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USS Billfish SS-286

The USS Billfish SS-286 was a World War II era submarine that worked in the Pacific during the war. Like other period submarines, this vessel was instrumental in the United State's presence in the Pacific against Japanese and German submarines in the area. This submarine was a Balao class diesel electric submarine. It had a displacement of over 2,400 tons when submerged and, like most other Balao class vessels, was just over 300 feet in length. The Balao class submarines were an improvement upon the earlier Gato class of submarines, and there were ultimately hundreds produced in the 1940s.

The USS Billfish SS-286 was the first vessel in the United States Navy to have the name of a generic fish. This submarine was laid down on November 12, 1942, built by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. The submarine was launched on November 12, 1942 and sponsored my Mrs. Lewis Parks, the wife of Lieutenant Commander Parks. It was officially commissioned on April 20, 1943, commanded by Lieutenant Commander Frederic Colby Lucas, Jr.

After arriving in Pearl Harbor to join the Pacific Fleet, the USS Billfish SS-286 was sent on a number of patrols into Asian water. During her eight tours, she sank many enemy vessels, including three freighters totaling over 4000 tons. She also spent one of her last tours as a plane guard off of the coast of Japan, one of the most dangerous areas for submarines and ships at this time.

The USS Billfish SS-286's career hit a major bump in the road during her eighth patrol tour in 1943. On November 11 of that year, she was patrolling the waters in the Makassar Straight when she was attacked by a Japanese destroyer. The initial attack left the USS Billfish SS-286 severely damaged, and the Japanese destroyer forced her to dive to a depth of 650 feet. At this time, the Balao class submarines were only tested to dive at 400 feet, meaning that the vessel was 250 feet (or, 76 meters) below her test depths. As the submarines dove, the attacks continued. Many crew members were severely injured during the attack.

As the attacks continued, Lieutenant Charlie Rush became the only senior officer to still be able to call duties, as the men in place before him were all gravely injured. He took command of the vessel and began strategizing an escape. Lieutenant Rush saw that the main fuel tanks were damaged, causing the submarine to lose oil and show the Japanese a clear path to their location. In order to cover their trail, Rush commanded the officers to reverse the course of the ship, thus tracking back over their own trail and confusing the enemies.

At the same time, the vessel's Chief Electrician's Mate, John D. Rendernick, too charge of the repairs. He led a team of men in emergency repairs to allow the ship to stay submerged. In addition, he led them to block a leak in one of the torpedo tubes as well as use hydraulic jacks to reposition the damaged main motor. Because of these repairs and Lieutenant Rush's strategies to avoid detection, the submarine was able to stay submerged for sixteen hours, losing the Japenese destroyer twelve hours after the attack began. The vessel was then able to resurface and, under the cover of the night, limp back to port. For their efforts in saving the submarine and her crew, Rush and Rendernick both were awarded prestigious Navy honors – the Navy Cross and Navy Silver Star, respectively. In 2004, the Navy also named a new submarine training center the John D. Rendernick Damage Control Wet Trainer in honor of Rendernick's actions. This center is still in operation today at Pearl Harbor.

After the 1943 attack, the USS Billfish SS-286 was repaired, completed her final tour, and returned to Pearl Harbor. She arrived to the port on August 27, 1945 and was soon sent to become a part of the Atlantic Fleet. Upon arriving in New Orleans in September, the USS Billfish SS-286 and her crew spent over nine months in training and maneuvers. She spent from June to October of 1946 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard before being towed to New London, Connecticut to become a reserve ship. The USS Billfish SS-286 was officially decommissioned on November 1, 1946. At that time, after only a short few years, she had earned seven battle stars.

After being a part of the reserve fleet for many years, the USS Billfish SS-286 spent time from 1960 to 1968 serving as a training tool for the Navy at the South Annex of the Boston Naval Shipyard. After that, she was stricken from the Navy's officially list of ships and sold for scrap metal.

However, even the best ships in the Navy during this time have a black mark on their records, as a dangerous substance known as asbestos was used in their construction. Did you work or train in the USS Billfish SS-286? Talk to your doctor and a lawyer today to find out more information about asbestos and the medical conditions it causes

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-0024 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 Pirahna 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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