|
|
| The 'official' histories of
Sabalo are overly brief and omit some of the major activities that she
participated in, and accomplishments that were made by ship and crew.
Editorial comments, sources, and
questions are enclosed in brackets [ ]. The initial data for the history is given in: |
| [The completeness of the record of service as promulgated by 'official' Navy releases is lacking because submarine operations are both sensitive with respect to the territorial spaces that are frequently entered without knowledge or permission, and because some tactics which might be presently used are not necessarily completely new innovations. Therefore, the less said about them, the more effective they might be. Hence, most real facts about submarine activities are 'disguised' with the clean histories that are given for public consumption.] |
INFORMATION NEEDED: [Please communicate any additional knowledge you might have, or anything you feel is missing from the descriptions on the site.]
A number of references to the various Squadrons, Flotillas and other units to which Sabalo was assigned have been found in scattered references. No continuity or understanding of the chain of these assignments is yet established. Can someone with knowledge of the command structure expand about fleet structure and how Sabalo was supposed to fit in strategically? What were the squadron and flotilla numbers at various times?
Of special interest is the knowledge about changes in Sabalo's
configuration as a result of the various overhaul and update periods,
i.e.
armament, electronics, structure, etc.
|
THE
SABALO (sah´ bah lo)
[From the program of the 1st commissioning
ceremony:]
|
sabalo -Tarpum \Tar"pum\, n. (Zo["o]l.) A very large marine
fish (Megapolis
Atlanticus)
of the Southern United States and the West Indies. It often becomes six
or more feet in length, and has large silvery scales. The scales are a
staple article of trade, and are used in fancywork. Called also tarpon, sabalo, savanilla,
silverfish,
and jewfish.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged
Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
 |
 |
The Atlantic tarpon (Tarpon atlanticus, alternate name
Megalops
atlanticus) is found inshore in warm parts of the Atlantic, on
the
Pacific side of Central America, and sometimes in rivers. Also
called
silver king, grand écaille, and sabalo reál, it
habitually breaks water and gulps air. [It was mentioned in one source
that this is a left over prehistoric trait (remnant) which might be a
derivation from amphibious ancestors. -- It's quite an appropriate
trait for a snorkeling submarine.]
It regularly grows to 1.8 m (6 feet) and 45.4 kg
(100 pounds) or larger and is a favorite game fish. The largest
recorded catches weigh more than 136 kg. The Pacific tarpon, M.
cyprinoides, is similar.
The first USS Sabalo retained her name. The submarine, USS Sabalo, was named for the fish, and was not named after the first Sabalo.
|
|
| Period of applicability | ?? | ?? | ?? * |
?? ** |
?? *** |
| Displacement- surfaced | 1,525 tons | 1,870 tons | 1,526 tons |
2,010-2,075 tons |
1,526 tons |
| Displacement- submerged | 2,415 tons | 2,391 tons | 2,424 tons | 2,415 tons |
2.424 tons |
| Length | 311'8" | 311.7' | 311' |
311'9" |
311.8' |
| Beam | 27'3" | 27' | 27'3" |
27'3" |
27.3' |
| Draft | 15'3" | - | 16'10" |
- |
15.3' |
| Speed - surfaced | 20 knots | 20.25 knots | 20 knots |
20.25 knots |
20.25 k |
| Speed - submerged | 9 knots | 8.75 knots | 9 knots |
8.75 knots |
8.75 k |
| Maximum Depth | - | 400 feet | - |
400 feet |
400 ft |
| Complement | 81 † | 60 enl. + 6 off. | 80 |
- |
6 offcrs + 60 enlistd |
| Armament | 1 - 5" gun; 1 - 40mm | 1 - 5"/25 | 1 3"/50 or 1 4"/50 or 1 5"/50 |
1 4-in./50-cal. or 1 5-in./25-cal. |
one 4"/50 deck gun, four machine guns |
| Propulsion |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
four 5400-hp Diesel
engines, four 2740-hp (2.0 MW) electric motors, two propellers |
| Torpedo Tubes | 10 - 6 bow; 4 stern. 21in. dia. |
||||
| Class | Balao |
||||
CROSS SECTION DIAGRAM OF BALAO CLASS
Speed
| Balao/Tench Class (Test Depth = 400 ft) | Flank | Full | Std | 2/3 | 1/3 | |
| Balao - First Launch - 1943, Qty. - 107 | Calm Seas | 21.0 | 18.9 | 14.3 | 9.2 | 4.8 |
| Tench - First Launch - 1944, Qty. - 15 | Moderate Seas | 15.0 | 13.2 | 9.2 | 5.5 | 2.5 |
| Maximum Speed Surfaced = 20.8 knots | Heavy Seas | 9.7 | 8.3 | 5.4 | 2.9 | 1.3 |
| Maximum Submerged = 8.8 knots | Submerged | 8.6 | 7.3 | 6.2 | 4.9 | 2.8 |
| Cruising Range |
11,000
miles surfaced at 10 knots |
11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts |
11,000 nmi.
(20,000 km) surfaced at 10 knots |
| Fuel Capacity |
116,000
gallons |
94,400 gallons |
-- |
| Submerged Endurance |
48
hours at 2 knots |
48
hours at 2 knots |
48 hours at 2 knots |
| Patrol Endurance |
75
days |
75 days |
75 days |
| Source of data |
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1592/balao.html |
http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08302.htm |
http://www.answers.com/topic/uss-sabalo |
Four: two in forward engine room; two in after engine room
Manufacturer: Fairbanks-Morse
Model: 1938 8&1/8D AS (=adapted for snorkel)
Cylinders: 9; vertically opposed
Bore: 8 1/8"
Stroke: 10"
Horsepower: 1600 @ 720 RPM
They had 2 injectors per cylinder. Each (upper & lower)
crankshaft weighed 2000 lbs. The upper crank turned the blower and a
vertical drive transferred the leftover
horse-power to the lower crank to help turn the generator.
[Corrected data from Ned Heistermann, MM2(SS)][EN and MM can you expand
on this?]
Generators, Propulsion Motors and Batteries
Four Elliot Motor Co., main motors with 2,740 shaft horsepower
driving two four-bladed propellors.
References indicate that batteries weighed about
1600-1650 pounds per cell. There were a total of 252 cells, 126
forward and 126 aft.
[Could an EM or IC, or somebody remembering quals info better than I,
expand specs with a description of the batteries and electric drive sys
etc.?]
|
|
Snorkel Conversion
From 18
February to 28 September 1952, Sabalo underwent conversion to a "Fleet
Snorkel"
type at the
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. This included the streamlined fairwater
"sail"; other mast changes, and numerous other changes. The
original bow with bullnose was retained, unlike the "GUPPY"
conversions. [The design of
the sail has been refered to as the "Portmouth Design", but
nothing specific found proves this. Appearance wise, boats done
at Portsmouth seem to be very similar. Electric Boat and other
configurations were significantly different. Specifics details about
the conversion are needed to expand the description of the changes.]
#7 Main Ballast Tank Conversion
In the early '50's, a short time after the snorkel conversion, during a
succeeding yard period, the number seven (rear most) main ballast tank
was converted to a store room by welding all openings closed.
[Some other modifications must have been required because the skin of
the tanks would not have been thick
enough to with stand the same pressures as the orignal pressure
hull.--suggestion by Ron Scott]
Lead weights were added to offset the increased buoyancy created. It was reported that the amount of added weights to compensate were, initially, grossly under calculated. When Sabalo went out from Pearl Harbor for the first test dive she could not submerge fully, and the stern remained above water. [Conversion info from recollection of John Belew.]
The storeroom was for the purpose of storing spare parts for all departments. Control of the parts was the duty of the Supply Officer and at least one storekeeper. There was a 'storekeepers shack' where inventory records were kept and paperwork accomplished. This consisted of a very small space in the forward, starboard corner of the after torpedo room that had space for one man to enter and sit in a chair, but no other room to move about. [It has been reported that prior to the storeroom creation, and during the first commissioned period that this space was known as the "engineering log keeper's shack".]
The Navy supply system was responsible for specifying what parts were stocked based on equipment installed on board, and overall usage data from the fleet. Records were kept on shore side computers to track parts usage, create some uniformity and efficiency, and to reduce waste from over stock or excessive consumption. Printouts were periodically provided for on board usage. Previously, spares were more or less each department's own responsibility. Most engine spares, for instance, were kept in large bags stowed outboard of the engines. Stocking levels were based on individual crew members 'feel' for what was needed rather than any technical analysis of what would provide the most readiness and quick repair in case of problems. However, even with this new, 'scientific' system, most departments still kept off-the-books spares according to their desire. The system recommendations were less than perfect regarding what might be needed, or what might fail most often.
Gun ArmamentThe recollection from a few crew members regarding early gun armament varies, but a photocopy of an early photo [submitted by Charley Odom & Cliff Murr] shows one 40mm gun mounted forward on the bridge superstructure, one 20mm gun mounted aft of the shears on the superstructure on what was known as the "cigarette deck", and a 5 inch/25 gun mounted on the after deck. [The recollection of Cliff Murr and Orrin Kreps is that the 20mm was changed to a 40mm, possibly while at Electric Boat between July and October. Close examination of the photo taken in Oct 1945 at Chester, PA Navy Day celebration verifies that the rear gun appears to be a single barreled 40 mm.]
<>Additionally, there were mounts on the side of the bridge deck / superstructure for temporary placement of .50 cal. machine guns. Some documentation for others in the class indicate that the normal provision was for four of them, but she may have carried as many as six .50 caliber's in the early days. Later, after the sail conversion in 1952, the .50 cal. and .30 cal. machine guns could be utilized from mounting points on either side of the bridge fairing, or from a mount which was inserted into the forward deck superstructure. (The provisions for this mount are purported to be first installed during a yard period in 1964 or '65.)In 67-69, for Viet Nam deployment, the gun armament was supplied by
the USMC armory at San Diego, and consisted of:
Two .50 caliber M1A1, and two .30 caliber Thompson M1919 machine guns.
Individual side arms included a number of .45 caliber M1929A1
Thompson submachine guns, .30 cal. Garand M-1 rifle's, and .45 caliber
M1911A1 semi-auto pistols.
Ammunition Storage
The above portable weapons and all ammunition
were stored in the 'armory' which in later years was a
locked space in the forward, port corner of the after torpedo room.
When the fixed deck guns were installed, the armory was in the
after
battery compartment, in the forward end; below deck under the galley,
in
the space which was later to become the sonar room. Ready
ammunition storage topside was accomplished by two cylindrical
watertight lockers which were built into the side of the bridge
superstructure. [A photo
taken Oct. 1945 shows the lockers in the lower center of the image.]
[Early
specifications
for others in the class indicate the armory was below the control room
in
some boats, in what was also the pump and auxiliary machinery room, but
no
recollection about Sabalo indicates the latter.]
[TM's please help out with this. What was
the usual mix and total load of torpedoes?
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/SS/SS-302_Sabalo.html
states the load was (8 aft, 16 forward), type not indicated.
http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/1592/balao.html
shows the
"max load = 24".]
Types carried '67-'69
Mk 14 Mk 16 Mk 37
[See the links page for details and specs of torpedoes.]
Patrol report # 2 (late 1954-early '55) refers to Mark 28's being
aboard.
|
of USS Sabalo (SS-302) |
CONSTRUCTION
The keel was laid down on 5 June 1943 by Cramp
Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, Pa..
Sabalo was launched on 4 June 1944 during a joint ceremony with the
USS Sablefish (SS-303). She was sponsored by Mrs. Charles M.
Oman, wife of Rear Admiral Charles E. Oman, Commanding Officer of the
Naval Convalescent Hospital for Officers at Harriman, NY. She was
dedicated to the memorial of George E. Muhs, the first Philadelphia
policeman killed in action during WW II. Her construction was financed
by the sale of War Bonds through the efforts of the Philadelphia City
Police. The amount raised, which "was sufficient to pay for the
submarines", was variously quoted as $16.5 and $16.8 million
combined total for both boats. [News articles] [Photos]
During April of 1945 the crew started involvement in the new
construction process. [reported by Orrin Kreps] On 11 June she arrived
at the Philadelphia Navy Yard to prepare for the commisioning ceremony.
Sabalo was commissioned on 19 June 1945 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard,
Lt. Comdr. James G. Andrews in command. She was assigned to
Division 341, Squadron 34
WORLD WAR TWO OPERATIONS
After launching Sabalo was moored at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
for completion. On 24 June she got undeway; had sea trials and her
first dive off Cape May, NJ., and later anchored in the Delaware River
overnight; returning to P.N.S.Y. the next day. On the 29th,
Sabalo then proceeded to the
Submarine Base, New London, Conn., arriving on 30 June.
Beginning on
2 July she left New London for shake down operations; anchoring in
Block Island at night she had diving practice until the 5th and
returned, mooring at Electric Boat. On the 7th she was undeway
for more ops, and on 8 July she had a
deep dive to 490 feet [This was an accidental exceeding of maximum
operating depth, reportedly due to gross trim miscalculations causing a
heavy forward condition. The deck log records this only as
"DEEP".]. On the 9th she moored over night at SBNLon, and was
undeway again 10-14, and returned to SBNLon.
On the 27th Sabalo was placed on a marine railway at Electric Boat and hauled out. She was relaunched on 3 Aug and moored at E.B. until 16 Oct. [Historically, it is documented that Cramp Shipyard had some financial problems and construction delays, (some caused by lack of equipment to be installed) near the end of the War. It is remembered that possibly due to these delays or problems at Cramp the boat was sent to New London/Electric Boat for installation of a new radar, some electronic equipment, additional armament and other repairs. --In the official history report this was referred to as a "modernization overhaul."]
On 16 Oct the boat left
E.B. and
went to Sub Base at New London and moored at the degaussing pier.
On 20 & 22nd Oct she had some additional
shakedown and training; returned at night and moored at SBNLon.
[V-E Day was on 8 May 1945 and V-J Day was 15 Aug 1945.
Sabalo was not a participant in any war patrols.]
POST WORLD WAR TWO ACTIVITIES
Sabalo departed New London on 24 Oct 1945, and
on the 25th she arrived at the Ford Motor Co. pier in Chester,
Pennsylvania for a Navy Day celebration. Forty members of
the Philadelphia Police Department made a special visit to
the boat on the 28th as a thank you for their fund raising
support. It was reported that over the three day weekend of
27, 28 & 29
Oct there were 39,000 visitors to make a tour of inspection. She left
Philadelphia on the 31st, and was back at New London on the 1st of
November. [News
articles]
[Photo]
On 2 Nov the boat was underway, and had sound tests returning to
mooring at NLon that night. From the 5th throught the 8th she
conducted operations off New London, and on 7 Nov
had another
deep dive. Mooring overnight the 8th she was again underway until the
13th when she anchored overnight, and then the 14th moored at Gould
Island, Newport, RI to load torpedos. Between 14-17 Nov she fired
30
torpedoes in the Newport Firing Range area, and then returned to N.L.
On the 19th she was again underway
for engine testing which she completed successfully with 4 hours and
fifteen minutes of full power running. On the 20th she
moved to the ammo loading pier and took on .50 cal. and 40mm ammo.
23 Nov 1945- Sabalo left for Panama, arriving there after four days
transit. On the 28th, during gun practice, the forward port mount
of the .50 cal broke, and two men were injured,. Earl Kelly and
Wm. Buckbee suffered minor injuries..
On the 29th, Sabalo anchored awaiting her turn for passage through the canal, and then proceeded. During this time she suffered a gyro failure, and was forced to anchor at one point but made finally passage through the Canal, and then moored at NavSta Balboa, C.Z.
30 Nov- Gun practice was conducted with the .50 cal. and 40 mm guns,
and then anchored overnight. [For an idea of the precise location
of subsequent ops in this area, the anchor posit was recorded as 7deg
25.5 min N / 79 deg 10 min W.] On 1 Dec she moored at Sub Base
Balboa. Underway again 3 Dec she had diving practice and torpedo
firing exercises consisting of radar tracking exercises and approach
practice. On the 4th the boat anchored off Saboga Island, and
some of the crew was let ashore for four hours for a recreational party.
5-8 Dec- Sabalo operated with surface craft in simulated ASW
exercises on the Pacific
side near Saboga Island, and near Contadora Island, and in the general
area of the Las Perlas (Pearl) Islands in the Gulf of Panama.
She was moored at Sub Base Balboa from 8-10 and on the 10th off loaded
her practice torpedos. [details from personal log kept by Orrin
Kreps.]
[After these operations it was planned that Sabalo was to report to
Pearl Harbor, as she had been assigned to Division 142, Squadron 14 in
November, for anticipated participation in Pacific
operations.
However, during operations, likely on 8 Dec, she reportedly developed
serious
leak problems with the after torpedo room hatch. She was directed
to return to New London for repairs . --Details from two crew members
recollection.]
On 11 Dec Sabalo made transit back through the Canal and left Panama.
During transit she encountered
rough weather and was rolling up to 45 degrees. Somewhat slowed
in transit she arrived in New London on
the 17th. On the 18th the 5" gun was removed. 19 Dec - Left
for Portsmouth on the 19th; anchored in the Cape Cod Channel overnight,
and on the 20th moored to a bouy in the Lower Harbor. She moored
at Pier 6, Portmouth
on the 21th.
1946
Sabalo was scheduled to start the deactivation process,
but on 11 Jan 1946 it was announced she would briefly return to the
fleet. On the 22nd she shifted berth, and on 1 March loaded ammo.
During this period the 5" gun was reinstalled. Underway on 6
March she made a deep dive to test depth. Before returning to
Portsmouth the 5" gun was test fired, and suffered a catastrophic
failure which was later determined to be a result of failure of yard
personnel to replace the oil in the shock absorber. [There are a couple
recollections that some men may have been injured in this gun mishap,
but nothing was recorded in the deck log.]
After ops she moored at Portmouth on March 7th. On the 8th she
left
Portsmouth, anchored again in Cape Cod Channel overnight, and arrived
at New London on the 9th.
On 11 March it was announed that she
was again sent back for inactivation. She changed piers on
the 14th, and off loaded all ammo on the 18th.
17 April underway to Portmouth; moored on the 18th. The ship
was defueled on the 25th.
3 June Into drydock at Portmouth, where on the 10th she had a small
fire in the after torpedo room.
21 June CO Andrews was relieved by LT William C. Logan.
15 July - Left drydock. Towed to Berth 11-B at
Portmouth. 30 July towed to Berth 6-C.
2 Aug- Undertow by USS Wandank ATO-26. First troubled by a
towline problem, the line finally parted forcing the boat to
anchor. After rerigging, she was finally towed to Pier 1, S.
Boston. Again undertow on the 3rd of August by Wandank and tugs
YTB-542 & YTB-364.
4 August - Moored at Pier 9 SubBaseNewLondon.
6 Aug Final defueling
7 Aug Decommisssioning.
[Many details of Sabalo's early operations are from a personal log
kept
by Orrin Kreps. The official deck logs have also been abstracted
regarding the recorded movements and activities.]
JOINS THE MOTHBALL FLEET
In June 1946, Sabalo finally began preparations for inactivation. She
was decommissioned at the Portsmouth Navy Base on 7 August 1946, and
was placed in reserve.
[Update Feb 2007-The exact
mooring place has now
been determined, but various accounts use Portsmouth, N.H.or Kittery,
ME when giving the location. The actual location of Portsmouth
Naval Base is on an
island in the Piscataqua River which separates the two towns.
Maine and New Hampshire battled for years, all the way to the US
Supreme Court, before the justices ruled in 2001 that the Portsmouth
Naval Shipyard lay within Maine's boundaries.]
SABALO RECOMMISSIONED
Sabalo remained in 'mothballs' until recommissioning on 1 June 1951 at
New London, CT with Lt. Comdr. Lawrence Savadkin as CO.
On 13 August 1951, Sabalo departed New London for Pearl Harbor,
Territory of Hawaii, her new
home port. She transited via the Panama Canal and arrived in
P.H. on 6 September. She was assigned to Submarine
Squadron
7, Division 72, and conducted local operations until 18 February
1952. From 18
February to 28 September, she underwent conversion to a "Fleet Snorkel"
type at the
Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Following this conversion, she
participated
in local operations, and then was deployed to the western Pacific.
KOREAN WAR ZONE PARTICIPATION
Sabalo departed Pearl Harbor the day after Christmas for her first
extended deployment of 26 December 1952 to 26 June
1953. During this assignment Sabalo's activities were primarily
of a reconnaissance nature in which she monitored and recorded ship
movements in her patrol sector in the Sea of Japan. The actual
patrol period was 2 Mar 1953-5 Apr 1953. After the patrol period
she engaged in services and type training in the WesPac area until
departure for Pearl Harbor. [Official Patrol Report] During this
cruise the Sabalo made a stop on Chi Chi Jima, a
small island in the Bonin Islands, and also some visits to Yokosuka,
Japan for repairs and replenishment, additionally she was at Naha and
Buckner Bay, Okinawa. After her return to Pearl Harbor the peace
accords with North Korea ended fighting on 27 Jul 1953. This is
referred to as Sabalo's first simulated war patrol.
| Simulated war patrol
defined In light of the growing tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union, emphasized by President Truman’s 12 March 1947 message to Congress articulating American willingness to provide military aid to countries threatened by communism, the Navy began planning for a possible confrontation with the Soviet Union. One of the training measures devised to give submarine crews experience in case of such a conflict was the “simulated war patrol”. |
<>POST KOREAN WAR PERIOD[There are two sites on the links page that incorrectly detail Sabalo's Korean War participation. One of them incorrectly mentions "two patrols" with no details. The other seemingly has a typo which indicates a period in 1952 as Sabalo's participation period for the awarding of the Korean Service Medal which is incorrect because it conflicts with the dates given in other histories and accounts as the yard period for fleet snorkel conversion. The single, correct period for which she is credited is 10 Jan 1953-10 Jun 1953, and is found at: http://www.history.navy.mil/medals/kormedal/korea-s.htm
For many details about the movements, activities and ports of call during the cruise of 1953 see:
[Personal account of the Korean Patrol by LT Robert Bell]
and [U.S.S. Sabalo Returns to Pearl Harbor After Six Months Tour in Korean Area -news story and photo.]
[ Can anyone add further details on the activities during this patrol?]
During Dec 1954 Sabalo was assigned to SubRon 7. [info found at U.S. Submarine Force Library, Groton]
19 May 1955 Change of Command Lcdr G.H. Mahoney relieved Lcdr N.C.
Woodward.
After recreation and refit period of approx one month resumed local ops
in the P.H. area. In early August, Sabalo visited Kona, Hawaii
for
the annual outrigger canoe races. [Info from
ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958]
Between May 1955 and September 1955 had normal upkeep periods and
conducted local operations in the Hawaiian area.
On 1 Sep 1955 Sabalo was assigned to Submarine Squadron One.
Her third deployment, 17 September1955 -4 November 1955, was
conducted in northern Siberian waters. Enroute proceeded via Amukta
Pass in the Aleutians to rendezvous with the USS Carp SS-328 15 miles
west of Cape Chibukak, St. Lawrence Island on the 29th of Sept.
Then proceeded to the Bering Strait - Cape Chaplina - Provideniya -
Gulf of Anadyr area. Patrol ops terminated on 26 October and she
returned to P.H. on 4 Nov. [Alaskan training
cruise and third simulated war patrol = "Northern Run" - off Kamchatka
Peninsula-per L. Douglas]
Upon return she resumed local ops until near Christmastime when a recreational and refit period was conducted. After this she resumed local ops for type training and services to other commands until 9 Mar 1956. [Info from ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958]
25-26 Feb 1956 Sabalo made a recreational visit to
Nawiliwili, Kauai. There was an afternoon open house for visitors.
[Patrol Newspaper, Run 9
Dive 31, 10 Mar 1956]
From 9 March 56-3 August 56 underwent overhaul at Pearl
Harbor.
Shortly after overhaul she visited Kahului, Maui for two days in
August, then continued to conduct refresher and type training, and
services in the Hawaiian area until 19 Oct 1956. From 1 Nov until
departure for patrol was in P.H Naval Shipyard for main generator
repairs.
7 November 56 departed for WesPac, enroute completed fourth
simulated war patrol, another "Northern Run", passing St. Lawrence
Island, Little and Big Diomede Islands, up to the Bering Strait, almost
to the
Arctic Circle, then passing through the Aleutian chain on the way
up, and then down along the Kamchatka Peninsula (Petropavlosk) to
Japan; arrived Yokosuka 23 Dec 56. Following a three week upkeep
period, she departed for hong Kong on 11 Jan 1957. After conducting ops
with
Japanese Defense Force and U.S. Fleet units Sabalo visited Hong
Kong 17-22 Jan, and was originally scheduled to later visit
Singapore.
However, she was reassigned, and 23-25 Jan was enroute to Buckner Bay,
Okinawa. Three days of services were provided to Army Special
Operations Det 8321 in Buckner Bay. Sabalo departed Buckner Bay on 31
Jan, arriving at Subic Bay 3 Feb. After 7 days upkeep, she
departed on her Fifth Special Patrol on 11 Feb 1957. . This consisted
of
approximately one month
of snorkel operations for the purposes of gaining intelligence on ship
movements in and out of North Viet Nam, and in locating coastal radar
sites. After the patrol she went to Manila, P.I. arriving on 9 Mar
1957. Sabalo qualified for the
second time for the China Service Medal (Extended) during this period.
She returned to Pearl Harbor on 4 May 1957. Folowing a period of
rest and refit she resumed local ops. [Info
from ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958 & Official Patrol Report
#5]
After return to P.H. Sabalo had a period of recreation and refit for
about one month, then resumed local ops in the P.H. area.
8 Jun 1957 Change of Command - Lcdr W. Masek, Jr. relieved Lcdr G.H.
Mahoney.
In Sep 1957 Sabalo made a weekend visit to Nawiliwili, Kauai, and in
October she visited Kahului, Maui for the annual Maui County Fair.
After Christmas leave and recreation period, Sabalo conducted type
training and services to other commands in the P.H. area until 8 August
1958.
[Info from ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958]
29 May 1958 - Sabalo participated in the rescue of the crew and
attempted salvage of Stickleback (SS-415) which had collided with
Silverstein (DE-534) while conducting ASW training with Silverstein and
the torpedo retriever boat Greenlet (ASR-10) in the Hawaiian
area. Stickleback's crew of 82 was successfully removed mainly by
the torpedo retriever boat. Sabalo was also joined on the scene
by Sturtevant (DE-239), and a little later by the rescue ship Current
(ARS-22), and combined efforts were made by all to save the stricken
submarine. The rescue ships put lines around her, and the Current was
in the process of attaching a tow line to the Stickleback's stern, but
compartment after compartment flooded and, at 1857 hours, Stickleback
sank in 1,800 fathoms of water approximately 15 miles south of Barber's
Point.
[See also Personal accounts by James
Braun and
Robert "Dutch" Schultz on T.I.N.B.S. page which includes link to photos
and additional accounts.]
[Additional details about the collision can be
found by following the Stickleback links on the
links page. ]
8 Aug 1958 Departed Pearl Harbor for WesPac for training
patrols. Port visits included Yokosuka and Sasebo, Japan, and
Hong Kong, B.C.C. Departing Yokosuka on 24 Nov 1958 she returned
via Hong Kong and arrived at Pearl on 22 Dec 1958.
[Info from ship's history dated 6 Jan 1958]
In December 1961 Sabalo was transferred to Submarine Sqdrn One, Division 12. [Info from visitors pamphlet ca. 1965.]
1962
1 Jan 1962 - 1 Mar 1962 Sabalo conducted type training and
services
in the Hawaiian area. [Ship's History Report]
2 Mar 1962 - 30 Aug 1962 Sabalo made a WesPac cruise. She
provided services to the British Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defense
Force, and the Royal Thai Navy as well as the U.S. Pacific Fleet.
During March '62 she
was in Yokosuka for repairs, in April she stopped in Okinawa, later was
at Subic Bay. In July she visited Hong Kong and in July or August
visited Bangkok. [port info
from photo album of Jim Cramer.] She visited both Naha and Buckner Bay
in Okinawa. [ship's history]
During the Bangkok stay Sabalo hosted a two day open
house which attracted 3,000 visitors to the boat. [News Article
w/photos]
Following a recreation and refit period of one month in P.H. Sabalo resumed local operations in the P.H. area. [Ship's History Report]
14 Dec 1962 - Lcdr Jess L. Cariker, Jr. relieved Lcdr H.R. Hunter as
C.O.
1963
1 Jan 1963 - 31 Mar 1963 Sabalo conducted type training and services
in the Hawaiian area. [Ship's History Report]
1 Apr - 24 Jun 1963 Departed Pearl Harbor to provide services to ASW aircraft, and also conducted MK-37 torpedo evaluations and acceptance exercises along the western U.S. coast. Additional operations may have included patrol in the North Pacific which involved extended periods of snorkeling. Ports-of-call included: Hunter's Point Shipyard in San Francisco, Port Angeles, Bangor/Dabob Bay, and later: Portland (Rose Festival); Seattle & Vancouver, BC. [recollections of Bob Frick, Ted Storie & CO Jess Cariker] and [Ship's History Report].
3 May 1963: A practice MK-37 torpedo, with a dummy warhead, which
was fired
by the Sabalo, malfunctioned, and struck the USS Medregal (SS-480)
while
she was conducting joint exercises with Sabalo. Damage was not
major.
[source: http://www.lostsubs.com/Neptune_Papers_3.pdf]
[http://www.peacelink.it/webgate/armamenti/msg00252.html shows
the date of this event as "10/03/63"]
Following a brief upkeep period Sabalo conducted type training and
services until 8 Nov 1963. During this period Sabalo received an
interim docking in USS ARD-30 and visited Lahaina, Maui. [Ship's
History Report]
14 Aug 1963 Members of Sabalo's crew were detailed to take the USS
Queenfish (SS/AGSS-393) out from Pearl Harbor where she was sunk as
target by USS Swordfish (SSN-579) for torpedo testing purposes.
The Queenfish was set at about 10 knots crusing speed as those on board
jumped to a torpedo recovery vessel following close alongside.
Course direction was accomplished by remote control from a helicopter
overhead which controlled the rudder using a set of signal lights on
deck which indicated rudder position. Sabalo remained on scene,
and was observer, along with at least one large surface craft, of the
final disposition of Queenfish. [recollection of Paul J. O'Reilly]
8 Nov 1963 - 13 March 1964 Overhaul at P.H. Naval Shipyard. [Ship's History Report]
14 Mar - 19 Apr 1964 Sabalo conducted type training and services in
the Hawaiian area. [Ship's History Report]
20 Apr - 2 Jun 1964 Sabalo deployed to the eastern Pacific area where she provided ASW services. During the last few days of April and early May Sabalo conducted operations with the 1st Recon Batt Fleet Marines off the coast of Calif. She also visited San Francisco and San Diego, Calif. [ship's history and info found at U.S. Submarine Force Library, Groton as reported in Periscope 8 May 1964.]
Jun - Jul 1964 Following return to P.H. and a brief upkeep period Sabalo participated in several fleet ASW exercises in the Hawaiian area. [ship's history]
VIET NAM ERA ACTIVITIES
In early August, 1964, the destroyers USS Maddox (DD-731) and Turner
Joy (DD-951) were attacked by North Vietnamese patrol boats in "The
Tonkin Gulf Incident". This event precipitated air attacks
against North Vietnam, and was the beginning of large increases
in war actions beyond the previously covert activities of limited
ground forces, and the announced role of the U.S. as only "advisors" to
the South Vietnamese.
Following soon thereafter on 10 Aug 1964, Sabalo was deployed to Westpac on short notice (although she was due to depart about a month later). After stopping at Subic Bay, P.I. for refueling and stores, she then deployed to the Gulf of Tonkin. During the period of 2 Sep-3 Oct 1964 Sabalo is credited with activities within the Viet Nam Combat Zone. While up near Haiphong on 18 September, Sabalo received reports about the US destroyers, Richard S. Edwards (DD-950) and Morton (DD-948) being under attack by North Vietnamese patrol boats. Although Sabalo was nearby, she was not able to affect any intercept of the fleeing boats. This is referred to as the "September Incident".
"During the attack, aircraft from carriers lit up the sky with flares. I was at periscope depth in 100 feet of water off Haiphong and could see my periscope shadow across the calm waters. The destroyers and the firing on PT boats were south of me, so I did not see any of that. The next day we headed south to get out of the gulf before an intense typhoon moved in."
[quote from CO, Lcdr Jess L. Cariker, Jr.]
[From the web site of the Edwards:http://www.dd950.com/]
..."Not until mid-September did American leaders authorize another "Desoto Patrol" into the Gulf. On the 17th and 18th, Morton (DD 948) and Richard E. Edwards (DD-950) cruised along a track no closer than 20 miles to the North Vietnamese mainland without incident. On the night of September 18, 1964 however, both destroyers opened fire on what their crews believed were attacking high-speed surface vessels. While a subsequent naval investigation concluded that at least one unidentified, hostile-acting fast craft was in the area, the validity of an attack was called into question by the lack of firm evidence. Following this incident, never again were Desoto Patrols conducted in the Gulf of Tonkin. Thus, from a military standpoint, the naval actions in August initiated a temporary downturn rather than an escalation in the Southeast Asian crisis." ...
[The track of the Morton 16-20 Sep showing the location of the 'attack' can be seen here: http://www.nsa.gov/vietnam/releases/relea00251.pdf
[It is noted that both of the "Incidents" related above have been the subject of numerous inquiries by many, including the military, Congress and the news media. These events, which were at the core of reasons given for escalating actions against North VietNam, are even today still subject to inconclusion regarding the actual scenarios and their details.
On this page http://www.history.navy.mil/docs/vietnam/tonkin-7.htm contained in, STATEMENT OF SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ROBERT S. McNAMARA BEFORE SENATE FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE 20 FEBRUARY 1968, under the section heading, "Was There Indeed A Second Attack" there are are some definitve statements:
"As for the second attack, the incident occurred on a very dark, moonless, overcast-night."
"...another incident which occurred on the 18th of September 1964, i.e., about 45 days later. At that time, the US destroyers Morton and Edwards were patrolling, at night, in the Gulf of Tonkin, and initially reported themselves under attack. While the ensuing situation reports indicated the probability of hostile craft in the area of the patrol, it was decided at both Washington and field command levels that no credible evidence of an attack existed. It should be noted that the intelligence source that confirmed the attacks of August 2nd and 4th provided no evidence of any enemy action on September 18th. In view of our unresolved doubts, no retaliatory action was taken. Many individuals who were not aware of all of the facts about all three incidents, i.e., 2 August, 4 August and 18 September, have made the mistaken assumption that descriptions of the 18 September incident were referring to the second Tonkin Gulf incident. Aware of the negative findings on 18 September, they have mistakenly assumed that there is serious doubt as to whether the "second" Tonkin Gulf attack in fact took place."]
Later during the same cruise in 1964, port visits included Hong Kong, and then Bankok and Sattihib, Thailand. Exercises were conducted with some Thai Marines. After that the boat went to Singapore, and then conducted a patrol through the Java Sea. In January 1965, Sabalo arrived in Yokosuka, Japan where on 2 Jan there was a change of command from Lcdr Jess L. Cariker, Jr. to Lcdr Harold D. Barker. [Ship's History Report & recollection of CO Jess Cariker, and also see personal recollections of Ned Heistermann]
Sabalo is indicated for eligibility for the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for the periods of 15 Jan-4 Feb 1965 and 9 Feb-27 Feb 1965.19 Mar 1965 Sabalo returned to P.H. after completing a seven and one
half month deployment to the western Pacific. She earned the
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for this service. [see Medals
and Ribbons page for further
details.]
23-25 April 1965 Visited Hilo, Hawaii during the Second Annual Merry
Monarch Festival, and hosted a visit from the Festival Chairman, and
the Queen and Princesses.
16 Aug - 5 Dec 1965: Sabalo made a WestPac and in November crossed
the
equator at the 180th meridian. One port of call was Brisbane,
Australia. Other
ports visited included Hong Kong, Yokosuka, Japan. The boat
was also on station in the
Tonkin Gulf from 16 Sep-11 Oct 1965. Sabalo earned the Viet Nam
Service Medal for this deployment.
6 Dec - 17 Dec 1965 Sabalo provided ASW services, and operated with
the Fleet Marine Force, and conducted type training during this period.
April 1967 - Sabalo participated in an exercise with a large amphibious force group which simulated an extensive landing operation. There were in excess of two dozen surface ships, and 2 or 3 other subs involved. This took place on the shores of Camp Pendleton, CA. Sabalo embarked about 15 Marines before leaving Ballast Point Sub Base. They later made a night reconnaissance practice. This was done by Sabalo maneuvering submerged to fairly close inshore; coming to a broached depth, and then the Marine team debarked through the forward trunk and went ashore by raft. [See Ron Gorence's story about this exercise.]
At some time between the completion of overhaul in Mar '67 and the Jul '67 deployment, Sabalo was sent to Dabob Bay, Washington for compass calibration, and TDC (Torpedo Data Computer) testing. In between operations she tied up at the Ediz Hook Coast Guard Station for liberty in Port Angeles, Washington. [recollection of Jeff Owens]
Jul67-Jan68: WesPac / Viet Nam deployment.The ship made four trips into the Combat Zone during this cruise:
1 Feb-20 Feb 69; 14 Mar 69; 25 Mar-26 Mar
69; 9 Apr-17 Apr 69
Ports of call:
Pearl Harbor; Yokosuka, Japan; Buckner Bay, Okinawa;
Subic Bay, Philippines; Manila, Philippines; Hong Kong, B.C.C.; Sasebo,
Japan;
Bangkok, Thailand [Map: http://www.seasiatravel.com/tland/tlandmap.htm]
Songklha, Thailand;
Kaohshiung, Taiwan [Map:
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/Libs/PCL/Map_collection/middle_east_and_asia/Taiwan.GIF]
10 Oct briefly at Long Beach
11 Oct underway
31 Oct UW for Pearl Harbor
8 Nov Moored Sub Base P.H.
12 Nov UW for Yokosuka, Japan
17 Nov Crossed the international dateline
25 Nov Moored Yokosuka
29 Nov Underway
16 Dec Moored Sasebo, Japan
17 Dec UW for Yokosuka
19 Dec Moored Yokosuka
20 Dec UW
21 Dec Moored Yokosuka
26 Dec UW for Okinawa
31 Dec Anchored Buckner Bay, Okinawa
6-8 Feb 1969 Operations with USS Fletcher DD-445 in the Tonkin
Gulf [from Fletcher web site]
~14-21 Mar 1969 - During the deployment of late 68-early 69 Sabalo
participated in simulated ASW operations in the Gulf of Siam with two
or three ships of a small destroyer escort type belonging to the Thai
Navy. After operations, Sabalo, along
with the Thai units, anchored off Songklha, Thailand where the crew
was let ashore for an afternoon of liberty. However, the wind
picked up and prevented small boats from bringing many of the men back
before dark, so some had an overnight liberty and some spent the night
aboard one of the Thai ships. [recollection of
Jeff Owens]
In anticipation of later making
port of call at Bangkok, Thailand, Sabalo's pay records and some
mail were transferred to the Thai units for transfer to a Thai Naval
air facility somewhere in the southern peninsula of Thailand to be
ferry flighted to Bangkok. The aircraft, a Thai Navy S-2F,
subsequently crashed into the Gulf of Siam, and the crew of 3 Thais,
and a US Navy Advisor were lost. Sabalo assisted the Thai Navy
units in a two day, systematic search of the flight path, but nothing
was reported found. Sabalo docked in Bangkok on the 21st.
All pay records were lost which caused some confusion and minor
hardship
for the paymaster and crew.
[News Article & Photos]
14 Apr. 1969 - A Navy EC-121M aircraft from Squadron VQ-1 was
shot down by North Korean aircraft over the Sea of Japan. Thirty
Naval personnel and one Marine were killed. Sabalo was on station
in the Tonkin Gulf at the time and shortly afterward was dispatched
with a large battle group of surface craft, and possibly two or three
other subs, to the Sea of Japan in waters off the coast of North Korea
as a response to this act of aggression.
During the two deployments of '67-'68
& '68-'69 Sabalo made a
number of trips to the combat zone and "Yankee Station" in the Tonkin
Gulf, but was not engaged in active hostilities or enemy action. Other
than the possibility of being utilized for other missions,
Sabalo's main occupation during these periods in the Gulf was providing
ASW training exercises for destroyers and other ship types which were
receiving a respite from 'gun line' or other active assignments.
However, during at least one trip some special ECM and
communications monitoring equipment was temporarily installed in the
sonar room, and a specialist from the ELINT group in either Pearl
Harbor or San Diego was aboard
to perform specific electronics intelligence gathering.
[ During ASW exercises, the ships
would have two or three days of chasing us around (or sometimes
we'd chase them) in directed and pre-planned exercises. These
activities usually were engaged between 0600 and
2200.
During the remainder of the night all units were allowed to stand
down for rest. Of course, Sabalo had battery charges and the
other
necessary evolutions to accomplish after being submerged most of the
day. -recollections of Jeff Owens]
~Jul 1969 Change of command from Lcdr J.P. Wood to Lcdr Allan L.
Andrade
Aug 1969 Sabalo left San Diego and reported to the Mare Island
shipyards in San Francisco for an interim docking period.
FINAL
DECOMMISSIONING & DISPOSITION
Between and after the deployments of the late 60's and 1970 Sabalo
continued to serve in various training activities described above as a
unit of the 1st Fleet. During her last months, including all of
the period of Jan-Jun 1971, she remained moored at Ballast Point, San
Diego, CA as part of Submarine Flotilla One
where she was readied for decommission by removal of critical parts
and cannibalization to support the remaining fleet. She was
decommissioned on 1 July 1971 in a triple ceremony involving the
Sabalo, USS Ronquil (SS396) and USS Catfish (SS339). Admiral
Edward A. Cooke was the principal speaker. Each of the commanding
officers also made brief remarks. This was the first time that a
triple decommissioning ceremony involving submarines was held in the
San Diego area. [decommissioning details from 1971 official annual
history report.]
Struck from the Navy list the same day as her decommissioning, she
was sunk as a torpedo test target off San Diego in February 1973.
[An internet source indicates this torpedo test
was part of a program called "SubSinkEx" / Project Thurber.
Anyone know which sub did the shooting?]
| There
is a poetry in ships' names.
It can still be heard in the quiet watches of the night..., when mist
obscures
the waterfront and foghorns call mournfully through the darkness. Out
across
the bay, blinking lights mark the channel down which Navy ships have
sailed
for a hundred years, and bells sound a knell for those that never came
back. There is no quiet Arlington for ships; their bones rust in
unknown
lands beneath the sea. The names that entered history in minutes filled
with fire and thunder are soon forgotten, except in long hours of the
night
when the bells call the roll of missing ships. ---
Fletcher Pratt
Who
is Fletcher Pratt?
|
Photo of Sabalo in her final
resting
place(377Kb) This is scan of a
photocopy, so not the best quality. Submitted by John A. Baker
[This is an overhead view of the 'turtleback', the aft most part of the superstructure. Notable details: the hole ripped in the superstructure by the explosion; the after capstan; the lifeline track; the towing padeye with stern light on top, and the flag staff which looks like it is waiting for the ensign to be raised....]
Sabalo's Commanding Officers
The first USS Sabalo participates in a rescue at sea.
The Revenue Cutter, Mohawk, was built in 1902 in Richmond, Virginia.
She was commissioned on May 10, 1904, and was owned by the Treasury
Department. The Mohawk was 205 feet, six inches long, 32 feet wide,
powered by steam and displaced 980 tons. On April 6, 1917, she was
temporarily transferred to the Navy. The Mohawk served coastal duty for
convoy operations.
On October 1, 1917, this single screw cutter was sunk due to a collision with the British tanker, SS Vennachar. According to the Navy's report of the incident, " The British vessel struck the Mohawk nearly at right angles, her stem cutting into the side amidships, abreast the engine room, between the launch davits, smashing the surf boat and cutting into the ship's side to such an extent that the use of a collision mat was out of the question.... Pumps were started at once, the general alarm sounded and all hands called to take stations for abandoning ship". The ship filled rapidly and began settling by the stern. She took one hour to go down which left plenty of time for all 77 crew members to be rescued by the USS Mohigan and USS SABALO. The USS Bridge arrived on the scene and attached a cable to the Mohawk's bow bit. She then attempted to tow the Mohawk into shallow water. Before rescuers were able to generate any forward movement, it was noticed that the Mohawk had begun to sink rapidly and list heavily to port. The commanding officer of the Bridge was forced to cut the tow line and throw both engines into full speed ahead to get clear. " With her bow high in the air, the Mohawk settled slowly emitting quantities of smoke".
[[Note the ironic similarities
between this and the futile attempt
by submarine
Sabalo to save the submarine Stickleback.]]
| Hull Number | Ship Name | Date Launched |
| S-31 | Sabalo | 6 Aug 1976 |
| S-32 | Caribe | 11 Mar 1977 |
| Source:
http://home.comcast.net/~kimurho/list_s-y.htm#VENEZUELA A couple photos of the Sabalo S-31 photos - not very high quality, but small, fair images. |Alongside| |Underway| originally from: http://www.fav-club.com/images/subs31.jpg & http://www.fav-club.com/images/armada03.JPG |
||
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