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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on left contributed by Mike Smolinski, center by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.), on right by Ray Young.

Lamprey (SS-372)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Juliet - Whiskey
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 22 February 1944, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 18 June 1944; Commissioned USS Lamprey (SS-372), 17 November 1944; Decommissioned, 3 June 1946, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; was transferred on loan to Argentina 21 August 1960 and became the Santiago Del Estero (S-12). Returned to US Navy custody, 1 September 1971, to be struck from the Naval Register, and sold outright to Argentina; Final Disposition, broken up in 1971 for use as spare parts. Lamprey received four battle stars for World War II service.
Note: Corrections to photo and text data were supplied by John D. Alden, author of The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy: A Design and Construction History
Mr. Alden served on the Lamprey from her commissioning to decommissioning.

As built to the 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; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm, one 20mm, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; ; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator diesel engines, 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gals., four General Electric main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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Lamprey 71k Commemorative post cover issued on the Lamprey's (SS-372) keel laying, 22 February 1944, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Note that the cancellation date is the 23rd of February.		 Photo courtesy of Paul Petosky.
Lamprey222kInsignia of the Lamprey (SS-372) designed for the submarine by Ray Young, circa 1944. Photo by Ray Young, courtesy of his son, William Young.
372, 373 & 37765kLamprey (SS-372), under construction, left hand side in the water, at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., April-May, 1944. The crane is holding a subsection of the Menhaden (SS-377) and the Lizzardfish (SS-373) is on the building ways on the right.Editors Note: There are over 200 images submitted on these pages covering the following submarines that were constructed at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI,: SS-265 through SS-274, and SS-361 through SS-380.
None of them would have seen the light of day if it were not for the efforts of Curator, Asst. Director, Bill Thiesen and Larry Bohn who sent them to NavSource for publication.
A special debt of gratitude is owed to these two men and the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245), for allowing these photographs to be seen by the lovers of naval history worldwide.
Lamprey
0837209		618kMrs. W.T. Nelson, sponsor of the Manitowoc built submarine Lamprey (SS-372), walking through crowd at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company on 18 June 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
This photo # P70-7-536, can be ordered from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Lamprey
0837215		495kMrs. W.T. Nelson, sponsor of the Manitowoc built submarine Lamprey (SS-372) with family group on launching platform at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company on 18 June 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
This photo # P70-7-537, can be ordered from the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
Lamprey 424k Lamprey (SS-372) at launching at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 18 June 1944. Shown: W. T. Nelson, christening. USN photo # 80-G-409533 courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
Lamprey95kLamprey (SS-372), ablaze with bunting and bedecked with signal flags, starboard bow view on the launching platform at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 18 June 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Lamprey130kCrowds start to gather for the launching of the Lamprey (SS-372) while preliminary inspections are made, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 18 June 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Lamprey118kThe weight of the launching timbers incline as the Lamprey (SS-372) starts to tip over into the waters of the Manitowoc River, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 18 June 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Lamprey333kLamprey (SS-372) splashes into the waters of the Manitowoc River at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 18 June 1944. Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Manitowoc55k Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat. Courtesy of submarineart.com
Lamprey443kLamprey (SS-372) finds her weight and rights herself immediately after launching at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 18 June 1944. Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Lamprey17kCommemorative postal cover on the occasion of the launching of the Lamprey (SS-372), 18 June 1944. Courtesy of Jack Tretule.
Lamprey
0837221		1.22kLamprey (SS-372) Crew and Spouses at her launching. William and Virginia Morast, top row center left. Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey92kLamprey (SS-372) on sea trials in Lake Michigan, circa June 1944.
John D. Alden, author of The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy: A Design and Construction History comments that "the SS radar is aft of the scopes and looks like the Lamprey except for what appears to be a 40mm gun on the cigarette deck. We didn't receive ours until after the 1st patrol, when it was mounted forward of the bridge." 		National Archives photo # 019-N-76599, courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Lamprey43kPlankowners pose on board the Lamprey (SS-372) for her commissioning photo at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 17 November 1944. Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245).
John D. Alden, author of The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy: A Design and Construction History is the officer 7th from left.
Lamprey58kLamprey's (SS-372) emblem and crew signatures, circa November 1944.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
Submitted by Larry Bohn, courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, home of the Cobia (SS-245)
Harry Berns485kPhoto of Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.
The photo of the Golet (SS-361) encased in snow appears on the wall above him on the upper right.
His obituary appears here.		Photo courtesy of Susan Menk, Archives Assistant, Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Dee Anna Grimsrud,Reference Archivist, Wisconsin Historical Society, Steve Khail, CBC, Director of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, The Manitowoc Company, Inc. & William Young.
Lamprey17kCommemorative postal cover on the occasion of the commissioning of the Lamprey (SS-372), 17 November 1944. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Lamprey
0837225		303kLamprey's (SS-372) 1st CO, William T. Nelson. Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey
0837226		1.71kLamprey (SS-372) sends Greetings! 25 November 1944.Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey
0837227		386kWilliam D. Morast spends a day at the office.Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey
0837222		363k William D. Morast shirtless in center with buddies on deck of the Lamprey (SS-372). Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey
0837224		10.3k6 photo PDF of Sampan boarding by Lamprey's (SS-372) crew. Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lamprey
0837223		283k Around Perth, Australia, after the Lamprey's (SS-372) first war patrol, the crew picked up a dingo and brought it back to the sub.
They named him Gilley after a popular drink the sailors concocted in Australia from steam powered torpedo fuel. There was an oil added that would make you sick if you drank it. The sailors made crude stills to make it drinkable. Called gilley stills the resulting drink was called Gilley. Add pineapple juice and you had Torpedo Juice.
The crew taught Gilley to attack a pair of khaki pants. They would shake the pants and yell "Get it, get it". Submarine officers and chiefs wore khaki pants. When one of them would put their leg through the control room hatch the crew would tell Gilley to get it and he would grab the pantleg and shake the heck out of it.
Gilley was allowed on deck for the first time after a patrol entering Subic Bay in the Philippines. The sub was maneuvering to position itself for docking. Gilley was chasing seagulls up and down the deck and chased one toward the stern. He jumped off the stern into the water after the bird. The propellers heavily churned up the waters and Gilley disappeared! Everyone was stunned thinking they had lost their dog. Suddenly a long way astern the dog popped up. They maneuvered the sub around and picked up their mascot.
Gilley made two more patrols with them. When they returned to the States Gunners Mate Johnson had Gilley inspected and permitted and took the veteran dingo home with him. 		Photo courtesy of William D. Morast, plankowner, via his son Steve Morast.
Lizardfish and friends 85k L X 3: Lizardfish (SS-373), Loggerhead (SS-374) & Lamprey (SS-372). The Lizardfish arrived Subic Bay, Philippines, 6 August and was there when Japan capitulated 9 days later. Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo courtesy Lizardfish (SS-373) plankowner Walter H. Mead via his son, Scott Mead.
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.
Lamprey257kPost war, port side view of the Lamprey (SS-372).Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired)
Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
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).
Santiago Del Estero (S-12)
S 11 & 12 195k Left to right ex-Macabi (SS-375) as the Santa Fe (S-11), Sennet (SS-408) & ex-Lamprey (SS-372) as the Santiago Del Estero (S-12), 30 September, 1963. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Catfish 232k Undated image of the submarines ex-Catfish (SS-339), Santa Fe (S-11) and ex-Lamprey (SS-372), Santiago Del Estero (S-12), at Mar del Plata. Photo courtesy of histarmar.com.ar via Robert Hurst.
Lamprey96kSantiago Del Estero (S-12) at anchor at Mar del Plata naval base, circa 1969. Photo and text from The World Encyclopedia of Submarines by John Parker courtesy of Robert Hurst.
S 11 & 12 101k Santiago Del Estero (S-12) & Santa Fe (S-11) tied-up alongside side each other during a ceremony at Mar del Plata, July 1970. Note the different sails of the two submarines. Photo i.d. courtesy of Larry Derouin.
Photo courtesy of histarmar.com.ar via Robert Hurst.
View the Lamprey (SS-372)
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
Manitowoc Built Submarines
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