USS Bashaw SS 241

The USS Bashaw SS 241 was a Gato-class submarine that was originally launched on July 25^th, 1943 from the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. Norman S. Ives who was the wife of Captain Ives. The sub was officially commissioned on October 25^th, 1943 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Nichols. After intense training and shakedown training off the east coast, she was ready for action and embarked for the Pacific Ocean where she arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea on March 3^rd, 1944.

Between March 10^th, 1944 and April 29^th, 1945 the USS Bashaw SS 241 had successfully completed six war patrols throughout Celebes, Philippines and the South China Seas. During that time, the USS Bashaw was credited for sinking three Japanese merchant vessels totaling nineteen thousand two hundred sixty nine tons as well as plenty of small enemy craft. On April 29^th, 1945 the Bashaw returned to Subic Bay, Philippines Islands and then headed for Mare Island Naval Shipyard for an extreme overhaul. On August 13^th, 1945 she was finally done with repairs and refitting and was finally ready to depart for Pearl Harbor. Although the war ended when she was en route and she was ordered to return back to Mare Island. On September 5^th, 1945 she arrived at Mare Island and began preparations for a complete pre-inactivation overhaul.

The Bashaw was re-commissioned on April 3^rd, 1951 where she operated out on San Diego and along the west coast until May 10^th, 1952 when she went out of commission and into reserve. Between May of 1952 and March of 1953 she underwent complete conversion at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to become an anti-submarine “hunter-killer” sub and was reclassified SSK 241 on February 18^th, 1953. She was then re-commissioned on March 28^th, 1953 and immediately reported to San Diego Bay to join with the Submarine Division 33. She performed multiple tours in the Far East and was re-designated the USS Bashaw SS 241 in August of 1959 and was finally decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Registry on September 13^th, 1969. She was sunk as a target in July of 1972. The Bashaw received five battle stars for World War II service.

When the USS Bashaw SS 241 was built in 1943, the dangers of asbestos were not well known and it was used extensively as an insulator in the construction of the vessel. Crewmen were therefore exposed to a dangerous material without their knowledge. Asbestos is now known to increase the risk of mesothelioma and other respiratory problems in people who work near it. Asbestos fibers were often used internally within the insulation surrounding piping systems and various types of ducts constructed inside the submarine. Any crewmembers who served aboard the USS Bashaw SS 241 during that time period who may have been exposed to asbestos while aboard the Bashaw or in another WWII submarine should see a respiratory physician for evaluation immediately to determine whether or not they will need mesothelioma treatment.

Last modified: December 09 2009.