Still on Patrol

U.S. Navy submarines paid heavily for their success in World War II, with 374 officers and 3131 men lost aboard 52 submarines still on patrol. Fleet Admiral C. W. Nimitz said the submarines held the lines against the enemy while fleets replaced losses and repaired wounds, and Vice Admiral C. A. Lockwood, Jr., said they went down fighting and that the brothers who survived them took a grim toll on the enemy to avenge their deaths. The lost submarines were Albacore, Amberjack, Argonaut, Barbel, Bonefish, Bullhead, Capelin, Cisco, Corvina, Darter, Dorado, Escolar, Flier, Golet, Grampus, Grayback, Grayling, Grenadier, Growler, Grunion, Gudgeon, Harder, Herring, Kete, Lagarto, Perch, Pickerel, Pompano, R 12, Robalo, Runner, S 26, S 27, S 28, S 36, S 39, S 44, Scamp, Scorpion, Sculpin, Sealion, Seawolf, Shark I, Shark II, Snook, Swordfish, Tang, Trigger, Triton, Trout, Tullibee, and Wahoo. The Mark XIV torpedo was the main armament of World War II submarines, carrying a 600 pound explosive charge and measuring 20.5 feet long, 21 inches in diameter, and 3000 pounds in weight. Another 427 men were also lost in 15 U.S. submarine disasters from 1900 to 1975.

Naval Academy, Maryland · United States