USS Bluefish SSN-675: History

History

USS Bluefish (SS 222)

Keel laid by the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. 5 June 1942;
Launched 21 February 1943; Sponsored by Mrs. Robert Y. Menzie;
Commissioned 24 May 1943; Lcdr. George E. Porter, Jr. in command;
Decommissioned 12 February 1947;
Re- commissioned 7 January 1952; Decommissioned 20 November 1953;
Stricken 1 June 1959 and sold for scrapping 8 June 1960

Dsplacement: 1870 (surf.) 2424 (subm.)
Length 312'
Beam 27'
Draft 17' (mean)
Speed 20.25 k. (surf.) 8.75 k. (subm.)
Armament: 3" deck gun, 50 cal. 10 21" Torpedo Tubes
Compliment: 4 officers - 54 enlisted men
Class: GATO (SS 212)

SOME HISTORY ON THE FIRST BLUEFISH

USS BLUEFISH (SS-222) departed New London, Conn., 21 July and reported to TF 72 at Brisbane, Australia, 21 August 1943. Between 9 September 1943 and 29 July 1945 she completed nine war patrols. Her operating area extended from the Netherlands East Indies to the waters south of Honshu. BLUEFISH sank 12 Japanese ships totaling 50,839 tons, including the destroyer SANAE, 18 November 1943 in 04!-52'N;122!- 07'E.; the submarine I-3551, 15 July 1945 in 04!-30'N;110!- 00'E.; and a submarine chaser. In addition BLUEFISH assisted USS PUFFER I (SS-268) in sinking a 5135-ton tanker.

With the cessation of hostilities BLUEFISH returned to the United States, arriving at Philadelphia Navy Yard 9 October. She was placed in the 16th Fleet and on 31 October moved to the Submarine Base, New London. She was later towed to Electric Boat Co., Groton, where she underwent repairs. On 12 June 1946 she returned to New London where she went out of commission in reserve 12 February 1947.

BLUEFISH was re- commissioned 7 January 1952 at the Submarine Base, New London, and reported to Submarine Division 82, Atlantic Fleet. On 7 April she proceeded to Key West, Fla., and reported to Submarine Division 41 on 11 April. She operated along the Florida coast and in the Caribbean, engaging in local operations and training exercises until May 1953.

On 7 June 1953 BLUEFISH arrived at the Naval Base, Portsmouth, N.H. Following pre- inactivation overhaul at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, she was placed out of commission in reserve at New London 20 November 1953.

USS BLUEFISH (SS 222) received ten battle stars for her World War II service.

Chronology of tonnage sunk

Date:	Vessel Type:	Flag:	Name:	Tonnage:	Location:
09/25/1943	Transport		Unknown**	8,200	06-18S, 119-01E
09/26/1943	Torpedo Boat		Kasasagi	840	05-00S, 121-57E
09/26/1943	Cargo Ship		Unknown*	6,900	05-00S, 121-57E
09/28/1943	Cargo Ship		Akashi Maru	3,228	06-05S, 125-55E
11/08/1943	Tanker		Unknown**	10,000	16-44N, 116-22E
11/08/1943	Passenger/ Cargo		Unknown*	6,800	16-44N, 116-22E
11/08/1943	Cargo		Unknown*	7,600	16-44N, 116-22E
11/08/1943	Passenger/ Cargo		Unknown*	6,900	16-44N, 116-22E
11/08/1943	Passenger/ Cargo		Unknown*	8,400	16-44N, 116-22E
11/08/1943	Tanker		Kyokuei Maru	10,570	17-00N, 116-17E
11/11/1943	Sampan		Unknown++	<100	08-00N, 118-36E
11/18/1943	Destroyer		Sanae(Sanaye)	820	05-00N, 122-00E
11/18/1943	Tanker		Ondo^	14,050	05-00N, 122-00E
12/30/1943	Tanker		Ichiyu Maru	5,061	02-45S, 109-10E
01/04/1944	Tanker		Hakko Maru	6,046	06-55N, 109-29E
02/04-1944	Tanker		Ominesean Maru	10,536	05-29N, 108-46E
07/16/44	Cargo		Nanshin Maru	1,422	02-22N, 118-14E
07/21/1944	Cargo		Kanan Maru	3,280	03-58S, 116-53E
08/17/1944	Tanker		Shinpo Maru***	2,567.5	03-18N, 120-11E
08/19/1944	Tanker		Hayasui	18,300	17-34N, 119-23E
08/19/1944	Ex-Hospital Ship		Awa Maru	11,249	18-11N, 119-58E
03/19/1945	Ex- Minesweeper		Unknown*	200	32-10N, 137-57E
07/08/1945	Submarine Chaser		SC#50	130	02-20N, 105-05E
07/15/1945	Submarine		I-351$	2,650	05-44N, 110-06E
07/19/1945	Small Craft		Unknown++	200	00-04S, 105-08E

* Damaged
** Claimed sunk
++ Sunk by Deck Gun fire
^ Vessel run ashore, heavy damage from attack, later bombed from the air and sunk a year later.
? Vessel also listed as possibly Taihosan Maru
*** Shared credit with USS Puffer. Half tonnage awarded. Puffer hit target and disabled it.
$ One survivor picked up