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fighting ships of the world

UNITED STATES NAVY (UNITED STATES OF AMERICA)

SUBMARINES

GATO and BALAO submarines

GATO

Whale 1942

Hake 1943

BALAO

Barbero 1944

Tang 1944

Hawkbill 1944

Pampanito 1944

all but SS416:

Ship project history: Under the FY1941 program the building of eight Gato class submarines (SS212-219) was provided. They basically repeated predecessors of Gar class, the main difference consisted in return to diesel-electric drive and some increase in a length to allow to improve hull subdivision on compartments and to divide engine room by watertight bulkhead.

In May, 1940 the decision on building of 28 more (SS220-247) Gato class submarines followed, and in two months 37 more boats (SS248-284) were ordered. Under the "Emergency" 1942 program it was provided to build 132 more submarines of a little advanced Balao class (SS285-416), but in 1944 the order for 10 boats (SS353-360, 379 and 380) was cancelled.

Double-hulled submarines, with 90m operational diving depth. Since SS285 Balao project received a number of improvements in hull construction (basically technological), that allowed to simplify building and simultaneously led to some economy of weight. This prize was expended on pressure hull strengthening, then the diving depth has increased to 120m. Diving depth has formed the basis of setting off of Balao class submarines into separate group. As submarines of both classes were built in a parallel way throughout all second half of war, differences between submarines in one group frequently were more than between Balao and Gato classes (except a diving depth).

First Gato class submarines became operational with traditional large streamlined CT, but already from late 1942, CT was replaced by new smaller, with the special platforms for AA guns. Subsequently earlier submarines also received CTs rebuilt in a similar way.

The design artillery consisted from 76/50mm gun and two 12.7mm MGs, and first Gatos were completed so. From late 1942 submarines received more powerful artillery consisted from 102/50mm gun and two 20mm Oerlikons. In 1943 submarines were commissioned with one-two 127/25mm guns and two 20mm Oerlikons. Part of boats had one or both 20mm MGs replaced by 40mm Boforses.

Modernizations: 1943, Greenling, Grouper, Flying Fish, Kingfish: CT was rebuilt; - 1 x 1 - 76/50, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90; + 1 x 1 - 127/25 Mk 17, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon

1943 - 1944, many earlier submarines: CT was rebuilt; - 1 x 1 - 76/50, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90; + (1 - 2) x 1 - 127/25 Mk 17, (1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors, 1 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon) or 2 x 1 - 20/70 Oerlikon

1944 - 1945, many submarines: - 1 x 1 - 102/50; + (1 - 2) x 1 - 127/25 Mk 17

1945, many submarines: - 1 x 1 - 20/70; + 1 x 1 - 40/56 Bofors

1945, Barb, Chivo, Chopper: + 1 x 1 - 127 Mk 51 rocket launcher

1946 - 1953, part of submarines was converted to radar pickets by Migraine program. "Migraine" submarines can use their radars only when surfaced, later converted submarines had snorkel and can use radars in cruise position. "Migraine III" submarines received longed hull.

Migraine I

Burrfish 1954

Migraine III

Ray 1954

In 1948 one submarine of Balao class was commissioned by GUPPY II design and 10 submarines were so modernized in 1947 - 1950, as follows: new, more powerful and enlarged battery was installed, hull, CT and superstructure were streamlined, all guns were removed. Snorkel was installed.

Halfbeak 1954

1947 - 1966, 19 submarines were modernized by "Fleet Snorkel" design, as follows: CT and superstructure were streamlined, all guns were removed. Snorkel was installed. Data was as follows:

Carp 1953

1948 - 1949, Cusk and Carbonero were converted to missile submarines. At first Cusk received launching ramp for cruise missile Loon (German V-1), Carbonero used as command ship. Later both submarines received 2 cylindrical containers for Loons. In 1953 Cusk was modernized as standard "Fleet snorkel" submarine but Carbonero was used in Regulus program from 1953. Their data and data of ex-transport Barbero and ex-GUPPY Tunny was as follows: All these submarines (exceed Barbero) received new CT, part of engines was removed. All subs received snorkel.

Tunny 1953

1948, Perch, Sealion: were converted to landing submarines. Hangar for jeeps and APC aft from CT and snorkel were installed. 2 diesel-generators were removed; - 4 - 533 TT (stern), total stowage 18 torpedoes. Sealion received flying deck for helicopter, Perch had hangar for land vehicles.

1948, Barbero was converted to troop transport submarine: 4 aft TT, 2 diesel-generators and part of battery were removed and their compartments were converted to accommodations for marines. Snorkel was installed

1948, Guavina was converted to tanker, all TT were removed, 1 of aft ex-TT was used for bunkering of patrol seaplanes P6M. Snorkel was installed. Cargo fuel capacity was 606 ts.

1951 - 1952, 8 submarines were modernized by GUPPY IA design, as follows: battery was enlarged, hull, CT and superstructure were streamlined, all guns were removed. Snorkel was installed. 2 submarines were modernized in 1955 by identical design GUPPY IB.

GUPPY IA

Sea Poacher 1953

GUPPY IB:

1951 - 1953, 7 submarines were converted to attack submarines: 2 main diesels were removed, snorkel and new more sensible active and passive sonars were installed. CT was streamlined.

Bashaw 1953

1952 - 1954, 12 submarines were modernized by GUPPY IIA design, as follows: battery was enlarged, hull, CT and superstructure were streamlined, all guns were removed. Snorkel and new sonars were installed. One diesel was removed. SS394 Razorback can also used as target.

Razorback 1955

1956 - 1960, all "Migraine I and III" submarines were reconverted to conventional attack submarines, all additional radars were removed.

1959 - 1963, 5 GUPPY II submarines were modernized by GUPPY III design, as follows: Hull was longed, CT was replaced by new. New sonars were installed. Submarines can launch Mk 45 Astor nuclear torpedoes. Data was as follows:

Clamagore 1963

1965 - 1966, Tunny: was converted to transport submarine: Regulus hangar was converted to cargo hold. 

Naval service: Grunion in June-July, 1942 was lost by unknown cause in Northern Pacific (presumably sunk by Japanese submarine I25). Amberjack 16/2/1943 was sunk at Rabaul by Japanese torpedo boat Hiyodori and submarine chaser Ch18. Wahoo 11/10/1943 was sunk in La Perouse strait by Japanese aircraft and submarine chasers Ch15 and Ch43. Dorado in October, 1943 was lost by unknown cause at E Coast of North America (presumably erroneously by USN patrol aircraft). Corvina 16/11/1943 was sunk at Truk by Japanese submarine I176. Runner in May-June, 1943 was lost by unknown cause at coast of Japan (possibly mined at Hokkaido). Cisco 28/9/1943 was sunk in Sula sea by Japanese aircraft and river gunboat Karatsu. Capelin in December, 1943 was lost by unknown cause in Pacific (probably mined). Scorpion in January-February, 1944 was lost by unknown cause in Yellow sea (probably mined). Tullibee 26/3/1944 was sunk N off Palau as result of hit of own torpedo. Herring 1/6/1944 was sunk off Matsuwa island by Japanese coastal battery. Golet 14/6/1944 was sunk NE off Honshu by Japanese ships. Robalo 26/7/1944 was lost on a minefield off Palawan. Flier 13/8/1944 was lost on a mine in Balabak strait. Harder 24/8/1944 was sunk in South China sea by Japanese escort CD22. Tang 24/10/1944 was lost in Taiwan strait as result of hit of own torpedo. Shark 24/10/1944 was sunk off Luzon by Japanese destroyer Harukaze. Darter 24/10/1944 ran aground at Palawan, abandoned by crew and sunk by submarine Dace. Escolar in October-November, 1944 was lost by unknown cause in Tsushima strait area (probably mined). Albacore 7/11/1944 was lost on minefield off Hokkaido. Growler 8/11/1944 was sunk off Luzon by Japanese destroyer Shigure and escorts Chiburi and CD19. Scamp 11/11/1944 was sunk N off Bonin Islands by Japanese aircraft and escort CD4. Barbel 4/2/1945 was sunk SW off Palawan by Japanese aircraft. Kete in March, 1945 was lost by unknown cause between Okinawa and Midway (probably mined or sunk by Japanese submarine RO41). Trigger 28/3/1945 was sunk SE off Miyazaki Island by Japanese aircraft and escort Micura. Snook in April, 1945 was lost by unknown cause E off Taiwan (probably mined). Lagarto 3/5/1945 was sunk in Gulf of Siam by Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka. Lancetfish 15/3/1945 foundered at pier in Boston, salvaged 23/3/1945, never completely repaired and formally stricken in June, 1958. Bonefish was sunk 18/6/1945 at Japanese coast by Japanese escorts Okinawa, CD63, 75, 158 and 207. Bullhead 6/8/1945 was sunk N off Bali by Japanese aircraft.

Barbero 27/12/1944 was badly damaged by Japanese aircraft and was under repair till the end of war. Halibut 14/11/1944 was badly damaged by Japanese aircraft and never repaired. Bergall 13/6/1945 was damaged in Gulf of Siam by Japanese mine.

Apogon was sunk 1/7/1946 at nuclear tests at Bikini. Cochino 25/8/1949 was lost as a result of casualty. Stickleback 29/5/1958 was sunk off Hawaii at collision with destroyer escort Silverstein.

Gato 1944

Redfin 1957

Sabalo 1953

Diodon 1965

Cusk 1948

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© Ivan Gogin, 2008-10