- USS Hawkbill (SS-366)
USS "Hawkbill" (SS-366), a "Balao"-class
submarine , was the first ship of theUnited States Navy to be named for thehawksbill , a largesea turtle (the "-s-" was inadvertently dropped at commissioning.)."Hawkbill" (SS-366) was launched by
Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. ,Manitowoc, Wisc. 9 January 1944 ; sponsored by Mrs. F. W. Scanland, Jr., and commissioned17 May 1944 , Lt. Comdr. F. Worth Scanland, Jr., in command.Following a period of training on the
Great Lakes , the submarine departed1 June 1944 from Manitowoc to begin the long journey down theIllinois River and finally by barge down the Mississippi. She arrived New Orleans10 June and, after combat loading, sailed16 June for training out of the submarine base, Balboa, Canal Zone. With this vital training completed, she arrivedPearl Harbor 28 July for final preparations before her first war patrol.Departing
23 August , the submarine steamed viaSaipan to her patrol area in thePhilippine Islands in company with USS|Baya|SS-318|2 and USS|Becuna|SS-319|2. In October Hawkbill shifted patrol to theSouth China Sea and, while approaching two carriers7 October , was forced down by violent depth charging byJapan esedestroyer s. Two days later she attacked a 12-ship convoy with "Becuna", damaging several of the ships. "Hawkbill" transited heavily patrolledLombok Strait 14 October , and terminated her first patrol at Fremantle,Australia on17 October .In company with "Becuna" and USS|Flasher|SS-249|3, the submarine departed for her second patrol
15 November bound for the area north of theMalay Barrier . She encountered a convoy15 December and sank destroyer "Momo" with six well-placed torpedoes during a night attack. Finding few contacts—a testament to the effectiveness of the American submarines—"Hawkbill" headed once more for Lombok Strait. This time she was sighted by a patrol craft, but cleverly maneuvered into a rain squall. The submarine was then fired-upon by shore batteries before passing out of range. Hawkbill returned to Fremantle5 January 1945 .On her third war patrol beginning
5 February , the submarine returned to Lombok Strait to turn the tables on her former pursuers. Her torpedoes sank two submarine chasers14 February , and she added some small craft before turning for the South China Sea. "Hawkbill" detected a convoy20 February ; after engaging one escort with gunfire, she sank 5,400-ton cargo ship "Daizen Maru" with a spread of torpedoes. The rest of her patrol brought no targets; she arrived Fremantle6 April 1945 .Departing on her fourth patrol
5 May , "Hawkbill" served on lifeguard station for aB-24 strike on theKangean Islands north ofBali . She arrived16 May on her patrol station off the coast of Malaya, and soon afterward encounteredminelayer "Hatsutaka" heading south along the coast. She attacked and obtained two hits, causing severe damage. The ship was observed next morning being towed to the beach. At a range of almost 5,000 yards, Hawkbill fired three more torpedoes into the shallow waters and broke the ship in half, sinking a familiar enemy of submarines operating on the Malayan coast. After further patrol off Malaya and in theGulf of Siam , she arrivedSubic Bay 18 June 1945 ."Hawkbill" departed for her fifth and last war patrol
12 July . Returning to the coast of Malaya, she attacked a convoy18 July . Her first torpedoes missed, and an hour later adepth charge attack of unusual accuracy and intensity began. "Hawkbill" was blown partially out of the water by a perfectly placed pattern and damaged considerably; but by hugging the bottom with all machinery secured, she eluded the attacking destroyers. After a stay at Subic Bay for repairs, she steamed toBorneo to rendezvous withAustralian Army officers for a special mission. "Hawkbill" destroyed two radio stations with her deck guns, landedcommando s atTerampha Town , and destroyed shore installations. After reconnaissance ofAnambas Island , also in the South China Sea, the versatile submarine returned to Borneo13 August .Following the surrender of Japan, Hawkbill sailed to Pearl Harbor, departing
22 September 1945 forSan Francisco . She decommissioned at Mare Island30 September 1946 and joined theReserve Fleet ."Hawkbill" received six
battle star s forWorld War II service. All five of her war patrols were designated successful, and she received aNavy Unit Commendation for her outstanding performance on patrols 1, 3, and 4.HNLMS "Zeeleeuw" (S803)
Brought out of reserve in 1952, "Hawkbill" was given a
GUPPY IB conversion and loaned to theNetherlands under the Military Assistance Program21 April 1953 . She was commissioned in theRoyal Netherlands Navy as HNLMS "Zeeleeuw" (S803), the first Dutch naval ship to be named for thesealion . "Zeeleeuw" reachedRotterdam 11 June , in time to participate successfully inNATO summer exercises, 'beating' the RN as well as the USN. On24 November 1970 "Zeeleeuw" was sold for scrap.References
*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/h3/hawkbill-i.htm|http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss366.txt
External links
*navsource|08/08366|Hawkbill
*http://www.usshawkbill.com/366/index.htm
*http://dutchsubmarines.com/boats/boat_zeeleeuw1.htm
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