Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster.
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.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on left created by Ray Young of Manitowoc, WI, contributed by William Young.
Patch in middle created by Mike Smolinski. Patch on right by Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.

Mapiro (SS-376)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Kilo - Oscar
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 30 May 1944, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 9 November 1944; Commissioned USS Mapiro (SS-376), 30 April 1945; After shakedown on Lake Michigan, she entered a floating dry dock at Lockport, IL to be towed down Illinois and Mississippi River systems to Algiers Naval Station at New Orleans, LA. Readied for duty in South Pacific, sailed for Panama Canal on 31 May 1945. Decommissioned 16 March 1946 and laid up at Mare Island Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet and partly received there in 1960 GUPPY (snorkel) configuration. The Mapiro did not complete the snorkel process and remained a Fleet boat.
Mapiro was transferred (lease) to the Republic of Turkey under the Military Assistance Program on 18 March 1960. After 2 months of training of Turkish crew, she departed for Istanbul. Commissioned in Turkish Navy as TCG Pirireis (S-343) (note: named after Ottoman Empire Admiral (ca. 1465 - 1554) on 24 June 1960 at Golcuk Navy Yard, Turkey. On 1 August 1973, ex-Mapiro was struck from the U. S. Naval Vessel Registry and permanently transferred (cash sale) to Turkey. Decommissioned from Turkish Navy on 20 November 1973. The boat was then renamed Pirireis Y-1242) and became a Facility charging boat. Final disposition: She completed charging facility duty in 1975; 1980 scrapped by MKE Co. Golcuk Turkey.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret.), Sait Kucuk CPOS (Ret.),Turkish Navy & & Yves Hubert for NavSource.

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.
Click On Image
For Full Size		SizeImage DescriptionSource
Mapiro206kInsignia of the Mapiro (SS-376) designed for the submarine by Ray Young, circa 1944.
 Photo by Ray Young, courtesy of his son, William Young.
Mapiro121kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Mapiro's (SS-376) keel laying on 30 May 1944, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.Photo courtesy of Paul Petosky.
Mapiro16kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Mapiro's (SS-376) launching at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 9 November 1944.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Mapiro78k Crowds gather on a foggy day for the christening and launching of the Mapiro (SS-376), at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 9 November 1944.
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.
Mapiro78kMapiro (SS-376), port bow view on the launching ways at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 9 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)
Mapiro80kMapiro (SS-376), starts her roll into the waters of the Manitowoc River as the launching timbers are pushed up and over by her weight at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 9 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)
Manitowoc55k Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat. Courtesy of submarineart.com
Mapiro145k People start to gather on deck as the Mapiro (SS-376), becomes bouyant on the waters of the Manitowoc River at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 9 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)
Mapiro16kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Mapiro's (SS-376) commissioning, 30 April 1945. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Mapiro54k Mapiro (SS-376), starboard view undergoing sea trials on the waters of Lake Michigan, 15 June 1945.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)
Mapiro50k Mapiro (SS-376), starboard quarter view undergoing sea trials on the waters of Lake Michigan, 15 June 1945.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)
Mapiro154kMapiro (SS-376), broadside view undergoing sea trials on the waters of Lake Michigan, 15 June 1945.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Mapiro59kMapiro (SS-376), view from after cigarette deck looking aft over twin 20mm mount, deck gun on after deck is 5"25 on Lake Michigan, where the ship was under going sea trials.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)
Mapiro50kMapiro (SS-376), view of the conning tower overlooking the forward 40mm. mount on Lake Michigan where the ship was undergoing sea trials.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.
Unknown Photos 1.18k The table below lists the location of submarines at Mare Island on 20 September 1945. This information was pulled from microfiche copies of the hand written shipyard journals. I’m surprised that both the clipping and my table show 21 subs at the yard on the date in question. The photo is looking north and berth 3 is at the top of the photo and then the berths run down or south.
Berth 3 - Springer (SS-414) & Spadefish (SS-411)
Berth 4 - Guavina (SS-362) & Barbero (SS-317)
Berth 5 - Hammerhead (SS-364), Tinosa (SS-283), Mapiro (SS-376) & Moray (SS-300)
Berth 6 - Bream (SS-243), Seahorse (SS-304), Batfish (SS-310) & Aspro (SS-309)
Berth 7 - Pomfret (SS-391), Parche (SS-384) & Sunfish (SS-281)
Berth 8 - Queenfish (SS-393)
Berth 9 - Lionfish (SS-298) & Plaice (SS-390)
Dry Dock 1 - Bashaw (SS-241) & Mingo (SS-261)
Berth 12 - Guitarro (SS-363).		 Photo i.d. & text courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
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.
Piranha 368k Post war predator photo of Piranha (SS-389), Moray (SS-300), Mapiro (SS-376), Baya (SS-318) & Jallao (SS-368). USN photo courtesy of subasepearl.com. via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Mare Island Reserve Fleet 173k Submarines aft of unidentified submarine in foreground at Mare Island Reserve Fleet on 28 September 1950 are:
Left to right: Dragonet (SS-293), Menhaden (SS-377), Mapiro (SS-376), Seahorse (SS-304), Sand Lance (SS-381), Batfish (SS-310), Capitaine (SS-336), Pipefish (SS-388) and Manta (SS-299).		 USN photo # 6988-9-50, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mero278kWoodrow W. Wert TMC served on the last US Navy crew before the sub's transfer to the Turkish Navy.
He apparently participated in transfer ceremony. He appears (far right), with two Turkish crew members of the Pirireis (S-343) and a member of the crew of the former Mapiro (SS-376). It was taken immediately following the ceremony.
Piece of the plank: ex-Mapiro (SS-376).		Photo courtesy of his son, Charles R. Wert.
TCG Pirireis (S-343)
Mapiro118kFront & back covers of the transfer ceremony of the ex-Mapiro (SS-376), to be renamed the Pirireis (S-343), 18 March 1960. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro296k Mapiro (SS-376) and Mero (SS-378) transfer to Turkey San Francisco CA. 18 March 1960.
In the background the ex-Tilefish (SS-307) soon to be the ARV Carite (S-11) is being overhauled near a destroyer. She joined the Venezuelan Navy 4 May 1960. 		Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro256k Mapiro (SS-376) transfer to Turkey San Francisco CA. 18 March 1960.Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro101kThe Pirireis (S-343) makes her way back to Turkey via the locks of the Panama Canal, March 1960.Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro86kThe Pirireis (S-343) makes her way back to Turkey via the locks of the Panama Canal, March 1960. CPO's pose for group photo. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro96k Pirireis (S-343), post March 1960 after transfer to Turkey.USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Mapiro128k The Pirireis (S-343) backdroped by Yassi Ada Island in 1961.Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro99kUndated photo of the Pirireis (S-343) in front of Golcuk Naval base.Photo courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro57kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Pirireis (S-343) in the Turkisn Navy. Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Family 67k Turkish submarine family photo shows the following six boats from pier to outboard:
Cerbe (S-341), ex-Hammerhead (SS-364),
Inonu (S-331), ex-Blueback (SS-326),
Gur (S-334), ex-Chub (SS-329),
Preveze (S-340), ex-Guitarro (SS-363),
Sakarya (S-332), ex-Boarfish (SS-327),
with Pirireis (Y-1242) as Facility charging boat, the ex-Mapiro (SS-376). 		Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Photo i.d. & text courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mero200kThree subs moored together:
First boat outboard is the ex-Guitarro (SS-363) as the Turkish Preveze (S-340),
Middle boat is the ex-Mapiro (SS-376), as the Pirireis (S-343),
The ex-Mero (SS-378) is now the Hizirreis (S-344) & is flagdrapped by the Turkish national ensign on the 77 th Submarine reunion day ceremony on the Subbase pier, 23 June 1963. 		Photo courtesy of Cu"neyt Demir.
Photo i.d. courtesy of Sait Kucuk, CPOS (Retired),Turkish Navy.
Mapiro355kThe Pirireis (S-343) underway in 1971. Official Turkish Navy photo courtesy of Robert Hurst.
View the Mapiro (SS-376)
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
HISTORIC SUBMARINE DOCUMENTARY AND TRAINING FILMS
Manitowoc Built Submarines
Back To The Main Photo IndexBack 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.