List of Gato-class submarines

List of Gato-class submarines and their dispositions. 77 of these boats were built during World War II, commissioned from November 1941 through April 1944.[1] The class was very successful in sinking Japanese merchant ships and naval vessels: the top three US submarines in tonnage sunk were Gatos, along with three of the top seven in number of ships sunk.[2] But success had a price: 20 of the 52 US submarines lost in that war were of this class, plus Halibut, a damaged boat that returned to the US but was considered a constructive total loss and not repaired.[1][3] Although many of the class were in reserve postwar and scrapped in 1959-1960, some Gatos served actively with the US Navy into the late 1960s, and others served with foreign navies into the early 1970s.

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 that 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]

Abbreviations

Abbreviations and hull classification symbols for postwar redesignations/conversions:

  • AGSS — auxiliary submarine (various roles including sonar testing)
  • APSS/LPSS — amphibious transport submarine
  • FS — "fleet snorkel" conversion, including a snorkel and streamlined sail[6]
  • G IB — GUPPY IB conversion, including a snorkel, streamlined sail, and improved batteries
  • IXSS — unclassified submarine
  • PT — pierside trainer for naval reservists, reportedly immobilized by removing the propellers[7][8][9]
  • SSG — guided missile submarine
  • SSK — hunter-killer submarine
  • SSO/AOSS — submarine oiler conversion
  • SSR — radar picket submarine
  • Struck — Struck (deleted) from the Naval Vessel Register, usually followed by scrapping or other final disposal

Ships in class
Ship Name Hull No. Builder Laid down Launched Commissioned/
Recommissioned		 Decommissioned Fate
Gato SS-212 Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut 5 October 1940 21 August 1941 31 December 1941 16 March 1946 PT 1952-1960; struck 1 March 1960, sold for scrap[10]
1952 1 March 1960
Greenling SS-213 12 November 1940 20 September 1941 21 January 1942 16 October 1946 PT 1946-1960; struck 1 March 1960, sold for scrap[10]
December 1946 1 March 1960
Grouper SS-214 28 December 1940 27 October 1941 12 February 1942 2 December 1968 SSK Jan 1951; AGSS 21 Jun 1958; struck 2 December 1968, sold for scrap[10]
Growler SS-215 10 February 1941 22 November 1941 20 March 1942 N/A Lost to Japanese surface attack, 8 November 1944[10][11]
Grunion SS-216 1 March 1941 22 December 1941[1] 11 April 1942 Lost to unknown cause, possibly rammed by Japanese merchant ship, 30 July 1942[10][12][13]
Guardfish SS-217 1 April 1941 20 January 1942 8 May 1942 25 May 1946 PT 1948-1960; struck 1 June 1960, sold for scrap[10]
18 June 1948 1 June 1960
Albacore SS-218 21 April 1941 17 February 1942 1 June 1942 N/A Lost to Japanese mine, 7 November 1944[10][14]
Amberjack SS-219 15 May 1941 6 March 1942[1] 19 June 1942 Lost, possibly to Japanese surface attack, 16 February 1943[10][15]
Barb SS-220 7 June 1941 2 April 1942 8 July 1942 12 February 1947 G IB 1954, transferred to Italy as Enrico Tazzoli 1954; returned to US and sold for scrap 15 October 1972[10]
3 December 1951 5 February 1954
3 August 1954 13 December 1954
Blackfish SS-221 1 July 1941 18 April 1942 22 July 1942 11 May 1946 PT 1949-1954; struck 1 September 1958, sold for scrap[10]
5 May 1949 19 May 1954
Bluefish SS-222 5 June 1942 21 February 1943 24 May 1943 12 February 1947 Struck 1 September 1958, sold for scrap 4 May 1959[1][10]
7 January 1952 20 November 1953
Bonefish SS-223 25 June 1942 7 March 1943 31 May 1943 N/A Lost to Japanese surface attack, 18 June 1945[1][10]
Cod SS-224 21 July 1942 21 March 1943 21 June 1943 22 June 1946 PT 1960-1971, AGSS 1 December 1962, IXSS 30 June 1971, struck 15 December 1971, memorial in Cleveland, Ohio[10][16]
1 May 1960 15 December 1971
Cero SS-225 24 August 1942 4 April 1943 4 July 1943 8 June 1946 PT 1959-1967; struck 30 June 1967, sold for scrap October 1970[1][10]
4 February 1952 23 December 1953
12 September 1959 30 June 1967
Corvina SS-226 21 September 1942 9 May 1943 6 August 1943 N/A Lost to Japanese submarine attack, 16 November 1943[1][10]
Darter SS-227 20 October 1942 6 June 1943 7 September 1943 Lost to accidental grounding, 24 October 1944[1][10]
Drum SS-228 Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine 11 September 1940 12 May 1941 1 November 1941 16 February 1946 PT 1947-1968, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1968, memorial in Mobile, Alabama[10][17]
18 March 1947 30 June 1968
Flying Fish SS-229 6 December 1940 9 July 1941 10 December 1941 28 May 1954 AGSS 29 November 1950; struck 1 August 1958, sold for scrap 1 May 1959[10]
Finback SS-230 5 February 1941 25 August 1941 31 January 1942 21 April 1950 Struck 1 September 1958, sold for scrap 15 July 1959[10]
Haddock SS-231 31 March 1941 20 October 1941 14 March 1942 12 February 1947 PT 1948-1952, 1956-1960; struck 1 June 1960, sold for scrap 23 August 1960[10]
August 1948 May 1952
June 1956 1 June 1960
Halibut SS-232 16 May 1941 3 December 1941 10 April 1942 18 July 1945 Constructive total loss following Japanese air attack 14 November 1944, returned to US but not repaired, struck 8 May 1946, sold for scrap 9 December 1946[10][18]
Herring SS-233 14 July 1941 5 January 1942 4 May 1942 N/A Lost to Japanese shore batteries, 1 June 1944[1][10]
Kingfish SS-234 29 August 1941 2 March 1942 20 May 1942 9 March 1946 PT 1947-1960; struck 1 March 1960, sold for scrap 6 October 1960[19]
6 October 1947 1 March 1960
Shad SS-235 24 October 1941 15 April 1942 12 June 1942 1947 PT 1948-1960; struck 1 April 1960, sold for scrap 11 July 1960[19]
October 1947 1 April 1960
Silversides SS-236 Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California 4 November 1940 26 August 1941 15 December 1941 17 April 1946 PT 1947-1969, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 30 June 1969, memorial in Chicago, Illinois 1973-1987, memorial in Muskegon, Michigan 1987-present[19][20]
15 October 1947 30 June 1969
Trigger SS-237 1 February 1941 22 October 1941 31 January 1942 N/A Lost to Japanese surface attack, 28 March 1945[1][19]
Wahoo SS-238 28 June 1941 14 February 1942 15 May 1942 Lost to Japanese air attack, 11 October 1943[1][19]
Whale SS-239 28 June 1941 14 March 1942 1 June 1942 1 June 1946 PT 1957-1960; struck 1 March 1960, sold for scrap 14 October 1960[19]
22 January 1957 1 March 1960
Angler SS-240 Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut 9 November 1942 4 July 1943 1 October 1943 2 February 1947 SSK 18 February 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 1 July 1963, IXSS 30 June 1971, PT 1968-1971; struck 15 December 1971, sold for scrap 1 February 1974[19]
2 April 1951 10 November 1952
10 September 1953 1 April 1968
1 April 1968 15 December 1971
Bashaw SS-241 4 December 1942 25 July 1943 25 October 1943 29 June 1949 SSK 18 February 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 1 September 1962; struck 13 September 1969, sold for scrap 4 August 1972 (some sources state sunk as target)[19][21][22]
3 April 1951 10 May 1952
28 March 1953 13 September 1969
Bluegill SS-242 7 December 1942 8 August 1943 11 November 1943 1 March 1946 SSK 18 February 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 1 April 1966; struck 28 June 1969, scuttled off Hawaii 3 December 1970, wreck used for salvage training, towed to deep water and sunk with honors 6 November 1983[19][23]
3 May 1951 7 July 1952
2 May 1953 28 June 1969
Bream SS-243 5 February 1943 17 October 1943 24 January 1944 31 January 1946 SSK 18 February 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 15 April 1965; struck 28 June 1969, sunk as target 7 November 1969[19]
5 June 1951 10 September 1952
20 June 1953 28 June 1969
Cavalla SS-244 4 March 1943 14 November 1943 29 February 1944 16 March 1946 SSK 18 February 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 1 July 1963, PT 1968-1969; struck 30 December 1969, memorial in Galveston, Texas[19][24]
10 April 1951 3 September 1952
15 July 1953 3 June 1968
3 June 1968 30 December 1969
Cobia SS-245 17 March 1943 28 November 1943 29 March 1944 22 May 1946 PT 1959-1970, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 1 July 1970, memorial in Manitowoc, Wisconsin[19][25]
6 July 1951 19 March 1954
12 September 1959 1 July 1970
Croaker SS-246 1 April 1943 19 December 1943 21 April 1944 15 June 1946 SSK 9 April 1953, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 1 May 1967, IXSS 30 June 1971, PT 1968-1971; struck 20 December 1971, memorial in Groton, CT 1977-1987, memorial in Buffalo, New York 1988-present[19][26]
7 May 1951 18 March 1953
11 December 1953 2 April 1968
2 April 1968 20 December 1971
Dace SS-247 22 July 1942 25 April 1943 23 July 1943 12 February 1947 G IB 1955, transferred to Italy as Leonardo da Vinci 1955; returned to US and sold for scrap 15 October 1972[19]
8 August 1951 15 January 1954
22 October 1954 31 January 1955
Dorado SS-248 27 August 1942 23 May 1943 28 August 1943 N/A Lost, probably to "friendly fire" air attack or German mine off Panama, 12 October 1943[19][27]
Flasher SS-249 30 September 1942 20 June 1943 25 September 1943 16 March 1946 Struck 1 June 1959, sold for scrap 8 June 1963, conning tower preserved as memorial in Groton, Connecticut[19]
Flier SS-250 30 October 1942 11 June 1943 18 October 1943 N/A Lost to Japanese mine, 13 August 1944[19]
Flounder SS-251 5 December 1942 22 August 1943 29 November 1943 12 February 1947 Struck 1 June 1959, sold for scrap 2 February 1960[19]
Gabilan SS-252 5 January 1943 19 September 1943 28 December 1943 23 February 1946 Struck 1 June 1959, sold for scrap 11 January 1960[19]
Gunnel SS-253 27 July 1941 17 May 1942 20 August 1942 18 May 1946 Struck 1 September 1958, sold for scrap December 1959[28]
Gurnard SS-254 2 September 1941 1 June 1942 18 September 1942 27 November 1945 PT 1949-1960; struck 1 May 1961, sold for scrap 29 October 1961[28]
April 1949 June 1960
Haddo SS-255 1 October 1941 21 June 1942 9 October 1942 16 February 1946 Struck 1 August 1958, sold for scrap 4 May 1959[28]
Hake SS-256 1 November 1941 17 July 1942 30 October 1942 13 July 1946 PT 1956-1968, AGSS 1 December 1962; struck 19 April 1968; salvage training hulk in Chesapeake Bay 1968-1972, sold for scrap 5 December 1972[28]
15 October 1956 19 April 1968
Harder SS-257 1 December 1941 19 August 1942 2 December 1942 N/A Lost to Japanese surface attack, 24 August 1944[1][28]
Hoe SS-258 2 January 1942 17 September 1942 16 December 1942 7 August 1946 PT 1956-1960; struck 1 May 1960, sold for scrap 10 September 1960[28]
September 1956 15 April 1960
Jack SS-259 2 February 1942 16 October 1942 6 January 1943 8 June 1946 Snorkel added 1958, transferred to Greece as Amphitriti 1958; returned to US and struck 1 September 1967, sunk as target 5 September 1967[28][29]
20 December 1957 21 April 1958
Lapon SS-260 21 February 1942 27 October 1942 23 January 1943 25 July 1946 Snorkel added 1957, transferred to Greece as Poseidon 1957; struck 31 December 1975, purchased by Greece for spare parts and sunk as target April 1976[28][30]
13 April 1957 10 August 1957
Mingo SS-261 21 March 1942 30 November 1942 12 February 1943 January 1947 Transferred to Japan as Kuroshio 15 August 1955; returned to US control 31 March 1966, struck and sold to Japan 20 February 1971, sunk as target 1973[28][31]
20 May 1955 15 August 1955
Muskallunge SS-262 7 April 1942 13 December 1942 15 March 1943 29 January 1947 Transferred to Brazil as Humaitá 18 January 1957; struck 1 December 1967, returned to US March 1968, sunk as target 9 July 1968[1][28]
31 August 1956 18 January 1957
Paddle SS-263 1 May 1942 30 December 1942 29 March 1943 1 February 1946 Transferred to Brazil as Riachuelo 18 January 1957; returned to US control March 1968, struck 30 June 1968, used for spare parts by Brazil (one source says sunk (sic) about 30 June 1968)[28][32]
31 August 1956 18 January 1957
Pargo SS-264 21 May 1942 24 January 1943 26 April 1943 12 June 1946 PT 1946-1960; struck 1 December 1960, sold for scrap 16 May 1961[28]
12 June 1946 1 December 1960
Peto SS-265 Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 15 June 1941 30 April 1942 21 November 1942 25 December 1942 Peto and Pogy (only) administratively decommissioned during barge delivery via Mississippi River, PT 1956-1960; struck 1 August 1960, sold for scrap 29 November 1960[28]
January 1943 25 June 1946
November 1956 1 August 1960
Pogy SS-266 15 September 1941 23 June 1942 10 January 1943 1 February 1943 Peto and Pogy (only) administratively decommissioned during barge delivery via Mississippi River; struck 1 September 1958, sold for scrap 1 May 1959[28]
12 February 1943 30 July 1946
Pompon SS-267 26 November 1941 15 August 1942 17 March 1943 11 May 1946 SSR 11 December 1951; struck 1 April 1960, sold for scrap 22 December 1960[28]
15 June 1953 1 April 1960
Puffer SS-268 16 February 1942 22 November 1942 27 April 1943 28 June 1946 PT 1946-1960; struck 1 July 1960, sold for scrap 3 December 1960[28]
1946 10 June 1960
Rasher SS-269 4 May 1942 20 December 1942 8 June 1943 22 June 1946 SSR 11 December 1951, AGSS 1 July 1960, IXSS 30 June 1971, PT 1967-1971; struck 20 December 1971, sold for scrap 7 August 1974[28]
14 December 1951 28 May 1952
22 July 1953 27 May 1967
Raton SS-270 29 May 1942 24 January 1943 13 July 1943 11 March 1949 SSR 18 July 1952, AGSS 1 July 1960; struck 28 June 1969, sold for scrap 12 October 1973, hulk reportedly used as target[28][33]
21 September 1953 28 June 1969
Ray SS-271 20 July 1942 28 February 1943 27 July 1943 12 February 1947 SSR 2 January 1951; struck 1 April 1960, sold for scrap 18 December 1960[28]
13 August 1952 30 September 1958
Redfin SS-272 3 September 1942 4 April 1943 31 August 1943 1 November 1946 SSR 2 January 1951, SS 15 August 1959, AGSS 28 June 1963, PT 1967-1970; struck 1 July 1970, sold for scrap 31 March 1971[28]
13 August 1952 30 September 1958
Robalo SS-273 24 October 1942 9 May 1943 28 September 1943 N/A Lost to Japanese mine, 26 July 1944[1][28]
Rock SS-274 23 December 1942 20 June 1943 26 October 1943 1 May 1946 SSR 18 July 1952, AGSS 31 December 1959; struck 13 September 1969, held for use as target, but sold for scrap 18 September 1972[28][34]
12 October 1953 13 September 1969
Runner SS-275 Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine 8 December 1941 30 May 1942 30 July 1942 N/A Lost to unknown cause, possibly Japanese mine, circa 1 July 1943[1][28][35]
Sawfish SS-276 20 January 1942 23 June 1942 26 August 1942 20 June 1946 PT 1947-1960; struck 1 April 1960, sold for scrap 2 December 1960[28]
15 May 1947 1 April 1960
Scamp SS-277 6 March 1942 20 July 1942 18 September 1942 N/A Lost, probably to Japanese surface and air attack, 11 November 1944[1][36]
Scorpion SS-278 20 March 1942 20 July 1942 1 October 1942 Lost to unknown cause, possibly Japanese mine, circa 5 January 1944[1][36]
Snook SS-279 17 April 1942 15 August 1942[1] 24 October 1942 Lost to unknown cause, circa 12 April 1945[1][36]
Steelhead SS-280 1 June 1942 11 September 1942 7 December 1942 29 June 1946 PT 1947-1960; struck 1 April 1960, sold for scrap 21 December 1960[36]
12 November 1947 1 April 1960
Sunfish SS-281 Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, California 25 September 1941 2 May 1942 15 July 1942 26 December 1945 PT 1949-1960; struck 1 May 1960, sold for scrap 15 December 1960[36]
April 1949 1 May 1960
Tunny SS-282 10 November 1941 30 June 1942 1 September 1942 12 February 1946 SSG 18 July 1952, SS 15 May 1965, APSS 1 October 1966, LPSS 1 January 1969; struck 30 June 1969, sunk as target 19 June 1970[36]
25 February 1952 30 April 1952
6 March 1953 28 June 1969
Tinosa SS-283 21 February 1942 7 October 1942 15 January 1943 23 June 1949 Struck 1 September 1958, used as ASW target, scuttled November 1960[36]
4 January 1952 2 December 1953
Tullibee SS-284 1 April 1942 11 November 1942 15 February 1943 N/A Lost due to circular run of own torpedo, 26 March 1944[36]
Golet SS-361 Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin 27 January 1943 1 August 1943 30 November 1943 Lost to Japanese surface attack, 14 June 1944[1][37]
Guavina SS-362 3 March 1943 29 August 1943 23 December 1943 8 June 1946[38] SSO 16 August 1948, AGSS 11 December 1951, AOSS 22 June 1957, PT 1960-1967; struck 30 June 1967, sunk as target 14 November 1967[37]
1 February 1950 27 March 1959
February 1960 30 June 1967
Guitarro SS-363 7 April 1943 26 September 1943 26 January 1944 6 December 1945 Snorkel added 1954, transferred to Turkey as Preveze 7 August 1954, struck and sold to Turkey 1 January 1972, decommissioned by Turkey 4 May 1972, used as battery charging hulk until scrapped September 1983, sail preserved as memorial at Gölcük Naval Base until earthquake 17 August 1999[37][39]
6 February 1952 22 September 1953
Hammerhead SS-364 5 May 1943 24 October 1943 1 March 1944 9 February 1946 Snorkel added 1954, transferred to Turkey as Cerbe 23 October 1954, struck and sold to Turkey 1 January 1972, decommissioned by Turkey 4 May 1972, subsequently scrapped[37][40]
6 February 1952 21 August 1953


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See also

References
  1. Bauer and Roberts, pp. 271-273
  2. Blair, pp. 989-990
  3. ″United States Submarine Losses World War II″, Naval History Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington: 1963 (Fifth Printing)
  4. Fleet Submarine index page at Navsource.org
  5. Friedman 1995, p. 209
  6. "Snorkel added" was similar to fleet snorkel, but only the after part of the sail was streamlined.
  7. 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
  8. Friedman 1995, p. 285
  9. "Guavina (SS-362)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  10. Friedman 1995, p. 294
  11. "Growler III (SS-215)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  12. "Grunion". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  13. Stevens, Peter F., Fatal Dive: Solving the World War II Mystery of the USS Grunion, Regnery History, 2012
  14. "Albacore II (SS-218)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  15. "Amberjack I (SS-219)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  16. USS Cod memorial website
  17. USS Drum memorial website
  18. "Halibut I (SS-232)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  19. Friedman 1995, p. 295
  20. USS Silversides Submarine Museum website
  21. "Bashaw (SS-241)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  22. USS Bashaw (SS-241) at Navsource.org, retrieved 7 December 2017
  23. USS Bluegill (SS-242) at Navsource.org, retrieved 7 December 2017
  24. USS Cavalla memorial website
  25. USS Cobia memorial website
  26. Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park website
  27. "Dorado (SS-248)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  28. Friedman 1995, p. 296
  29. USS Jack (SS-259) at Navsource.org
  30. USS Lapon (SS-260) at Navsource.org
  31. USS Mingo (SS-261) at Navsource.org
  32. USS Paddle (SS-263) at Navsource.org
  33. "Raton (SS-270)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  34. "Rock (SS-274)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  35. "Runner I (SS-275)". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command.
  36. Friedman 1995, p. 297
  37. Friedman 1995, p. 300
  38. USS Guavina (SS-362) at Navsource.org
  39. USS Guitarro (SS-363) at Navsource.org
  40. USS Hammerhead (SS-364) at Navsource.org
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