View source for Balao-class submarine

{{Short description|US Navy submarine class of World War II}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
|Ship image=[[File:USS Balao SS-285.jpg|300px|USS Balao]]
|Ship caption=USS ''Balao'' in 1944
}}
{{Infobox ship class overview
|Name=''Balao'' class
|Builders=
*[[Portsmouth Naval Shipyard]]
*[[Cramp Shipbuilding Company]]
*[[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]]
*[[General Dynamics Electric Boat|Electric Boat Company]]
*[[Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company]]<ref name="Register">{{cite book|last=Bauer |first=K. Jack |author2=Roberts, Stephen S. |title=Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775-1990: Major Combatants |publisher=Greenwood Press|year=1991 |location=[[Westport, Connecticut]] |pages=275–280 |isbn=0-313-26202-0}}</ref>
|Operators=
*{{navy|United States|1912}}
*{{navy|Italy}}
*{{navy|Turkey}}
*{{navy|Greece}}
*{{navy|Peru}}
*{{navy|Argentina}}
*{{navy|Chile}}
*{{navy|Venezuela}}
*{{navy|Taiwan}}
*{{naval|Canada|1911}}
*{{navy|Brazil}}
*{{navy|Netherlands}}
*{{navy|Spain}}
|Class before={{sclass|Gato|submarine|4}}
|Class after={{sclass|Tench|submarine|4}}
|Subclasses=
|Built range=1942–1946<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates">Friedman through 1945, pp. 285–304.</ref>
|In commission range=1943–present<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Total ships building=
|Total ships planned=
|Total ships completed=120<ref name="Register"/>
|Total ships cancelled=62<ref name="Register"/>
|Total ships active=1
|Total ships laid up=
|Total ships lost=14 (11 in United States service, 3 in foreign service)<ref name="Register"/>
|Total ships retired=105<ref name="Register"/>
|Total ships preserved=8<ref name="Register"/>
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Ship type=[[Diesel-electric]] [[submarine]]
|Ship displacement=1,526 [[long ton|tons]] (1,550 [[tonne|t]]) surfaced,<ref name="Register"/> 2,391–2,424 tons (2,429–2463 t) submerged<ref name="Register"/>
|Ship length=311 ft 6 in–311 ft 10 in (94.9–95.0 m)<ref name="Register"/>
|Ship beam=27 ft 3 in–27 ft 4 in (8.3 m)<ref name="Register"/>
|Ship draft={{convert|16|ft|10|in|abbr=on}} maximum<ref name="Register"/>
|Ship propulsion=*4 × [[diesel engine]]s driving [[electrical generator]]s ([[Fairbanks-Morse]] or [[Electro-Motive Diesel|General Motors]]);<ref name="Register"/>
*2 × 126-[[Electrochemical cell|cell]] [[USS Sargo (SS-188)|''Sargo'']] [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]];<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
*4 × high-speed [[electric motors]] with reduction gears or 2 × low-speed electric motors ([[Elliott Company]] or [[General Electric]])<ref name="Register"/>
*two shafts;<ref name="Register"/>
*{{convert|5400|shp|abbr=on|lk=in}} surfaced,<ref name="Register"/> {{convert|2740|shp|abbr=on}} submerged<ref name="Register"/>
|Ship speed={{convert|20.25|kn|km/h|0|lk=in}} surfaced,<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">Friedman through 1945, pp. 305–311.</ref> {{convert|8.75|kn|km/h|0}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship range={{convert|11000|nmi|km}} surfaced @ {{convert|10|kn|km/h}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship endurance=48 hours @ {{convert|2|kn|km/h}} submerged,<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/> 75 days on patrol
|Ship test depth={{convert|400|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship complement=10 officers, 70–71 enlisted men<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament={{Fleet-boat-armament-5-inch}}
|Ship notes=
}}
|}

The '''''Balao'' class''' is a design of [[United States Navy]] [[submarine]] that was used during [[World War II]], and with 120<ref name="Register"/> boats completed, the largest class of submarines in the United States Navy. An improvement on the earlier {{sclass|Gato|submarine|4}}, the boats had slight internal differences. The most significant improvement was the use of thicker, higher [[Yield (engineering)|yield strength]] steel in the [[pressure hull]] skins and frames,<ref>{{cite book
|title=Red Scorpion: The War Patrols of the USS Rasher
|publisher=Naval Institute Press
|author=Peter T. Sasgen
|year=2002
|page=17
}}</ref> which increased their [[test depth]] to {{convert|400|ft}}. A Balao class submarine, the [[USS Tang (SS-306)|USS Tang']] actually achieved a depth of {{convert|612|ft|m|abbr=on}} during a test dive,<ref>{{cite book
|title=Clear the Bridge! The War Patrols of the USS Tang
|publisher=Presidio Press
|author=Richard H. O'Kane
|year=1977
|page=40
}}</ref>
and exceeded that test depth when taking on water in the forward torpedo room while evading a destroyer.<ref>{{cite book
|title=Clear the Bridge! The War Patrols of the USS Tang
|publisher=Presidio Press
|author=Richard H. O'Kane
|year=1977
|page=111
}}</ref>

== Design ==
[[File:USS Pampanito (SS-383), ship scheme.jpg|thumb|left|Scheme of USS ''Pampanito'' (SS-383)]]

The ''Balao''s were similar to the ''Gato''s, except they were modified to increase test depth from {{convert|300|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}} to {{convert|400|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}}. In late 1941, two of the Navy's leading submarine designers, Captain [[Andrew McKee]] and Commander Armand Morgan, met to explore increasing diving depth in a redesigned ''Gato''. A switch to a new [[Yield (engineering)|High-Tensile]] Steel (HTS) alloy, combined with an increase in hull thickness from {{convert|9/16|in|1}} to {{convert|7/8|in|1}}, would result in a test depth of {{convert|450|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}} and a collapse depth of {{convert|900|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}}. However, the limited capacity of the trim pump at deep depths, and lack of time to design a new pump, caused Rear Admiral E. L. Cochrane, Chief of the [[Bureau of Ships]], to limit test depth to {{convert|400|ft|m|-1|abbr=on}}. Fortunately, in 1944 a redesigned Gould centrifugal pump replaced the noisy early-war pump, and effective diving depth was increased.<ref>Friedman through 1945, pp. 208-209</ref>

The ''Balao''s incorporated the [[Fairwater (submarine)|fairwater]], [[conning tower]] and periscope shears reduction efforts that were being retrofitted to the ''Gato''s and the preceding classes in the original design, refining the reductions and reducing the sail to the smallest practical size. By the time the boats began to be launched, lessons learned from patrol reports had been worked into the design and the bridge and sail proved to be efficiently laid out, well equipped, and well liked by the crews.<ref name="Diagram">[https://pigboats.com/images/2/2d/A_VISUAL_GUIDE_TO_THE_FLEET_SUBMARINES_PART_5_Balao_class.pdf ''A Visual Guide to the U.S. Fleet Submarines Part Three: Balao and Tench Classes 1942–1950''] pp. 2-3, Johnston, David (2012)  PigBoats.COM</ref>

For the masts and periscope shears, the original arrangement for both the Government and Electric Boat designs had (forward to aft) the two tapered cone shaped periscope support shears, followed by a thin mast for the SJ surface search radar, and then by a thin mast for the SD air search radar. There were minor differences in how the periscopes were braced against vibration, but both designs were nearly identical. About halfway through their production run, Electric Boat altered their design, moving the SJ radar mast forward of the periscopes, then altered it again a few boats later by enlarging the SD radar mast. Late in the war, many ''Balao''s built with the original design had the SD air search radar moved slightly aft onto a thickened and taller mast. These mast arrangements, along with the tremendous variation in the gun layout as the war progressed account for the numerous exterior detail differences among the boats, to the point that at any given time no two ''Balao''s looked exactly alike.<ref>Johnston, pp. 3-10</ref>

=== Engines ===

The propulsion of the ''Balao''-class submarines was generally similar to that of the preceding ''Gato''-class. Like their predecessors, they were true [[diesel-electric]] submarines: their four [[diesel engine]]s powered [[electrical generator]]s, and [[electric motor]]s drove the shafts. There was no direct connection between the main engines and the shafts.

[[File:General Motors Model 16-248 V16 diesel engine.jpg|thumb|left|[[Electro-Motive Diesel|General Motors]] [[Cleveland Diesel Engine Division|Cleveland]] Model 16-248 diesel engine]]
[[File:Opposed piston engine 1.jpg|thumb|left|[[Fairbanks-Morse]] Model 38D{{frac|8|1|8}} diesel engine]]

''Balao''-class submarines received main engines from one of two manufacturers.
[[Electro-Motive Diesel|General Motors]] [[Cleveland Diesel Engine Division|Cleveland Model]] 16-278A V-type diesels or [[Fairbanks-Morse]] [[Fairbanks Morse 38 8-1/8 diesel engine|38D 8-1/8]] nine-cylinder [[opposed-piston engine]]. The [[Electro-Motive Diesel|General Motors]] [[Cleveland Diesel Engine Division|Cleveland Model]] 16-248 V-type as original installations, while boats from {{USS|Sand Lance|SS-381|2}} onward received 10-cylinder engines. Earlier General Motors boats received Model 16-248 engines, but beginning with {{USS|Perch|SS-313|2}} Model 16-278A engines were used. In each case, the newer engines had greater [[Engine displacement|displacement]] than the old, but were rated at the same power; they operated at lower [[mean effective pressure]] for greater reliability. 
<ref>{{cite book |last=Alden |first=John D. |title=The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy: A Design and Construction History |date=1979 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |isbn=0-85368-203-8 |pages=90, 210–212}}</ref> Both the Fairbanks-Morse and General Motors engines were [[two-stroke cycle]] types.<ref>{{cite press release|last=Stern|first= Robert C. |date=2006|title=Gato-Class Submarines in action|url=https://quietwarriors.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/squadron-signal-4028-gato-class-submarines1.pdf|publisher= Squadron Signal Publications|access-date=2023-09-17}}</ref>

Two submarines, {{USS|Unicorn|SS-429|2}} and {{USS|Vendace|SS-430|2}}, were to receive [[Hooven-Owens-Rentschler]] (H.O.R.) diesels, which proved unreliable on previous classes, but both boats were cancelled.

Two manufacturers supplied electric motors for the ''Balao'' class. [[Elliott Company]] motors were fitted primarily to boats with Fairbanks-Morse engines. [[General Electric]] motors were fitted primarily to boats with General Motors engines, but some Fairbanks-Morse boats received General Electric motors. [[Allis-Chalmers]] motors were to be used in SS-530 through SS-536, but those seven boats were cancelled before even receiving names.<ref> {{Cite web|url=https://maritime.org/doc/fleetsub/elect/chap2.php/|title=Submarine Electrical Systems|website= www.maritime.org/}}</ref>

Earlier submarines carried four high-speed [[electric motor]]s (two per shaft), which had to be fitted with reduction gears to slow their outputs down to an appropriate speed for the shafts. This reduction gearing was very noisy, and made the submarine easier to detect with [[hydrophone]]s. Eighteen late ''Balao''-class submarines received low-speed double [[Armature (electrical engineering)|armature]] motors which drove the shafts directly and were much quieter, but this improvement was not universally fitted until the succeeding {{sclass|Tench|submarine|4}}.<ref>Bauer and Roberts, p. 275</ref> The new [[direct drive]] electric motors were designed by the [[Bureau of Ships]]' electrical division under Captain [[Hyman G. Rickover]], and were first equipped on {{USS|Sea Owl|SS-405|2}}.<ref>Friedman through 1945, pp. 209-210</ref> On all US World War II-built boats, as the diesel engines were not directly connected to the shafts, the electric motors drove the shafts all the time.

===Deck guns===
[[File:USS Bullhead July 1945.png|thumb|left|USS ''Bullhead'' in July 1945 showing off the heaviest ''Balao'' class deck gun configuration of two 40 mm Bofors autocannons on the bridge and two 5 inch guns on the deck]]
[[File:5 inch 25 caliber gun USS Bowfin.jpg|thumb|upright|5"/25 caliber gun on {{USS|Bowfin|SS-287|6}}]]
[[File:HMCS Haida Hamilton Ontario 13.jpg|thumb|upright|20 mm Oerlikon twin mount displayed near [[HMCS Haida|HMCS ''Haida'']]]]
Many targets in the [[Pacific War]] were [[sampan]]s or otherwise not worth a torpedo, so the [[deck gun]] was an important weapon. Early ''Balao''s began their service with a [[4"/50 caliber gun|{{convert|4|in|mm|adj=on|0}}/50 caliber Mk. 9 gun]]. Due to war experience, most were re-armed with a [[5"/25 caliber gun|{{convert|5|in|mm|adj=on|0}}/25 caliber Mk. 17 gun]], similar to mounts on battleships and cruisers but built as a "wet" mount with corrosion resistant materials, and with power-operated loading and aiming features removed. This conversion started in late 1943, and some boats had two of these weapons beginning in late 1944. {{USS|Spadefish|SS-411|2}}, commissioned in March 1944, was the first newly built submarine with the purpose-built {{convert|5|in|adj=on}}/25 submarine mount. Additional [[anti-aircraft]] guns included single [[Bofors 40 mm Automatic Gun L/60|40 mm Bofors]] and twin [[20 mm Oerlikon]] mounts, usually one of each.<ref>Johnston, pp. 3-6</ref><ref>Friedman 1995, pp. 218-219</ref>

====Mine armament====
Like the previous ''Tambor''/''Gar'' and ''Gato'' classes, the ''Balao'' class could substitute mines in place of torpedoes. For the Mk&nbsp;10 and Mk&nbsp;12 type mines used in World War II, each torpedo could be replaced by as many as two mines, giving the submarine a true maximum capacity of 48 mines. However, doctrine was to retain at least four torpedoes on mine laying missions, which further limits the capacity to 40 mines, and this is often stated as the maximum in various publications. In practice during the war, submarines went out with at least 8 torpedoes, and the largest minefields laid were 32 mines. Post-war, the Mk&nbsp;49 mine replaced the Mk&nbsp;12, while the larger Mk&nbsp;27 mine was also carried which only allowed one mine replacing one torpedo.<ref>[https://maritime.org/doc/mines-usn/index.php ORD696 Operational Characteristics of U.S. Naval Mines]</ref>

==Boats in class==
{{main|List of Balao-class submarines}}

This was the most numerous US submarine class; 120 of these boats were commissioned from February 1943 through September 1948, with 12 commissioned postwar. Nine of the 52 US submarines lost in World War II were of this class, along with five lost postwar, including one in Turkish service in 1953, one in Argentine service in the [[Falklands War]] of 1982, and one in Peruvian service in 1988.<ref name="Register"/><ref name=SubLoss1>''United States Submarine Losses in World War II'', Naval History Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Washington: 1963 (Fifth Printing)</ref> Also, {{USS|Lancetfish|SS-296|2}} flooded and sank while fitting out at the [[Boston Naval Shipyard]] on 15 March 1945. She was raised but not repaired, and was listed with the [[United States Navy reserve fleet|reserve fleet]] postwar until struck in 1958. Some of the class served actively in the US Navy through the middle 1970s, and one (''Hai Pao'' ex-{{USS|Tusk|SS-426|2}}) is still active in Taiwan's [[Republic of China Navy]].

SS-361 through SS-364 were initially ordered as ''Balao''-class, and were assigned hull numbers that fall in the middle of the range of numbers for the ''Balao'' class (SS-285 to SS-416 & 425–426).<ref>[http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/04idx.htm Fleet Submarine index at NavSource]</ref> Thus, in some references they are listed with that class.<ref>Lenton, p. 94</ref> However, they were completed by [[Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company|Manitowoc]] as ''Gato''s, due to an unavoidable delay in [[Electric Boat]]'s development of ''Balao''-class drawings. Manitowoc was a follow yard to Electric Boat, and was dependent on them for designs and drawings.<ref>Friedman through 1945, p. 209</ref><ref name="Register"/> Also, {{USS|Trumpetfish|SS-425}} and {{USS|Tusk|SS-426}} are listed with the ''Tench'' class in some references, as their hull numbers fall in the range of that class.<ref>Lenton, pp. 100-102</ref><ref>Silverstone, p. 203</ref>

=== Cancellations ===

A total of 125 U.S. submarines were cancelled during World War II, all but three between 29 July 1944 and 12 August 1945. The exceptions were three ''Tench''-class boats, cancelled 7 January 1946. References vary considerably as to how many of these were ''Balao''s and how many were ''Tench''es. Some references simply assume all submarines numbered after SS-416 were ''Tench'' class; however, {{USS|Trumpetfish|SS-425|3}} and {{USS|Tusk|SS-426|3}} were completed as ''Balao''s.<ref>Silverstone, pp. 203-204</ref><ref>Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 145-147</ref> This yields 10 cancelled ''Balao''-class, SS-353-360 and 379–380. The ''Register of Ships of the U. S. Navy'' differs, considering every submarine not specifically ordered as a ''Tench'' to be a ''Balao'', and further projecting SS-551-562 as a future class.<ref name="Register"/> This yields 62 cancelled ''Balao'' class, 51 cancelled ''Tench'' class, and 12 cancelled future class. Two of the cancelled ''Balao''-class submarines, {{USS|Turbot|SS-427|3}} and {{USS|Ulua|SS-428|3}}, were launched incomplete and served for years as experimental hulks at [[Annapolis]] and [[Naval Station Norfolk|Norfolk, Virginia]]. The cancelled hull numbers, including those launched incomplete, were SS-353–360 (''Balao''), 379–380 (''Balao''), 427–434 (''Balao''), 436–437 (''Tench''), 438–474 (''Balao''), 491–521 (''Tench''), 526–529 (''Tench''), 530–536 (''Balao''), 537–550 (''Tench''), and 551–562 (future).<ref name="Register"/>

==Service history==
===World War II===
[[File:Shinano photo.jpg|thumb|left|''Shinano'' underway during sea trials in Tokyo Bay]]

The ''Balao''s began to enter service in mid-1943, as the many problems with the [[Mark 14 torpedo]] were being solved. They were instrumental in the Submarine Force's near-destruction of the [[Imperial Japan|Japanese]] merchant fleet and significant attrition of the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]. One of the class, {{USS|Archerfish|SS-311|2}}, brought down what remains the largest warship sunk by a submarine, the {{ship|Japanese aircraft carrier|Shinano||2|up=yes}} (59,000 tons). {{USS|Tang|SS-306|2}}, the highest-scoring of the class, sank 33 ships totaling 116,454 tons, as officially revised upward in 1980.<ref>O'Kane 1989, p. 458</ref>

Nine ''Balao''s were lost in World War II, while two US boats were lost in postwar accidents. In foreign service, one in Turkish service was lost in a collision in 1953, one in Peruvian service was lost in a collision in 1988, and {{USS|Catfish|SS-339|2}} was sold to the Argentinian Navy. She was renamed the ARA ''Santa Fe'' (S-21) and was lost in the 1982 [[Falklands War]] after being damaged, when she sank while moored pierside. ''Santa Fe'' was refloated and disposed of a few years after the war by being taken out to deep water and scuttled.

Additionally, {{USS|Lancetfish|SS-296|2}}, commissioned but incomplete and still under construction, flooded and sank pierside at the [[Boston Navy Yard]] on 15 March 1945, after a yard worker mistakenly opened the inner door of an aft [[torpedo tube]] that already had the outer door open. No personnel were lost in the accident and she was raised, decommissioned, and never completed or repaired.<ref name="Register"/><ref>Friedman through 1945, p. 297</ref><ref>Silverstone, p. 199</ref> Her 42 days in commission is the record for the shortest commissioned service of any USN submarine. Postwar, she was laid up in the [[United States Navy reserve fleets|Reserve Fleet]] until stricken in 1958 and scrapped in 1959.
{{clear}}

===''Balao'' class losses===

{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:97%;"
!Name and hull number
! Date
! width="50%" | Notes
|-
|{{USS|Cisco|SS-290}}
|28 September 1943
|Lost to air attack and gunboat ''Karatsu'' (ex-{{USS|Luzon|PG-47|6}}) 
|-
|{{USS|Capelin|SS-289}}
|December 1943
|Cause of loss unknown, possibly naval mine or attack by the {{ship|Japanese minelayer|Wakataka||2|up=yes}}
|-
|{{USS|Escolar|SS-294}}
|17 October - 13 November 1944
|Probably lost to enemy [[Naval mine|mine]]
|-
|{{USS|Shark|SS-314}}
|24 October 1944
|Attacked by the {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Harukaze|1922|2|up=yes}}
|-
|{{USS|Tang|SS-306}}
|25 October 1944
|Sunk by a circular run of own torpedo
|-
|{{USS|Barbel|SS-316}}
|4 February 1945
|Air attack 
|-
|{{USS|Kete|SS-369}}
|March 1945
|Cause of loss unknown, possibly to mine or enemy action
|-
|{{USS|Lagarto|SS-371}}
|3 May 1945
|Attacked by {{ship|Japanese minelayer|Hatsutaka||2|up=yes}}
|-
|{{USS|Bullhead|SS-332}}
|6 August 1945
|Sunk by Japanese air attack by a [[Mitsubishi Ki-51]]
|-
|{{USS|Cochino|SS-345}}
|26 August 1949
|Accidental fire 
|-
|[[USS Blower (SS-325)|TCG ''Dumlupinar'' (D-6)]] (formerly {{USS|Blower|SS-325}})
|4 April 1953 
|In Turkish service, lost in collision with MV ''Naboland''
|-
|{{USS|Stickleback|SS-415}}
|28 May 1958 
|Collision with {{USS|Silverstein|DE-534}}
|-
|{{ship|ARA|Santa Fe|S-21}} (formerly {{USS|Catfish|SS-339}})
|25 April 1982 
|In Argentine service, disabled by helicopter attack, sank pierside, and was captured by ground forces during [[Operation Paraquet]] - the British recapture of [[South Georgia Island|South Georgia]] during the Falklands War. After the war, she was scuttled in deep water.
|-
|{{ship|BAP|Pacocha|SS-48}} (formerly {{USS|Atule|SS-403}})
|26 August 1988 
|In Peruvian service, lost in collision with Japanese fishing trawler ''Kiowa Maru''
|-
|}

===Notable submarines===
* '''{{USS|Tang|SS-306|2}}''' was second on the list of number of ships sunk with 33 and first on the list of tonnage with 116,454. Her third war patrol was the most successful of any U.S. submarine with 10 ships for 39,100 tons. Sunk in the [[Taiwan Strait]] by a circular run of her own torpedo, her skipper [[Richard O'Kane]] and eight others escaped; some escaped the submerged wreck with the only known successful use of the [[Momsen lung|Momsen Lung]]. ''Tang''{{'}}s survivors were imprisoned by the Japanese for the rest of the war. After his release following the Japanese surrender, Richard O'Kane was awarded the [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions commanding ''Tang'' during the convoy battles of 24 and 25 October 1944.
* [[USS Archerfish (SS-311)|'''''Archerfish''''']] sank the aircraft carrier [[Japanese aircraft carrier Shinano|''Shinano'']]. ''Shinano'' is the largest ship sunk by a submarine. Commander Enright was awarded the [[Navy Cross]].
* '''''[[USS Batfish (SS-310)|Batfish]]''''' is preserved as a museum ship in [[Oklahoma]]. She is famous for sinking three Japanese submarines, ''[[Japanese submarine Ro-55 (1944)|RO-55]]'', [[Japanese submarine Ro-112|''RO-112'']], and ''[[Japanese submarine Ro-113|RO-113]]'' in a 3 day time span. She is the only US submarine to have sunk 3 ships in a 72 hour period. She also sank the destroyer ''[[Japanese destroyer Samidare (1935)|Samidare]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Franco |first=Samantha |date=2022-07-28 |title=How Veterans Saved a WWII-Era Submarine By Moving It to a Soybean Field in Oklahoma |url=https://www.warhistoryonline.com/ships/uss-batfish.html |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=warhistoryonline |language=en}}</ref>
* ''[[USS Redfish (SS-395)|'''Redfish''']]'' participated in the destruction of two Japanese aircraft carriers. On December 9th, she was part of a [[Wolfpack (naval tactic)|submarine wolfpack]] which damaged the aircraft carrier ''[[Japanese aircraft carrier Jun'yō|Junyō]]'' beyond repair, then just 10 days later she torpedoed and sank the aircraft carrier ''[[Japanese aircraft carrier Unryū|Unryū]]''. After the war, ''Redfish'' became something of a movie star, playing the role of [[Jules Verne]]'s ''Nautilus'' in the [[Walt Disney]] film ''[[20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1954 film)|20,000 Leagues Under the Sea]],'' then played the part of the fictional submarine USS ''Nerka'' in the 1958 motion picture ''[[Run Silent, Run Deep]]''. She capped her film career by making several appearances in the popular black-and-white television series ''The Silent Service''.
* '''''[[USS Sealion (SS-315)|Sealion]]''''' launched a torpedo attack which sank the Japanese battleship ''[[Japanese battleship Kongō|Kongō]]'' and the destroyer ''[[Japanese destroyer Urakaze (1940)|Urakaze]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historic Naval Sound and Video |url=https://www.maritime.org/sound/ |access-date=2024-11-23 |website=www.maritime.org}}</ref>
* '''''[[USS Blackfin|Blackfin]]''''' sank the Japanese destroyer ''[[Japanese destroyer Shigure (1935)|Shigure]]''. Up to that point, ''Shigure'' was seen as a fortune ship, having survived the entirety of the [[Solomon Islands campaign]] without losing a single man in combat, and in turn served in several naval battles, which included helping to sink the submarine [[USS Growler (SS-215)|USS ''Growler'']] and being the only Japanese ship of her formation to survive the battles of [[Battle of Vella Gulf|Vella Gulf]] and [[Battle of the Surigao Strait|Surigao Strait]]. Her actions were heavily publicized, and her sinking was a huge blow to Japanese morale.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IJN Shigure: Tabular Record of Movement |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/shigur_t.htm}}</ref>

==Postwar service history==

Postwar, 55 ''Balao''s were modernized under the Fleet Snorkel and Greater Underwater Propulsion Power ([[GUPPY]]) programs, with some continuing in US service into the early 1970s. The last ''Balao''-class submarine in United States service was {{USS|Clamagore|SS-343}}, which was decommissioned in June 1975.<ref name="guppysubmarinetribute.homestead.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20000819012150/http://guppysubmarinetribute.homestead.com/Tribute.html GUPPY and other diesel boat conversions page]</ref> Seven were converted to roles as diverse as guided-missile submarines (SSG) and amphibious transport submarines (SSP). 46 were transferred to foreign navies for years of additional service, some into the 1990s, and {{USS|Tusk|SS-426|2}} remains active in [[Taiwan]]'s [[Republic of China Navy]] as ''Hai Pao''.

===Naval Reserve trainer===

Interested in maintaining a ready pool of trained [[United States Navy Reserve|reservists]], the Navy assigned at least 58 submarines from 1946 to 1971 to various coastal and inland ports (even in [[Great Lakes]] ports like [[Cleveland]], [[Chicago]], and [[Detroit]]), where they served as training platforms during the Reservists' weekend drills. At least 20 ''Balao''-class boats served in this capacity. In this role, the boats were rendered incapable of diving and had their propellers removed. They were used strictly as pierside trainers. These were in commission but classed as "in service in reserve", thus some were decommissioned and recommissioned on the same day to reflect the change in status.<ref>Friedman 1995, p. 285</ref><ref>[http://www.submarinesailor.com/Boats/Reserve/Reserve.asp Reserve Training Boats at SubmarineSailor.com]</ref><ref name="Friedman since 1945, pp. 228-231">Friedman since 1945, pp. 228-231</ref>

===Foreign service===

The large numbers of relatively modern, but surplus U.S. fleet submarines proved to be popular in sales, loans, or leases to allied foreign navies. 46 ''Balao''-class submarines were transferred to foreign navies, some shortly after World War II, others after serving nearly 30 years in the US Navy. These included 17 to Turkey, 2 to Greece, 3 to Italy, 2 to the Netherlands, 5 to Spain, 2 to Venezuela, 4 to Argentina, 5 to Brazil, 2 to Chile, 2 to Peru, 1 to Canada and 1 to Taiwan.<ref name="Friedman since 1945, pp. 228-231"/> One of the Venezuelan boats, ''ARV Carite'' (S-11) formerly [[USS Tilefish (SS-307)|USS ''Tilefish'']] (SS-307), featured in the 1971 film ''[[Murphy's War]]'' with some cosmetic modification.

==GUPPY and other conversions==

At the end of [[World War II]], the US submarine force found itself in an awkward position. The 111 remaining ''Balao''-class submarines, designed to fight an enemy that no longer existed, were obsolete despite the fact they were only one to three years old. The [[Kriegsmarine|German]] [[Type XXI U-boat]], with a large battery capacity, streamlining to maximize underwater speed, and a snorkel, was the submarine of the immediate future. The [[Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program]] (GUPPY) conversion program was developed to give some ''Balao''- and ''Tench''-class submarines similar capabilities to the Type XXI. When the cost of upgrading numerous submarines to GUPPY standard became apparent, the austere "Fleet Snorkel" conversion was developed to add snorkels and partial streamlining to some boats. A total of 36 ''Balao''-class submarines were converted to one of the GUPPY configurations, with 19 additional boats receiving Fleet Snorkel modifications. Two of the GUPPY boats and six of the Fleet Snorkel boats were converted immediately prior to transfer to a foreign navy. Most of the 47 remaining converted submarines were active into the early 1970s, when many were transferred to foreign navies for further service and others were decommissioned and disposed of.<ref name="guppysubmarinetribute.homestead.com"/>

Although there was some variation in the GUPPY conversion programs, generally the original two Sargo batteries were replaced by four more compact Guppy (GUPPY I and II only) or Sargo II batteries via significant re-utilization of below-deck space, usually including removal of auxiliary diesels. All of these battery designs were of the [[lead-acid battery|lead-acid type]]. This increased the total number of battery cells from 252 to 504; the downside was the compact batteries had to be replaced every 18 months instead of every 5 years. The Sargo II battery was developed as a lower-cost alternative to the expensive Guppy battery.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 41</ref> All GUPPYs received a snorkel, with a streamlined sail and bow. Also, the electric motors were upgraded to the [[direct drive]] double-[[armature (electrical engineering)|armature]] type, along with modernized electrical and air conditioning systems. All except the austere GUPPY IB conversions for foreign transfer received sonar, [[fire-control system|fire control]], and [[Electronic Support Measures]] (ESM) upgrades.<ref name="Friedman since 1945, pp. 35-43">Friedman since 1945, pp. 35-43</ref>

The Fleet Snorkel program was much more austere than the GUPPY modernizations, but is included here as it occurred during the GUPPY era. The GUPPY and Fleet Snorkel programs are listed in chronological order: GUPPY I, GUPPY II, GUPPY IA, Fleet Snorkel, GUPPY IIA, GUPPY IB, and GUPPY III.

===GUPPY I===

Two ''Tench''-class boats were converted as prototypes for the GUPPY program in 1947. Their configuration lacked a snorkel and was not repeated, so no ''Balaos'' received this conversion.

===GUPPY II===
[[File:USS Catfish;0833910.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Catfish|SS-339|6}} in GUPPY II configuration]]
This was the first production GUPPY conversion, with most conversions occurring in 1947–49. Thirteen ''Balao''-class boats ({{USS|Catfish|SS-339|2}}, ''Clamagore'', {{USS|Cobbler|SS-344|2}}, {{USS|Cochino|SS-345|2}}, {{USS|Corporal|SS-346|2}}, {{USS|Cubera|SS-347|2}}, {{USS|Diodon|SS-349|2}}, {{USS|Dogfish|SS-350|2}}, {{USS|Greenfish|SS-351|2}}, {{USS|Halfbeak|SS-352|2}}, {{USS|Tiru|SS-416|2}}, {{USS|Trumpetfish|SS-425|2}}, and {{USS|Tusk|SS-426|2}}) received GUPPY II upgrades. This was the only production conversion with Guppy batteries.

===GUPPY IA===
[[Image:USS Caiman;0832302.jpg|thumb|right|{{USS|Caiman|SS-323}} after GUPPY IA conversion]]
This was developed as a more cost-effective alternative to GUPPY II. Nine ''Balao''-class boats ({{USS|Atule|SS-403|2}}, {{USS|Becuna|SS-319|2}}, {{USS|Blackfin|SS-322|2}}, {{USS|Blenny|SS-324|2}}, {{USS|Caiman|SS-323|2}}, {{USS|Chivo|SS-341|2}}, {{USS|Chopper|SS-342|2}}, {{USS|Sea Poacher|SS-406|2}}, and {{USS|Sea Robin|SS-407|2}}) were converted in 1951–52. The less expensive Sargo II battery was introduced, along with other cost-saving measures.

===Fleet Snorkel===
[[File:USS Sabalo;0830204.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Sabalo|SS-302|6}} after a Fleet Snorkel conversion]]
The Fleet Snorkel program was developed as an austere, cost-effective alternative to full GUPPY conversions, with significantly less improvement in submerged performance. Twenty-three ''Balao''-class boats ({{USS|Bergall|SS-320|2}}, {{USS|Besugo|SS-321|2}}, {{USS|Brill|SS-330|2}}, {{USS|Bugara|SS-331|2}}, {{USS|Carbonero|SS-337|2}}, {{USS|Carp|SS-338|2}}, {{USS|Charr|SS-328|2}}, {{USS|Chub|SS-329|2}}, {{USS|Cusk|SS-348|2}}, {{USS|Guitarro|SS-363|2}}, {{USS|Kraken|SS-370|2}}, {{USS|Lizardfish|SS-373|2}}, {{USS|Mapiro|SS-376|2}}, {{USS|Mero|SS-378|2}}, {{USS|Piper|SS-409|2}}, {{USS|Sabalo|SS-302|2}}, {{USS|Sablefish|SS-303|2}}, {{USS|Scabbardfish|SS-397|2}}, {{USS|Sea Cat|SS-399|2}}, {{USS|Sea Owl|SS-405|2}}, {{USS|Segundo|SS-398|2}}, {{USS|Sennet|SS-408|2}}, and {{USS|Sterlet|SS-392|2}}) received this upgrade, six immediately prior to foreign transfer. Most Fleet Snorkel conversions occurred 1951–52. Unlike the GUPPY conversions, the original pair of Sargo batteries were not upgraded. Each boat received a streamlined sail with a snorkel, along with upgraded sonar, air conditioning, and ESM. The original bow was left in place, except on three boats (''Piper'', ''Sea Owl'', and ''Sterlet'') that received additional upper bow sonar equipment.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 82</ref> A few boats initially retained the 5"/25 deck gun, but this was removed in the early 1950s.

===GUPPY IIA===
[[Image:USS Razorback;0839412.jpg|thumb|right|{{USS|Razorback|SS-394}} after GUPPY IIA conversion]]
This was generally similar to GUPPY IA, except one of the forward diesel engines was removed to relieve machinery overcrowding. Thirteen ''Balao''-class boats ({{USS|Bang|SS-385|2}}, ''Diodon'', {{USS|Entemedor|SS-340|2}}, {{USS|Hardhead|SS-365|2}}, {{USS|Jallao|SS-368|2}}, {{USS|Menhaden|SS-377|2}}, {{USS|Picuda|SS-382|2}}, {{USS|Pomfret|SS-391|2}}, {{USS|Razorback|SS-394|2}}, {{USS|Ronquil|SS-396|2}}, {{USS|Sea Fox|SS-402|2}}, {{USS|Stickleback|SS-415|2}}, and {{USS|Threadfin|SS-410|2}}) received GUPPY IIA upgrades in 1952–54. One of these, ''Diodon'', had previously been upgraded to GUPPY II.

===GUPPY IB===

This was developed as an austere upgrade for two ''Gato''-class and two ''Balao''-class boats ({{USS|Hawkbill|SS-366|2}} and {{USS|Icefish|SS-367|2}}) prior to transfer to foreign navies in 1953–55. They lacked the sonar and electronics upgrades of other GUPPY conversions.

===GUPPY III===
[[Image:USSClamagore112403.jpg|thumb|right|{{USS|Clamagore|SS-343}}]]
Nine submarines, six of them ''Balao''s (''Clamagore'', ''Cobbler'', ''Corporal'', ''Greenfish'', ''Tiru'', and ''Trumpetfish''), were upgraded from GUPPY II to GUPPY III in 1959-63 as part of the [[Fleet Rehabilitation and Modernization]] II (FRAM II) program. All except ''Tiru'', the pilot conversion, were lengthened by 15 feet in the forward part of the control room to provide a new sonar space, berthing, electronics space, and storerooms. ''Tiru'' was lengthened only 12.5 feet, and both forward diesel engines were removed.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 37</ref> The other GUPPY IIIs retained all four engines. A taller "Northern" sail was included, to allow improved surfaced operations in rough seas; this was also backfitted to some other GUPPYs. The BQG-4 [[Passive Underwater Fire Control Feasibility Study]] (PUFFS) sonar system, with its three tall domes topside, was fitted. Additionally, fire control upgrades allowed the [[Mark 45 torpedo|Mark 45 nuclear torpedo]] to be used.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 43</ref>

===Radar picket===

The advent of the ''[[kamikaze]]'' demonstrated the need for a long range radar umbrella around the fleet. [[Radar picket]] destroyers and destroyer escorts were put into service, but they proved vulnerable in this role as they could be attacked as well, leaving the fleet blind. A submarine, though, could dive and escape aerial attack. Four submarines including the ''Balao''-class boat ''Threadfin'' prototyped the concept at the end of World War II but were not used in this role.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 253</ref> Ten fleet submarines were converted for this role 1946-53 and redesignated SSR as radar picket submarines. {{USS|Burrfish|SS-312|2}} was the only ''Balao''-class SSR. Experiments on the first two SSR submarines under the appropriately named [[Radar picket#Converted and purpose-built submarines|Project Migraine I]] showed that placement of the radars on the deck was inadequate and that more room was needed for electronics. Thus ''Burrfish'' was given the Migraine II (project [[Ship Characteristics Board|SCB 12]]) conversion, which placed a [[Combat Information Center]] (CIC) in the space formerly occupied as the aft battery room. The after torpedo room was stripped and converted into berthing, and the boat lost two of her forward torpedo tubes to make room for additional berthing and electronics. The radars were raised up off the deck and put on masts, giving them a greater range and hopefully greater reliability.<ref name="Friedman since 1945, pp. 35-43"/>

The SSRs proved only moderately successful, as the radars themselves proved troublesome and somewhat unreliable, and the boats' surface speed was insufficient to protect a fast-moving carrier group. The radars were removed and the boats reverted to general purpose submarines after 1959. ''Burrfish'' was decommissioned in 1956 and, with her radar equipment removed, transferred to Canada as HMCS ''Grilse'' (SS-71) in 1961.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_14/coldwar.html |title=Whitman, Edward C. "Cold War Curiosities: U.S. Radar Picket Submarines", ''Undersea Warfare'', Winter-Spring 2002, Issue 14 |access-date=24 November 2014 |archive-date=10 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121010150930/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_14/coldwar.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Guided-missile submarine===
[[File:USS Cusk;0834807.jpg|thumb|{{USS|Cusk|SS-348|6}} fires a Loon missile]]
The [[Regulus missile|Regulus]] nuclear [[submarine-launched cruise missile|cruise missile]] program of the 1950s provided the US Navy with its first strategic strike capability. It was preceded by experiments with the [[Republic-Ford JB-2|JB-2 Loon missile]], a close derivative of the [[Nazi Germany|German]] [[V-1 flying bomb]], beginning in the last year of [[World War II]]. Submarine testing of Loon was performed 1947–53, with {{USS|Cusk|SS-348|2}} and {{USS|Carbonero|SS-337|2}} converted in to [[cruise missile submarine|guided-missile submarines]] as test platforms in 1947 and 1948 respectively. Initially the missile was carried on the launch rail unprotected, thus the submarine was unable to submerge until after launch. ''Cusk'' was eventually fitted with a watertight hangar for one missile and redesignated as an SSG. Following a brief stint as a cargo submarine, {{USS|Barbero|SS-317|2}} was converted in 1955 to carry two surface-launched Regulus missiles and was redesignated as an SSG, joining the ''Gato''-class {{USS|Tunny|SS-282|2}} in this role. She made [[Regulus missile submarines|strategic deterrent patrols]] with Regulus until 1964, when the program was discontinued in favor of [[Polaris Missile|Polaris]].<ref>Friedman since 1945, pp. 177-183</ref> A number of fleet boats were equipped with Regulus guidance equipment 1953–64, including ''Cusk'' and ''Carbonero'' following the Loon tests.

===Transport submarine===
[[File:USS Sealion;0831502.jpg|thumb|A [[Sikorsky H-19 Chickasaw|Sikorsky HRS]] helicopter touches down on ''Sealion'' as a transport submarine]]
{{USS|Sealion|SS-315|2}} and {{USS|Perch|SS-313|2}} were converted to amphibious transport submarines in 1948 and redesignated as SSPs. Initially, they were equipped with a watertight hangar capable of housing a [[Landing Vehicle Tracked]] (LVT), and retained one {{convert|5|in|adj=on}}/25 caliber deck gun for shore bombardment. Both torpedo rooms and one engine room were gutted to provide space for embarked [[United States special operations forces|Special Operations Forces]] (SOF) and their equipment. Snorkels were fitted. Due to the extra personnel, to avoid excessive snorkeling they were equipped with a [[Carbon dioxide scrubber|{{CO2}} scrubber]] and extra oxygen storage. Initially, a squadron of 12 SSPs was considered, capable of landing a reinforced Marine battalion, but only two ''Balao''-class SSPs (out of four overall) were actually converted. ''Perch'' landed [[British commandos]] on one raid in the [[Korean War]], and operated in the [[Vietnam War]] from 1965 until assignment to [[United States Navy Reserve|Naval Reserve]] training in 1967 and decommissioning in 1971, followed by scrapping in 1973. ''Perch'' was replaced in the Pacific Fleet transport submarine role by {{USS|Tunny|SS-282|2}} in 1967 and {{USS|Grayback|LPSS-574|2}} in 1968. ''Sealion'' operated in the Atlantic, deploying for the [[Cuban Missile Crisis]] and numerous SOF-related exercises. She was decommissioned in 1970 and expended as a target in 1978. The LVT hangar and {{convert|5|in|adj=on}} gun were removed from both boats by the late 1950s. They went through several changes of designation in their careers: ASSP in 1950, APSS in 1956, and LPSS in 1968.<ref>Friedman since 1945, pp. 86-88</ref><ref name="Register"/>

===Sonar test submarine===

{{USS|Baya|SS-318|2}} was redesignated as an auxiliary submarine (AGSS) in 1949 and converted to a sonar test submarine in 1958–59 to test a system known as LORAD. This included a {{convert|12|ft|adj=on}} extension aft of the forward torpedo room, with {{convert|40|ft|adj=on}} swing-out arrays near the bow. Later, three large domes were installed topside for a wide aperture array.<ref>Friedman since 1945, pp. 65-68</ref>

===Cargo submarine===

[[USS Barbero|'' Barbero'']] was converted to a cargo submarine and redesignated as an [[hull classification symbol|SSA]] in 1948. The forward engine room, after torpedo room, and all reload torpedo racks were gutted to provide cargo space. From October 1948 until March 1950, she took part in an experimental program to evaluate her capabilities as a cargo carrier. Experimentation ended in early 1950, and she was decommissioned into the reserve on 30 June 1950. In 1955, she was converted to a Regulus missile submarine and redesignated as an SSG.<ref>Friedman since 1945, p. 89</ref>

== Operational submarines ==

As of 2007 {{USS|Tusk|SS-426|2}}, a ''Balao''-class submarine, was one of the last two operational submarines in the world built during World War II. The boat was transferred to [[Taiwan]]'s [[Republic of China Navy]] in the early 1970s. The ''Tench''-class ex-{{USS|Cutlass|SS-478|2}} is the other one. They are named ''Hai Pao'' and ''Hai Shih'', respectively, in Taiwanese service.<ref>[http://www.maritime.org/taiwan/index.htm Museum documents an operating US, WW II built submarine in Taiwan]</ref><ref>{{cite news|publisher=Taipei Times|title=World's longest-serving sub feted|author=Jimmy Chuang|date=17 Apr 2007|page=2|url=http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2007/04/17/2003356990}}</ref>

== Museums ==

Six ''Balao''-class submarines are open to public viewing. They primarily depend on revenue generated by visitors to keep them operational and up to U.S. Navy standards; each boat gets a yearly inspection and a "report card". Some boats, like ''Batfish'' and ''Pampanito'', encourage youth functions and allow a group of volunteers to sleep overnight in the crew's quarters.

=== Surviving ships ===
The following is a complete list of ''Balao''-class museum boats:
*{{USS|Batfish|SS-310}} at War Memorial Park in [[Muskogee, Oklahoma]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://warmemorialpark.org/ |title=Muskogee War Memorial Park website |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-date=7 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171207140352/http://warmemorialpark.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{USS|Becuna|SS-319}} at [[Independence Seaport Museum]] in [[Philadelphia]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.phillyseaport.org/becuna |title=USS ''Becuna'' memorial website |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-date=3 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171203205952/http://www.phillyseaport.org/becuna |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*{{USS|Bowfin|SS-287}} at [[USS Bowfin Submarine Museum|USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park]] in [[Honolulu]]<ref>[http://www.bowfin.org/ USS ''Bowfin'' memorial website]</ref>
*{{USS|Lionfish|SS-298}} at [[Battleship Cove]] in [[Fall River, Massachusetts]]<ref>[http://battleshipcove.org/ Battleship Cove website]</ref>
*{{USS|Pampanito|SS-383}} at [[San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park]] in [[San Francisco]]<ref>[https://maritime.org/pamphome.htm USS ''Pampanito'' memorial website]</ref>
*{{USS|Razorback|SS-394}} at [[Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum]] in [[North Little Rock, Arkansas]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://aimmuseum.org/ |title=Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum website |access-date=7 December 2017 |archive-date=21 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171121061458/http://aimmuseum.org/ |url-status=dead }}</ref>

{{USS|Clamagore|SS-343}} served as a museum boat at [[Patriots Point]] in [[Charleston, South Carolina]] until being closed in 2021 and scrapped two years later. Additionally the {{USS|Ling|SS-297}} is aground in the Hackensack River at the site of the former [[New Jersey Naval Museum]]. As of 2022, efforts to find a new home for this vessel have been unsuccessful.

=== Surviving parts ===

* [[USS Ling (SS-297)|USS ''Ling'' (SS-297)]] at [[New Jersey Naval Museum]] in [[Hackensack, New Jersey]] (Sail)
* [[USS Baya|USS ''Baya'' (SS-318)]] at [[Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum]] in [[Vallejo, California]] (Periscope)
* [[USS Pintado (SS-387)|USS ''Pintado'' (SS-387)]] at [[National Museum of the Pacific War]] in [[Fredericksburg, Texas]] (Conning Tower)
* [[USS Parche (SS-384)|USS ''Parche'' (SS-384)]] at [[USS Bowfin (SS-287)|USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park]] in [[Honolulu]] (Conning Tower)
* [[USS Balao|USS ''Balao'' (SS-285)]] at [[Washington Navy Yard]] in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington D.C.]] (Conning Tower)

== See also ==
* [[List of most successful American submarines in World War II]]
* [[List of lost United States submarines]]
* [[Allied submarines in the Pacific War]]
*[[List of ship classes of the Second World War]]
*[[List of Balao-class submarines|List of ''Balao''-class Submarines]]

== References ==

===Citations===
{{Reflist}}

===Bibliography===
* {{cite book |last=Friedman|first=Norman |author-link=Norman Friedman |title=U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |year=1995|location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]] |isbn=1-55750-263-3}}
* {{cite book |last=Friedman|first=Norman |author-link=Norman Friedman |title=U.S. Submarines Since 1945: An Illustrated Design History |publisher=[[United States Naval Institute]] |year=1994|location=[[Annapolis, Maryland]] |isbn=1-55750-260-9}}
* {{cite book |last=Lenton|first=H. T. |title=American Submarines |publisher=Doubleday |year=1973|location=New York |isbn=0-385-04761-4}}
* {{cite book |last=Silverstone |first=Paul H. |title=U.S. Warships of World War II |location=Annapolis, MD |publisher=Naval Institute Press |orig-year=1965 |date=1989 |isbn=0-87021-773-9 }}
* {{cite book | last = Gardiner | first = Robert | author2=Chesneau, Roger | title = Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922-1946 | publisher = Conway Maritime Press | year = 1980 | location = London | isbn = 0-83170-303-2 }}
* {{cite book |last=O'Kane |first=Richard H. |author-link=Richard O'Kane |title=Clear the Bridge!: The War Patrols of the U.S.S. Tang |publisher=Presidio Press |year=1989 |location=Novato, CA |url=https://archive.org/details/clearbridgew00okan |isbn=978-0-89141-346-2 |url-access=registration }} Different pagination than 1977 edition.

== External links ==
{{Commons category|Balao class submarines}}
* [http://oneternalpatrol.com On Eternal Patrol], website for lost US subs
* [https://pigboats.com/images/2/2d/A_VISUAL_GUIDE_TO_THE_FLEET_SUBMARINES_PART_5_Balao_class.pdf A Visual Guide to the U.S. Fleet Submarines Part Five: Balao and Tench Classes 1942-1950]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20081105094626/http://www.maritime.org/fleetsub/ Fleet Type Submarine Training Manual] San Francisco Maritime Museum
* [http://rnsubs.co.uk/articles/development/guppy.html Description of GUPPY conversions at RNSubs.co.uk]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20000819012150/http://guppysubmarinetribute.homestead.com/Tribute.html GUPPY and other diesel boat conversions page (partial archive)]
* [http://www.navsource.net/archives/08/04idx.htm Navsource fleet submarines photo index page]
* https://web.archive.org/web/20140322093118/http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/sublist.html
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-50_mk10-22.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com later 3"/50 caliber gun]
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_4-50_mk9.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 4"/50 caliber gun]
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-25_mk10.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 5"/25 caliber gun]

{{Balao class submarine}}
{{WWII US ships}}
{{Chilean submarines}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Balao Class Submarine}}
[[Category:Submarine classes]]
[[Category:Balao-class submarines| ]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of the United States| Balao class]]
[[Category:Cold War submarines of the United States| Balao class]]
[[Category:Korean War submarines of the United States| Balao class]]
[[Category:Vietnam War submarines of the United States| Balao class]]