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USS Bluegill SS-242

Named for the bluegill fish of the Great Lakes region, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was a Gato class submarine used during World War II. This vessel was part of the Pacific Fleet for many years, and her service, along with the service of hundreds of other ships and submarines, helped to patrol and defend against the Japanese Navy in the Far East. Without the Navy's strong presence in the Pacific, World War II could not have been won.

Laid down on December 7, 1942 by the Electic Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was one of 77 Gato class submarines to join the United States Navy in the early 1940s. These submarines, which were later taken over by the better Balao class, had 4 General Motors V16 diesel engines, which in turnd rove four electric motors and two propellers. The USS Bluegill SS-242 could travel at speeds up to 21 knots per hours when surfaced and 8 knots per hour when submerged. At lower speeds, she could stay submerged for up to 48 hours at a test depth of 400 feet. Like other Gato class and Balao class submarines, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was equipped with 10 torpedo tubes that carried 24 torpedoes, as well as a desk gun and four machine guns.

The USS Bluegill SS-242 was launched on August 8, 1943 and commissioned on November of that year. She was sponsored by the wife of Congressman W. Sterling Cole of New York and Lieutenant Commander Eric L. Barr, Jr. was placed in command. She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet out of Pearl Harbor and traveled there in early 1944 through the Panama Canal.

From April 1, 1944 to June 21, 1945, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was one of the most active submarines in the Pacific Fleet. She completed six wartime patrols during this time period. Her travels took here throughout the South China Sea, the Java Se, and the wars off the coast of New Guinea and Formosa. During this time, she sunk a total of ten Japanese vessels totally over 46,000 tons. One of the most significant victories was in the sinking of the Yubari, a light cruiser, on April 28, 1944. This ship was designed to be a scout cruiser originally and was equipped with destroyer-type machinery. She was the flagship of the Japanese invasion of Wake Island, so this victory was especially sweet for the United States.

In January of 1945, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was a support ship for the Americal reoccupation of Philippines. She also contributed to the bombardment of Paratus Island. When twelve of her crewmembers landed on the island and found that the Japanese had deserted it, they held a ceremony raising the American flag and declasing it “Bluegill Island.” Following this mission the USS Bluegill SS-242 returned to Pearl Harbor for refitting and repairs.

From Pearl Harbor, she was sent out a final wartime patrol before the war ended. The USS Bluegill SS-242 remained a part of the Pacific Fleet until the spring of 1946, at which time, she was sent to the Mare Island Navel Shipyard to become a part of the reserve fleet. She remained there until 1951, when she was recommissioned to rejoin the Pacific Fleet and took part in training exercises. On July 7, 1952, she was decommissioned again for conversion to an SSK “hunter killer” submarine. Upon completion of these renovations, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was reclassified as the USS Bluegill SSK-242 and recommissioned. She spent twelve years serving the United States and was one of the few Gato class submarines to seve in the Vietname War. In 1965, the USS Bluegill SS-242 (now SSK) completed an important tour to the Gulf of Tonkin, taking part in a pilot rescue mission, as well as reconnaissance.

After service in the Vietnam War, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was decommissioned once again and on June 28, 1969, she was struck from the United States Navy's Register. In 1971, she was sunk off the coast of Lahaina in about 40 meters of water. She remained there for the next 13 years and served as a sink site for underwater rescue training. Later, in November of 1984, the ship was salvaged from the coastal water and taken out to sea for a proper military sinking.

During World War II and the following years, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation as well as four battle stars. Although her memory should be honored, it is also important to remember that this submarine, like most other vessels built during this time period, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was built using products that contained asbestos. This substance is very dangers and causes a number of medical problems over the decades following exposure. Therefore, it is important to talk to a doctor today if you worked on the USS Bluegill SS-242 or other period Navy vessels as you could be at risk.

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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