USS Blackfin SS 322

The USS Blackfin SS 322 was a Balao-class submarine that was originally launched on March 12^th, 1944 from the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. Charles A. Lockwood who was the wife of Rear Admiral Lockwood. The sub was officially commissioned on July 4^th, 1944 under the command of Lieutenant Commander George Hays Laird, Jr. Following intense operational exercises and training the ship was finally ready to set out on her first voyage. She headed south in order to transit the Panama Canal and ultimately drive towards the Pacific Ocean on her way to her final destination of Pearl Harbor where she arrived on September 11^th, 1944.

She initiated her first war patrol on September 30^th, 1944 and concluded her final patrol on September 5^th, 1945 but between those amounts of time she had successfully carried out a total of five war patrols where she operated in such areas like the South China as well as the Yellow Seas. On January 24^th, 1945 the USS Blackfin engaged and sunk the Japanese destroyer Shigure and an enemy cargo vessel for a total of forty three hundred twenty five tons. While the Blackfin was on her fifth and final war patrol the Japanese had surrendered and the hostile campaigns between the Allied and Axis powers ceased. She had just finished occupying a life guard station where she had destroyed 61 floating mines, and upon orders, she retired to Guam arriving at Apra Harbor on September 5^th, 1945. After receiving refitting repairs and fuel she headed to San Diego Bay, California where she joined up with the Submarine Squadron 1.

She had participated in Operation Iceberg in June and July of 1946 which took her across the Arctic Circle. The USS Blackfin SS 322 was officially decommissioned on September 15^th, 1972 and she was struck from the Naval Vessel Register on the same day. She was utilized as a target and sunk by a torpedo during a life fire exercise. She was used in two movies during her career, “Move over Darling” with Doris Day and James Garner, and “Ice Station Zebra.” The USS Blackfin was honorably awarded three battle stars for her service during World War II.

The USS Blackfin SS 322 and her crew served bravely and with great honor during their military careers yet sadly, the sailors faced a danger they were unaware of at the time. Their submarine had been constructed with asbestos used as an insulator around many of its pipes and installations. We now know that workers exposed to asbestos are at risk for the development of lung and breathing problems including a type of cancer called mesothelioma. Any crewmembers who have reason to believe they may have come in contact with asbestos while aboard the USS Blackfin SS 322 or any other submarine or ship or any maritime vessel during that particular period in time should visit with a medical respiratory physician immediately to determine whether or not they are at an increased risk of receiving a mesothelioma diagnosis. Veterans diagnosed with mesothelioma, also referred to as asbestos cancer, should inquire about all possible mesothelioma treatment options.

Last modified: December 09 2009.