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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patch created by Ray Young of Manitowoc, WI, contributed by William Young.

Menhaden (SS-377)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Lima - Juliet
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 21 June 1944, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 20 December 1944; Commissioned USS Menhaden (SS-377), 22 June 1945; Decommissioned, 31 May 1946, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet at Mare Island; Recommissioned, 7 August 1951; Decommissioned, 13 August 1952, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA., for Guppy IIA conversion; Recommissioned, 6 March 1953; Decommissioned, 13 August 1971; Struck from the Naval Register, 15 August 1973; Final Disposition, used as a tethered underwater target at Keyport, WA. In 1988 sunk due to a leaking main ballast tank vent valve when she was being cut up for scrap, when the tide came in, the Menhaden (SS-377) was not able to float fast enough to avoid being flooded through all of the holes cut through her pressure hull. The city of Everett, Washington, eventually finished scrapping the abandoned hulk.

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, 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes; one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, one 20mm gun; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator engines, 5,400hp, Fuel Capacity 118,000 gals., four General Electric main motors with 2,740hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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Menhaden265kInsignia of the Menhaden (SS-377) 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, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245), for allowing these photographs to be seen by the lovers of naval history worldwide.
Menhaden401kMenhaden (SS-377), at launching at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, 20 December 1944. Shown: Miss Mirium R. Johnson.USN photo # 80-G-409544 courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
Menhaden197kMenhaden (SS-377) starts her slide into the Manitowoc River at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 20 December 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
Menhaden55kMenhaden (SS-377) waterborne after being side launched at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 20 December 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)
Menhaden29kMenhaden (SS-377) underway during sea trials in Lake Michigan, January, 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)
Guavina150kMenhaden (SS-377) underway during sea trials in Lake Michigan, January, 1945.Photo by Harry Berns, Official photographer of the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., courtesy of Robert E. Straub, RM2SS, Guavina SS-362 (August 1944 to August 1946). Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Manitowoc974kMenhaden's (SS-377) Commissioning Party on 15 June 1945.PDF courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Menhaden11kCommemorative postal cover on the occasion of the commissioning of the Menhaden (SS-377), 22 June 1945.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Menhaden52kMenhaden (SS-377), crew photo (plank-owners) at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., June 22nd, 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)
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.
Menhaden53kMenhaden (SS-377), surfacing from the depths of Lake Michigan during sea trials, June, 1945.Courtesy of Dave Carpenter.
Manta 32k Menhaden (SS-377) inboard & Manta (SS-299) on Navy Day at Kahului, Maui Hawaii on 27 October 45. Photo courtesy of Lori Mansfield, wife of John Mansfield, Jr., RM2(SS), Menhaden (SS-377), 1963-65 & Darryl L. Baker. Pamphlet courtesy of Judy Conrad, Ishpeming, Michigan / infomagic.net.
Menhaden 285k Admiral's farewell. Taking command as CinCPac in January 1942, Admiral Nimitz raised his flag on the Grayling (SS-209). He relinquishes command (scene above) boarding the Menhaden (SS-377) to haul down his flag on 24 November 1945. The Dentuda (SS-335) is on the other side of the wharf. The ship at the end of the pier is the Begor (APD-127).
Note: Quite a few people participated in trying to identify the Dentuda. Special thanks go to Ira M. King for finally identifying the boat, Dave Carpenter, Les Guille, Dave McClintock Jr., Jim Clepper, O.H. Wright & David Johnston (USN, retired) & Darryl L. Baker. & Aryeh Wetherhorn.		 USN photo # USN 31998, courtesy of George Scheer & Darryl L. Baker. via Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Menhaden58kA news clipping from the 5 June 1946 edition of the Vallejo Times Herald showing presentation of flags at the decommissioning of Menhaden (SS-377) at Mare Island. 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 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.
Menhaden547kLCDR Ralph J. Johns, Jr. reading his orders during the commissioning of the Menhaden (SS-377) at Mare Island on 7 August 1951.Photo from the file of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden119k Re-commissioning ceremonies aboard Menhaden (SS-377) at Mare Island on 7 August 1951.USN photo # 10056-8-51, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden958kRADM Charles (Swede) B. Momsen, COMSUBPAC, speaks at the commissioning of Menhaden (SS-377) at Mare Island on 6 March 1953. Left to right: Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz is to the far left, RADM Leon S. Fiske, Mare Island Area Commander, RADM Armand M. Morgan, Commander Mare Island Shipyard, and an unknown officer. Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden686kLCDR Richard Werner, Commanding Officer of Menhaden (SS-377) reads his orders during the commissioning of the ship at Mare Island on 6 March 1953. Left to right: Fleet Admiral Chester W, Nimitz is to the far left, RADM Charles (Swede) B. Momsen, COMSUBPAC, RADM Leon S. Fiske, Mare Island Area Commander, RADM Arman M. Morgan, Commander Mare Island Shipyard, and an unknown officer.Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden863kFleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz arrives aboard Menhaden (SS-377) for the commissioning of the ship at Mare Island on 6 March 1953. Left to Right: LCDR James Osborn, CO-Tunny (SSG-282), LCDR Richard Werner, CO – Menhaden, Unknown officer and RADM Leon S. Fiske follows Fleet Admiral Nimitz.Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden808kLCDR Richard Werner, Commanding Officer of Menhaden (SS-377), Mrs. Richard Werner, Mrs. Russell F. O'Hara, Mrs. Douglas Y Munnikhuysen, LT Douglas Y. Munnikhuysen, Executive Officer of Menhaden at the commissioning reception for Menhaden at Mare Island on 6 March 1953.Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden961kMenhaden (SS-377) and Tunny (SSG-282) during re-commissioning ceremony at Mare Island on 6 March 1953.Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
MINSY 71kPhoto of Fleet Admiral Chester A. Nimitz at the commissioning ceremonies of Menhaden (SS-377), forward section of sail visible to the right, and Tunny (SSG-282), outboard of Menhaden, at Mare Island on 9 March 1953. From left to right: Elizabeth A. Murphy, Fleet Adm Nimitz, Harry J. Murphy, and RADM L. S. Fiske (Mare Island Area Commander). USN photo # 16473-3-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden88kMenhaden (SS-377) was recommissioned on 7th August 1951, under the command of Lieutenant Commander R. G. Johns. She was assigned to Submarine Squadron 5 in San Diego, and participated in local operations until 13th August 1952, when she was again placed out of commission at Mare Island.Photo & text courtesy of Al Riebolt, QMSN, Menhaden, 6/52-8/52 via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Menhaden50kMenhaden (SS-377),stern view underway for Guppy IIA conversion surface trials, March, 1953.Courtesy of Dave Carpenter.
Menhaden100kStern view on Menhaden (SS-377) departing Mare Island on 4 May 1953. USN photo # 17317-5-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden62kMenhaden (SS-377) is shown off Mare Island on her bay trials after conversion to Guppy IIA on 4 May 1953. USN photo # 17314-5-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden 99k Segundo (SS-398), Razorback (SS-394), and Menhaden (SS-377), in San Diego Harbor, circa 1953. Courtesy of Phil Gulick, former 1st Amphib Recon Company member aboard the Perch (SS-313).
Bashaw 111k Bashaw (SSK-241), with Bream (SSK-243), Segundo (SS-398), Razorback (SS-394), and Menhaden (SS-377), in San Diego Harbor, circa 1953. Courtesy of Phil Gulick, former 1st Amphib Recon Company member aboard the Perch (SS-313).
Sea Dogs706k View of the re-commissioning of Sea Fox (SS-402) at Mare Island on 5 June 1953. Submarine forward of Sea Fox is Menhaden (SS-377) with YRB-14 and YRB-12 outboard of her.USN photo # 17775-6-53 TH, from the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden264kStern view of Pomodon (SS-486) and Menhaden (SS-377) holding open house at Mare Island on 18 September 1954 during the Shipyards' Centennial Celebration. USN photo # 23882-12-54, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Menhaden153k "...the date is 1956. Menhaden (SS-377), the Rodgers (DD-876), a P5M-1 and a Casablanca Class Carrier in the background. Photo courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Menhaden451kMenhaden (SS-377) in the Pacific, 9 July 1957.USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Menhaden204kStarboard side view of the Menhaden (SS-377) underway, circa 1961. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Sperry 666k Sperry (AS-12) moored in the harbor at San Diego CA., in 1962 with submarines on her port side, from outboard to inboard,
Bugara (SS-331)
Caiman (SS-323)
Ronquil (SS-396)
Charr (SS-328)
Sea Fox (SS-402) and
Menhaden (SS-377).		 Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Bream & Menhaden 156k Starboard view of the Bream (SS-243), with the Menhaden (SS-377) outboard, as they appeared from the cigarette deck of the Archerfish (AGSS-311) in Pearl Harbor in late August 1963. Photo courtesy of Fred Firks and submitted by Ken Henry.
Menhaden961kBroadside view of the Menhaden (SS-377), date and place unknown. Photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Who Am I?360kBallast Point: It is circa 1968. Identifiable are the submarine tenders Sperry (AS-12) moored next to Nereus (AS-17), with the 2nd boat outboard of her is the Bream (SS-243). In the left foreground is the Menhaden (SS-377). All of the submarines in the photo have had some type of "Guppy" conversion. USN photo courtesy of Robert M. Cieri. Text i.d. courtesy of Sait Kucuk.
Menhaden66kMenhaden (SS-377), entering or leaving the area of Hospital Point which borders the channel entering Pearl Harbor, circa 1970.Text courtesy of Joel Staggs, ETCM (SS) Silent Service Retired. Menhaden (SS-377) crew member 67-68. Photo courtesy of Dave Carpenter.
Menhaden30k Les Guille, Menhaden (SS-377) last commanding officer, salutes the crew and colors at the decommissioning ceremony 13 August 1971.Courtesy of Dave Carpenter.
Menhaden 773k In December of 1976, Menhaden (SS-377) was towed from California to the state of Washington to begin a new career as the Yellow Submarine. The boat, stripped of her engines and painted yellow, was operated by the Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Station in Keyport, Washington. Menhaden, affectionately referred to as "The Hulk," served as a remotely controlled, unmanned acoustic test vehicle capable of submerging to moderate depths in support of undersea weapons testing, and as a target ship to train Trident submarine crews off the coast of Washington to enable easier damage assessment. Tug is a torpedo retrieval boat. Text courtesy of Dave Carpenter.
Clipping from Navy Times Magazine about the Menhaden (SS-377), submitted by Ron Reeves (of blessed memory), HTC, USN, Retired.
Source: United States National Archives, Photo No. KN-25569 via Mike Green.
Menhaden40kMenhaden (SS-377) at the Explosive Handling Wharf, Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington, in the early 1980's. Text courtesy of Dave Carpenter. Photo courtesy of Les Guille.
Menhaden272kMenhaden (SS-377) at Naval Submarine Base, Bangor, Washington, in the early 1980's.Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Menhaden36k Menhaden (SS-377) being scrapped in Everett, Washington. Photo courtesy of Bill "Stretch" Osberg, FTG2(SS), Segundo (SS-398), 1962-66) and Dave Carpenter.
Menhaden823kMenhaden (SS-377) in the last stages of her existence, 25 January 1990.USN photo # DN-SC-90-03977 courtesy of defenseimagery.mil via Stephen Gower.
View the Menhaden (SS-377)
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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