|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

|

USS Blackfin SS-322

During Word War II, a number of United States Naval vessels made significant impacts in the Pacific waters. Without these vessels, the war may not have been one. One such vessel was the USS Blackfin SS-322. This submarine was named after a small fish found in the Great Lakes region of the United States. Together, the crew of the USS Blackfin SS-322 and other submarines helped to win World War II.

The USS Blackfin SS-322 was first laid down on June 10, 1943 by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut as a Balao class diesel electric submarine. She was over 300 feet long and 27 feet wide at her beam and was propelled by four large General Motors V16 engines, 2 126-cell Sargo batteries, and 4 high-speed General Electric electric motors with reduction gears. Above the surface, she could travel over 20 knots per hour, and below, she displaced over 2400 tons and could travel about 8.75 knots per hour. At slower speeds, the vessel could stay submerged for up to 48 hours.

Sponsored by Mrs. Charles A. Lockwood, the wife of Rear Admiral Lockwood, the vessel was launched on March 12, 1944 and, after a brief shakedown voyage, as commissioned on July 4, 1944. When she was launched, Lieutenant Commander George Hays Laird, Jr. was place in command. Almost immediately, this submarine was called to join the Pacific fleet in defending our country and the countries of our Allies against the Japanese.

The USS Blackfin SS-322 traveled to Pearl Harbor through the Panama Canal, arriving at her new home port on September 11, 1944. From there, she was sent out on five wartime missions. She mostly patrolled the South China Sea and the Yellow Sea. The USS Blackfin SS-322 sank two vessels during that time – a cargo ship and the Japanese Destroyer Shigure.

The sinking of the Shigure was a huge United States victory, as it was though that the vessel had a lucky curse. Three times before, during the Battle of Vella Gulf, during the Battle of Surigao Strait, and during an aircraft carried escort mission, the Shigure was the only ship to survive the attack. The USS Blackfin SS-322 sunk her on January 24, 1945 in the Gulf of Siam.

While the USS Blackfin SS-322 was on her fifth tour, the war ended. She then was stationed at a lifeguarding center and put on a mission to destroy some of the war's leftover floating mines. Afterwards, she traveled to Apra Harbor in Guam, where minor repairs were completed before she headed home to San Diego.

Upon returning to the United States, the USS Blackfin SS-322 joined Submarine Squadron 1 and remained in duty, mostly patrolling waters and completing training around Hawaii and the Mariana Islands. In 1946, she became one of the few submarines to take part in Operations Iceberg, a test voyage through the Arctic Circle. Soon afterwards, the USS Blackfin SS-322 was sent to Mare Island and was placed on the decommissioned list until the 1950s.

With the Korean War impending, the USS Blackfin SS-322 was converted fully into a Guppy submarine. With her new updates, she could now travel faster when submerged, as well as stay under the surface for longer periods of time. All of her guns were removed, but she kept all ten of her torpedoes. At the same time, a snorkel was added and her batteries were upgraded.

As a Guppy class submarine, the USS Blackfin SS-322 was recommissioned. She completed two Asian tours – the first from December 1951 to June 1952 and the second from January 1955 to June of that same year. She also took part in train exercises, simulating war patrols.

The USS Blackfin SS-322 was used in the filming of two movies – Move Over Darling (starring Doris Day and James Garner) and Ice Station Zebra (starring Rock Hudson and Patrick McGoohan). In 1972, the USS Blackfin SS-322 was decommissioned and stricken from the Navy's list of ships. After an inspection, the decision was made to sink her as part of “SubSinkEx Project Thurber.” She was used for target practice, which ultimately scuttled her of the coast of California to become a reef for the ocean's plant and animal life.

Although the USS Blackfin SS-322 received three battle stars for service in World War II and many of her crewmen were awarded prestigious medals over the years, there was one problem with her history. Like most other ships during this era, the USS Blackfin SS-322 was constructed using products containing asbestos. This substance is extremely dangerous, especially in close quarters with little ventilation. Therefore, if you or a loved one served on this great ship for any amount of time, it is important to talk to a doctor and a lawyer to learn more about potential medical problems and your legal rights.

Submarines Index

USS Albacore SS 218 USS Amberjack SS 219 USS Angler SS 240 USS Apogon SS 308 USS Archer-Fish SS 311 USS Argonaut-SM-1 USS Argonaut SS 475 USS Aspro SS 309 USS Atule SS 403 USS Balao SS 285 USS Bang SS 385 USS Barbel SS 316 USS Barbero SS 317 USS Barb SS 220 USS Barracuda SS 163 USS Bashaw SS 241 USS Bergall SS 320 USS Besugo SS 321 USS Billfish SS 286 USS Blackfin SS 322 USS Blackfish SS 221 USS Blenny SS 324 USS Blower SS 325 USS Blueback SS 326 USS Bluefish SS 222 USS Bluegill SS 242 USS Boarfish SS 327 USS Bonefish SS 223 USS Bonita SS 165 USS Bowfin SS 287 USS Bream SS 243 USS Brill SS 330 USS Bugara SS 331 USS Bullhead SS 332 USS Bumper SS 333 USS Burrfish SS 312 USS Cabezon SS 334 USS Carbonero SS 337 USS Hake SS 256 USS Hammerhead SS 364 USS Harder SS 257 USS Hardhead SS 365 USS Hawkbill SS 366

USS Herring SS 233 USS Hoe SS 258 USS Icefish SS 367 USS Jack SS 259 USS Jallao SS 368 USS Kete S 369 USS Kingfish SS 234 USS Kraken SS 370 USS Lagarto SS 371 USS Lizardfish SS 373 USS Loggerhead SS 374 USS Macabi SS 375 USS Mackerel 204 USS Manta SS 299 USS Mapiro SS 376 USS Marlin SS 205 USS Mingo SS 261 USS Moray SS 300 USS Muskallunge SS 262 USS Narwhal SS 263 USS Nautilus SS 168 USS Paddle SS 167 USS Pampanito SS 383 USS Parche SS 384 USS Pargo SS 264 USS Perch SS 176 USS Permit SS 178 USS Peto SS 265 USS Pickerel SS 177 USS Picuda SS 382 USS Pike SS 173 USS Pilotfish SS 386 USS Pintado SS 387 USS Pipefish SS 388 USS Piranha SS 389 USS Plaice SS 390 USS Plunger SS 179 USS Pogy SS 266 USS Pollack SS 180 USS Pomfret SS 391 USS Pompano SS 181 USS Pompon SS 267 USS Porpoise SS 172

USS Puffer SS 268 USS Queenfish SS 393 USS Quillback SS 424 USS Rasher SS 269 USS Raton SS 270 USS Ray SS 271 USS Razorback SS 394 USS Redfin SS 272 USS Redfish SS 395 USS Robalo SS 273 USS Rock SS 274 USS Ronquil SS 396 USS Runner SS 275 USS Runner SS 476 USS S-1 SS 105 USS S-20 SS 125 USS S-46 SS 157 USS Sailfish SS 192 USS Salmon SS 182 USS Sand Lance SS 381 USS Sargo SS 188 USS Saury SS 189 USS Sawfish SS 276 USS Scabbardfish SS 397 USS Scamp SS 277 USS Scorpion SS 278 USS Sculpin SS 191 USS Sea Cat SS 399 USS Sea Devil SS 400 USS Sea Dog SS 401 USS Seadragon SS 194 USS Sea Fox SS 402 USS Seahorse SS 304 USS Sealion SS 195 USS Seal SS 183 USS Sea Owl SS 405 USS Sea Poacher SS 406 USS Searaven SS 196 USS Sea Robin SS 407 USS Seawolf SS 197 USS Segundo SS 398 USS Sennet SS 408

Name:

Address:

City, State, Zip:

Phone Number:

Email:

Diagnosis:

Select... Mesothelioma Lung Cancer Asbestosis Severe Asbestosis Unknown

Comments:

Show Your Support

Free Wristbands
Get an Asbestos Awareness Wristband. Read More

VA Claim Help

Support Book

Cancer Support Book
Get a Free Copy of Lean on Me - Cancer Through a Carer's Eyes. Read More

In Your Area

Asbestos Exposure
Learn about asbestos exposure and legal options in your area. Read More

We comply with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: Verify Here.