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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch on right contributed by Mike Smolinski, on left by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.)

Scabbardfish (SS-397)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Oscar - Papa

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 27 September 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, on Seavey Island in Kittery, Maine. Launched, 27 January 1944; Commissioned USS Scabbardfish (SS-397), 29 April 1944; along with three other U. S. submarines - Razorback, Redfish and Ronquil - a record 4 submarine launching and christenings in a single day at one shipyard.
In January 1948 she reported to Mare Island Naval Shipyard at Vallejo, CA for decommissioning and "moth-balling" in the Pacific Reserve Fleet. In October 1964, Scabbardfish was re-commissioned at Mare Island for Fleet Snorkel modifications and to receive a new and distinctive "step sail". After conversion, and pursuant to terms of the Security Assistance Program, she once again decommissioned and was transferred (loan) to the Hellenic Republic of Greece.
On 26 February 1965, ex- Scabbardfish was given the name of the trident of the mythical "Ruler of the Seas, Poseidon" and commissioned in the Hellenic Submarine Forces as HS Triaina (S-86) (also transliterated as Triaena). Stricken from the United States Naval Vessel Register (NVR) on 31 January 1976 and the title transferred as a sale to the Hellenic Republic. Removed from active service by the Hellenic Navy on 12 January 1979, but continued to serve as a training vessel until at least 1982. Final fate unknown.
Scabbardfish received five battle starts for World War II service.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Ret.) for NavSource.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced 1,526 t., Submerged 2,391 t.; Length 311' 8"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10 kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2 kts; 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 single 40mm gun mount, one single 20mm gun mount, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear, Fairbanks Morse diesel engines, 5,400 HP, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co. electric main motors with 2,740 shp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Click On Image For Full Size	Size	Image Description	Source
	273k	Ensign Prudence H. Wellman, U.S.N.R., maid of honor, and Ensign Nancy Jane Schetky, U.S.N.R., sponsor for Scabbardfish (SS-397). Launched at Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. on 27 January 1944. She lies now at Arlington.	National Archives Identifier: 12563191 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
	245k	U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. Launching of Scabbardfish (SS-397) on 27 January 1944.	National Archives Identifier: 12563012 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
	123k	Commemorative postal cover marking the quadruple launching of the Razorback (SS-394), Redfish (SS-395), Ronquil (SS-396) & Scabbardfish (SS-397) launching, 27 January 1944 at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
	15k	Commemorative postal cover marking Scabbardfish's (SS-397) launching, 27 January 1944.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
	154k	Preparing for the Christening ceremony aboard the Redfish (SS-395) at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 27 January 1944. Two of the submarines behind the *Redfish* are either the Razorback (SS-394), Ronquil (SS-396) & Scabbardfish (SS-397). All 4 boats were launched that day.	USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
	178k	Miss Ruth Roper holds the bottle at the Christening ceremony aboard the Redfish (SS-395) at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 27 January 1944. Two of the submarines behind the *Redfish* are either the Razorback (SS-394), Ronquil (SS-396) & Scabbardfish (SS-397). All 4 boats were launched that day.	USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
	169k	After completing initial training at Portsmouth N.H., and torpedo trials at Newport R.I., Scabbardfish (SS-397) reported to the Commander, Submarine Force Atlantic, New London, Conn., for advance training and final outfitting. She is seen here underway on 30 May 1944.	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	152k	On 28 November 1944, Scabbardfish (SS-397) sank the Japanese submarine *I-365, picking up one lone survivor named Sasaki. The I-367, seen here, is indicative of the same class as the I-365*.	Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo courtesy of wikimedia.org.
	162k	Portside view of the Scabbardfish (SS-397) underway, and throwing a wash over her bow, circa 1944-45.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
	62k	Battleflag of the Scabbardfish (SS-397), circa 1944-45.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
	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 identify 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
	289k	Inactivated submarines at Mare Island in early 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. Tiru (SS-416) is on the ways in upper left hand side of photo. Two ferry boats (to the right of *Tiru's* ways) are *YHB-2* / [ex-Post of Stockton] and *YHB-21* / [ex-Tamalpais].	Photo i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	179k	Stern view of Scabbardfish (SS-397) off Mare Island on 26 February 1946.	USN photo # 822-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
	165k	Broadside view of Scabbardfish (SS-397) off Mare Island on 26 February 1946. She was in overhaul at the yard from 29 November 1945 to 9 March 1946.	USN photo # 824-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
	187k	Bow on view of Scabbardfish (SS-397) off Mare Island on 26 February 1946.	USN photo # 826-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
0829820	405k	Re-commissioning of Lionfish (SS-298) and Scabbardfish (SS-397) at Mare Island 31 January 1951.	Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
0829821	1.38k	Stern views of the two subs.	Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
0839715	924k	Interesting collection of offficers gathered for the re-commissioning of Lionfish (SS-298) & Scabbardfish (SS-397) at Mare Island on 31 January 1951. Officers are from left to right. Capt. Willis A. Lent � Commander, Mare Island Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet. He wears two Navy Cross Stars (1) Commanding Officer, Grenadier (SS 210) & (2) Commanding Officer, Triton (SS-201) during WWII. LCDR Richard M. Wright � Commanding Officer of Scabbardfish (SS-397). He wears the Silver Star for actions as Asst. Approach Officer of Spadefish (SS 411) WWII and Navy & Marine Corps Medal for his action aboard Cochino (SS 345) in 1948 sinking. RADM Thomas R. Cooley � Deputy Commander, Pacific Reserve Fleet. He wears the Legion of Merit for his action as Commanding Officer, Washington (BB- 56) during WWII. LCDR Arthur G. McIntyre � Commanding Officer, *Lionfish. He wears the Prisoner of War Medal for 22 months as a Japanese prisoner in WWII after sinking of Grenadier*. He also wears a Purple Heart.	Photo from the collection of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
	245k	Photo of the decommissioning ceremonies of Scabbardfish (SS-397) at Mare Island on 27 November 1953. Tinosa (SS-283) is inboard of *Scabbardfish*.	USN photo # 19449-11-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
	71k	Scabbardfish (SS-397) following Guppy conversion, circa 1950's.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
	732k	Five page PDF history of the Scabbardfish (SS-397).	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
HS Triaina (S-86)
	378k	Scabbardfish (SS-397) as the Greek submarine HS Triaina (S-86) underway in Maltese waters, in 1966.	Photo courtesy of A & J Pavia, courtesy of Robert Hurst.
	424k	HS Triaina (S-86) underway in 1970, location unknown.	Official Royal Hellenic Navy photo, courtesy of Robert Hurst.
	286k	HS Triaina (S-86), circa April 1976.	Official Hellenic Navy photo, courtesy of Tony Vrailas.

View the Scabbardfish (SS-397)
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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