USS Flying Fish (SS-229): Difference between revisions

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| doi =
| doi =
| isbn = 1-55750-263-3 }}</ref>
| isbn = 1-55750-263-3 }}</ref>
|Ship laid down=[[6 December]] [[1940]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
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|Ship sponsor=Mrs. [[Husband E. Kimmel]]
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|Ship fate=Sold for scrap, 1 May 1959<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship status=
|Ship status=
}}
}}
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| doi =
| doi =
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
|Ship displacement=1,525&nbsp;[[long ton|ton]]s (1,549&nbsp;[[tonne|t]]) surfaced<ref name="Register"/><br />2,424&nbsp;tons (2,460&nbsp;t) submerged<ref name="Register"/>
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|Ship speed={{convert|21|kn|km/h|lk=on}} surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 305-311</ref><br />{{convert|9|kn|km/h}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship speed={{convert|21|kn|km/h|lk=on}} surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 305-311</ref><br />{{convert|9|kn|km/h|abbr=on}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
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|Ship complement=6 officers, 54 enlisted<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship complement=6 officers, 54 enlisted<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
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'''USS ''Flying Fish'' (SS/AGSS-229)''', a [[Gato class submarine|''Gato''-class]] [[submarine]], was the first submarine and second ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[flying fish]], a family of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move some distance through the air.
'''USS ''Flying Fish'' (SS/AGSS-229)''', a [[Gato class submarine|''Gato''-class]] [[submarine]], was the first submarine and second ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[flying fish]], a family of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move some distance through the air.

The second ''Flying Fish'' (SS-229) was launched [[9 July]] [[1941]] by Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs. [[Husband E. Kimmel]], wife of the Commander in Chief, [[US Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]; and commissioned [[10 December]] [[1941]], Lieutenant Commander [[Glynn R. Donaho|Glynn "Donc" Donaho]] (Class of 1927) in command.
The keel of ''Flying Fish'' (SS-229) was laid down on 6 December 1940 by [[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]], [[Kittery, Maine]]. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] 9 July 1941 (sponsored by Mrs. [[Husband E. Kimmel]], wife of the Commander in Chief, [[US Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]), and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] 10 December 1941, Lieutenant Commander [[Glynn R. Donaho|Glynn "Donc" Donaho]] ([[United States Naval Academy|Class]] of 1927) in command.


''Flying Fish'' is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306 tons of Japanese shipping and received 12 battle stars for World War II service.
''Flying Fish'' is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306 tons of Japanese shipping and received 12 battle stars for World War II service.

==First war patrol - Battle of Midway==
==First war patrol - Battle of Midway==
''Flying Fish'' arrived at [[Pearl Harbor]] for final training [[2 May]] [[1942]], and 15 days later was ordered out to patrol west of [[Midway Atoll|Midway]], threatened by an expected [[Japan]]ese attack. During the [[Battle of Midway]] [[4 June]] to [[6 June]], she and her sisters fanned out to scout and screen the island, at which she refitted from [[9 June]] to [[11 June]]. Continuing her first full war patrol, she searched major shipping lanes in empire waters and scored a hit on a Japanese [[destroyer]] off [[Taiwan]] during the night of [[3 July]]. She returned to Midway to refit on [[25 July]] and on [[15 August]] she sailed on her second war patrol, bound for a station north of [[Truk]].
''Flying Fish'' arrived at [[Pearl Harbor]] for final training 2 May 1942, and 15 days later was ordered out to patrol west of [[Midway Atoll|Midway]], which was threatened by an expected [[Japan]]ese attack. During the [[Battle of Midway]] 4 – 6 June, she and her sisters fanned out to scout and screen the island, at which she refitted from 9 – 11 June. Continuing her first full war patrol, she searched major shipping lanes in Empire waters (the seas around Japan) and scored a hit on a Japanese [[destroyer]] off [[Taiwan]] during the night of 3 July. She returned to Midway to refit on 25 July.


== Second war patrol, August – September 1942 ==
== Second war patrol, August – September 1942 ==
On [[28 August]] [[1942]], 3 days after arriving on station, ''Flying Fish'' sighted the masts of a Japanese [[battleship]], guarded by two destroyers and air cover. Four torpedoes were launched at this prime target, and two hits were picked up by sound. Immediately the counterattack began, and as ''Flying Fish'' prepared to launch torpedoes at one of the destroyers, rapidly closing to starboard, her commanding officer was blinded by a geyser of water thrown up by a bomb. ''Flying Fish'' went deep for cover. A barrage of 36 depth charges followed. When ''Flying Fish'' daringly came up to periscope depth 2 hours later, she found the two destroyers still searching aided by two harbor submarine chasers and five aircraft. A great cloud of black smoke hung over the scene, persisting through the remaining hours of daylight. As ''Flying Fish'' upped [[periscope]] again a little later, a float plane dropped bombs directly astern, and the alert destroyers closed in. A salvo of torpedoes at one of the destroyers missed, and ''Flying Fish'' went deep again to endure another depth charging. Surfacing after dark, she once more attracted the enemy through excessive smoke from one of her engines, and again she was forced down by depth charges. Early in the morning of [[29 August]], she at last cleared the area to surface and charge her batteries. Possibly the torpedoe explosions were premature-Japanese records show no warships lost on 28 August 1942.
On 15 August 1942, she sailed on her second war patrol, bound for a station north of [[Truk]]. On 28 August, only three days after arriving on station, ''Flying Fish'' sighted the masts of a Japanese [[battleship]], guarded by two destroyers and air cover. She launched four torpedoes at this prime target, and two hits were detected by sonar. Immediately the counterattack began, and as ''Flying Fish'' prepared to launch torpedoes at one of the destroyers, rapidly closing to starboard, her commanding officer was blinded by a geyser of water thrown up by a bomb. ''Flying Fish'' went deep for cover. A barrage of 36 depth charges followed. When ''Flying Fish'' daringly came up to periscope depth 2 hours later, she found the two destroyers still searching aided, by two harbor submarine chasers and five aircraft. A great cloud of black smoke hung over the scene, persisting through the remaining hours of daylight. As ''Flying Fish'' upped [[periscope]] again a little later, a float plane dropped bombs directly astern, and the alert destroyers closed in. A salvo of torpedoes at one of the destroyers missed, and ''Flying Fish'' went deep again to endure another depth charging. Surfacing after dark, she once more attracted the enemy through excessive smoke from one of her engines, and again she was forced down by depth charges. Early in the morning of 29 August, she at last cleared the area to surface and charge her batteries. Possibly the torpedo explosions were premature; Japanese records show no warships lost on 28 August 1942.

Unshaken by this long day of attack, she closed [[Truk]] once more [[2 September]] [[1942]], and attacked a 400-ton patrol vessel, only to see her torpedoes fail to explode upon hitting the target. The patrol ship ran down the torpedo tracks and began a depth charge attack, the second salvo of which damaged ''Flying Fish'' considerably. A second patrol ship came out to join the search as ''Flying Fish'' successfully evaded both and cleared the area. Determinedly, she returned to the scene late the next night, and finding a single patrol vessel, sank her with two torpedoes just after midnight early on [[4 September]]. Two hours later a second patrol craft came out, and as ''Flying Fish'' launched a stern shot, opened fire, then swerved to avoid the torpedo. ''Flying Fish'' dived for safety, enduring seven depth charge runs by the patrol vessel before it was joined by two destroyers who kept the submarine under attack for 5 hours. At last able to haul off, ''Flying Fish'' sailed for Pearl Harbor to repair damage between [[15 September]] and [[27 October]].
Unshaken by this long day of attack, ''Flying Fish'' closed [[Truk]] once more 2 September 1942, and attacked a 400&nbsp;ton patrol vessel, only to see the torpedoes fail to explode upon hitting the target. The patrol ship ran down the torpedo tracks and began a depth charge attack, the second salvo of which damaged ''Flying Fish'' considerably. A second patrol ship came out to join the search; ''Flying Fish'' successfully evaded both opponents and cleared the area. Determinedly, she returned to the scene late the next night, and finding a single patrol vessel, sank her with two torpedoes just after midnight early on 4 September. Two hours later a second patrol craft came out, and as ''Flying Fish'' launched a stern shot, the Japanese ship opened fire, then swerved to avoid the torpedo. ''Flying Fish'' dived for safety, enduring seven depth charge runs by the patrol vessel. Two destroyers joind the patrol craft, and all three kept the submarine under attack for five hours. At last able to get clear, ''Flying Fish'' sailed for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 15 September.


== Third, fourth and fifth war patrols, October 1942 – May 1943 ==
== Third, fourth and fifth war patrols, October 1942 – May 1943 ==
During her third war patrol, south of the [[Marshall Islands]], ''Flying Fish'' three times launched bold attacks on Japanese task forces, only to suffer the frustration of poor torpedo performance, or to score hits causing damage which postwar evaluation could not confirm. She arrived at [[Brisbane, Australia|Brisbane]] for refit on [[16 December]] [[1942]] and on [[6 January]] [[1943]], started her fourth war patrol, a reconnaissance of the [[Marianas]]. Along with gaining much valuable intelligence, she damaged a freighter in [[Apra Harbor|Apra harbor]] on [[26 January]], hit a passenger-cargo ship in [[Tinian]]'s [[Sunharon Roadstead]] [[6 February]], and sank another freighter in the presence of patrolling aircraft and surface escorts [[16 February]].
''Flying Fish'' cleared Pearl Harbor 27 October, headed for her patrol area south of the [[Marshall Islands]]. Three times on this third patrol she launched bold attacks on Japanese task forces, only to suffer the frustration of poor torpedo performance, or to score hits causing damage which postwar evaluation could not confirm. She arrived at [[Brisbane, Australia|Brisbane]] for refit on 16 December 1942.
On 6 January 1943, ''Flying Fish'' started her fourth war patrol, a reconnaissance of the [[Marianas]]. Along with gaining much valuable intelligence, she damaged a freighter in [[Apra Harbor|Apra harbor]] on 26 January, hit a passenger/cargo ship in [[Tinian]]'s [[Sunharon Roadstead]] 6 February, and sank another freighter in the presence of patrolling aircraft and surface escorts 16 February. She returned to Pearl Harbor 28 February.

Again returning to Pearl Harbor to replenish between [[28 February]] [[1943]] and [[24 March]], ''Flying Fish'' made her fifth war patrol on the coast of [[Honshū]], battered by foul weather. On [[12 April]], she closed the northern coast to make a daring attack on a freighter, which she sank, again in the presence of scout planes and [[Naval trawler|armed trawlers]]. Moving north to [[Hokkaidō]], ''Flying Fish'' damaged a large freighter on the 13th, and on the 15th torpedoed an interisland cargo ship which beached in a mass of flames. Two days later, continuing her bold inshore attacks, ''Flying Fish'' sank another freighter, and in the [[Tsugaru Strait]] on [[24 April]], sent yet another cargo ship to the bottom. On [[1 May]] a small interisland freighter was sunk, but an alert enemy antisubmarine group shook ''Flying Fish'' considerably before she could clear the area. She returned to Midway from this highly successful patrol [[11 May]].
''Flying Fish'' stood out of Pearl Harbor 24 March for her fifth war patrol, this one to the coast of [[Honshū]], where the submarine was battered by foul weather. On 12 April, she closed the northern coast to make a daring attack on a freighter, which she sank, again in the presence of scout planes and [[Naval trawler|armed trawlers]]. Moving north to [[Hokkaidō]], ''Flying Fish'' damaged a large freighter on 13 April, and two days later torpedoed an inter-island cargo ship which beached in a mass of flames. Continuing her bold inshore attacks, on 19 April ''Flying Fish'' sank another freighter, and in the [[Tsugaru Strait]] on 24 April, sent yet another cargo ship to the bottom. On 1 May a small inter-island freighter was sunk, but an alert enemy antisubmarine group shook ''Flying Fish'' considerably before she could clear the area. She returned to Midway from this highly successful patrol 11 May.


== Sixth war patrol, June – July 1943 ==
== Sixth war patrol, June – July 1943 ==
After five grueling patrols Lt. Commander Donaho turned the command over to Captain [[Frank T. Watkins]] for the 6th patrol from [[2 June]] [[1943]] to [[27 July]]. ''Flying Fish'' patrolled in the [[Volcano Islands]] and off [[Taiwan]]. Her first attacks, two against the same convoy, resulted in unconfirmed damage, but off Taiwan on [[2 July]], she blasted the stern off a cargo ship, watching it sink. While Pearl Harbor-bound from her patrol area, she made a 2 day chase for a fast convoy, but was forced by her dwindling fuel supply to break off the hunt. On [[11 July]] she destroyed a 125&nbsp;foot (38&nbsp;m) sailing vessel with gunfire, leaving it aflame from stem to stern.
After five grueling patrols Lieutenant Commander Donaho turned command over to Captain [[Frank T. Watkins]]. On her sixth patrol (2 June – 27 July), ''Flying Fish'' patrolled in the [[Volcano Islands]] and off [[Taiwan]]. Her first attacks, two against the same convoy, resulted in unconfirmed damage, but off Taiwan on 2 July, she blasted the stern off a cargo ship, watching it sink. While Pearl Harbor-bound from her patrol area, she made a two day chase for a fast convoy, but was forced by her dwindling fuel supply to break off the hunt. On 11 July she destroyed a {{convert|125|foot|sing=on}} (38&nbsp;m) sailing vessel with gunfire, leaving it aflame from stem to stern.

== Seventh war patrol, October – November 1943 ==
== Seventh war patrol, October – November 1943 ==
After a major overhaul at Pearl Harbor from [[27 July]] [[1943]] to [[4 October]] ''Flying Fish'' sailed on her seventh war patrol, again with her original skipper, bound for the [[Palaus]]. Her first attack, on [[18 October]], scored at least one hit on an auxiliary [[aircraft carrier]]. A 2-day tracking of a well-escorted convoy from [[26 October]] to [[28 October]] resulted in the sinking of one, and the damaging of two merchantmen before ''Flying Fish'' ran out of torpedoes. She arrived at Midway [[6 November]].
After a major overhaul at Pearl Harbor from 27 July to 4 October 1943, ''Flying Fish'' sailed on her seventh war patrol, again with her original skipper <!-- Donaho? -->, bound for the [[Palaus]]. Her first attack, 18 October, scored at least one hit on an auxiliary [[aircraft carrier]]. A two-day tracking of a well-escorted convoy from 26 – 28 October resulted in the sinking of one, and the damaging of two merchantmen before ''Flying Fish'' ran out of torpedoes. She arrived at Midway 6 November.


== Eighth, ninth, and tenth war patrols, November 1943 – July 1944 ==
== Eighth, ninth, and tenth war patrols, November 1943 – July 1944 ==
''Flying Fish'''s eighth war patrol, the first to be commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. D. Risser, between Taiwan and the [[China]] coast from [[30 November]] [[1943]] to [[28 January]] [[1944]], found her sinking a cargo ship on [[16 December]], and a tanker on [[27 December]]. Her refit and retraining between patrols were held once more at Pearl Harbor, and she sailed for her ninth war patrol [[22 February]].
''Flying Fish'''s eighth war patrol, the first to be commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. D. Risser, between Taiwan and the [[China]] coast from 30 November 1943 to 28 January 1944, found her sinking a cargo ship on 16 December, and a tanker on 27 December. Her refit and retraining between patrols were held once more at Pearl Harbor.


Off [[Iwo Jima]] on [[12 March]], she sent a merchantman to the bottom, then sailed to close [[Okinawa]] and attack a convoy in the early morning darkness of [[16 March]]. A passenger-cargo ship was sunk and a tanker damaged in this attack. Pressing on with her chase for 6 hours in the hope of finishing off the tanker, ''Flying Fish'' was detected and held down by aircraft and destroyers while the tanker escaped. On the afternoon of [[31 March]], ''Flying Fish'' was attacked by a Japanese submarine, whose torpedoes she skillfully evaded. Bound for [[Majuro]] at the close of her patrol, the submarine torpedoed and sank a freighter moored at [[Kita Daito Jima]].
''Flying Fish'' sailed for her ninth war patrol 22 February for the waters off [[Iwo Jima]]. On 12 March, she sent a merchantman to the bottom, then closed the [[Okinawa]] shore and attacked a convoy in the early morning darkness of 16 March. A passenger/cargo ship was sunk and a tanker damaged in this attack. Pressing on with her chase for six hours in the hope of finishing off the tanker, the submarine was detected and held down by aircraft and destroyers while the tanker escaped. On the afternoon of 31 March, ''Flying Fish'' was attacked by a Japanese submarine, whose torpedoes she skillfully evaded. Bound for [[Majuro]] at the close of her patrol, the submarine torpedoed and sank a freighter moored at [[Kita Daito Jima]]. ''Flying Fish'' closed out her patrol and arrived at Majuro 11 April 1944.

Refitting at Majuro between [[11 April]] [[1944]] and [[4 May]], ''Flying Fish'' then sailed for her tenth war patrol, coordinated with the assault on the [[Marianas]] scheduled to open the next month. First she covered shipping lanes between [[Ulithi]], [[Yap]], and [[Palau]], coming under severe attack on the night of [[24 May]] – [[25 May]] when she was detected while attacking a four-ship convoy. At dawn, however, she had got back into position to sink two of the ships, both passenger-cargo types.
Clearing Majuro harbor 4 May, ''Flying Fish'' sailed for her tenth war patrol, coordinated with the assault on the [[Marianas]] scheduled to open the next month. First she covered shipping lanes between [[Ulithi]], [[Yap]], and [[Palau]], coming under severe attack on the night of 24 – 25 May when she was detected while attacking a four-ship convoy. At dawn, however, she had got back into position to sink two of the ships, both passenger/cargo types.

⚫
Along with other American submarines, she then headed to take up a patrol station between the Palaus and [[San Bernardino Strait]], from which she could scout any movement by the enemy fleet out of its base at [[Tawi-Tawi|Tawi]] in the [[Sulu Archipelago|Sulus]] while the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] were landed on [[Saipan]]. On 15 June, the day of the invasion, ''Flying Fish'' spotted the Japanese carrier force emerging from San Bernardino Strait bound westward. Her prompt report of this movement enabled a sister submarine, {{USS|Cavalla|SS-244|2}}, to sink the carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Shōkaku|''Shōkaku'']] four days later while American carrier aircraft broke the back of Japanese naval aviation in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]]. ''Flying Fish'' remained on her scouting station until 23 June, then sailed for [[Manus Island|Manus]] and Brisbane, arriving there 5 July]].


⚫
Now with other submarines she headed to take up a patrol station between the Palaus and [[San Bernardino Strait]], from which she could scout any movement by the enemy fleet out of its base at [[Tawi-Tawi|Tawi]] in the [[Sulu Archipelago|Sulus]] while the [[United States Marine Corps|Marines]] were landed on [[Saipan]]. On [[15 June]], the day of the invasion, ''Flying Fish'' spotted the Japanese carrier force emerging from San Bernardino Strait bound westward. Her prompt report of this movement enabled a sister submarine, {{USS|Cavalla|SS-244|2}}, to sink the carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Shōkaku|''Shōkaku'']] 4 days later while American carrier aircraft broke the back of Japanese naval aviation in the [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]]. ''Flying Fish'' remained on her scouting station until [[23 June]], then sailed for [[Manus Island|Manus]] and Brisbane. Here she refitted between [[5 July]] and [[1 August]].
== Eleventh war patrol, October – November 1944 ==
== Eleventh war patrol, October – November 1944 ==
During her 11th war patrol, off [[Davao Gulf]], the coast of [[Celebes]], and along the shipping lanes from the [[Philippines]] to [[Halmahera]], ''Flying Fish'' was held down much of the time by enemy aircraft. After refueling at [[Mios Woendi]] [[29 August]] [[1944]] to [[1 September]], she closed Celebes, where on [[7 September]] she detected a concealed enemy airstrip. Her report led to the airfield's bombardment by aircraft 11 days later. Through the remainder of her patrol she served on lifeguard duty for air strikes on Celebes, returning to Midway [[18 October]]. She sailed on for an extensive overhaul at [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], where she was equipped with [[naval mine|mine]] detection and clearance equipment to enable her to penetrate the [[Sea of Japan]].
On 1 August, ''Flying Fish'' headed out to sea for her eleventh war patrol, this one taking her to [[Davao Gulf]], the coast of [[Celebes]], and along the shipping lanes from the [[Philippines]] to [[Halmahera]]. ''Flying Fish'' was held down much of the time by enemy aircraft. After refueling at [[Mios Woendi]] from 29 August – 1 September, she closed Celebes, where on 7 September she detected a concealed enemy airstrip. Her report led to the airfield's bombardment by aircraft 11 days later. Through the remainder of her patrol she served on lifeguard duty for air strikes on Celebes, returning to Midway 18 October. The submarine sailed on for an extensive overhaul at [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], where she was equipped with [[naval mine|mine]] detection and clearance equipment to enable her to penetrate the [[Sea of Japan]].


== Twelfth war patrol, October – November 1945 ==
== Twelfth war patrol, October – November 1945 ==
Tests with her new gear preceded her return to [[Guam]] [[18 May]] [[1945]], where she joined a submarine task group for her 12th war patrol. She sailed [[29 May]] for the heavily mined [[Tsushima Strait]], entering the [[Sea of Japan]] [[7 June]]. Now each submarine headed for her own assigned area, ''Flying Fish'' setting course north for the coast of [[Korea]]. On [[10 June]], in separate attacks, she sank two cargo ships, taking aboard one survivor. Five days later she sank 10 small craft with gunfire and sent two onto the beach. Completing her patrol at Pearl Harbor [[4 July]], ''Flying Fish'' returned to [[Naval Submarine Base New London|New London]] [[21 September]] to become flagship of Commander, Submarine Force, [[US Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]].
Tests with her new gear preceded her return to [[Guam]] 18 May 1945, where she joined a submarine task group for her 12th war patrol. She sailed 29 May for the heavily mined [[Tsushima Strait]], entering the [[Sea of Japan]] 7 June. Now each submarine headed for her own assigned area, ''Flying Fish'' setting course north for the coast of [[Korea]]. On 10 June, in separate attacks, she sank two cargo ships, taking aboard one survivor. Five days later she sank ten small craft with gunfire and sent two onto the beach. Completing her patrol at Pearl Harbor 4 July, ''Flying Fish'' returned to [[Naval Submarine Base New London|New London]] 21 September to become flagship of Commander, Submarine Force, [[US Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]] (<small>COMSUBLANT</small>.


[[Image:USS Flying Fish;0822903.jpg|550px|right|thumb|"With lines reminiscent of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]'s [[USS Monitor|''Monitor'']], the ''Flying Fish'' (SS-229) was fitted with a unique round [[conning tower]] containing experimental sonar equipment." (US Navy photo/ Sea Classics Magazine)]]
[[Image:USS Flying Fish;0822903.jpg|550px|right|thumb|"With lines reminiscent of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]]'s [[USS Monitor|''Monitor'']], the ''Flying Fish'' (SS-229) was fitted with a unique round [[conning tower]] containing experimental sonar equipment." (US Navy photo/ Sea Classics Magazine)]]
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== Post-war service ==
== Post-war service ==
During the next 8 years, from her base at New London, the veteran ''Flying Fish'' conducted reserve training cruises in [[Long Island Sound|Long Island]] and [[Block Island Sound]], exercised off the [[Virginia Capes]], trained men of foreign navies, joined in major operations in the [[Caribbean]], and cruised to [[Canada|Canadian]] ports. She was reclassified '''AGSS-229''' on [[29 November]] [[1950]]. On [[11 January]] [[1951]], she completed her duty as flagship, and began to serve the [[Underwater Sound Laboratory]] in sonar experiments. On [[29 February]] [[1952]], at 1053, ''Flying Fish'' made submarine history as she dived for the 5,000th time, first American submarine to reach such a record. On board for the event was a distinguished party headed by [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Dan A. Kimball]]. Placed in commission in reserve [[31 December]] [[1953]], ''Flying Fish'' was decommissioned at New London [[28 May]] [[1954]] and was sold for scrapping [[1 May]] [[1959]].
During the next 8 years, from her base at New London, the veteran ''Flying Fish'' conducted reserve training cruises in [[Long Island Sound|Long Island]] and [[Block Island Sound]], exercised off the [[Virginia Capes]], trained men of foreign navies, joined in major operations in the [[Caribbean]], and cruised to [[Canada|Canadian]] ports. She was reclassified '''AGSS-229''' on 29 November 1950. On 11 January 1951, she completed her duty as flagship, and began to serve the [[Underwater Sound Laboratory]] in sonar experiments. On 29 February 1952, at 10:53, ''Flying Fish'' made became the first American submarine to make 5,000 dives. On board for the event was a distinguished party headed by [[Secretary of the Navy]] [[Dan A. Kimball]]. Placed in commission in reserve 31 December 1953, ''Flying Fish'' was decommissioned at New London 28 May 1954 and was sold for scrapping 1 May 1959.

⚫
Of ''Flying Fish'''s 12 war patrols, all save the 11th were designated "Successful". She is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306&nbsp;tons of enemy shipping. She received 12 [[battle star]]s for [[World War II]] service.


⚫
Of ''Flying Fish'''s twelve war patrols, all save the 11th were designated "Successful". She is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306&nbsp;tons of enemy shipping. She received 12 [[battle star]]s for [[World War II]] service.
See {{USS|Flying Fish}} for other ships of the same name.


== References ==
== References ==

Revision as of 21:39, 13 October 2008

USS Flying Fish (SS-229)
History
BuilderPortsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine[1]
Laid down6 December 1940[1]
Launched9 July 1941[1]
Sponsored byMrs. Husband E. Kimmel
Commissioned10 December 1941[1]
Decommissioned28 May 1954[1]
Stricken1 August 1958[1]
FateSold for scrap, 1 May 1959[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeGato-class diesel-electric submarine[3]
Displacementlist error: <br /> list (help)
1,525 long tons (1,549 t) surfaced[3]
2,424 long tons (2,463 t) submerged[3]
Length311 ft 9 in (95.02 m)[3]
Beam27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)[3]
Draft17 ft (5.2 m) maximum[3]
Propulsion
Speedlist error: <br /> list (help)
21 knots (39 km/h) surfaced[2]
9 kn (17 km/h) submerged[2]
Range11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km) surfaced at 10 kn (19 km/h)[2]
Endurancelist error: <br /> list (help)
48 hours at 2 kn (4 km/h) submerged[2]
75 days on patrol
Test depth300 ft (90 m)[2]
Complement6 officers, 54 enlisted[2]
Armament
For other ships with the same name, see USS Flying Fish.

USS Flying Fish (SS/AGSS-229), a Gato-class submarine, was the first submarine and second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the flying fish, a family of fishes of tropic and warm temperate seas whose long winglike fins make it possible for them to move some distance through the air.

The keel of Flying Fish (SS-229) was laid down on 6 December 1940 by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine. She was launched 9 July 1941 (sponsored by Mrs. Husband E. Kimmel, wife of the Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet), and commissioned 10 December 1941, Lieutenant Commander Glynn "Donc" Donaho (Class of 1927) in command.

Flying Fish is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306 tons of Japanese shipping and received 12 battle stars for World War II service.

First war patrol - Battle of Midway

Flying Fish arrived at Pearl Harbor for final training 2 May 1942, and 15 days later was ordered out to patrol west of Midway, which was threatened by an expected Japanese attack. During the Battle of Midway 4 – 6 June, she and her sisters fanned out to scout and screen the island, at which she refitted from 9 – 11 June. Continuing her first full war patrol, she searched major shipping lanes in Empire waters (the seas around Japan) and scored a hit on a Japanese destroyer off Taiwan during the night of 3 July. She returned to Midway to refit on 25 July.

Second war patrol, August – September 1942

On 15 August 1942, she sailed on her second war patrol, bound for a station north of Truk. On 28 August, only three days after arriving on station, Flying Fish sighted the masts of a Japanese battleship, guarded by two destroyers and air cover. She launched four torpedoes at this prime target, and two hits were detected by sonar. Immediately the counterattack began, and as Flying Fish prepared to launch torpedoes at one of the destroyers, rapidly closing to starboard, her commanding officer was blinded by a geyser of water thrown up by a bomb. Flying Fish went deep for cover. A barrage of 36 depth charges followed. When Flying Fish daringly came up to periscope depth 2 hours later, she found the two destroyers still searching aided, by two harbor submarine chasers and five aircraft. A great cloud of black smoke hung over the scene, persisting through the remaining hours of daylight. As Flying Fish upped periscope again a little later, a float plane dropped bombs directly astern, and the alert destroyers closed in. A salvo of torpedoes at one of the destroyers missed, and Flying Fish went deep again to endure another depth charging. Surfacing after dark, she once more attracted the enemy through excessive smoke from one of her engines, and again she was forced down by depth charges. Early in the morning of 29 August, she at last cleared the area to surface and charge her batteries. Possibly the torpedo explosions were premature; Japanese records show no warships lost on 28 August 1942.

Unshaken by this long day of attack, Flying Fish closed Truk once more 2 September 1942, and attacked a 400 ton patrol vessel, only to see the torpedoes fail to explode upon hitting the target. The patrol ship ran down the torpedo tracks and began a depth charge attack, the second salvo of which damaged Flying Fish considerably. A second patrol ship came out to join the search; Flying Fish successfully evaded both opponents and cleared the area. Determinedly, she returned to the scene late the next night, and finding a single patrol vessel, sank her with two torpedoes just after midnight early on 4 September. Two hours later a second patrol craft came out, and as Flying Fish launched a stern shot, the Japanese ship opened fire, then swerved to avoid the torpedo. Flying Fish dived for safety, enduring seven depth charge runs by the patrol vessel. Two destroyers joind the patrol craft, and all three kept the submarine under attack for five hours. At last able to get clear, Flying Fish sailed for Pearl Harbor, where she arrived 15 September.

Third, fourth and fifth war patrols, October 1942 – May 1943

Flying Fish cleared Pearl Harbor 27 October, headed for her patrol area south of the Marshall Islands. Three times on this third patrol she launched bold attacks on Japanese task forces, only to suffer the frustration of poor torpedo performance, or to score hits causing damage which postwar evaluation could not confirm. She arrived at Brisbane for refit on 16 December 1942.

On 6 January 1943, Flying Fish started her fourth war patrol, a reconnaissance of the Marianas. Along with gaining much valuable intelligence, she damaged a freighter in Apra harbor on 26 January, hit a passenger/cargo ship in Tinian's Sunharon Roadstead 6 February, and sank another freighter in the presence of patrolling aircraft and surface escorts 16 February. She returned to Pearl Harbor 28 February.

Flying Fish stood out of Pearl Harbor 24 March for her fifth war patrol, this one to the coast of Honshū, where the submarine was battered by foul weather. On 12 April, she closed the northern coast to make a daring attack on a freighter, which she sank, again in the presence of scout planes and armed trawlers. Moving north to Hokkaidō, Flying Fish damaged a large freighter on 13 April, and two days later torpedoed an inter-island cargo ship which beached in a mass of flames. Continuing her bold inshore attacks, on 19 April Flying Fish sank another freighter, and in the Tsugaru Strait on 24 April, sent yet another cargo ship to the bottom. On 1 May a small inter-island freighter was sunk, but an alert enemy antisubmarine group shook Flying Fish considerably before she could clear the area. She returned to Midway from this highly successful patrol 11 May.

Sixth war patrol, June – July 1943

After five grueling patrols Lieutenant Commander Donaho turned command over to Captain Frank T. Watkins. On her sixth patrol (2 June – 27 July), Flying Fish patrolled in the Volcano Islands and off Taiwan. Her first attacks, two against the same convoy, resulted in unconfirmed damage, but off Taiwan on 2 July, she blasted the stern off a cargo ship, watching it sink. While Pearl Harbor-bound from her patrol area, she made a two day chase for a fast convoy, but was forced by her dwindling fuel supply to break off the hunt. On 11 July she destroyed a 125-foot (38 m) (38 m) sailing vessel with gunfire, leaving it aflame from stem to stern.

Seventh war patrol, October – November 1943

After a major overhaul at Pearl Harbor from 27 July to 4 October 1943, Flying Fish sailed on her seventh war patrol, again with her original skipper , bound for the Palaus. Her first attack, 18 October, scored at least one hit on an auxiliary aircraft carrier. A two-day tracking of a well-escorted convoy from 26 – 28 October resulted in the sinking of one, and the damaging of two merchantmen before Flying Fish ran out of torpedoes. She arrived at Midway 6 November.

Eighth, ninth, and tenth war patrols, November 1943 – July 1944

Flying Fish's eighth war patrol, the first to be commanded by Lieutenant Commander R. D. Risser, between Taiwan and the China coast from 30 November 1943 to 28 January 1944, found her sinking a cargo ship on 16 December, and a tanker on 27 December. Her refit and retraining between patrols were held once more at Pearl Harbor.

Flying Fish sailed for her ninth war patrol 22 February for the waters off Iwo Jima. On 12 March, she sent a merchantman to the bottom, then closed the Okinawa shore and attacked a convoy in the early morning darkness of 16 March. A passenger/cargo ship was sunk and a tanker damaged in this attack. Pressing on with her chase for six hours in the hope of finishing off the tanker, the submarine was detected and held down by aircraft and destroyers while the tanker escaped. On the afternoon of 31 March, Flying Fish was attacked by a Japanese submarine, whose torpedoes she skillfully evaded. Bound for Majuro at the close of her patrol, the submarine torpedoed and sank a freighter moored at Kita Daito Jima. Flying Fish closed out her patrol and arrived at Majuro 11 April 1944.

Clearing Majuro harbor 4 May, Flying Fish sailed for her tenth war patrol, coordinated with the assault on the Marianas scheduled to open the next month. First she covered shipping lanes between Ulithi, Yap, and Palau, coming under severe attack on the night of 24 – 25 May when she was detected while attacking a four-ship convoy. At dawn, however, she had got back into position to sink two of the ships, both passenger/cargo types.

Along with other American submarines, she then headed to take up a patrol station between the Palaus and San Bernardino Strait, from which she could scout any movement by the enemy fleet out of its base at Tawi in the Sulus while the Marines were landed on Saipan. On 15 June, the day of the invasion, Flying Fish spotted the Japanese carrier force emerging from San Bernardino Strait bound westward. Her prompt report of this movement enabled a sister submarine, Cavalla, to sink the carrier Shōkaku four days later while American carrier aircraft broke the back of Japanese naval aviation in the Battle of the Philippine Sea. Flying Fish remained on her scouting station until 23 June, then sailed for Manus and Brisbane, arriving there 5 July]].

Eleventh war patrol, October – November 1944

On 1 August, Flying Fish headed out to sea for her eleventh war patrol, this one taking her to Davao Gulf, the coast of Celebes, and along the shipping lanes from the Philippines to Halmahera. Flying Fish was held down much of the time by enemy aircraft. After refueling at Mios Woendi from 29 August – 1 September, she closed Celebes, where on 7 September she detected a concealed enemy airstrip. Her report led to the airfield's bombardment by aircraft 11 days later. Through the remainder of her patrol she served on lifeguard duty for air strikes on Celebes, returning to Midway 18 October. The submarine sailed on for an extensive overhaul at San Francisco, where she was equipped with mine detection and clearance equipment to enable her to penetrate the Sea of Japan.

Twelfth war patrol, October – November 1945

Tests with her new gear preceded her return to Guam 18 May 1945, where she joined a submarine task group for her 12th war patrol. She sailed 29 May for the heavily mined Tsushima Strait, entering the Sea of Japan 7 June. Now each submarine headed for her own assigned area, Flying Fish setting course north for the coast of Korea. On 10 June, in separate attacks, she sank two cargo ships, taking aboard one survivor. Five days later she sank ten small craft with gunfire and sent two onto the beach. Completing her patrol at Pearl Harbor 4 July, Flying Fish returned to New London 21 September to become flagship of Commander, Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet (COMSUBLANT.

"With lines reminiscent of the Civil War's Monitor, the Flying Fish (SS-229) was fitted with a unique round conning tower containing experimental sonar equipment." (US Navy photo/ Sea Classics Magazine)


Post-war service

During the next 8 years, from her base at New London, the veteran Flying Fish conducted reserve training cruises in Long Island and Block Island Sound, exercised off the Virginia Capes, trained men of foreign navies, joined in major operations in the Caribbean, and cruised to Canadian ports. She was reclassified AGSS-229 on 29 November 1950. On 11 January 1951, she completed her duty as flagship, and began to serve the Underwater Sound Laboratory in sonar experiments. On 29 February 1952, at 10:53, Flying Fish made became the first American submarine to make 5,000 dives. On board for the event was a distinguished party headed by Secretary of the Navy Dan A. Kimball. Placed in commission in reserve 31 December 1953, Flying Fish was decommissioned at New London 28 May 1954 and was sold for scrapping 1 May 1959.

Of Flying Fish's twelve war patrols, all save the 11th were designated "Successful". She is credited with having sunk a total of 58,306 tons of enemy shipping. She received 12 battle stars for World War II service.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g Friedman, Norman (1995). U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. pp. pp. 285-304. ISBN 1-55750-263-3. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Cite has empty unknown parameter: |coauthors= (help)
  2. ^ a b c d e f U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 305-311
  3. ^ a b c d e f Bauer, K. Jack (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. pp. 271–273. ISBN 0-313-26202-0. {{cite book}}: |pages= has extra text (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ a b c d e Bauer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 271–280. ISBN 978-0-313-26202-9.
  5. ^ U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 261–263
  6. ^ a b c U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 305–311

Public Domain This article incorporates text from the public domain Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.

List of military figures by nickname

External links

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