USS Sennet (SS-408)

USS Sennet (SS-408) was a Balao-class submarine of the United States Navy named for the sennet, a type of barracuda. Commissioned in 1944, she conducted three successful war patrols in the Pacific Theater during World War II, sinking several Japanese vessels. Following the war, the submarine was modernized under the GUPPY II program and served actively during the Cold War before being transferred to the Argentine Navy in 1971.

Construction and commissioning

The keel for *Sennet* was laid down on 8 March 1944 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. She was launched on 6 June 1944, sponsored by Mrs. Roscoe W. Downs, and was commissioned on 22 August 1944 with Commander George E. Porter in command. Her construction was part of the massive World War II naval buildup, with the Balao class being one of the most numerous and successful submarine designs of the war.

Service history

After completing her initial shakedown training off the coast of New England, *Sennet* transited the Panama Canal to join the U.S. Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. Her entire operational career was spent in the Pacific Ocean, where she was assigned to the Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet. Following her wartime service, she underwent a major overhaul and conversion to a GUPPY configuration at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in Vallejo, California, which significantly improved her underwater speed and endurance.

World War II patrols

*Sennet* conducted three war patrols, all under the command of Commander George E. Porter. Her first patrol, from 6 December 1944 to 1 February 1945, was conducted in the East China Sea and off Formosa. On 9 January 1945, she sank the Japanese cargo ship *Hakuju Maru* and survived a severe depth charge attack from enemy escort ships. Her second patrol, from 3 March to 1 May 1945, was spent on lifeguard duty supporting B-29 Superfortress raids on Japan and offensive patrols in the Sea of Japan. Her third and final patrol, from 31 May to 4 July 1945, was conducted in the same area, where she damaged several enemy vessels. In total, *Sennet* was credited with sinking over 10,000 tons of Japanese shipping.

Post-war service and fate

After the surrender of Japan, *Sennet* performed occupation duty before returning to the United States. Following her GUPPY conversion, she served in various roles, including training and exercises, with home ports at San Diego, California and Key West, Florida. She was decommissioned and placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1968. On 1 August 1971, *Sennet* was transferred to the Argentine Navy under the Security Assistance Program, where she was renamed ARA *Santiago del Estero* (S-12). She served as a training vessel until being stricken in 1981 and subsequently scrapped.

Awards

For her World War II service, USS *Sennet* received three Battle stars. Her crew was also eligible for the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Navy Occupation Service Medal with "ASIA" clasp for post-war duty.