USS Blackfish SS 221

The USS Blackfish SS 221 was a Gato-class submarine that was originally launched on April 18^th, 1942 from Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut and was sponsored by a Mrs. Henry De F. Mel who was the wife of Captain Henry De F. Mel. The submarine was officially commissioned on July 22^nd, 1942 under the leadership of Commander Raymond W. Johnson. Following rigorous training exercises and intense operational maneuvers the sub was finally ready for action.

She was joined up with the Submarine Squadron 50 and was appointed as a part of the United States Naval Forces in Europe. On October 15^th, 1942 she departed Montauk Point, NY and headed out on her first war patrol and completed the final of five total war patrols in the Atlantic in July of 1943 where she cruised the waters from Dakar, West Africa and North of Iceland where she was successfully credited with the sinking of the German Patrol Boat Number 408 off the north coast of Spain February 19^th, 1943.

Following her tours of duty in the Atlantic she returned to the United States in July of 1943 and after extensive repairs and refitting, she proceeded south to transit the Panama Canal and then onward towards the Pacific Ocean. During the time between October 19^th, 1943 and August 14^th, 1945 she completed a total of seven war patrols there in Pacific in the regions of the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, the South and North China Sea as well as the Yellow Sea. The Blackfish engaged and sank a Japanese cargo vessel totaling two thousand eighty seven tons.

She completed her 12^th and final war patrol on August 14^th, 1945 and while no conflicts arose that would involve the firing of torpedoes, on August 5^th she was able to rescue six Army pilots from enemy waters and on August 8^th she effectively bombarded shore installations on Kusakaki Shima. She departed from Guam on August 27^th, 1945 heading back to the East Coast of the United States. Following her visits to New York and Camden, New Jersey the submarine then reported to the Naval Reserve Training Center and placed in inactive status. She was officially decommissioned on May 11^th, 1946 and was struck from the Naval Vessel Registry on September 1^st, 1958. The USS Blackfish SS 221 was awarded eight battle stars for service in World War II.

The USS Blackfish SS 221 has seen many threats and her crewmembers served her well without being aware that they were facing danger from an unknown and destructive force. The USS Blackfish SS 221 was built during a time when asbestos was commonly used as an internal insulator of duct systems and piping. What we know now is that the crewmen who worked in contact with asbestos are at risk for a variety of respiratory problems including mesothelioma, also known as asbestos cancer. If you think you may have been exposed to asbestos aboard the USS Blackfish SS 221 you must consult a physician immediately to determine whether or not you should begin mesothelioma treatment.

Last modified: December 09 2009.