NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski.
Stickleback (SS-415)
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 1 March 1944, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Launched, 1 January 1945; Commissioned USS Stickleback (SS-415), 29 March 1945; Decommissioned, 26 June 1946, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned 6 September 1951; Guppy-IIA conversion, 6 November 1952 to 26 June 1953; Rammed by Silverstein (DE-534), 28 May 1958, off Hawaii, while conducting training operations; Final Disposition, sunk from damage sustained in collision: Struck from the Naval Register, 30 June 1958.
Her wreck was located by Tiburon Subsea CEO Tim Taylor along with his "Lost 52 Project" team and released for publication, 10 March 2020. As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced 1,526 t., Submerged 2,391 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 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, four Fairbanks-Morse diesel engines, 5,400hp, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co. electric main motors 2,740hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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350k | Stern view of the Stickleback (SS-415) on the building ways at Mare Island on 4 July 1944. A canceled destroyer escort is on the ways on the right side. | USN photo # 4167-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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201k | Plaque honoring the citizens of Yakima County Washington for their sponsorship and war bond purchases of the Stickleback (SS-415), 27 December 1944. | USN photo # 7959-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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235k | The Sponsor and Maid of Honor for the launching of the Stickleback (SS-415) are seen at the bow of the submarine just prior to her launching at Mare Island on 1 January 1945. Left to right: Mrs. John O. R. Coll (Sponsor) and Miss Elizabeth Canaga (Maid of honor). | USN photo # 10-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 769k | Sponsor and party for Stickleback (SS-415) launching. | USN photo # 80-G-448215 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert | |
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231k | Stickleback (SS-415) on the building ways prior to her launching at Mare Island on 1 January 1945. | USN photo # 12-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 587k | Stickleback (SS-415) halfway down the building ways. | USN photo # 80-G-448216 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert | |
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231k | Stickleback (SS-415) enters the water upon her launching at Mare Island on 1 January 1945. | USN photo # 21-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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211k | Stickleback (SS-415) at her outfitting berth at Mare Island on 8 January 1945. Nereus (AS-17) is berthed aft of Stickleback at her outfitting berth. | USN photo # 285-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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211k | Capt. Cook, Captain of the Yard, Mare Island, places the Stickleback (SS-415) into commission at the yard on 29 March 1945. Stickleback's first commanding officer, CDR Lawrence G. Bernard is to the far right. | USN photo # 2255-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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57k | Stickleback (SS-415) sometime between her launching and commissioning, January - March 1945. | USN / USNI photo. | |
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462k | Stickleback (SS-415) possibly sometime between her launching and commissioning, January - March 1945. There seems to be a small craft heading the other way barely seen behind the conning tower. You can see its wake leading from left to right up to the conning tower. |
Photo from the private collection of Ric Hedman. | |
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196k | Stern view of Stickleback (SS-415) departing Mare Island on 25 May 1945. | USN photo # 4010-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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188k | Broadside view of Stickleback (SS-415) departing Mare Island on 25 May 1945. | USN photo # 4012-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
 | 543k | Stickleback (SS-415) viewed from the airship ZP-31 on 29 May 1945 at an altitude of 300 feet. | USN photos # 80-G-323884 & 323883 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
 | 1.05k | Portside views of the Stickleback (SS-415) from the airship ZP-31 on 29 May 1945 at an altitude of 300 feet. | USN photos # 80-G-323881 & 323882 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert. | |
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248k | Photo of diving control station aboard Stickleback (SS-415) at Mare Island on 13 June 1945. | USN photo # 4465-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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295k | Photo of starboard side of main control cubicle aboard Stickleback (SS-415) at Mare Island on 13 June 1945. | USN photo # 4466-45, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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325k | Stickleback (SS-415) had only been in her patrol area in the Sea of Japan for two days when the cease-fire order was passed on 15 August 1945. She remained in the area and, on 21 August, sighted two bamboo rafts containing 19 survivors of a freighter which had been sunk 10 days before by Jallao (SS-368). They were taken on board for 18 hours, given food, water, medical treatment, and set afloat again a short distance from one of the Japanese islands. This photo shows the rescued men on the fore-deck of the Stickleback receiving aid. The two rafts were pulled aboard and lashed to the aft decks. Upon commissioning the crew was replaced, almost to the man, by the crew from the Salmon (SS-182) who was so badly damaged by Japanese attacks that she never dove again and was decommissioned an operational loss. In reward for bringing the highly damaged submarine home the crew was rewarded with a brand new boat and were sent out on another war patrol with Stickleback. Her only war patrol as it urned out. |
Photo taken by Francis H. Beaumont TM/2 of the Salmon (SS-182) and Stickleback (SS-415). Photo & text from the personal collection of Ric Hedman. |
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197k | Stickleback (SS-415) was only on station for two days on her first war patrol in the Sea of Japan when WW II ended. She had been crewed almost in entirety by the former crew of the Salmon (SS-182) upon commissioning. I'm sure that was a disappointed pre-comm crew. This photo was taken in the Sea of Japan in August 1945. The war ended on 15 August. Photo probably about the 19th or 20th of August. | Photo from the personal collection of Ric Hedman. | |
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43k | A Stickleback poses on the Stickleback's (SS-415) conning tower, circa end 1945. | Photo courtesy of H. F. Carlson, submitted by Gary Carlson. | |
 | 97k | The Oakland (CL-95) docking in Oakland, California, her name sake city, on 20 October 1945 returning home after World War Two. The three subs in the photo are (from left) - Thresher (SS-200), Kraken (SS-370), and Stickleback (SS-415). | Photo i.d. courtesy of Robert Morgan, & Ric Hedman & David Johnston Photo courtesy of Mike Brock via Tom Bateman. |
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 | 137k | Reserve 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. | |
 | 453k | Photo 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. | |
 | 203k | Sawfish (SS-276) & Stickleback (SS-415) in dry dock #1 between 26 April & 29 May 1946 at Mare Island. | Photo i.d. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
 | 227k | The Icefish (SS-367) in the Mare Island Reserve Fleet on 13 October 1948. The other subs outbaord of Icefish are Jallao (SS-368), Trepang (SS-412), Spot (SS-413) and Stickleback (SS-415). | USN photo # 1916-10-48, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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177k | 1951 photo of the Stickleback (SS-415) taken in San Diego before her 1952 Guppy Snorkle conversion. She was recommissioned in Mare Island on 9/6/51 and served with SubSqn 5 Nereus (AS-17) in San Diego before returning to Mare Island for her conversion in November 1952. | Photo and text courtesy of Forrest J. Watson ex-ET2(SS). | |
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49k | Stickleback (SS-415), moored at Yokosuka, Japan, 1952. | Courtesy of Grant Riddle's submarinebaseph.com | |
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34k | Stickleback (SS-415), (as seen from the Caiman (SS-323),while conducting torpedo tests) was specially outfitted to be a torpedo target for testing sonic torpedoes. The outer hull had been reinforced with 1" thick steel (the normal outer tank shell was only 1/4" thick). We conducted operations with the Stickleback off Lahaina to test the homing capabilities of the new electric sonic guided torpedoes. We actually shot unarmed torpedoes at her with the expectation they would impact her hull near the screws. Here she is seen surfacing off the west coast of Maui after serving as target for our torpedoes. We fired the torpedoes while on the surface in order to monitor the torpedo track. We had observers standing on the stern and fired out of the stern tubes. Circa 1953. | Courtesy of Grant Riddle's submarinebaseph.com | |
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117k | LCDR R. H. Gumon assumes command of the Stickleback (SS-415) at her re-commissioning at Mare Island on 26 June 1953 following her Guppy IIA conversion. Officers in the background are (left to right): RADM L. S. Fiske (Mare Island Area Commander), RADM A. M. Morgan (shipyard Commander), Capt. E. S. Carmick (Director of Maintenance MSTS - Speaker) and Capt. W. T. Singer (Administrative Officer). | USN photo # 17911-6-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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403k | Forward port quarter view of Stickleback (SS-415) in Mare Island channel on 1 August 1953. | USN photo # 18287-8-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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123k | Bow on view of Stickleback (SS-415) departing Mare Island on 1 August 1953. | USN photo # 18286-8-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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141k | Stern view of Stickleback (SS-415) departing Mare Island on 1 August 1953. | USN photo # 18290-8-53, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker. | |
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1.64k | Stickleback (SS-415), moored, Pearl Harbor, HI., early 50's. | Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
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453k | Stickleback (SS-415) in October 1956. | Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
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1.13k | Broadside view of the Stickleback (SS-415). | Photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
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694k | Stickleback (SS-415) operating not too far from shore somewhere in the Pacific. No date photo was taken nor location, but is marked "Received 10 April 1957". | USN photo from Photo Lab, Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. Photo release No. 159-P-55, courtesy of David Buell. | |
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765k | 9 photo PDF of various views of the Stickleback (SS-415) & Silverstein (DE-534) off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | Photos courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
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700k | The Sabalo (SS-302) comes to the aid of the Stickleback (SS-415), after being rammed by Silverstein (DE-534) off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). | |
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409k | The Stickleback (SS-415) with the bow of the Silverstein (DE-534) parked on her deck, off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | USN photo 80-G-1036255 courtesy of oneternalpatrol.com. | |
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111k | Stickleback (SS-415), after being rammed by Silverstein (DE-534) off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | Courtesy of George M. Arnold. | |
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417k | The Stickleback (SS-415) with the bow of the Silverstein (DE-534) parked on her deck, off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | USN photo 80-G-1036255 courtesy of oneternalpatrol.com. | |
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82k | Crew of the Stickleback (SS-415) making ready to secure lines alongside the Silverstein (DE-534), off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | USN photo courtesy of oneternalpatrol.com. | |
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725k | The Stickleback's (SS-415) crew evacuate the boat after being rammed by Silverstein (DE-534) off Honolulu, HI, 30 May 1958. | USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. | |
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416k | Silverstein (DE-534) backed full and put her rudder hard left in an effort to avoid a collision but holed the Stickleback (SS-415) on her port side. | Text courtesy of DANFS. USN photo # 80-G-1036244 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com. |
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62k | Commemorative photo in memory of the Stickleback (SS-415). | Photo courtesy of Tom Kermen. | |
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771k | 4 photo PDF of Stickleback (SS-415) found off Honolulu, HI, almost 11,000 feet down on 10 March 2020. | Courtesy of prnewswire.com | |
View the Stickleback (SS-415)
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
Guppy Submarines
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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