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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch courtesy of
BMCS Don McGrogan, USN (ret.)

Gurnard (SS-254)

Radio Call Sign: November - Foxtrot - Alpha - Yankee
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 2 September 1941, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 1 June 1942; Commissioned USS Gurnard (SS-254), 18 September 1942; Decommissioned, 27 November 1945, at San Francisco, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Placed in service, 1 July 1949 and towed to Pearl Harbor after fitting out at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard, San Francisco, CA. to serve as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel; Towed to Tacoma, WA., 18 May 1953, to serve as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel; Placed out of service in June 1960; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1961; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 26 September 1961, to the National Metal & Steel Corp., Terminal Island, CA. for 41,379.00 Removed 10-29-61. Gurnard was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation and received 6 battle stars for World War II service.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves (of blessed memory)

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel electric reduction gear with four Hoover, Owens, Rentschler Co. main generator diesel engines, 5,400HP, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gal., four General Electric main motors, 2,740HP, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin screws.
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254 560k Lepidotrigla pleuracanthica, alias Eastern Spiny Gurnard. Larger versions of this fish could originally be found growing in the waters off Groton, CT., approximately circa June 1942. Photo courtesy of scuba-equipment-usa.com.
254 452k The most versatile fish in the world. It swims, glides, floats, flies & walks.(It also sinks Japanese ships, the Gurnard (SS-254)). Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 122k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of the Gurnard's (SS-254) keel laying on 2 September 1941, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 839k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of the Gurnard's (SS-254) keel laying on 2 September 1941, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 2.36k 13 stars embedded in the circle bunting of Gurnard (SS-254) as she heads towards the sea on 1 June 1942. USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
254 454k Gurnard (SS-254) heads towards the sea stern first on 1 June 1942. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 825k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of the Gurnard's (SS-254) launching on 1 June 1942. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 441k Commemorative postal cover & photo inset on the occasion of the Gurnard's (SS-254) launching on 1 June 1942, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 706k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of the commissioning of the Gurnard (SS-254), 18 September 1942. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 383k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of the commissioning of the Gurnard (SS-254), 18 September 1942. USN photo & text from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
Rosneath, Scotland78kTwo of the 6 subs of from Sub Squadron 50:
Barb (SS-220),
Blackfish (SS-221),
Herring (SS-233),
Shad (SS-235),
Gunnel (SS-253), and
Gurnard (SS-254) tied up at Rosneath, Scotland, circa 7 December 1942. The sub tender Beaver (AS-5) is in the background. 		USN photo courtesy of jmlavelle.com.
Rosneath, Scotland 98k A 1943 Watercolor by the artist Dwight Clark Shepler entitled "Jerry Hunters, Rosneath, Scotland." portrays the stern view of the sub tender Beaver (AS-5) and 3 of the 6 subs of Sub Squadron 50:
Barb (SS-220),
Blackfish (SS-221),
Herring (SS-233),
Shad (SS-235),
Gunnel (SS-253), and
Gurnard (SS-254). 		Painting #87 / 88-199-CK.
Courtesy of the USNHC.
254 125k Crew of Gurnard (SS-254). Date is not certain, but her CO, Charles H. Andrews, is still a Lt. Cdr., so it is early in her career, probably after the second or third war patrol. He is the officer just to the right of the hatch. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 217k Japanese kill flags early in her career, probably early 1944. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 500k Photo taken through the periscope of Mount Fuji (Fujiyama in Japanese) on Christmas Day 1943 from Gurnard (SS-254)submerged in Tokyo Bay. Very risky photography, given the proximity to major Imperial Japanese forces at that time. USN photo & text from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 247k The setting of the rising sun: Gurnard's (SS-254) Xmas party at sea, 1943. Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 53k Commanding Officer of Gurnard (SS-254) in the first part of World War II, Commander Charles H. Andrews, receiving the Navy Cross from Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, ComSubPac. Date unknown, but probably late 1943-early 1944. Admiral Lockwood was promoted to Vice Admiral in October 1943. This is the first Navy Cross for Cdr. Andrews. He received a second Navy Cross later in the war. Location was probably at Pearl Harbor. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 463k The officers of Gurnard (SS-254). This was taken on the day that her CO, Cdr. C.H. Andrews, third officer from the left, was awarded the Navy Cross by VADM Lockwood, ComSubPac. The officer on the far left, Lt. George S. Simmons III, was aboard Gurnard at commissioning and went on to become her third and final Commanding Officer (as a Lt. Cdr.) on 5 March 1945. He was also the only officer plank-owner when Gurnard decommissioned on 27 November 1945. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 324k Gurnard (SS-254) award ceremony her for the crew & her CO, Cdr. C.H. Andrews. Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 584k Gurnard (SS-254), underway, circa 1944-45, probably off the California coast. USN photo # 80g-1041908 from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
254 56k Lt. Comdr. C.H. Andrews graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1930 and then attended Submarine School at New London, Connecticut. He was Commanding Officer of Gurnard (SS-254) from 18 September 1942 to September 1944. On six war patrols he and his crew sunk 11 ships for a total of 71,500 tons. He was awarded two Navy Crosses for his second and fifth war patrols and two Silver Stars. He was placed on the Roll of Honor at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. Prior to his retirement from the Navy he was promoted to Rear Admiral. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
Text courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
254 313k Officers and wives of Gurnard (SS-254) at a ship's party at "Spenger’s Fish Grotto" on 6 March 1944 (and 2013 version here). Gurnard was in overhaul at Mare Island at that time, between war patrols 4 and 5. She would leave after overhaul and proceed to Pearl Harbor from where she would commence her 5th war patrol on 16 April 1944. She would finish the patrol in Fremantle, Australia from where she would operate until 1945.
The Commander nearest the chef is the Gurnard's CO, Charles H. Andrews. The other officers and ladies are not identified. The Commander on the far left is not a Gurnard officer.
NOTE- The officer third from the left is George Stuart Simmons. He was a plank owner and later the final Commanding Officer. The woman standing right in front of him is his wife, Virginia Moss Simmons. 		Photo & text i.d. courtesy of George Dietz.
USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell & the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 302k Jack E. Markley, USN, radio & sonar operator of the Gurnard (SS-254)) & Bronze star receipient. Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
254 160k Forward plan view of the Gurnard (SS-254) departing Mare Island on 13 March 1944. USN photo # 1707-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 155k Aft plan view of the Gurnard (SS-254) departing Mare Island on 13 March 1944. The Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) is in the background. USN photo # 1708-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 91k Gurnard (SS-254) departing Mare Island on 14 March 1944. The ammunition depot on the South end of Mare Island is in the background. Gurnard was in overhaul at the shipyard from 18 January to 25 March 1944. USN photo # 1711-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 75k Bow view of the Gurnard (SS-254), underway, off Mare Island CA., following an overhaul, 14 March, 1944. USN photo # 1709-44, courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
254 140k Stern view of the Gurnard (SS-254), underway, off Mare Island CA., following an overhaul, 14 March, 1944. USN photo # 1713-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 210k Gurnard (SS-254) after overhaul in Mare Island in 1944. USN photo # 1712-44, from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 92k The moving force behind the Gurnard (SS-254), "Penny" the mascot, taken late 1944 or early 1945. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 56k The Gurnard (SS-254) underway, and what looks like the 4" gun forward, so this would date the photo mid-to-late 1944 or early 1945 since she is painted in one of the lighter camouflage schemes which replaced the dark coloration scheme she was painted in during her early 1944 Mare Island overhaul. Location unknown. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 49k Benton E. Buell, young shaggy-haired sailor third from the right with the Japanese life preserver of an unknown Maru now resting on the bottom of the Pacific, celebrate Gurnard's (SS-254) latest handiwork, circa 1944. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 52k The conning tower view was taken late 1944 or early 1945, before Gurnard's (SS-254) final major wartime overhaul. Note that she still has the 4" gun forward and the 20mm forward on the conning tower. During this time she was operating out of Australia, and this photo may have been taken there. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 80k The awards ceremony aboard Gurnard (SS-254) on 27 February 1945 at Fremantle Australia. The presentation is being made by Captain Elliot H. Bryant, at the podium. The main recipient is Lt. Cmdr. George S. Simmons III, the officer on the far left of the front rank. He is receiving the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, and a Gold Star in lieu of a second Bronze Star. He would assume command of Gurnard the following week on 5 March 1945. MoMM1c Benton E. Buell, the shorter, grim-looking sailor in the second rank received a Letter of Commendation on the same date. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 109k Gurnard (SS-254) on 27 February 1945, at Fremantle Australia. The two sailors are TM3c Charles Pencak, left, and my father, MoMM1c Benton E. Buell. Both men had just received Letters of Commendation at an earlier awards ceremony on board Gurnard. This picture was taken at the front of Gurnard's conning tower. The dog of course is "Penny", the boat's dog which was part of all functions, official or otherwise. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 123k Photo of Gurnard's (SS-254) stern area as two sailors are going into the water. This is a tradition called "wetting down" where newly-promoted Chiefs, (my father in this case) get tossed into the nearest available body of water for a dunking. CWO 4 Benton E. Buell is the uppermost of the two sailors going into the water with his right foot still on the hull of Gurnard. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 44k Gurnard's (SS-254) crew ham it up for the camera in this May 1945 photo. Benton E. Buell is the young Chief in the white shirt. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 422k Photo taken on 18 May 1945 as Gurnard (SS-254) arrived at San Francisco for overhaul. She was returning to the USA for the first time since she departed Mare Island in early 1944 for SoWesPac, where she operated out of Australia. The aerial photo was taken by an airship (blimp) from squadron ZP-32 based at Moffet Field, as Gurnard approached the Golden Gate. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 122k Japanese flags are festooned from the Gurnard (SS-254) as she approached the Golden Gate. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 113k Gurnard (SS-254) approaching the headlands just north of the Gate on 18 May 1945. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 71k Getting the boat underway, the crew of the Gurnard (SS-254) are stowing items below through a hatch under the watchful eyes of Benton E. Buell, CWO USN. Since the antenna shown was removed during the 1945 overhaul, this was probably taken just before she began overhaul in mid 1945, possibly after her 9th war patrol. What looks like Diamond Head is in the center distance. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 100k Some boats never did have their bridges completely cut down.Gurnard (SS-254) is pictured here at Mare Island on 23 July 1945. Note her gun access trunks fore & aft, to serve 5 in/25 guns in either position. Her port forward gun access trunk had been blanked off. The circled alteration on the periscope presumably indicates installation of the ST range-only radar there. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
254 94k Some boats never did have their bridges completely cut down.Gurnard (SS-254) is pictured here at Mare Island on 23 July 1945. Note her gun access trunks fore & aft, to serve 5 in/25 guns in either position. Her port forward gun access trunk had been blanked off. The circled alteration on the periscope presumably indicates installation of the ST range-only radar there. Photo & text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
254 233k Stern view of Gurnard (SS-254), departing Mare Island on 26 July 1945. The other submarine in the background (right of Gurnard) is either Sunfish (SS-281) or Flounder (SS-251). USN photo # 5462-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 193k Bow on view of Gurnard (SS-254), departing Mare Island on 26 July 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard from 18 May to 11 August 1945. USN photo # 5466-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 233k Gurnard's (SS-254) WW II scorecard. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 12.2k 164 page PDF of the WW II patrols of the Gurnard (SS-254). USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
254 152k This photo was identified as being a mail call in Mare Island on 15 September 1945 after Gurnard (SS-254) returned to Hunter's Point shipyard on 11 September from Midway and Pearl Harbor, before she could begin another war patrol after her May-August major overhaul at Mare Island. She had left the states on 11 August to start another war patrol out of Pearl Harbor, but this was interrupted by the end of the war on 14 August 1945. She went to Midway from Pearl, but departed Midway 1 September for her voyage back to the states.
Benton E. Buell, CWO USN, is the smiling Chief just to the right of the 40mm gun muzzle holding mail envelopes. 		USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 714k Gurnard (SS-254) Welcome Aboard pamphlet issued on Navy Day 1945, 4 page PDF. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 77k This is the aft port side corner of the Aft Engine Room. You can see the Main room cubical through the door. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell. Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel & David Johnston (USN, retired)
254 69k The Gurnard's (SS-254) Control Room, with diving plane indicator lights at lower center. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 83k Main Propulsion Control panel in the Gurnard's (SS-254) Maneuvering Room. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 80k Gurnard (SS-254) in drydock, at Hunters Point with the Pampanito (SS-383) on her port side.
The DE in background could be Creamer DE-308 which was built and launched at Mare Island but never completed. There were 3 Mare Island DE's not completed and two were cut in half and pulled onto the large building ways at the yard and scrapped. It makes sense that the third one could have gone to Hunters Point for its appointment with the cutting torch. Gurnard came to Mare Island on 11/26/45 and was placed into Reserve on 11/27/45. 		Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell. Photo i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
254 197k Gurnard (SS-254) arriving at Hunters Point, San Francisco, on 11 September 1945, back from the war. Photo credit is San Francisco Examiner, and it appeared with an article about returning veterans in the 12 September 1945 edition of the Examiner. CMoMM Benton E. Buell USN, is the Chief with his right knee up under the Gurnard scoreboard. He and the then-CO of Gurnard, Lt. Cdr. George S. Simmons were the only two remaining plankowners of the boat when she went out of commission less than three months later. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 225k Benton E. Buell, then a CMoMM with the last Commanding Officer of Gurnard, LtCDR. George S. Simmons, III. This was probably taken at the Gurnard (SS-254) decommissioning party in 1945. USN photo & text from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 109k Gurnard (SS-254) on 27 November 1945, during the decommissioning ceremony. The last CO of Gurnard, Lt. Cdr. George S. Simmons, USN is the smiling officer under the boat's number in the row of officers.
Note that the preservation process is not completed-workmen are still aboard conducting the layup process. 		Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 255k A newspaper article from the time of Gurnard's (SS-254) decommissioning, 27 November 1945. This shows the last CO, Lt. Cdr. G. S. Simmons, and my father, CMoMM B. E. Buell, on decommissioning day. My father was given this flag, the last one flown over Gurnard.
The caption shows the optimism typical of the wartime claims of all submarines. Although a submarine with a good record, six successful patrols, she did not sink an aircraft carrier as the caption suggests. Postwar investigation downgraded virtually all of the US submarine claims of damage and sinking. In spite of this optimism and the early-war torpedo problems, our submarines played the critical role in attrition of the Japanese empire. 		Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 113k Photo of the remaining crew of Gurnard (SS-254), was taken at the decommissioning party on 25 November 1945 in San Francisco. The Gurnard would be decommissioned at Mare Island two days later. Gurnard's last CO, Lt. Cdr. George S. Simmons III, is sitting on the floor in the first row. CWO 4 Benton E. Buell is sitting to his immediate right. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 54k Invitation to the decommissioning party of Gurnard (SS-254), which has the names of all officers and crew on board at the time of her decommissioning on 27 November 1945. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 87k The decommissioning crew roster of Gurnard (SS-254). Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 73k Bow view of the Gurnard (SS-254) in drydock. USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 83k The after half of Gurnard (SS-254) in drydock undergoing work for inactivation. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 123k Gurnard (SS-254) in drydock with Pampanito (SS-383) as they are prepared for inactivation to the reserve fleet in October-November 1945. Pampanito was inactivated and decommissioned with Gurnard. Pampanito actually decommissioned after Gurnard, in early December 1945.
The sailor in the photo is from Gurnard, TM2c Bill Parks.		 USN photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
Tiru 308k Bow view of the Tiru (SS-416) under construction at Mare Island on 3 January 1946. Submarines in the background are decommisioned or will soon be: from front to rear are Bashaw (SS-241), Pampanito (SS-383), Mingo (SS-261), Gurnard (SS-254), Macabi (SS-375), Tunny (SS-282), Guavina (SS-362) and Sand Lance (SS-381). USN photo # 18-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet137kReserve fleet at Mare Island, circa January 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. This photo is a Berthing list identifying the ships in the picture. Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet453kPhoto of the Reserve fleet at Mare Island, circa January 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. Whether coincidental or on purpose, the number of boats in the photo is the same as that which were lost in WW II.
From back to front and left to right, first group of 12 boats:
Sand Lance (SS-381)
Tunny (SS-282)
Aspro (SS-309)
Lionfish (SS-298)
Guvania (SS-362)
Sunfish (SS-281)
Macabi (SS-375)
Gurnard (SS-254)
Pampanito (SS-383)
Mingo (SS-261)
Guitarro (SS-363)
Bashaw (SS-241)
From back to front and left to right, second group of 12 boats:
Sealion (SS-315)
Hammerhead (SS-364)
Bream (SS-243)
Seahorse (SS-304)
Tinosa (SS-283)
Pintado (SS-387)
Mapiro (SS-376)
Pipefish (SS-388)
Moray (SS-300)
Batfish (SS-310)
Hackleback (SS-295)
Bluegill (SS-242)
From back to front and left to right, third group of 12 boats:
Hawkbill (SS-366)
Menhaden (SS-377)
Perch (SS-313)
Loggerhead (SS-374)
Barbero (SS-317)
Baya (SS-318)
Hardhead (SS-365)
Spadefish (SS-411)
Springer (SS-414)
Devilfish (SS-292)
Kraken (SS-370)
Dragonet (SS-293)
From back to front and left to right, fourth group of 12 boats:
Lamprey (SS-372)
Piranha (SS-389)
Manta (SS-299)
Pargo (SS-264)
Rancador (SS-301)
Archerfish (SS-311)
Mero (SS-378)
Sawfish (SS-276)
Spot (SS-413)
Lizardfish (SS-373)
Jallao (SS-368)
Icefish (SS-367)
From back to front and left to right, last group of 4 boats:
Steelhead (SS-280)
Puffer (SS-268)
Stickleback (SS-415)
Trepang (SS-412)
From back to front, Submarine Tenders group of 4 ships:
Pelias (AS-14)
Aegir (AS-23)
Euryale (AS-22)
Griffin (AS-13)
Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet 900k Inactivated submarines at Mare Island on 3 January 1946.
Front row left to right: Sand Lance (SS-381), next two could be Sealion (SS-315) and Seahorse (SS-304), Searaven (SS-196), Pampanito (SS-383), Gurnard (SS-254), Mingo (SS-261), Guitarro (SS-363), Bashaw (SS-241).
Back row left to right: Unknown, Tunny (SS-282), next three could be Sargo (SS-188), Spearfish (SS-190), and Saury (SS-189), Macabi (SS-375), Sunfish (SS-281), Guavina (SS-362), Lionfish (SS-298), Piranha (SS-389).
The Scabbardfish (SS-397) is docked in ARD-11 on the other side of the causeway.

The mixture of boats from the Salmon/Sargo, Gato, and Balao classes illustrate the clear differences in the conning tower fairwaters and the periscope shears that can be used to identify boats. The high bridges with the uncovered support frames (the "covered wagon" look) of the Gato's and Salmon/Sargo's contrast with the low and sleek look of the Balao's. The fatter, more robust periscope shears of the Balao's are markedly different from the thinner shears with more supporting structure of the Gato's and Salmon/Sargo's .
The differences in the pattern of the superstructure limber holes can also be used for identification purposes. The single row of large semi-circular holes indentify Electric Boat or Manitowoc boats. A dual row of smaller rectangular holes mark the government built boats. Also note that the EB/Manitowoc boats have the deck mounted, T-shaped JP sonar head on the starboard side of the forward deck, while the government boats have it on the port side.
EB/Manitowoc boats had the anchor on the starboard side, the government boats on the port side. A close look will show that some of the boats have had the anchor removed and the hawsepipe plated over as part of the mothball process.
Most of the boats have the late war radar outfit of the SJ surface search (small dish) and SV air search (large dish). The Balao's and some of the Gato's have the SS dish mounted on a separate large mast aft of the periscopes. The older Salmon/Sargo's and Gato's have a much smaller mast. Searaven appears to have had her radars already removed.
Searaven is actually sporting a late war SJ surface search antennae mounted to starboard of the periscopes. This is a rare installation. Most often it was mounted forward (early war) or aft (late war) of the 'scopes shears. Her air search set is a late war SD antennae mounted on a stub mast directly aft of the 'scopes. Searaven never received the much more capable SV air search set. Having been assigned to training duties after November, 1944 it was probably felt that the SV set was not necessary.
One strange thing: almost all of the boats appear to have the outer doors of the forward torpedo tubes open. Even though the boats have an interlock system that prevents the breech and outer doors from being opened at the same time, this is an unusual thing to do and a potential source of catastrophic flooding.
 USN photo # 17-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Text courtesy of David Johnston
SUBMARINES-MARE ISLAND 264k Seventeen U.S. WW II subs tied up off Mare Island, 9 February 1946. The last boat on the first row appears to be either the Gurnard (SS-254) or the Pargo (SS-264).
This photo show the same area of Mare Island not necessary the same boats. This is the North end of Mare Island in early 1946. All these vessels were at this time are part of the 19th Fleet. I not found any data on the 19th fleet to date. The boats of the ways to the left are Tiru (SS-416) with the Wahoo (SS-516) behind Tiru. The Tamalpais (YHB-21) with the Port of Stockton (YHB-2) outboard.		 International News Photo courtesy of David Buell.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet 1.93k Aerial view of decommissioned submarine at Mare Island Reserve Fleet taken on 18 March 1946. The majority of the personnel topside are navy personnel. I would say they are still inactivating the subs.
Submarines are from top to bottom: Bashaw (SS-241), Guitarro (SS-363), Mingo (SS-261), Gurnard (SS-254), Pampanito (SS-383), Sand Lance (SS-381), Bream (SS-243), Hammerhead (SS-364) Sealion (SS-315), Tinosa (SS-283) & Pintado (SS-387) plus YC 316.		 USN photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
254 500k Clipping from the March 1950 issue of All Hands magazine of Gurnard (SS-254) before she was towed to Pearl Harbor for reservist duty. Photo & text from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
254 137k The Gurnard (SS-254) as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel sometime between November 1949 thru June 1960 either at Pearl Harbor or Tacoma Washington. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
254 127k The Gurnard (SS-254) as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel sometime between November 1949 thru June 1960 either at Pearl Harbor or Tacoma Washington. Photo from the collection of CWO 4 Benton E. Buell, USN, courtesy of David Buell.
Barbero386kSecond of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SS-317), circa 1960. Note the missile is painted red.
First of all, red missile means training missile with no warhead. No warhead means, no problem regarding classified material. But even beyond that, if you watch the "Regulus" documentary (click here) you will see that we showed the weapons system in depth. It's a completely declass program at this point, with the exception of any data surrounding the nuclear warhead.
In the background lies the Gurnard (SS-254), which served as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel sometime between November 1949 thru June 1960. 		Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Text courtesy of Nick Spark via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
254 591k Old salts of the Gurnard (SS-254). Photo from the collection of Jack E. Markley, USN, RM1C,{Plankowner Gurnard (SS-254)} via John E. Markley.
Fremantle 365k This plaque was unveiled 20 March 1995 by His Excellency Major General P.M. Jeffery OA MC, Governor of Western Australia to commemorate the sacrifices made by Allied submarines that operated out of Fremantle, Western Australia during WW II. Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
View the Gurnard (SS-254)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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