Jump to content

USS Snook (SS-279): Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
m →Fourth patrol: fixed link to avoid unnecessary redirect
AnomieBOT (talk | contribs)
Bots
6,529,279 edits
m Dating maintenance tags: {{Use American English}}
 
(41 intermediate revisions by 26 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{short description|Submarine of the United States}}
{{Other ships|USS Snook}}
{{Other ships|USS Snook}}
{{More citations needed|date=May 2020}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[Image:USS Snook (SS-279).jpg|300px|USS Snook (SS-279)]]
|Ship image=USS Snook (SS-279).jpg
|Ship caption=USS ''Snook'' (SS-279)
|Ship caption=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship career
{{Infobox ship career
Line 9: Line 13:
|Ship country=United States
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship name=
|Ship name=USS ''Snook''
|Ship ordered=
|Ship ordered=
|Ship builder=[[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]], [[Kittery, Maine]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates">{{cite book
|Ship builder=[[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]], [[Kittery, Maine]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates">{{cite book
| last = Friedman
| last = Friedman
| first = Norman
| first = Norman
| authorlink =
| title = U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History
| title = U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History
| publisher = [[United States Naval Institute]]
| publisher = [[United States Naval Institute]]
Line 20: Line 23:
| location = [[Annapolis, Maryland]]
| location = [[Annapolis, Maryland]]
| pages = 285–304
| pages = 285–304
| url =
| doi =
| isbn = 1-55750-263-3 }}</ref>
| isbn = 1-55750-263-3 }}</ref>
|Ship laid down=17 April 1942<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship laid down=17 April 1942<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
Line 35: Line 36:
| last = Bauer
| last = Bauer
| first = K. Jack
| first = K. Jack
| authorlink =
|author2=Roberts, Stephen S.
|author2=Roberts, Stephen S.
| title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants
| title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants
Line 42: Line 42:
| location = [[Westport, Connecticut]]
| location = [[Westport, Connecticut]]
| pages = 271–273
| pages = 271–273
| url =
| doi =
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
|Ship status=
}}
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
Line 72: Line 69:
'''USS ''Snook'' (SS-279)''', a [[Gato class submarine|''Gato''-class]] [[submarine]], was the first ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[common snook]], an Atlantic [[seawater|marine]] fish that is bluish-gray above and silvery below a black lateral line.
'''USS ''Snook'' (SS-279)''', a [[Gato class submarine|''Gato''-class]] [[submarine]], was the first ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[common snook]], an Atlantic [[seawater|marine]] fish that is bluish-gray above and silvery below a black lateral line.


==Construction and commissioning==
''Snook'''s keel was laid down by the [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]] in [[Kittery, Maine]] on 17 April 1942. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] on 15 August 1942 sponsored by Mrs. Audrey Emanuel Dempsey, wife of Lieutenant James C. Dempsey who had been awarded the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for heroism as commanding officer of the submarine [[USS S-27 (SS-132)|''S-27'']], and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 24 October 1942 with Lieutenant Commander Charles O. Triebel in command.
''Snook''{{'}}s [[keel]] was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] by the [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]] in [[Kittery, Maine|Kittery]], [[Maine]], on 17 April 1942. She was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 15 August 1942, [[Ship sponsor|sponsored]] by Mrs. Audrey Emanuel Dempsey, wife of [[Lieutenant (navy)|Lieutenant]] James C. Dempsey, who had been awarded the [[Navy Cross (United States)|Navy Cross]] for heroism as [[commanding officer]] of the submarine {{USS|S-27|SS-132}}. ''Snook'' was [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 24 October 1942.


==Patrols==
==Patrols==


===First patrol===
===First patrol===
After shakedown training off the [[New England]] coast, ''Snook'' departed New London on 3 March 1943 and set sail for the Pacific. Following a 12-day stopover at [[Pearl Harbor]], the submarine put to sea on 11 April and headed for the [[Yellow Sea]] and [[East China Sea]] for her first war patrol. Upon completion of [[naval mine|mine planting]] in the [[Shanghai]] area, ''Snook'' continued on up the coast of [[China]] to the [[Yellow Sea]]. On the afternoon of 5 May, she sighted two freighters standing out of [[Dairen]] and took up the chase. She trailed both until after nightfall, then fired a spread of three [[torpedo]]es that quickly sank ''Kinko Maru''. The lead freighter continued, unaware of the attack, until someone on the sinking ship sounded a whistle. At that point, the freighter began a series of frantic maneuvers to dodge two of ''Snook''&#39;s torpedoes, then opened fire with her guns, forcing the submarine to withdraw out of range, returning shortly after and firing three torpedoes, one of which hit ''Daifuku Maru'' amidships and sank her. ''Snook'' then resumed patrol.
After shakedown training off the [[New England]] coast, ''Snook'' departed New London on 3 March 1943 and set sail for the Pacific. Following a 12-day stopover at [[Pearl Harbor]], the submarine put to sea on 11 April and headed for the [[Yellow Sea]] and [[East China Sea]] for her first war patrol. Upon completion of [[naval mine|mine planting]] in the [[Shanghai]] area, ''Snook'' continued on up the coast of [[China]] to the [[Yellow Sea]]. On the afternoon of 5 May, she sighted two freighters standing out of [[Dairen]] and took up the chase. She trailed both until after nightfall, then fired a spread of three [[torpedo]]es that quickly sank ''Kinko Maru''. The lead freighter continued, unaware of the attack, until someone on the sinking ship sounded a whistle. At that point, the freighter began a series of frantic maneuvers to dodge two of ''Snook''{{'}}s torpedoes, then opened fire with her guns, forcing the submarine to withdraw out of range, returning shortly after and firing three torpedoes, one of which hit ''Daifuku Maru'' amidships and sank her. ''Snook'' then resumed patrol.


Early on the morning of 7 May, ''Snook'' began quickly closing in on a convoy. Upon overtaking the enemy cargo ships, she launched four torpedoes, followed by three others five minutes later. The 4,363-ton cargo ship ''Hosei Maru'' was destroyed and several other ships possibly damaged. After destroying two [[Naval trawler|armed trawlers]] in actions on 13 May and 16 May, ''Snook'' terminated her first patrol at [[Midway Island]] on 23 May.
Early on the morning of 7 May, ''Snook'' began quickly closing in on a convoy. Upon overtaking the enemy cargo ships, she launched four torpedoes, followed by three others five minutes later. The 4,363-ton cargo ship ''Hosei Maru'' was destroyed and several other ships possibly damaged. After destroying two [[Naval trawler|armed trawlers]] in actions on 13 May and 16 May, ''Snook'' terminated her first patrol at [[Midway Island]] on 23 May.
Line 87: Line 85:


===Third patrol===
===Third patrol===
''Snook'' left [[Pearl Harbor]] for her third war patrol on 18 August and arrived off [[Marcus Island]] on 30 August to take reconnaissance photographs and stand lifeguard duty for the carrier air strikes of 1 September. Following the air strikes, the submarine resumed patrol and headed for the [[East China Sea]] where, in the early morning darkness of 13 September, she torpedoed and sank the 9,650-ton transport ''Yamato Maru''. On 22 September, ''Snook'' intercepted and sank 715-ton Japanese cargo ship ''Katsurahama Maru'' departing from [[Dairen]]. The submarine terminated her third patrol at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 8 October.
''Snook'' left [[Pearl Harbor]] for her third war patrol on 18 August and arrived off [[Marcus Island]] on 30 August to take reconnaissance photographs and stand lifeguard duty for the carrier air strikes of 1 September. Following the air strikes, the submarine resumed patrol and headed for the [[East China Sea]] where, in the early morning darkness of 13 September, she torpedoed and sank the 9,650-ton transport ''Yamato Maru''. On 22 September, ''Snook'' intercepted and sank 715-ton Japanese cargo ship ''Katsurahama Maru'' departing from [[Dairen]]. On 29 September, the submarine conducted a surface attack on a 500 ton vessel. The vessel was damaged and as the submarine moved closer to finish it off, returned fire was received. Four of the submarine's crew members were injured. The submarine turned away at high speed and the vessel was last seen settling in the water. The submarine terminated her third patrol at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 8 October.


===Fourth patrol===
===Fourth patrol===
Line 93: Line 91:


===Fifth patrol===
===Fifth patrol===
On 6 January 1944, ''Snook'' cleared [[Pearl Harbor]] and headed for the western coast of [[Kyūshū]] and her fifth war patrol. While off the [[Bonin Islands]] on 23 January, the submarine torpedoed and sank the 3,120-ton converted gunboat ''Magane Maru''. On 8 February, she attacked a 13-ship convoy, firing a spread of four torpedoes for three hits before diving to evade the escort ships. In this action, she sank the troopship [[SS Lima Maru|''Lima Maru'']], with the massive loss of life of 2,765 dead,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsu.or.jp/siryo/sunk/pdf/mota02.pdf|title=Convoy Mo-Ta-06 (モタ61船団)|publisher=All Japan Seamen's Union|accessdate=2011-11-18}}</ref>(the 11th worst loss of life by [[List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines|ship sunk by a submarine]] in history), and heavily damaged the freighter ''Shiranesan Maru''. On 14 February, she quickly sank freighter ''Nittoku Maru'', with one [[torpedo]] hit amidships and, on the following day, sank cargo ship ''Hoshi Maru Number Two''. On 23 February, while returning to [[Midway Island]], she spotted an enemy convoy eight miles away, made a daring approach through a screen of 11 enemy escort ships, and fired five torpedoes, with two hits which sank the passenger-cargo ship, ''Koyo Maru''. The submarine terminated her fifth patrol at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 6 March and continued to [[Hunters Point Navy Yard]] for a major overhaul.
On 6 January 1944, ''Snook'' cleared [[Pearl Harbor]] and headed for the western coast of [[Kyūshū]] and her fifth war patrol. While off the [[Bonin Islands]] on 23 January, the submarine torpedoed and sank the 3,120-ton converted gunboat ''[[Japanese minelayer Magane Maru|Magane Maru]]''. On 8 February, she attacked a 13-ship convoy, firing a spread of four torpedoes for three hits before diving to evade the escort ships. In this action, she sank the troopship [[SS Lima Maru|''Lima Maru'']], with the massive loss of life of 2,765 dead,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jsu.or.jp/siryo/sunk/pdf/mota02.pdf|title=Convoy Mo-Ta-06 (モタ61船団)|publisher=All Japan Seamen's Union|access-date=2011-11-18}}</ref>(the 11th worst loss of life by [[List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines|ship sunk by a submarine]] in history), and heavily damaged the freighter ''Shiranesan Maru''. On 14 February, she quickly sank freighter ''Nittoku Maru'', with one [[torpedo]] hit amidships and, on the following day, sank cargo ship ''Hoshi Maru Number Two''. On 23 February, while returning to [[Midway Island]], she spotted an enemy convoy eight miles away, made a daring approach through a screen of 11 enemy escort ships, and fired five torpedoes, with two hits which sank the passenger-cargo ship, ''Koyo Maru''. The submarine terminated her fifth patrol at [[Pearl Harbor]] on 6 March and continued to [[Hunters Point Navy Yard]] for a major overhaul.


===Sixth patrol===
===Sixth patrol===
Line 99: Line 97:


===Seventh patrol===
===Seventh patrol===
''Snook''&#39;s seventh war patrol was conducted in [[Luzon Strait]] and the [[South China Sea]]. After stopping at [[Saipan]] for repairs from 25 September to 4 October the submarine continued her patrol and contacted an enemy convoy on 23 October. She sank passenger-cargo ship ''Shinsei Maru Number 1'', then evaded two escorts and resumed the chase, sinking the tanker ''Kikusui Maru'' with a torpedo which disintegrated the entire aft end. After again escaping the escorts, ''Snook'' returned and fired five bow torpedoes, sinking cargo ship, or "[[Hell ship]]", ''[[Arisan Maru]]'', killing about 1,773 American prisoners of war (the 23rd worst loss of life by [[List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines|ship sunk by a submarine]] in history), one of the greatest losses of life in American maritime history. After rescuing a downed airman on 3 November, the submarine returned to [[Pearl Harbor]] on 18 November.
''Snook''{{'}}s seventh war patrol was conducted in [[Luzon Strait]] and the [[South China Sea]]. After stopping at [[Saipan]] for repairs from 25 September to 4 October the submarine continued her patrol and contacted an enemy convoy on 23 October. She sank passenger-cargo ship ''Shinsei Maru Number 1'', then evaded two escorts and resumed the chase, sinking the tanker ''Kikusui Maru'' with a torpedo which disintegrated the entire aft end. After again escaping the escorts, ''Snook'' returned and fired five bow torpedoes, sinking cargo ship, or "[[hell ship]]", {{ship||Arisan Maru}},{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}<ref>{{Cite web |title=Seventh War Patrol, USS Snook (SSN-592), September to November 1944, page 9 |url=https://www.fold3.com/image/29131005}}</ref><ref>National Archives Microfiche Publication M1752; "U.S. Submarine War Patrol Reports, 1941 - 1945" RG38; USS Snook (SSN-592); War Patrol Number: Seventh; Dates: Sep - Nov 1944</ref> killing about 1,773 American prisoners of war (the 23rd worst loss of life by [[List by death toll of ships sunk by submarines|ship sunk by a submarine]] in history), one of the greatest losses of life in American maritime history.<ref>Unclear whether Arisan Maru was sunk by USS Snook or USS Shark (SS-314). See https://pows.jiaponline.org/2019/10/75th-anniversary-of-arisan-maru-tragedy.html</ref> After rescuing a downed airman on 3 November, the submarine returned to [[Pearl Harbor]] on 18 November.

NOTE to the creator of this page: according to other pages here on wiki, the [[Arisan Maru]] was sunk by the [[USS_Shark_(SS-314)]] on this date, 24 October 1944, which in turn was sunk by Japanese destroyer counterattacks. Please confirm one US sub or the other.


===Eighth patrol===
===Eighth patrol===
''Snook''&#39;s eighth war patrol was conducted off the [[Kuril Islands]] from 25 December 1944 to 17 February 1945. Her only sightings during this patrol were two friendly [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] vessels and a momentary contact with a small patrol craft.
''Snook''{{'}}s eighth war patrol was conducted off the [[Kuril Islands]] from 25 December 1944 to 17 February 1945. Her only sightings during this patrol were two friendly [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] vessels and a momentary contact with a small patrol craft.


===Final patrol===
===Final patrol===
''Snook'' was lost while conducting her ninth war patrol, in the [[South China Sea]] and [[Luzon Strait]]. On 8 April, she reported her position to submarine {{USS|Tigrone|SS-419|3}} and when she did not acknowledge messages sent from ''Tigrone'' the next day, it was presumed that she had headed toward [[Luzon Strait]]. On 12 April, she was ordered to take lifeguard station in the vicinity of [[Sakishima Gunto]] in support of British carrier air strikes. On 20 April, the commander of the British carrier task force reported that he had a plane down in ''Snook''&#39;s assigned area, and that he could not contact the submarine by radio. ''Snook'' was ordered to search the area and to acknowledge the order. When she failed to make a transmission, submarine {{USS|Bang|SS-385|3}} was sent to make the search and rendezvous with ''Snook''. Although ''Bang'' arrived and rescued the downed aviators, she saw no sign of the missing submarine; on 16 May, ''Snook'' was presumed lost due to unknown causes. It is believed that she was sunk by kaibokans [[Japanese escort ship Okinawa|''Okinawa'']], ''CD-8, CD-32'' and ''CD-52''. It has also been suggested that ''Snook'' may have been lost in combat with one of five Japanese submarines which were also lost in April–May 1945.<ref>{{cite web
''Snook'' was lost while conducting her ninth war patrol, in the [[South China Sea]] and [[Luzon Strait]]. On 8 April, she reported her position to submarine {{USS|Tigrone|SS-419|2}} and when she did not acknowledge messages sent from ''Tigrone'' the next day, it was presumed that she had headed toward Luzon Strait. On 12 April, she was ordered to take lifeguard station in the vicinity of [[Sakishima Gunto]] in support of British carrier air strikes. On 20 April, the commander of the British carrier task force reported that he had a plane down in ''Snook''{{'}}s assigned area, and that he could not contact the submarine by radio. ''Snook'' was ordered to search the area and to acknowledge the order. When she failed to make a transmission, submarine {{USS|Bang|SS-385|2}} was sent to make the search and rendezvous with ''Snook''. Although ''Bang'' arrived and rescued the downed aviators, she saw no sign of the missing submarine; on 16 May, ''Snook'' was presumed lost due to unknown causes. It is believed that she was sunk by kaibokans {{ship|Japanese escort ship|Okinawa||2}}, ''CD-8, CD-32'' and ''CD-52''. It has also been suggested that ''Snook'' may have been lost in combat with one of five Japanese submarines which were also lost in April–May 1945.<ref>{{cite web
|url=http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/7660/lost_boats/pages/SNOOK.htm
|url=http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/7660/lost_boats/pages/SNOOK.htm
|title=USS SNOOK (SS-279)
|title=USS SNOOK (SS-279)
|author=Royal Weaver
|author=Royal Weaver
|archiveurl=https://www.webcitation.org/5kmzMFtNR
|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240524135740/https://www.webcitation.org/5kmzMFtNR?url=http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/Base/7660/lost_boats/pages/SNOOK.htm
|archive-date=24 May 2024
|archivedate=October 25, 2009
|accessdate=2008-09-02
|access-date=2008-09-02
|url-status=unfit
|url-status=unfit
}}</ref> One candidate is the [[Japanese submarine I-56 (1944)|Japanese submarine ''I-56'']] <ref>{{cite web
}}</ref> One candidate is the Japanese [[Type B submarine|Type B3]] submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-56|1943|2}},<ref>{{cite web
| url=http://aimm.museum/snook.asp
| url= http://aimm.museum/snook.asp
| title= USS ''Snook'' (SS 279) Memorial
| title= USS ''Snook'' (SS 279) Memorial
|author= |last= |first= |authorlink= |format= |work=
| publisher= [[Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum]]
| publisher= [[Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum]]
| access-date= 2008-09-02
|pages= |language= |doi= |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote=
| archive-date= 2009-04-09
⚫
| accessdate= 2008-09-02 }}</ref> ([[Type B submarine|type B3]]) but it is just a hypothesis because it is not confirmed by a single Japanese source.
| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090409164244/http://www.aimm.museum/snook.asp
| url-status= dead
⚫
}}</ref> however it remains a hypothesis due to it not being confirmed by a single Japanese source.


''Snook'' was credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels in her two and one-half years of active service. She earned seven [[battle star]]s for [[World War II]] service.
''Snook'' was credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels in her two and one-half years of active service. She earned seven [[battle star]]s for [[World War II]] service.

===Possible discovery===
The actual whereabouts of ''Snook'' may have been discovered during a deep-sea dive in 1995. The possibility exists that a U.S. submarine lies in about {{convert|1,148|ft|m}} of water off the coast of [[Iriomote Island]], the far southwest island in the [[Okinawa Islands|Okinawa]] chain. During operations with an Okinawan company using a U.S. made "SCORPIO" ROV in 1995, a group of divers encountered a sonar contact with what appeared to be a metal structure, about {{convert|20|ft|m}} in girth and about {{convert|115|ft|m}} in length (exposed) at roughly an angle of 20-30 degrees. The SONAR image of a large unexpected obstruction to the operations prompted the divers to command evasive maneuvers and avoid the area for the safety of the ROV.<ref name="comsubpac">{{cite web |title=USS Snook (SS 279) |url=https://www.csp.navy.mil/ww2boats/snook.htm |publisher=[[Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet]] |access-date=21 September 2021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080724220126/https://www.csp.navy.mil/ww2boats/snook.htm |archive-date=24 July 2008}} {{PD-notice}}</ref>

The divers, thinking they would have another opportunity to work in the area at a later date, left the area and never returned to that site. Their ROV was lost in 1997 off [[Yonaguni|Yonaguni Island]], the last island belonging to the Okinawa chain off the east coast of Taiwan. They were fairly certain that the object was a submarine, and quite possibly the ''Snook''. No further dives in the area were ever attempted.<ref name="comsubpac"/>


==See also==
==See also==
Line 134: Line 137:
== External links ==
== External links ==
Read the book about the USS Snook submarine "Final Dive" by Rick Cline {{ISBN|0-9663235-3-X}}
Read the book about the USS Snook submarine "Final Dive" by Rick Cline {{ISBN|0-9663235-3-X}}
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s14/snook-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS ''Snook'']
*[http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s14/snook-i.htm history.navy.mil: USS ''Snook''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050213145503/http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/s14/snook-i.htm |date=2005-02-13 }}
*[http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08279.htm navsource.org: USS ''Snook'']
*[http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08279.htm navsource.org: USS ''Snook'']
*[http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss279.txt hazegray.org: USS ''Snook'']
*[http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss279.txt hazegray.org: USS ''Snook'']
Line 150: Line 153:
[[Category:Lost submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:Lost submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:Missing submarines of World War II]]
[[Category:Missing submarines of World War II]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks in the Philippine Sea]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Philippine Sea]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kittery, Maine]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kittery, Maine]]
[[Category:1942 ships]]
[[Category:1942 ships]]
[[Category:Ships lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Warships lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1945]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in April 1945]]
[[Category:Submarines sunk by Japanese warships]]

Latest revision as of 02:48, 5 November 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Snook.

USS Snook (SS-279)
History
United States
NameUSS Snook
BuilderPortsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine[1]
Laid down17 April 1942[1]
Launched15 August 1942[1]
Commissioned24 October 1942[1]
FateMissing since 8 April 1945 east of Taiwan[2]
General characteristics
Class and typeGato-class diesel-electric submarine[2]
Displacement
  • 1,525 long tons (1,549 t) surfaced[2]
  • 2,424 long tons (2,463 t) submerged[2]
Length311 ft 9 in (95.02 m)[2]
Beam27 ft 3 in (8.31 m)[2]
Draft17 ft 0 in (5.18 m) maximum[2]
Propulsion
Speed
  • 21 knots (39 km/h) surfaced[6]
  • 9 knots (17 km/h) submerged[6]
Range11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km) surfaced at 10 knots (19 km/h)[6]
Endurance
  • 48 hours at 2 knots (4 km/h) submerged[6]
  • 75 days on patrol
Test depth300 ft (90 m)[6]
Complement6 officers, 54 enlisted[6]
Armament

USS Snook (SS-279), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the common snook, an Atlantic marine fish that is bluish-gray above and silvery below a black lateral line.

Construction and commissioning

[edit]

Snook's keel was laid down by the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine, on 17 April 1942. She was launched on 15 August 1942, sponsored by Mrs. Audrey Emanuel Dempsey, wife of Lieutenant James C. Dempsey, who had been awarded the Navy Cross for heroism as commanding officer of the submarine USS S-27 (SS-132). Snook was commissioned on 24 October 1942.

Patrols

[edit]

First patrol

[edit]

After shakedown training off the New England coast, Snook departed New London on 3 March 1943 and set sail for the Pacific. Following a 12-day stopover at Pearl Harbor, the submarine put to sea on 11 April and headed for the Yellow Sea and East China Sea for her first war patrol. Upon completion of mine planting in the Shanghai area, Snook continued on up the coast of China to the Yellow Sea. On the afternoon of 5 May, she sighted two freighters standing out of Dairen and took up the chase. She trailed both until after nightfall, then fired a spread of three torpedoes that quickly sank Kinko Maru. The lead freighter continued, unaware of the attack, until someone on the sinking ship sounded a whistle. At that point, the freighter began a series of frantic maneuvers to dodge two of Snook's torpedoes, then opened fire with her guns, forcing the submarine to withdraw out of range, returning shortly after and firing three torpedoes, one of which hit Daifuku Maru amidships and sank her. Snook then resumed patrol.

Early on the morning of 7 May, Snook began quickly closing in on a convoy. Upon overtaking the enemy cargo ships, she launched four torpedoes, followed by three others five minutes later. The 4,363-ton cargo ship Hosei Maru was destroyed and several other ships possibly damaged. After destroying two armed trawlers in actions on 13 May and 16 May, Snook terminated her first patrol at Midway Island on 23 May.

Second patrol

[edit]

Snook set sail from Midway Island for her second war patrol on 9 June and headed for the waters off the Ryukyu Islands. In the morning twilight of 24 June, the submarine closed on a six-ship convoy escorted by two destroyers, launched two torpedoes at a large tanker, and heard two hits as she went deep and rigged for silent running to avoid the patrolling escorts. Coming back up to periscope depth, she found a destroyer guarding the crippled ship and was prevented from a second try by overhead aircraft.

Shortly before midnight on 3 July Snook made radar contact with another enemy convoy. Early the following morning, she fired a spread of six torpedoes, sinking cargo ships Koki Maru and Liverpool Maru and severely damaging Atlantic Maru. Snook returned to Pearl Harbor from her second patrol on 18 July.

Third patrol

[edit]

Snook left Pearl Harbor for her third war patrol on 18 August and arrived off Marcus Island on 30 August to take reconnaissance photographs and stand lifeguard duty for the carrier air strikes of 1 September. Following the air strikes, the submarine resumed patrol and headed for the East China Sea where, in the early morning darkness of 13 September, she torpedoed and sank the 9,650-ton transport Yamato Maru. On 22 September, Snook intercepted and sank 715-ton Japanese cargo ship Katsurahama Maru departing from Dairen. On 29 September, the submarine conducted a surface attack on a 500 ton vessel. The vessel was damaged and as the submarine moved closer to finish it off, returned fire was received. Four of the submarine's crew members were injured. The submarine turned away at high speed and the vessel was last seen settling in the water. The submarine terminated her third patrol at Pearl Harbor on 8 October.

Fourth patrol

[edit]

Snook spent her fourth war patrol in a coordinated attack group with sister ships Pargo (SS-264) and Harder (SS-257) in the waters off the Mariana Islands. On 29 November, the submarine sank the passenger-cargo ship Yamafuku Maru with four torpedo hits, and the cargo ship Shiganoura Maru, as well as damaging an escort ship. Snook returned to Midway Island on 7 December and was routed on to Pearl Harbor.

Fifth patrol

[edit]

On 6 January 1944, Snook cleared Pearl Harbor and headed for the western coast of Kyūshū and her fifth war patrol. While off the Bonin Islands on 23 January, the submarine torpedoed and sank the 3,120-ton converted gunboat Magane Maru. On 8 February, she attacked a 13-ship convoy, firing a spread of four torpedoes for three hits before diving to evade the escort ships. In this action, she sank the troopship Lima Maru, with the massive loss of life of 2,765 dead,[7](the 11th worst loss of life by ship sunk by a submarine in history), and heavily damaged the freighter Shiranesan Maru. On 14 February, she quickly sank freighter Nittoku Maru, with one torpedo hit amidships and, on the following day, sank cargo ship Hoshi Maru Number Two. On 23 February, while returning to Midway Island, she spotted an enemy convoy eight miles away, made a daring approach through a screen of 11 enemy escort ships, and fired five torpedoes, with two hits which sank the passenger-cargo ship, Koyo Maru. The submarine terminated her fifth patrol at Pearl Harbor on 6 March and continued to Hunters Point Navy Yard for a major overhaul.

Sixth patrol

[edit]

On her sixth patrol Snook attacked and missed two freighters on 12 July, but found no other worthwhile targets, and returned to Midway Island on 14 August.

Seventh patrol

[edit]

Snook's seventh war patrol was conducted in Luzon Strait and the South China Sea. After stopping at Saipan for repairs from 25 September to 4 October the submarine continued her patrol and contacted an enemy convoy on 23 October. She sank passenger-cargo ship Shinsei Maru Number 1, then evaded two escorts and resumed the chase, sinking the tanker Kikusui Maru with a torpedo which disintegrated the entire aft end. After again escaping the escorts, Snook returned and fired five bow torpedoes, sinking cargo ship, or "hell ship", Arisan Maru,[citation needed][8][9] killing about 1,773 American prisoners of war (the 23rd worst loss of life by ship sunk by a submarine in history), one of the greatest losses of life in American maritime history.[10] After rescuing a downed airman on 3 November, the submarine returned to Pearl Harbor on 18 November.

Eighth patrol

[edit]

Snook's eighth war patrol was conducted off the Kuril Islands from 25 December 1944 to 17 February 1945. Her only sightings during this patrol were two friendly Soviet vessels and a momentary contact with a small patrol craft.

Final patrol

[edit]

Snook was lost while conducting her ninth war patrol, in the South China Sea and Luzon Strait. On 8 April, she reported her position to submarine Tigrone and when she did not acknowledge messages sent from Tigrone the next day, it was presumed that she had headed toward Luzon Strait. On 12 April, she was ordered to take lifeguard station in the vicinity of Sakishima Gunto in support of British carrier air strikes. On 20 April, the commander of the British carrier task force reported that he had a plane down in Snook's assigned area, and that he could not contact the submarine by radio. Snook was ordered to search the area and to acknowledge the order. When she failed to make a transmission, submarine Bang was sent to make the search and rendezvous with Snook. Although Bang arrived and rescued the downed aviators, she saw no sign of the missing submarine; on 16 May, Snook was presumed lost due to unknown causes. It is believed that she was sunk by kaibokans Okinawa, CD-8, CD-32 and CD-52. It has also been suggested that Snook may have been lost in combat with one of five Japanese submarines which were also lost in April–May 1945.[11] One candidate is the Japanese Type B3 submarine I-56,[12] however it remains a hypothesis due to it not being confirmed by a single Japanese source.

Snook was credited with sinking 17 enemy vessels in her two and one-half years of active service. She earned seven battle stars for World War II service.

Possible discovery

[edit]

The actual whereabouts of Snook may have been discovered during a deep-sea dive in 1995. The possibility exists that a U.S. submarine lies in about 1,148 feet (350 m) of water off the coast of Iriomote Island, the far southwest island in the Okinawa chain. During operations with an Okinawan company using a U.S. made "SCORPIO" ROV in 1995, a group of divers encountered a sonar contact with what appeared to be a metal structure, about 20 feet (6.1 m) in girth and about 115 feet (35 m) in length (exposed) at roughly an angle of 20-30 degrees. The SONAR image of a large unexpected obstruction to the operations prompted the divers to command evasive maneuvers and avoid the area for the safety of the ROV.[13]

The divers, thinking they would have another opportunity to work in the area at a later date, left the area and never returned to that site. Their ROV was lost in 1997 off Yonaguni Island, the last island belonging to the Okinawa chain off the east coast of Taiwan. They were fairly certain that the object was a submarine, and quite possibly the Snook. No further dives in the area were ever attempted.[13]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d Friedman, Norman (1995). U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. pp. 285–304. ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Bauer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. pp. 271–273. ISBN 0-313-26202-0.
  3. ^ 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. 270–280. ISBN 978-0-313-26202-9.
  4. ^ U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 261–263
  5. ^ U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 305–311
  6. ^ a b c d e f U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 305-311
  7. ^ "Convoy Mo-Ta-06 (モタ61船団)" (PDF). All Japan Seamen's Union. Retrieved 18 November 2011.
  8. ^ "Seventh War Patrol, USS Snook (SSN-592), September to November 1944, page 9".
  9. ^ National Archives Microfiche Publication M1752; "U.S. Submarine War Patrol Reports, 1941 - 1945" RG38; USS Snook (SSN-592); War Patrol Number: Seventh; Dates: Sep - Nov 1944
  10. ^ Unclear whether Arisan Maru was sunk by USS Snook or USS Shark (SS-314). See https://pows.jiaponline.org/2019/10/75th-anniversary-of-arisan-maru-tragedy.html
  11. ^ Royal Weaver. "USS SNOOK (SS-279)". Archived from the original on 24 May 2024. Retrieved 2 September 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  12. ^ "USS Snook (SS 279) Memorial". Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum. Archived from the original on 9 April 2009. Retrieved 2 September 2008.
  13. ^ a b "USS Snook (SS 279)". Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Archived from the original on 24 July 2008. Retrieved 21 September 2021. Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.

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

[edit]

Read the book about the USS Snook submarine "Final Dive" by Rick Cline ISBN 0-9663235-3-X

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=USS_Snook_(SS-279)&oldid=1255467967"