NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Contributed by Mike Smolinski
Whale (SS-239)
Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to theWebmaster.
Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.
| Click On Image For Full Size | Size | Image Description | Source | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | 212k | Keel laying ceremony of the Whale (SS-239) being placed on the blocks at Mare Island Navy Yard, 28 June 1941. | USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org. Text courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. |
|
 | 206k | The keel of the Whale (SS-239) is shown being laid at Mare Island Navy Yard on 28 June 1941. The keel of the Wahoo (SS-238) had been laid on the same ways minutes before. The Wahoo and Whale were the first two ships to be built on the new Building Ways Number 3 at Mare Island. | USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 |
412k | 29 June 1941 Vallejo Times Herald article and photo of the keel laying of Wahoo (SS-238) and Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island 28 June 1941. | PDF via R. H. Triece's 1941 scrapbook, a Mare Island shipfitter, courtesy of Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker. | |
 |
96k | View of the Ballard's (AVD-10) after portion, taken at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 5 January 1942. Note motor launch stowed above the main deck between the smokestack and the after deck-house, with life rafts nearby; 3"/50 dual-purpose gun atop the after deck-house; large propeller guards at her stern. Two submarines under construction in the background are probably Wahoo (SS-238) and Whale (SS-239). | Photograph # 19-N-26638 from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives. | |
 |
169k | The Wahoo (SS-238) is ready for her launching at Mare Island on 14 February 1942. The Whale (SS-239) is on the building ways to the right. | USN photo # 771-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 |
489k | The Wahoo (SS-238) is ready for launching at Mare Island Navy Yard on 14 February 1942. The Whale (SS-239) is on the building ways on the left and a hull section for Tinosa (SS-283) is just visible on the lower left corner of the photo. Her keel would be laid on the same ways on 21 February 1942. The large building in the rear of the photo is the Naval Hospital. Note: RADM Richard O'Kane has autographed the photo in the upper left corner. |
USN photo # 764-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 |
451k | The stern of Wahoo (SS-238) is entering the water during her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard on 14 February 1942. The Whale (SS-239) is on the building ways on the left. | USN photo # 772-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 605k | Long range photo of the Mare Island Southern waterfront. Left to right Whale (SS-239) on the ways with Humphrey (DD-236) just under Whale and Helena (CL-50) on the right on 13 March 1942. | USN photo # MINSY 8665-3-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 118k | Commandant's Order N0. 9-42 for the launching of the Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island Navy Yard on 14 March 1942. | USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 337k | The then Attorney General of California Earl Warren reads his address during the launching ceremonies for the Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 147k | Distinguished guest at the launching of Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island on 14 March 1942.From left to right: Capt. E. V. Reed, MC, USN; Mrs. E. V. Reed; Capt. R. A. White, USN (Retired); Mrs. R. A. White (Matron of Honor); Mrs. Charles Chillingworth; Capt. A. D. Denney, USN; Mrs. A. D. Denney (Sponsor); RADM W. L. Friedell, USN (Shipyard Commandant); Mrs., J. J. Hogan; Mrs. W. L. Friedell; Mr. Earl Warren (Attorney General of California); Mrs. Earl Warren; Major F. Stewart (Vallejo); Mrs. F. Stewart; Capt. F. G. Crisp, USN; Mrs. F. G. Crisp; Col. M. E. Shearer, USMC. | USN photo # 1357-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 170k | Mrs. R. A. White (Matron of Honor) and Mrs. A. D. Denney (Sponsor) are pictured prior to the launching of Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo # 1359-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 108k | Mrs. A. D. Denney (Sponsor) christens the Whale (SS-239) at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo # 1370-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 202k | Whale (SS-239) of a launching at Mare Island Navy Yard on 14 March 1942. She was launched 11 months ahead of schedule. | USN photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). | |
 | 108k | Whale (SS-239) at the end of way during her launching at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo # 1376-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 158k | The Whale (SS-239) is waterborne after her launching at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo # 1346-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 93k | Signal flags all a flutter are wrapped around the Whale's (SS-239) fore and aft rigging as she is waterborne after her launching at Mare Island on 14 March 1942. | USN photo # 1362-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 23k | Commemorative postal cover marking the Whale's (SS-239) launching, 14 March 1942. | Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory). | |
 | 20k | Commemorative postal cover marking the Whale's (SS-239) commissioning, 1 June 1942. | Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory). | |
 |
319k | Progress photo, stern view, at Mare Island on 2 July 1942. The Whale (SS-239) is alongside. In front of the two boats are the Pike (SS-173) & Porpoise (SS-172). Beyond them lies the Argonaut (SS-166) and new Destroyer Escorts under construction. |
Text i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. USN photo # BS 34397 via NARA College Park, courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large. |
|
 | 186k | Port side view of the Whale (SS-239) off of Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo Calif., on 30 July 1942 when she started dock trials and initial shakedown training. | USN photo # 80-G-395022 courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org. | |
 | 152k | Port-side view of the Whale (SS-239) off of Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo Calif., on 30 July 1942 when she started dock trials and initial shakedown training. | USN photo # 4082-42 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 55k | Whale (SS-239) with a modified coning tower at NAS Alameda CA., 30 July 1942. | USN Archives photo and text courtesy of The Floating Drydock, Fleet Subs of WW II", by Thomas F. Walkowiak. | |
 |
243k | Commissioning ceremonies aboard Tunny (SS-282) at Mare Island on 1 September 1942. Sunfish (SS-281) is to the right and Whale (SS-239) is in front of the Tunny. | USN photo # 5215-42, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 226k | Kiku Maru took the plunge from the Whale (SS-239) | Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp. | |
 | 46k | Killer Whale (SS-239) target. | USN photo # 80-G-49402 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 598k | 12/27/43 – For gallantry and intrepidity in enemy-controlled waters in connection against enemy forces, Commander Albert Collins Burrows, USN, seen on the right, receives the Silver Star medal from Captain Charles Wilkes Styer, USN, Commander Submarines Forces of the Pacific Fleet. Albert Burrows graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1928. He retired as a Rear Admiral in the U.S. Navy. He was Awarded the Navy Cross, 8 Jul 1943, "for extraordinary heroism in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Whale, during the Fourth War Patrol of that submarine in the period 10 May 1943 to 21 June 1943, in waters of the shipping lanes between Japan, Truk, and Saipan." Silver Star Medal, 17 Aug 1943, "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while as Commanding Officer of a United States submarine, in action against enemy Japanese forces." Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Silver Star, 4 February 1944, "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while as Commanding Officer of the Submarine Whale, on War Patrol in enemy-controlled waters." Gold Star in lieu of a Third Award of the Silver Star, [no date listed, but after 30 September 1944], "for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity while as Commanding Officer of a United States Submarine, during a War Patrol in enemy-controlled waters from 1 July 1944 to 30 September 1944." | Photo & text courtesy of Bill Gonyo. | |
 0819739 |
NR | SUBMARINE: By Comdr. Edward L. Beach, USN Gallant Seawolf (SS-197) Comes to End of Trail After Tour In Which Four Japanese Ships Are Sent to Bottom. |
Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 17 November 1952, Image 5, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. | |
 | 81k | A bow view of Whale (SS-239) off Mare Island on 21 April 1945. She was under going repairs at Mare Island from 26 January and 26 April 1945. | USN photo # 2879-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker and John Hummel, USN (Retired). | |
 | 213k | Stern view of Whale (SS-239) off Mare Island on 21 April 1945. | USN photo # 2877-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 209k | Bow on view of Whale (SS-239) off Mare Island on 21 April 1945. | USN photo # 2880-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 259k | Broadside view of Whale (SS-239) off Mare Island on 21 April 1945. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 26 January until 26 April 1945. | USN photo # 2881-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 189k | Mascot of Whale (SS-239) on the shoulders of Murray Dreyus F2/c. Victory and the end of the war meant the breaking up of most submarine crews. Garbo, Skeeter, Betty, and other dogs went home with crew members. Porches, lawns, and the occasional cat replaced steel hulls, tile decks, and depth charges. Gabby, mascot of the Gabilan, proudly represented all submarine sea dogs when he marched with his crew in a welcome-home victory parade in Mobile, Alabama, in October 1945. | USN photo # 1957-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. Pooch text courtesy of the article Sea Dogs by William Galvani in americanheritage.com. |
|
 | 140k | Five Atlantic Reserve Fleet subs in mothballs at New London CT., late 1940's: Pompon (SS-267), Gunnel (SS-253), Whale (SS-239), Lapon (SS-260) and unidentified sub. | Text courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired) Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). |
|
 | 536k | The boat sitting on the marine railway at the Submarine Base in New London is indeed a Government design Gato. It is a Mod 4A with the lowered bridge and the separate air search radar mast aft of the shears. This dates the photo to late 1944 at the earliest. The problem is that all of the Gato's would have been long gone from New London by this date. The last of the Portsmouth Gato's was Steelhead (SS-280) and she was commissioned in Dec '42. The Squadron 50 boats were pulled back from Europe in mid-1943 and sent to the Pacific, and at this time they would have been sporting a Mod 3 (with the high bridge, covered wagon ribs not exposed) if they had any fairwater mods at all. So with all this in mind, this photo could not have been taken even in late 1944. The only time where you would see a Mod 4A Gato in New London would be post war. A lot of Gato's were laid up in reserve there at finger piers on the north side of the base. I am speculating that this photo shows a boat going through a pre-lay up overhaul. Guns have been removed from the fairwater gun decks, work is being done on the aft engine room mufflers, and there is a big tarp over the deck gun. It is hard to tell, but the air search radar looks like a big dish SV. I would place the date sometime in 1946 or early 1947. The Whale (SS-239) looks the closest, right down to the extra holes drilled in her casing roundover - forward, aft, but not midships. | Photo courtesy of Wendy Gulley via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory). Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired) & Robert Morgan. | |
| Back To The Main Photo Index | Back To the Submarine Index |
| Problems and site related matters, E-mail Webmaster. |
| This page is created by Gary Priolo, and maintained by Michael Mohl All Pages © 1996 - 2024 NavSource History All rights reserved. |