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USS Blackfish SS-221

During World War II, the Navy's fleet of submarines was important in the success of the United States in the Atlantic and Pacific. Although fighting in Europe was a significant part of the war, it was also important that we maintain a strong presence in the water. One of the vessels that helped the United States achieve victory was the USS Blackfish SS-221.

In the early 1940s, the United States rushed submarines into production. The USS Blackfish SS-221 was a Gato class submarine, the first designed class of Navy submarines. There were over 75 Gato class submarines built between 1940 and 1944, and during World War II, these vessels were responsible for sinking over 1.7 million tons of Japanese ships and cargo. Most of these Gato style of ships were built by the Electric Boar Company, and the USS Blackfish SS-221 was one of them.

The USS Blackfish SS-221 was laid down on July 1, 1941 in Connecticut. She was just over 300 feet long and could travel at speeds up to 21 knots per hour when surfaced and 9 knots per hour when submerged. The ship was equipped with 10 torpedo tubes that could hold 24 torpedoes, as well as deck guns and machine guns. She carried a crew of 6 officers and 54 sailors.

Sponsored by Mrs. Henry de F. Mel, a captain's wife, the USS Blackfish SS-221 was launched on April 18, 1942 and commissioned on July 22, 1942 at the command of Commander Raymond W. Johnson. She spent three months training and then traveled to West Africa, where she served in a reconnaissance roll off the coast of Dakar. The USS Blackfish SS-221 and her crew were instrumental in Operation Torch, and invasion of North Africa. During this time, she damaged an enemy cargo ship and escaped a destroyer's attack.

She remained on patrol until November of 1942, when she traveled to Scotland for repairs. The USS Blackfish SS-221 was then sent on a mission to patrol the North Atlantic. This mission, lasting until January, was largely uneventful. After returning to Scotland briefly, the USS Blackfish SS-221 headed to Spain.

On February 1, 1943, the submarine was sent to patrol the Bay of Biscay off the coast of Spain. There, she encountered two German patrol boats that were disguised as trawlers. The USS Blackfish SS-221 and her crew sank one, but the other fired heavily and was forced to dive deeply to escape the depth charges. On February 22, the USS Blackfish SS-221 arrived in Falmouth, England, were she underwent repairs and have mechanical problems corrected.

The USS Blackfish SS-221 then began a fourth wartime patrol, which was uneventful save an icing problem in the cold waters around Norway and Iceland. A fifth patrol was ordered in the Northern Atlantic, but once again, no enemies were spotted and after this mission ended, the submarine traveled back to the United States for retraining and usage in the Pacific.

After leaving the east coast of the United States, the USS Blackfish SS-221 traveled to Australia through the Panama Canal. She was refitted and trained before being sent to the New Guinea area for patrolling. On November 23, 1943, she attacked an enemy convoy for four cargo ships and two escorts. It is unclear whether any of the ships sank during this attack, as the Japanese continued maneuvering the damaged ships to escape. On December 4, the USS Blackfish SS-221 ended her patrol of those waters and docked at Milne Bay in New Guinea for repairs and refits.

During the remainder of the war, the USS Blackfish SS-221 was sent on many more patrols around the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the South China Sea, the East China Sea, and the Yellow Sea. During her twelfth and final wartime patrol, she rescued a group of six Army fliers and bombed a number of Japanese shore structures.

When the war ended, the USS Blackfish SS-221 left her current station in Guam and traveled to the east coast of the United States once again. She was placed on reserve at the New London Submarine Base in Connecticut. Later, she was sent to the Naval Reserve Training Center in St. Petersburg, Florida, where she was used for training reserve officers and sailors. She underwent renovations to provide the Navy with the best training vessel possible and served in Florida for many years.

In 1954, the USS Blackfish SS-221 was again placed on the inactive list, and within a few months, she was decommissioned for a second time. Finally, in 1958, the USS Blackfish SS-221 was stricken from the Navy Register and less than a year later, she was sold to Luria Brothers and Co., Inc for scrap metal.

This vessel earned eight battle stars during World War II. However, as glorious as her history has been, it is important to remember that all vessels during this time period were built using asbestos-based products, which can be quite dangerous. If you worked on this ship for any amount of time, contact a doctor and a lawyer as soon as possible.

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

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