USS Archerfish (SS-311)

USS Archerfish (SS-311) was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy during World War II. Commissioned in 1943, it served primarily in the Pacific War, conducting multiple war patrols against Imperial Japanese Navy shipping. The submarine is most famous for its extraordinary feat of sinking the Japanese aircraft carrier ''Shinano'', the largest warship sunk by a submarine during the war. Its service earned it a Presidential Unit Citation and a lasting place in naval history.

Service history

The submarine was laid down at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine and commissioned on 4 September 1943, with Commander George W. Kehl in command. After completing shakedown cruise exercises off New England, it transited the Panama Canal to join the Pacific Fleet in early 1944. Assigned to Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, its first war patrols were conducted in the East China Sea and off the coast of Formosa, where it attacked several Japanese merchant marine convoys. During these early patrols, it also performed lifeguard duty for downed United States Army Air Forces aviators during raids on Iwo Jima and Chichi Jima.

Sinking of Shinano

On 28 November 1944, while on its fourth patrol under the command of Commander Joseph F. Enright, the submarine was operating off Tokyo Bay when it made contact with a large Japanese task force. The primary target was the ''Shinano'', a massive ''Yamato''-class vessel converted into an aircraft carrier, which was on its maiden voyage from Yokosuka Naval Arsenal to Kure Naval Arsenal. After a prolonged surface pursuit, the submarine fired a spread of six torpedoes, scoring four hits. The poorly prepared and damage-control deficient Shinano capsized and sank early the next morning, becoming the largest warship ever sunk by a submarine.

Awards and legacy

For this singular achievement, the submarine and its crew were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. Commander Enright received the Navy Cross for his leadership. The sinking of Shinano is considered one of the most notable submarine actions of World War II and is extensively studied in courses on naval warfare and submarine tactics. The event is commemorated at the Submarine Force Library and Museum and is a featured story in many historical accounts of the Pacific War.

Specifications

As a Balao-class submarine, it displaced 1,526 tons on the surface and 2,424 tons submerged. It was 311 feet 9 inches long, with a beam of 27 feet 3 inches and a draft of 16 feet 10 inches. Propulsion was provided by four General Motors Diesel engines and four General Electric electric motors driving two shafts, allowing a surface speed of 20.25 knots and a submerged speed of 8.75 knots. Its armament consisted of ten 21-inch torpedo tubes (six forward, four aft), one 5-inch/25 caliber deck gun, and various 40mm and 20mm anti-aircraft guns.

Post-war service and fate

Following the end of World War II, the submarine performed training duties along the West Coast of the United States. It was decommissioned on 12 June 1946 and placed in the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. It was recommissioned in 1952 during the Korean War for service as a hunter-killer submarine training vessel. Its final decommissioning occurred on 1 October 1968. Stricken from the Naval Vessel Register that same day, it was sunk as a target ship by the USS ''Snook'' (SSN-592) off San Diego on 19 October 1968.

Category:Balao-class submarines Category:Ships built in Maine Category:World War II submarines of the United States