Sargo-class submarine

Sargo-class submarine
Name	Sargo-class submarine
Country	United States
Class before	Salmon-class submarine
Class after	Porpoise-class submarine
Builder	Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Electric Boat
In service	1939–1956
Displacement	1,450 tons surfaced
Length	310 ft
Beam	27 ft
Draught	16 ft
Propulsion	Diesel-electric
Speed	21 kn surfaced
Complement	54
Armament	6 × 21 in torpedo tubes, 1 × 3 in deck gun
Ship class	Sargo class

Sargo-class submarine was a class of United States submarines built in the late 1930s that served prominently in the Pacific during World War II. Designed as a development of earlier Salmon-class submarine and Porpoise-class submarine designs, the class combined Bureau of Ships engineering advances, Electric Boat construction techniques, and lessons from London Naval Treaty era limitations. Sargo boats conducted war patrols, reconnaissance, and coordinated attacks in campaigns such as the Guadalcanal Campaign and Battle of Midway support operations.

Design and Development

Design work for the Sargo class evolved under the supervision of the Bureau of Ships and designers at Electric Boat and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard to address shortcomings revealed by the Salmon-class submarine and earlier V-boats. Influences included treaty constraints from the Washington Naval Treaty and London Naval Treaty as well as technological developments at the Naval Research Laboratory. Engineers prioritized improved habitability, increased battery capacity developed with input from General Electric and advances in high-strength steel sourced through suppliers like Bethlehem Steel. The Sargo design incorporated learning from trials with USS Cuttlefish (SS-171) and operational reports from the Asiatic Fleet, and it reflected doctrinal shifts advocated by officers assigned to Submarine Force, United States Pacific Fleet.

Characteristics and Performance

Sargo-class boats displaced about 1,450 tons surfaced and featured a length and beam comparable to preceding classes, enabling operations from bases such as Pearl Harbor, Cavite Navy Yard, and forward tenders like USS Proteus (AS-19). Propulsion was diesel-electric with engines produced by firms including General Motors and Winton Engine Corporation, paired with large battery banks supplied by Exide and other manufacturers. Surface speed and submerged endurance supported timed approaches during coordinated attacks alongside surface units like Task Force 16 and in support of carrier operations led by admirals such as Chester W. Nimitz and William F. Halsey Jr.. Armament included six 21-inch torpedo tubes and a 3-inch deck gun; torpedo performance during early war patrols was influenced by issues with Mark 14 torpedos and Mark VI exploders, matters later addressed after investigations by personnel including Charles A. Lockwood and Ralph Waldo Christie.

Operational History

Sargo-class submarines saw extensive service in the Pacific Theater from 1941 through the end of World War II. Boats such as those assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 conducted offensive patrols against Japanese Navy shipping lanes and supported interdiction campaigns around Truk Lagoon, Philippines, and the Solomon Islands campaign. Their patrols contributed to interdicting convoys supplying forces engaged in the Battle of Guadalcanal and later strikes tied to Operation Cartwheel. Commanding officers frequently operated under theater commanders including Rodney R. Badger and collaborated with reconnaissance efforts by VP squadrons operating from Midway Atoll and Wake Island. Postwar, remaining units performed training and experimental duties for commands such as Submarine Force, Atlantic Fleet before decommissioning in the 1950s.

Modifications and Conversions

During wartime refits at yards like Mare Island Naval Shipyard and Puget Sound Navy Yard, Sargo boats received multiple modifications: installation of radar sets produced by firms like RCA, enhanced sonar and fire-control gear influenced by work at the Cambridge Research Laboratory, and snorkel-like diesel-air systems tested under orders from Admiral Ernest King. Many boats underwent battery upgrades—some receiving new battery designs derived from research at the Naval Research Laboratory—and structural changes included strengthened pressure hull components using improved steels from Bethlehem Steel. Several units were converted postwar for auxiliary roles such as training and sonar target duties assigned to commands including Submarine Squadron 1.

Notable Vessels

Notable Sargo-class vessels included the lead ship commissioned as USS Sargo (SS-188), which operated from Pearl Harbor and participated in early war patrols around Wake Island. Other distinguished boats served in patrols earning Presidential Unit Citations while commanding officers such as James F. Calvert and Richard H. O'Kane rose to prominence within the Submarine Force. Several boats suffered wartime losses during actions near contested areas like Truk and the East China Sea, influencing post-action inquiries at Admiralty Islands and Pearl Harbor Navy Yard.

Legacy and Influence

The Sargo class influenced subsequent designs including the Gato-class submarine and Balao-class submarine by demonstrating the value of enhanced battery capacity, improved habitability, and more reliable propulsion installations. Lessons learned with Sargo boats informed torpedo doctrine revisions following investigations by officers such as Charles A. Lockwood and shaped antisubmarine tactics developed by United States Navy commands through the Cold War era, feeding into submarine research at institutions like Naval Undersea Warfare Center and development programs with industrial partners including Electric Boat and General Dynamics. Surviving Sargo-era innovations persisted in postwar diesel-electric designs and in training curricula at Naval Submarine School.

Category:Submarine classes of the United States Navy