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USS Bluefish SS-222

During the 1940s, the United States Navy commissioned a number of submarines to join the military in the Pacific for defensive strategies against the Japanese. Named after a fish that is commonly found along the Atlantic coast of the United States, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was one of the most important submarines that helped solidify the Allie's victory in World War II.

As a part of the Gato class of submarines, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was one of the first submarines laid down for World War II. She was built by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, a shipbuilding company responsible for most of the Gato class and following Balao class submarines. The vessel was laid down on June 5, 1942 and upon completion was over 200 feet long and 27 feet wide. She had ten torpedo tubes that could carry a maximum of 24 torpedoes, as well as a number of guns on deck, and was propelled by four General Motors V16diesel engines, two Sargo batteries, four high-speed General Electric electric motors, and two propellers. The USS Bluefish SS-222 was launched on February 21, 1943, sponsored by Mrs. Robert Y. Menzie (the wife of one of the superintendents at the builder's yard), and commissioned for serve on May 24, 1943.

With Lieutenant Commander George E. Porter at the helm, the USS Bluefish SS-222 completed her shakedown cruise and then was assigned to report to Brisbane in Australia. She traveled through the Panama Canal and arrived in Australia on august 21, 1943. Over the next two years, this submarine went on a total of nine war patrols, spanning the distance between the Netherlands East Indies to the waters south of Honshu, the largest island of Japan. She's one of the most celebrated Gato class submarines, as during her nine patrols, she sank a total of 12 confirmed Japanese ships for a total over almost 51,000 tons. One of her best victories in battle came with the Japanese destroyer Sanae on November 18, 1943, as the loss of this destroyer hit Japan hard. In addition to her own victories, the USS Bluefish SS-222 also helped the USS Puffer SS-268 sink a large Japanese tanker later that year.

After World War II was over and the Japanese surrendered, there wasn't a continued need for American submarines in the Far East. The USS Bluefish SS-222 returned to the United States and traveled back through the Panama Canal to the Philadelphia Navy Yard, where she arrived on October 9, 1945. Many Gato class submarines were immediately put on the reserve list, but once there, she remained on active duty and joined the 16th Fleet, a submarine division of the Atlantic Fleet. However, on October 21 of that year, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was moved to the New London, Connecticut Submarine Base and later to the Electric Boat Company's shipyard in Croton, where she underwent major renovations. She returned to the sea in June, but by February 12, 1947, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was put on the Navy's reserve list.

After being a part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet for many years, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was recomissioned on February 7, 1952. She was assigned to the Atlantic Fleet's Submarine Division 82 and later that year was reassigned to Submarine Division 41 out of Key West, Florida. While in Florida, she patrolled the coast and made regular voyages to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. The submarine remained in this area completing training and other local missions until May of 1953, when she was again assigned to a port in the New England area. She arrived at the Portsmouth, New Hampshire Naval Base on June 7, 1953 and completed a pre-inactivation overhaul for the final time. After being on reverse from November 1953 to the middle of 1959, the USS Bluefish SS-222 was struck from the Navy's Register on June 1, 1959. She was sold for scrap metal on June 8, 1960, like many of the World War II era ships and submarines.

The US Bluefish SS-222 received an astounding ten battle starts for her service in World War II, which was more than most submarines received during that time period, and her many crewmembers have received countless military awards and medals over the years and after the war. However, it is important to remember that the US Bluefish SS-222, like many other sea vessels built during this time period, was constructed using products that contained asbestos. Asbestos exposure, especially in tight quarters with little ventilation, is extremely dangerous, and over many decades, medical problems will occur for those who were exposed. Only a doctor can tell you if you are at risk or have developed an asbestos-related disease. Remember, if you have been diagnosed, talk to a lawyer right away to find out about 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-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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