USS Marlin SS 205
The USS Marlin SS 205 was a Mackerel-class submarine that was originally launched on January 29th, 1941 from the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine and was sponsored by a Mrs. John D. Wainwright. The newly constructed submarine was officially commissioned on August 1st, 1941 under the command of Lieutenant George A. Sharp. Following her initial shakedown trials and operational exercises and training, she was ready for active duty and was immediately appointed and assigned to the Atlantic Fleet of the United States Navy. She served off the eastern seaboard near New London, Connecticut along with the Atlantic Fleet for over 6 months before she was given orders to depart New London on March 21st and sail up north to Casco Bay, Maine.
The Marlin arrived the next day and began her service as the newest member of Task Force 27 where she was to train new escort vessels all about antisubmarine warfare and tactical strategy. She departed Casco Bay, Maine and returned to New London, Connecticut on April 18th and began operating at Long Island Sound until 1942. On January 7th, 1943 the Marlin was ordered back out to Casco Bay and once again assisted in training support for the Task Force 27 and did so until January 16th. She had spent the next two and a half years patrolling the east coast along New London as well as Portsmouth, New Hampshire where she trained ships and participated in naval warfare exercises to help improve engagement procedures during battle.
During the morning of July 6th, 1944 she was making a submerged practice approach on the USS Chaffee DE 230 when she suddenly collided with SC 642 but thankfully both vessels suffered only minor damage. On October 20th, the Marlin departed New London for Bridgeport, Connecticut arriving on the following day along with USS Skipjack SS 184. The USS Marlin SS 205 traveled to Boston, Massachusetts on Halloween Day on October 31st and was officially decommissioned on November 9th, 1945 at the Boston Naval Shipyard. The Marlin was struck from the United States Naval Vessel Registry on November 28th, 1945 and was then sold the following year on March 29th, 1946 to the Boston Metal Company of Baltimore, Maryland for scrap metal.
The USS Marlin SS 205 and her crew fought bravely in the face of endless challenges and grave danger, but unfortunately the dangers didn’t only rest in the waters around her. The danger was in the form of asbestos, a toxic material that was commonly found on submarines in products such as insulation and construction compounds. Products made from asbestos can break apart, and release tiny fibers into the air. These fibers are easily inhaled and can lead to diseases such as mesothelioma, which is a deadly cancer. Anyone who was aboard the USS Marlin SS 205 or any submarine that had asbestos present should be examined by their physician for this and similar diseases immediately for their own health and to begin mesothelioma treatment if it’s needed.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
