USS Growler (SS-215)

History of USS Growler (SS-215)

On November 8, 1944, a pack of wolves led by USS Growler (Cdr. Thomas Benjamin Oakley, Jr.) shut down a Japanese convoy once Attack, Growler at the helm, face off against USS Hake (SS 256) and USS Hardhead (SS 365). The command to start the attack was the last message Growler received.

As the attack progressed, Hake and Hardhead sounded like torpedoes exploded, then fired a series of depth charges on the side of Growler's convoy, and then nothing. Over the next 3 days, all efforts to contact the "Growler" proved to be in vain, the intrepid submarine, a veteran of seven successful wartime patrols, was declared lost in the battle with the enemy, reason unknown.

Growler may have been sunk by Japanese destroyer Shigure (external link), Japanese frigate Chiburi (external link) and Japanese frigate 19 Kaibokan near Mindoro, Philippines.

Specification

Basic

Years in Service

1942

Origins

United States

Status

Lost in action

No longer on duty.

supplement

60

staff

Class information

Class

Plus map class

Class Size

77

ships

Class

USS Gato (SS-212); USS Green (SS-213); USS Grouper (SS-214); USS Growler (SS-215); USS Grunion (SS-216); USS Guardfish ( SS-217); USS Albacore (SS-218); USS Amberjack (SS-219); USS Barb (SS-220); Blackfish (SS-221); Bluefish (SS-222); USS Bonefish (SS-223); Cod (SS-224); Cerro (SS-225); Covina (SS-226); USS Dart (SS-227); USS Drum (SS-228) ; USS Flying Fish (SS-229); USS Finback (SS-230); Haddock (SS-231); USS Halibut (SS-232); USS Herring (SS-233); USS Kingfish (SS-234); USS Herring (SS-235); USS Silversides (SS-236); USS Trigger (SS-237); USS Wahoo (SS-238); Whale (SS-239); USS Angler (SS-240); USS Basho (SS-241); USS Bluegill (SS-242); USS Snapper (SS-243); USS Cavallia (SS-244); USS Cobia (SS- 245); USS Yellow Croaker (SS-246); USS Dace (SS-247); USS Dorado (SS-248); USS Flasher (SS-249); USS Pilot (SS-250); USS Flounder (SS-251); USS Gabilan (SS-252); USS Gunnel (SS-253); USS Gunnard (SS-254); USS Hadow (SS-255); USS Cod (SS- 256); USS Harder (SS-257); USS Hoe (SS-258); USS Jack (SS-259); USS Lapon (SS-260); Mingo (SS-261); USS Muskallung (SS-256); -262); USS Paddle (SS-263); USS Pargo (SS-264); USS Peyto (SS-265); USS Porgy (SS-266); USS Pompadour (SS-267); USS Buffer (SS-268); USS Rasher (SS-269); USS Raton (SS-270); USS Ray (SS-271); USS Redfin (SS-272); USS Robalo ( SS-273); rock USS Stone (SS-274); USS Runner-up (SS-275); USS Sawfish (SS-276); USS Scamp (SS-277); USS Scorpion (SS-278); USS Snook ( SS-279); USS Steel Head (SS-280); USS Sunfish (SS-281); USS Tuna (SS-282); USS Tinosa (SS-283); USS Tulibi (SS-284) ); USS Golet (SS-361); USS Guavina (SS-362); USS Guitar (SS-363); USS Hammerhead (SS-364)

Carrier

US (retired)

Roles

Underwater Attack

Travel below the surface to find, track and/or attack or explore areas.

Sea Patrol

Active patrolling of critical waterways and sea areas; also serves as a local deterrent against air and maritime threats.

Fleet Support

Provide support (fire or materiel) to major surface fleets in blue water environments.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

311. 8 feet

95.04m

Ray

27. 2 feet

8.29m

Draft

17. 0 feet

5.18m

Shift

1,550 t

No. submerged

2,465 t

Power and Performance

Installed Power:

4 GM 16-248 V16 diesel engines with generators; 2 x 126 cell Sargo battery packs; 4 GE electric motors; 2 x Wave.

Surface Velocity

21. 0 nodes

(24.2 km/h)

Underwater speed

9. 0 nodes

(10.4 km/h)

Area

11,510nm

(13,245 miles | 21,316 kilometers)

Weapons

10 x 21" (533 mm) torpedo tubes (6 to bow, 4 to stern); 24 torpedo rear. 1 x 3" (76 mm) /50 Caliber deck gun 1 x 40mm Bofors anti-aircraft gun (AA) 1 x 20mm Oerlikon anti-aircraft gun

AIRCRAFT

None.