USS Rock SS 274
The USS Rock SS 274 was a Gato-class submarine that was launched on June 20th, 1943 from the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company out of Manitowoc, Wisconsin and was sponsored by a Mrs. B. O. Wells. The submarine was commissioned on October 26th, 1943 under the leadership of Commander John Flay Flachsenhar. After intense operational training while in Lake Michigan she finally became ready to provide active service for her country. She departed the area through the transit canal system at Lockport, Illinois and proceeded south along the Mississippi River encased in a floating dry dock being towed down to the open ocean at New Orleans, Louisiana where she arrived on November 29th, 1943. Six days later she transited the Panama Canal and moved west to her new home at Pearl Harbor where she arrived on January 2nd, 1944 and would be the newest addition to the mighty Pacific Fleet.
She departed Pearl Harbor on February 8th, 1944 embarking on her first war patrol. On February 29th, 1944 the USS Rock encountered her first enemy contact while en route to the Island of Truk. While rising to the surface to prepare for attack she had been spotted by the intended target and the Japanese destroyer closed in on her position with the intent to strike. The USS Rock managed to let loose a spread of torpedoes at the enemy destroyer without scoring any hits and she then dove deep to avoid counter measures by her opponent and was able to evade the enemy retaliation unscathed.
The Rock began her second war patrol on April 4th, 1944 where she headed for Honshu, Japan but went an entire 34 days patrolling the region without making any enemy contacts and she returned to Majuro Island where she was refitted and refueled. During the time from June 22nd, 1944 until May 1st, 1945 the USS Rock SS 274 conducted an additional third, fourth, fifth and sixth war patrol where she sailed from the Luzon Strait dealing with violent typhoons and an aggressive enemy all the way to Batan Island and the Marianas. The USS Rock SS 274 was decommissioned on September 13th, 1969. She was awarded four battle stars for service during World War II.
The USS Rock SS 274 and her crew fought bravely for their country. However, they were unwittingly exposed to the hazards of asbestos during their time at sea. She was constructed during an era when the threats involved with asbestos were not well understood, and the material was commonly used as an insulator throughout the vessel. Now we’re aware that veterans are at risk of developing serious respiratory conditions as a result of their time aboard submarines such as the USS Rock. Diseases including a type of asbestos cancer called mesothelioma are a dangerous risk for retired veterans, and any crewmembers who are concerned that they may have been exposed to asbestos while aboard the USS Rock SS 274 or any other submarine should consult with a doctor and begin treatment.
Last modified: December 28, 2010.
