at Navsource.org
- Sea Dog (SS-401) at Navsource.org
- Sea Fox (SS-402) at Navsource.org
- Friedman 1995, p. 302
- The B.A.P. PACOCHA (SS-48) Collision: The Escape and Medical Recompression Treatment of Survivors, by Claude Harvey, M.D. and John Carson, M.D., published 30 March 1989 as Special Report SP89-1 by the Naval Submarine Medical Research Laboratory, Naval Medical Research Center. (link commences a PDF download)
- Sea Poacher (SS-406) at Navsource.org
- Threadfin (SS-410) at Navsource.org
- Spot (SS-413) at Navsource.org
- Springer (SS-414) at Navsource.org
- Springer (SS-414) at Navsource.org
- Trumpetfish (SS-425) at Navsource.org
- Tusk (SS-426) at Navsource.org
- Turbot (SS-427) at Navsource.org
- Ulua (SS-428) at Navsource.org
- Bauer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-26202-0.
- Friedman, Norman (1995). U.S. Submarines through 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
- Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946. London: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-83170-303-2.
- Silverstone, Paul H. (1989) [1965]. U.S. Warships of World War II. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-773-9.
Further reading
- Blair, Clay, Jr. (2001). Silent Victory: The U.S. Submarine War Against Japan. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-217-X.
- Friedman, Norman (1994). U.S. Submarines since 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-260-9.
- O'Kane, Richard H. (1989) [1977]. Clear the Bridge!: The War Patrols of the U.S.S. Tang. Novato, CA: Presidio Press. ISBN 978-0-89141-346-2. Different pagination than 1977 edition.
External links
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