USSBarb(SS-220)
 | This articleneeds additional citations forverification.(January 2023) |
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| History | |
|---|---|
 United States | |
| Name | USSBarb |
| Namesake | Barbus |
| Builder | General Dynamics Electric Boat,Groton, Connecticut[1] |
| Laid down | 7 June 1941[1] |
| Launched | 2 April 1942[1] |
| Sponsored by | Mrs. Charles A. Dunn |
| Commissioned | 8 July 1942[1] |
| Decommissioned | 12 February 1947[1] |
| Identification | SS-220 |
| Recommissioned | 3 December 1951[1] |
| Decommissioned | 5 February 1954[1] |
| Recommissioned | 3 August 1954[1] |
| Decommissioned | 13 December 1954[1] |
| Stricken | 15 October 1972[2] |
| Fate | Transferred toItalyon 13 December 1954[2] |
 Italy | |
| Name | Enrico Tazzoli |
| Acquired | 13 December 1954 |
| Identification | S 511 |
| Fate | Sold for scrap in 1972 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Gato-classdiesel-electricsubmarine[2] |
| Displacement | 1,525 long tons (1,549 t) surfaced,[2]2,424 long tons (2,463 t) submerged[2] |
| Length | 311 ft 9 in (95.02 m)[2] |
| Beam | 27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)[2] |
| Draft | 17 ft (5.2 m) maximum[2] |
| Propulsion |
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| Speed | 21 kn (39 km/h) surfaced,[3]9 kn (17 km/h) submerged[3] |
| Range | 11,000 nmi (20,000 km) surfaced @ 10 kn (19 km/h)[3] |
| Endurance | 48 hours @ 2 kn (3.7 km/h) submerged,[3]75 days on patrol |
| Test depth | 300 ft (91 m)[3] |
| Complement | 6 officers, 54 enlisted[3] |
| Armament |
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USSBarb(SS-220),aGato-classsubmarine,was the first ship of theUnited States Navyto be named for theBarbus,a genus ofray-finned fish.She compiled one of the most outstanding records of any U.S. submarine inWorld War II.During her twelve war patrols,Barbisofficially creditedwith sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96,628 tons, including the Japanese aircraft carrierUn'yō.In recognition of one outstanding patrol,Barbreceived thePresidential Unit Citation.On her twelfth and final patrol of the war, she landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a train, the only ground combat operation in the Japanese (four main) home islands.
United States Navy service history
[edit]World War II
[edit]The keel of USSBarbwaslaid downon 7 June 1941 by theElectric BoatCompany ofGroton, Connecticut.She waslaunchedon 2 April 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Charles A. Dunn, wife ofRear AdmiralDunn), andcommissionedon 8 July 1942.
Barb's war operations spanned the period from 20 October 1942 – 2 August 1945, during which time she completed 12 war patrols.
European Theater – First through fifth patrols
[edit]During her first patrol she carried out reconnaissance duties prior to, and during, theinvasion of North Africa.Operating out ofRosneath naval base,Scotlanduntil July 1943, she conducted her next four patrols against the Axis blockade runners in European waters.Barb's fifth patrol terminated 1 July and she proceeded to the Submarine Base,New London, Connecticut,arriving on 24 July.
Pacific Theater – Sixth through twelfth patrols
[edit]Following a brief overhaul period at New London,Barbdeparted forPearl Harborwhere she arrived in September. It was in the Pacific waters thatBarbfound lucrative hunting and went on to compile one of the more outstanding submarine records ofWorld War II.During the seven war patrols she conducted in the Pacific between March 1944 and August 1945,Barbis officially credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels totaling 96,628 tons, includingUn'yō,sunk on 17 September 1944. On 15–16 SeptemberBarbrescued 14 Australian and British POW survivors ofSSRakuyō Maru.[7]
The last five war patrols (8-12) conducted byBarbwere underCommanderEugene B. Fluckey.Her 11th patrol lasted from 19 December 1944 – 15 February 1945, in theFormosa StraitsandEast China Seaoff the east coast ofChina,fromShanghaitoKam Kit.During this patrol,Barbsank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22–23 JanuaryBarbpenetrated Namkwan Harbor now called Yanpu Wan ( duyên phổ loan )[8]on theChinacoast, opposite theMatsu Islands,and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Maneuvering in dangerously shallow waters,Barblaunched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined, and rock-obstructed waters. In recognition of this outstanding patrol, Commander Fluckey was awarded theMedal of HonorandBarbreceived thePresidential Unit Citation.
Upon completion of her 11th patrol,Barbwas sent to the U.S. for a yard overhaul and alterations, which included the installation of 5 in (130 mm) rocket launchers at the Captain's request. Returning to the Pacific, she commenced her 12th and final patrol on 8 June. This patrol was conducted along the coasts of theSea of Okhotsk.For the first time in U.S. submarine warfare,Barbsuccessfully employed rockets, against the towns ofShari, Hokkaido;Shikuka;Kashiho;andShiritoruonKarafuto.[9]On 2 July; she also bombarded the garrison onTyuleny (Kaihyo) Islandwith her regular armament, destroying the constructions and causing the fire. She next landed a party of carefully selected crew members who blew up a railroad train.
During the night of 22–23 July 1945 these men went ashore atKarafuto,Japan, and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train. They were: Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis Neal Sever, USNR; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag.[10]
Post-war history
[edit]Returning to theUnited Statesafter the cessation of hostilities,Barbwas placed in commissioned reserve on 9 March 1946 and decommissioned reserve on 12 February 1947 atNew London, Connecticut.On 3 December 1951, she was recommissioned and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet, operating out ofKey West, Florida.She was again decommissioned on 5 February 1954 and underwent theGreater Underwater Propulsion Power Program(GUPPY) conversion. Recommissioned on 3 August 1954, she served with the Atlantic Fleet until 13 December 1954, when she was decommissioned a final time and loaned toItalyunder theMutual Defense Assistance Program.
Enrico Tazzoli(S 511)
[edit]The submarine was renamedEnrico Tazzoli(S 511)by theItalian Navy,afterEnrico Tazzoli,an Italian priest.
The submarine was eventually sold for scrap in 1972 for approximately $100,000 (currently $728,000). Admiral Fluckey noted that, had the crew known of this, they would have bought the sub and brought her back to the U.S. to serve as a museum ship.[11]
Awards
[edit]
Presidential Unit Citation
Navy Unit Commendation- European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medalwith onebattle star
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medalwith seven battle stars
World War II Victory Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Legacy
[edit]Barb's battle flag is on display at theSubmarine Force Library and MuseuminGroton, Connecticut.
Another submarinewas named for USSBarband served in the U.S. Navy from 1963 to 1989.
On 13 October 2020, Secretary of the NavyKenneth Braithwaiteannounced that a futureVirginia-class submarine(SSN-804) will be named for USSBarb.[12]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdefghiFriedman, Norman (1995).U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History.Annapolis, Maryland:United States Naval Institute.pp. 285–304.ISBN1-55750-263-3.
- ^abcdefghBauer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991).Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants.Westport, Connecticut:Greenwood Press. pp. 271–273.ISBN0-313-26202-0.
- ^abcdefU.S. Submarines Through 1945pp. 305-311
- ^abcdeBauer, K. Jack;Roberts, Stephen S. (1991).Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants.Westport, Connecticut:Greenwood Press. pp. 270–280.ISBN978-0-313-26202-9.OCLC24010356.
- ^U.S. Submarines Through 1945p. 261
- ^abcU.S. Submarines Through 1945pp. 305–311
- ^Allbury, A. G.Bamboo and BushidoLondon Viking Press 1955 pp248-52 – survivor account.
- ^See the identification of Namkwan Wan with Yanpu Wan e.g. in"United States and Pacific Ocean Areas: Air Target Maps and Photos, China Coast, Ningpo to Canton". U.S. Pacific Command, 15 October 1944,map No. 22
- ^Smithsonian Channel (2018)."The First Submarine to Launch Rockets from its Deck – YouTube".youtube.Archivedfrom the original on 12 December 2021.Retrieved4 January2021.
- ^Fluckey, Eugene B. (1997).Thunder Below!: The USS *Barb* Revolutionizes Submarine Warfare in World War II.University of Illinois Press. p.429.ISBN978-0-252-06670-2.
- ^Fluckey 1997,p.423
- ^"Next Navy sub to be named USSBarbafter storied WWII vessel ".United Press International.
This article incorporates text from thepublic domainDictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.The entry can be foundhere.
Further reading
[edit]- Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN (1992).Thunder Below!ISBN0-252-06670-7.
- Carl Lavo (2007).Galloping Ghost: The Extraordinary Life of Submarine Captain Eugene Fluckey.ISBN1-59114-456-6/
External links
[edit]- hazegray.org: USSBarb
- navsource.org: USSBarb
- The Sub That Sank a Train
- New York Timesobituary of R.Adm. Fluckey
- Kill record: USSBarb
- Chart of Namkwan Bay
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