USS Blackfin (SS-322)

USS "Blackfin" (SS-322), a "Balao"-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the blackfin, a food fish of the Great Lakes.

"Blackfin" (SS-322) was launched 12 March 1944 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., sponsored by Mrs. Charles A. Lockwood, wife of Rear Admiral Lockwood; and commissioned 4 July 1944, Lieutenant Commander George Hays Laird, Jr., in command.

"Blackfin" arrived at Pearl Harbor 11 September 1944. During her war operations (30 September 1944 – 5 September 1945) she completed five war patrols. Her operating areas included the South China and the Yellow Seas. "Blackfin" sank the Japanese destroyer "Shigure", 24 January 1945, in coord|06|00|N|103|48|E|., and a cargo ship for a total of 4325 tons.

The termination of hostilities occurred while "Blackfin" was on her fifth war patrol. After occupying a lifeguard station and destroying 61 floating mines, she retired to Guam, arriving in Apra Harbor 5 September 1945. After receiving voyage repairs and fuel she proceeded to San Diego where she joined Submarine Squadron 1.

Through July 1948 "Blackfin" continued on active duty in the Pacific. The majority of her operations were conducted near the Hawaiian and Mariana Islands. In June and July 1946 she participated in "Operation Iceberg" which took her across the Arctic Circle. She reported to Mare Island for inactivation in July 1948 and was placed out of commission in reserve there 19 November 1948.

In November 1950 "Blackfin" began conversion to a Guppy submarine and was recommissioned 15 May 1951. She operated with Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, based at San Diego until 8 March 1954 and thereafter at Pearl Harbor. During this time she completed two tours in the Far East (December 1951–June 1952 and January–June 1955); conducted local and training operations; and made several simulated war patrols.

"Blackfin" was decommissioned and struck from the Naval Register, 15 September 1972. She was used as a target and sunk by torpedo in the "SubSinkEx Project Thurber" project. She was used in two movies: "Move Over Darling" With Doris Day & James Garner, and "Ice Station Zebra" With Rock Hudson, Ernest Borgnine & Patrick McGoohan.

"Blackfin" received three battle stars for her World War II service.

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b6/blackfin-i.htm|http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss322.htm

External links

*navsource|08/08322|Blackfin
* [http://www.rddesigns.com/ww2/blackfin.html Sinkings by boat: USS "Blackfin"]