Submarine Whale (SS-239)

Whale

Country	United States
Ship Class	Gato-class Submarine
Hull Number	SS-239
Builder	Mare Island Navy Yard
Laid Down	28 Jun 1941
Launched	14 Mar 1942
Commissioned	1 Jun 1942
Decommissioned	1 Jun 1946
Displacement	1,549 tons standard; 2,463 tons submerged
Length	312 feet
Beam	27 feet
Draft	17 feet
Machinery	Four General Motors Model 16-248 V16 diesel engines (5,400shp), four General Electric electric motors (2,740shp), two 126-cell Sargo batteries, two propellers
Bunkerage	97,140gal fuel oil
Speed	21 knots
Range	11,000nm at 10 knots surfaced, 48 hours at 2 knots submerged
Crew	60
Armament	6x533mm forward torpedo tubes, 4x533mm aft torpedo tubes, 24 torpedoes, 1x76mm 50cal gun, 2x .50cal machine guns, 2x .30cal machine guns
Submerged Speed	9 knots

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseUSS Whale was commissioned into service in 1942, and by the end of the year had complete her first war patrol, during which mission she sank or damaged several Japanese freighters and became the first US submarine to lay mines in Japanese waters (post war studies revealed that this minefield likely contributed to the sinking of five Japanese merchant ships). She would go on to have a total of 11 war patrols, every one of them deemed successful. Her WW2 career saw her sink 57,716 tons of Japanese shipping. She was decommissioned after the war and wa berthed in New London, Connecticut, United States as a part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. She was activated for limited service in 1956 and in 1957. She was decommissioned for the final time in Sep 1957 and was sold for scrap in 1960.

ww2dbaseSource: Wikipedia

Last Major Revision: Aug 2013

Submarine Whale (SS-239) Interactive Map

Photographs

Keel laying ceremony of submarine Whale, Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 28 Jun 1941, photo 1 of 2

Keel laying ceremony of submarine Whale, Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 28 Jun 1941, photo 2 of 2

USS Ballard at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 5 Jan 1942; note submarines under construction, probably Wahoo and Whale

Launching of submarine Wahoo, Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States, 14 Feb 1942, photo 1 of 4; note submarine Whale nearby

See all 27 photographs of Submarine Whale (SS-239)

Whale Operational Timeline

28 Jun 1941	The keel of submarine Whale was laid down at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States.
14 Mar 1942	Submarine Whale was launched at Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, United States, sponsored by the wife of Captain A. D. Denny, the commanding officer of the shipyard.
1 Jun 1942	USS Whale was commissioned into service with Lieutenant Commander John Azer in command.
30 Jul 1942	USS Whale began her shakedown training.
4 Aug 1942	USS Whale departed San Francisco, California, United States.
6 Aug 1942	USS Whale arrived at San Diego, California, United States.
9 Sep 1942	USS Whale completed her training which took place between San Francisco and San Diego in California, United States.
23 Sep 1942	USS Whale departed San Francisco, California, United States.
27 Sep 1942	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
9 Oct 1942	USS Whale departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii, starting her first war patrol.
25 Oct 1942	USS Whale arrived in waters south of the Kii Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Honshu, Japan and began to lay mines.
26 Oct 1942	USS Whale sank a Japanese freighter south of the Kii Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Honshu, Japan, hitting her with 2 of 5 torpedoes fired. Shortly after, she damaged two other freighters, hitting them with 2 of the 6 additional torpedoes fired.
27 Oct 1942	USS Whale patrolled the waters south of Bungo Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, Japan.
28 Oct 1942	USS Whale patrolled the waters south of Bungo Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, Japan.
29 Oct 1942	USS Whale patrolled the waters south of Bungo Channel between the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu, Japan.
30 Oct 1942	USS Whale fired two torpedoes at a Japanese convoy 19 kilometers off Ichie Saki, Wakayama, Japan, scoring one hit. She was given chase by a torpedo boat for the next 17 hours and suffered serious damage.
10 Nov 1942	USS Whale began a period of repair at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii.
2 Jan 1943	USS Whale completed a period of repair at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii.
3 Jan 1943	USS Whale departed the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii.
10 Jan 1943	USS Whale arrived in the Marshall Islands.
13 Jan 1943	USS Whale sank Japanese freighter Iwashiro Maru in the waters between Kwajalein, Marshall Islands and Truk, Caroline Islands, hitting her with 3 of 4 torpedoes fired.
17 Jan 1943	USS Whale sank Japanese freighter Heiyo Maru between Truk, Caroline Islands and Japan, hitting her with 7 of 9 torpedoes fired.
25 Jan 1943	USS Whale damaged Japanese tanker Syoyo Maru between Truk, Caroline Islands and Japan, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired. She suffered light damage from the subsequent depth charging.
26 Jan 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese oiler between Truk, Caroline Islands and Japan; 1 of 3 torpedoes fired hit the target but failed to detonate.
27 Jan 1943	USS Whale sank Japanese ship Shoan Maru between Truk, Caroline Islands and Japan after a long chase, hitting her with 2 of 8 torpedoes fired (only 1 of which detonated).
2 Feb 1943	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her second war patrol.
16 Feb 1943	USS Whale completed her refitting at Midway Atoll.
20 Feb 1943	Lieutenant Commander Albert Burrows was named the commanding officer of USS Whale, relieving Lieutenant Commander John Azer.
28 Feb 1943	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll for her third war patrol.
10 Mar 1943	USS Whale arrived in waters off Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Mariana Islands.
19 Mar 1943	USS Whale spotted a Japanese convoy consisted of two large freighters and one armed escort off Saipan, Mariana Islands and began tracking the convoy.
20 Mar 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy off Saipan, Mariana Islands, damaging Mogamigawa Maru and Arizona Maru, hitting them with 4 of 6 torpedoes fired, but also suffered serious damage by depth charges and aerial bombs.
22 Mar 1943	USS Whale spotted a Japanese convoy consisted of three freighters off Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Mariana Islands and began tracking the convoy.
23 Mar 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy off Saipan, Mariana Islands, hitting them with 4 of 6 torpedoes fired, sinking Kenyo Maru and damaging another freighter. A 7th torpedo was fired at the general direction of the convoy as she disengaged to discourage escorts from chasing her, but the torpedo circled back and almost struck USS Whale.
25 Mar 1943	USS Whale spotted a Japanese ship and began tracking her off Saipan, Mariana Islands.
26 Mar 1943	USS Whale attacked the Japanese ship she had been pursuing since the previous day east of Saipan, Mariana Islands; all 7 torpedoes missed.
28 Mar 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese freighter between Saipan in Mariana Islands and Truk in Caroline Islands; all 3 torpedoes missed.
31 Mar 1943	USS Whale set sail toward Midway Atoll.
6 Apr 1943	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her third war patrol.
7 Apr 1943	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll.
11 Apr 1943	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
5 May 1943	USS Whale departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
9 May 1943	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll and received repairs to her hydraulic system and her air search radar.
10 May 1943	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll for her fourth war patrol.
15 May 1943	USS Whale arrived off Wake Atoll.
16 May 1943	USS Whale took station 56 kilometers east of Wake Atoll and guided US Army B-24 bombers toward Wake. She was spotted by a Japanese aircraft, but sustained no damaged in the subsequent attack.
20 May 1943	USS Whale arrived in waters between Japan and Mariana Islands and Caroline Islands.
24 May 1943	USS Whale conducted a reconnaissance mission on Rota, Mariana Islands between Tinian and Guam.
25 May 1943	USS Whale arrived off Apra, Guam, Mariana Islands and observed Japanese activities inside the harbor.
26 May 1943	USS Whale sank Japanese freighter Shoei Maru in the Mariana Islands, hitting her with 1 of 3 torpedo fired.
5 Jun 1943	USS Whale damaged a Japanese seaplane tender in the Mariana Islands, hitting her with 3 of 4 torpedoes fired.
9 Jun 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy in the Mariana Islands, damaging (possibly sinking) two freighters, hitting them with 5 of 9 torpedoes fired.
17 Jun 1943	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her fourth war patrol.
21 Jun 1943	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
7 Aug 1943	USS Whale patrolled waters between Japan and Caroline Islands.
8 Aug 1943	USS Whale sank Japanese aircraft transport Naruto Maru between Japan and Mariana Islands, hitting her with 2 of 4 torpedoes fired.
20 Aug 1943	USS Whale suffered some damage in the East China Sea during a typhoon.
24 Aug 1943	USS Whale damaged an oiler and a freighter in a Japanese convoy 37 kilometers west of Kusagaki Islands, Japan in the East China Sea, hitting them with 2 of 4 torpedoes fired.
26 Aug 1943	USS Whale attacked a Japanese destroyer south of Japan; all 4 torpedoes missed.
2 Sep 1943	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her fifth war patrol.
3 Sep 1943	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll.
7 Sep 1943	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
7 Dec 1943	USS Whale completed a scheduled overhaul at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii.
25 Dec 1943	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll for her sixth war patrol.
14 Jan 1944	USS Whale received a message from USS Seawolf, noting that a Japanese convoy was heading her way.
16 Jan 1944	USS Whale made contact with a Japanese convoy she had been searching for for the past two days in the Philippine Sea, sinking Denmark Maru with 1 of 3 torpedoes fired, but suffered damage from depth charges. USS Seawolf herded Tarushima Maru toward USS Whale, and USS Whale successfully sank Tarushima Maru with torpedoes.
17 Jan 1944	USS Whale claimed sinking a Japanese freighter in the Philippine Sea, hiting her with 3 of 9 torpedoes fired.
24 Jan 1944	USS Whale spotted a Japanese submarine and gave chase, but a trim pump fire forced her to abandon chase.
26 Jan 1944	USS Whale set sail for Midway Atoll.
3 Feb 1944	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her sixth war patrol.
9 Feb 1944	Lieutenant Commander James Grady was named the commanding officer of USS Whale, relieving Lieutenant Commander Albert Burrows.
13 Mar 1944	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll.
14 Mar 1944	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll for her seventh war patrol.
23 Mar 1944	USS Whale made rendezvous with USS Pollack and formed a wolfpack to patrol Torishima of Izu Islands and the Bonin Islands (Ogasawara Islands).
25 Mar 1944	USS Whale set sail for East China Sea.
29 Mar 1944	USS Whale entered East China Sea.
8 Apr 1944	USS Whale sank Japanese freighter Honan Maru in the Korea Strait, hitting her with 2 of 7 torpedoes fired.
17 Apr 1944	USS Whale spotted two small Japanese vessels in the East China Sea but failed to achieve attacking position.
23 Apr 1944	USS Whale was detected by a Japanese patrol boat 22 kilometers east of Akuseki Shima, Japan, but she was able to escape before the Japanese attacked.
2 May 1944	USS Whale made rendezvous with destroyer escort USS Fair.
3 May 1944	USS Whale arrived at Majuro, Marshall Islands, ending her seventh war patrol.
28 May 1944	USS Whale departed Majuro, Marshall Islands for her eighth war patrol; destroyer USS Cassin escorted her out to sea.
29 May 1944	USS Whale released destroyer USS Cassin from escort duty off Majuro, Marshall Islands.
7 Jun 1944	USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy in the Pacific Ocean, damaging two transports, hitting them with 3 of 6 torpedoes fired.
5 Jul 1944	USS Whale set sail for Midway Atoll.
11 Jul 1944	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her eighth war patrol.
12 Jul 1944	USS Whale departed Midway Atoll.
16 Jul 1944	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
12 Aug 1944	USS Whale completed refitting at Pearl Harbor Navy Yard, US Territory of Hawaii.
24 Aug 1944	USS Whale departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii for her ninth war patrol.
4 Sep 1944	USS Whale arrived at Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Mariana Islands.
5 Sep 1944	USS Whale departed Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, Mariana Islands.
20 Sep 1944	USS Whale arrived at waters southeast of Taiwan.
25 Sep 1944	USS Whale arrived at Bashi Channel between Taiwan and Philippine Islands.
26 Sep 1944	USS Whale patrolled in the Bashi Channel between Taiwan and Philippine Islands.
27 Sep 1944	USS Whale was spotted by a Japanese patrol craft between Taiwan and Philippine Islands but was able to escape.
28 Sep 1944	USS Whale patrolled waters south of Taiwan.
29 Sep 1944	USS Whale made rendezvous with USS Seahorse and received orders to patrol waters in the South China Sea southwest of Taiwan.
6 Oct 1944	USS Whale attacked a Japanese convoy as a part of a wolfpack in the South China Sea, sinking Japanese transport Akane Maru, hitting her with 5 of 6 torpedoes fired.
7 Oct 1944	USS Whale received orders to move to waters northwest of Luzon, Philippine Islands.
16 Oct 1944	USS Whale was spotted and attacked by Japanese aircraft in the South China Sea, but suffered no damage.
19 Oct 1944	USS Whale set sale for Midway Atoll.
29 Oct 1944	USS Whale arrived at Midway Atoll, ending her ninth war patrol.
21 Nov 1944	USS Whale began her tenth war patrol.
4 Dec 1944	USS Whale arrived in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
21 Dec 1944	USS Whale attacked a Japanese trawler in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan; all 4 torpedoes missed.
22 Dec 1944	USS Whale attacked a Japanese trawler in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan; all 3 torpedoes missed.
23 Dec 1944	USS Whale sank four Japanese fishing trawlers with her deck gun off Nakano Shima in the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.
4 Jan 1945	USS Whale searched for survivors of a downed B-29 Superfortress bomber east of Tokyo, Japan without success.
5 Jan 1945	USS Whale searched for survivors of a downed B-29 Superfortress bomber east of Tokyo, Japan without success.
6 Jan 1945	USS Whale set sail for Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii via Midway Atoll.
15 Jan 1945	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii, ending her tenth war patrol.
26 Jan 1945	USS Whale arrived at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States for a scheduled overhaul.
26 Apr 1945	USS Whale completed her repairs and overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, California, United States.
15 Jun 1945	USS Whale departed for her eleventh war patrol.
21 Jun 1945	USS Whale arrived at Saipan, Mariana Islands.
22 Jun 1945	USS Whale began patrolling waters between Japan and Wake Atoll.
30 Jun 1945	USS Whale set sail for Guam, Mariana Islands.
6 Jul 1945	USS Whale arrived at Guam, Mariana Islands.
7 Jul 1945	USS Whale departed Guam, Mariana Islands to conduct lifeguard patrols.
26 Jul 1945	USS Whale rescued downed aviators in the Pacific Ocean amidst floating naval mines.
30 Jul 1945	USS Whale encountered a heavy storm east of Okino Shima, Japan.
4 Aug 1945	USS Whale arrived off Bungo Channel between Japanese islands of Kyushu and Shikoku.
8 Aug 1945	USS Whale made rendezvous with USS Dragonet in the Pacific Ocean and received a rescued pilot.
9 Aug 1945	USS Whale made rendezvous with USS Blackfish in the Pacific Ocean and received 16 rescued aviators.
11 Aug 1945	USS Whale set sail for Saipan, Mariana Islands.
14 Aug 1945	USS Whale arrived at Saipan, Mariana Islands.
24 Aug 1945	USS Whale arrived at Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
30 Aug 1945	USS Whale departed Pearl Harbor, US Territory of Hawaii.
14 Sep 1945	USS Whale arrived at the Panama Canal Zone.
17 Sep 1945	USS Whale departed the Panama Canal Zone.
23 Sep 1945	USS Whale arrived at the Tompkinsville area of Staten Island, New York, United States.
23 Oct 1945	USS Whale arrived at Boston, Massachusetts, United States.
30 Oct 1945	USS Whale arrived at New London, Connecticut, United States.
1 Jun 1946	USS Whale was decommissioned from service.
8 Apr 1948	USS Whale arrived at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, United States by tow.
11 Sep 1948	USS Whale arrived at New London, Connecticut, United States.
14 Nov 1956	USS Whale was partially activated in order to replace submarine Tarpon.
14 Dec 1956	USS Whale was inactivated.
12 Jan 1957	USS Whale departed New London, Connecticut, United States.
22 Jan 1957	USS Whale arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana, United States and was recommissioned into service.
1 Mar 1960	Submarine Whale was struck from the US Naval Register.
29 Sep 1960	Submarine Whale was sold for scrap.
14 Oct 1960	Submarine Whale was scrapped.

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