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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Contributed by Don McGrogan, BMCS, USN (ret.)

Salmon (SS-182)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Quebec - Oscar
Salmon Class Submarine: Laid down, 15 April 1936, at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.; Launched, 12 June 1937; Commissioned, USS Salmon (SS-182), 15 March 1938; Decommissioned, 24 September 1945; Struck from the Naval Register, 11 October 1945; Final Disposition, scrapped 4 April 1946. Salmon earned nine battle stars for World War II service in the Asiatic-Pacific area.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,449 t., Submerged: 2,198 t.; Length 308' ; Beam 26' 1"; Draft 14' 2"; Speed, Surfaced 21 kts, Submerged 9 kts; Complement 5 Officers 50 Enlisted; Armament, eight 21" torpedo tubes, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50 caliber machine guns, two .30 caliber machine guns; Propulsion, diesel-electric, four Hoover, Owens, Rentschler Co. diesel engines, (replaced in 1943-1944 with four General Motors 278A diesel engines), 5,500 hp, Fuel Capacity, 96,025 gals. four Elliot Motor Co. electric motors, 3,300 hp, Battery Cells 252, twin propellers.
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SS 182 201k Model of submarine, possibly of the Salmon (SS-182) class.
There was a lot of artistic license in this rendering.		 Photo 5a09351u / LC-G612-T-43385 from the Gottscho-Schleisner Collection of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Washington, D.C.
Partial text courtesy of David Johnston
SS 182 20k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of the keel laying of the Salmon (SS-182), 15 April 1936, at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 182 224k The Salmon (SS-182) was sponsored by Miss Hester Laning on 12 June 1937. Unfortunatley I could not find her sponsoring the Salmon, but she appears here, 4th from the left practicing for the future event when she appeared in the Brooklyn (CL-40) Sponsor's Party: L - R, November 1936. Rear Admiral F. R. Lackey, Mrs. Harris Laning, Admiral W. H. Standley, Miss Hester Laning, Miss Kathryn Jane Lackey, Miss Dorothea Legenhousen, Rear Admiral Harris Laning, Mrs. F. R. Lackey, Photo courtesy of flickr.com.
SS 182 61k Stern view of the Salmon (SS-182) ready for launching, at the Electric Boat Company shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, 12 June 1937. USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 182 119k Salmon (SS-182), ready for launching, at the Electric Boat Company shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, 12 June 1937. Taken by an Electric Boat Co. photographer. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # 19-N-19930, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
SS 106 275k Launching of the Salmon (SS-182) at the Electric Boat Company shipyard, Groton, Connecticut, 12 June 1937. Photo i.d. courtesy of David Johnston & Ric Hedman.
Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
SS 182 21k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Salmon's (SS-182) first day in commission, 15 March 1938. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 182 491k Salmon (SS-182), running speed trials on 29 December 1937. USN photo # 19-N-1844, from the Howard Hertzog Collection via Bill Gonyo.
SS 182 113k Salmon (SS-182), running speed trials on 29 December 1937. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 63417 courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 182 26k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Salmon's (SS-182) shakedown cruise, postmarked from Cuba, 23 April 1938. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
SS 182 27k Commemorative post mark on the occasion of Salmon's (SS-182) shakedown cruise, June 1938. Courtesy of Richard Leonhardt.
Seal 60k Commemorative postal cover on the occasion of Navy Day 1938 honoring the six Salmon-class (SS-182-187) submarines: Salmon (SS-182)
Seal (SS-183),
Skipjack (SS-184)
Snapper (SS-185)
Stingray (SS-186) &
Sturgeon (SS-187). 		USN photo courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Plunger1.54kUS Sub Base, New London, CT., 10 May 1939: Identifiable submarines are Salmon (SS-182) & Seal (SS-183). This corresponds to DANFS as both boats were known to have been in Groton on the date of the picture. For the rest of the boats I can not get the picture clear enough for positive ID’s, but they all look like EB design R and S-class boats. Great picture! It illustrates how primitive the base was at this time. It expanded rapidly as the war approached.Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman & David Johnston.
Record Group 18: Records of the Army Air Forces, ca. 1902 - 1964
Series: "Airscapes" of American and Foreign Areas, 1917 - 1964
File Unit:Connecticut - New London
Local Identifier: 18-AA-30-55
National Archives Identifier: 23936527
Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
186, 183,182 & 187110k Stingray (SS-186) foreground operating in formation with other submarines, during Battle Force exercises, circa 1939. The other three submarines are (from left to right): Seal (SS-183); Salmon (SS-182) and Sturgeon (SS-187). U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 77086. Collection of Vice Admiral George C. Dyer, USN (Retired).
186, 183,182 & 187110k Stingray (SS-186) surfacing in formation with other submarines, during Battle Force exercises, circa 1939. Sturgeon (SS-187) is immediately beyond Stingray (SS-186), with the wakes further in the distance probably belonging to Seal (SS-183) and Salmon (SS-182). U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 77089. Collection of Vice Admiral George C. Dyer, USN (Retired).
186, 183,182 & 187107k Stingray (SS-186) surfacing in formation with other submarines, during Battle Force exercises, circa 1939. The other three submarines are (from left to right): Seal (SS-183); Salmon (SS-182) and Sturgeon (SS-187). U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 98985. Collection of Vice Admiral George C. Dyer, USN (Retired).
SS 182 112k 1939 vintage photograph, which was widely used to represent Squalus (SS-192) at the time of her sinking in May of that year. This is actually a photo of Salmon (SS-182), retouched to change Salmon's side number ("S1") to that of Squalus ("S11"). See Photo # NH 63417 for the original, untouched image. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 57510, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
Fleet Problem XX 43k Commemorative postal cover marking Snapper (SS-185), Stingray (SS-186), Skipjack (SS-184), Plunger (SS-179), Cachalot (SS-170), Salmon (SS-182), Perch (SS-176) & Pollack (SS-180) participating in Fleet Problem XX, 28 January 1939. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
AS 3 59k Panoramic photograph of Holland (AS-3) moored at Buoy 19, San Diego, CA, 1940, with eleven submarines alongside. Submarines are (from left to right):
Salmon (SS-182);
Seal (SS-183);
Stingray (SS-186);
Perch (SS-176);
Pollack (SS-180);
Cachalot (SS-170);
Cuttlefish (SS-171);
Skipjack (SS-184);
Sturgeon (SS-187);
Snapper (SS-185)
and Sargo (SS-188).
SS-182 through SS-187 were members of Submarine Division 15, commanded by R.W. Christie. Richmond (CL-9), flagship of the Commander Submarine Force, Pacific, is in the right distance. 		USN photo # NH 68481, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center, courtesy of US Naval Institute, James C Fahey Collection.
SS 182 103k Submarines in San Diego harbor, California, 1940 Moored alongside Holland (AS-3), from which the photograph was taken, the submarines are (from left to right): Salmon (SS-182); Seal (SS-183); Pickerel (SS-177); Plunger (SS-179); Snapper (SS-185) and Permit (SS-178). Note the small motor boats, of the type carried by fleet submarines prior to World War II. One of the men standing on Salmon's (SS-182) deck is Yeoman Clayton Johnson, who in 1969 was a Commander serving at the Naval History Division. Enterprise (CV-6) is in the distance, tied up at Naval Air Station, North Island. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 68479,courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute. James C. Fahey Collection.
Plunger104kPlunger (SS-179) backing clear of a nest of submarines, alongside their tender in San Diego harbor, California, in 1940. Other identifiable submarines present are: Salmon (SS-182); Seal (SS-183); and Stingray (SS-186). U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 68482, courtesy of the U.S. Naval Institute. James C. Fahey Collection.
SS 182 337k "This series of photos shows Salmon (SS-182) after operational use of an experimental plastic-based anti-fouling paint. A modified version of this paint, tinted black for better camouflage in the clear Pacific waters had been approved the month previously and she was likely repainted with it during this drydocking."
Condition of ship bottom paints.....General view port side, on 5 August 1941. 		USN photo # 1774-41 'Formerly Secret CNO files 1940-47' camouflage folders held at NARA II, College Park.
Photo courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
SS 182 311k "This series of photos shows Salmon (SS-182) after operational use of an experimental plastic-based anti-fouling paint. A modified version of this paint, tinted black for better camouflage in the clear Pacific waters had been approved the month previously and she was likely repainted with it during this drydocking."
Condition of ship bottom paints.....General view starboard side, on 5 August 1941. 		USN photo # 1776-41 now in the 'Formerly Secret CNO files 1940-47' camouflage folders held at NARA II, College Park.
Photo courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
SS 182 311k Salmon (SS-182) is shown as modified during WW II, with her bridge fair-water considerably cut down. Note the division into two separate engine rooms (to accommodate composite drive), the after engines being geared to the shafts) and the propulsion control cubicle in the after engine room; there was no separate maneuvering room.
Portsmouth boats differed slightly from this E.B. unit. Their conning towers had the forward face dished out instead of in. Also sightly different were the hatch locations over the crew's quarters / after battery & the forward engine room; they were located in the middle of each compartment, rather than at the forward end of one & the after end of the other, as shown here.
Both periscopes were let into the conning tower. The inboard profile shows gun mount foundations installed both fore & aft; boats normally carried only a single gun at one or the other end. Salmon introduced a modified stern that accommodated four, rather than two, torpedo tubes. The after mast carried an SD air-search radar. For clarity, guns have been omitted in the sketch.		 Drawing by Jim Christley.
Text courtesy of U.S. Submarines Through 1945, An Illustrated Design History by Norman Friedman. Naval Institute Press.
SS-182 584k The submarine depot - and repair ship (ex-battleship) HIJMS Asahi at anchor. The port lifting frame can be seen just forward of the funnel. HIJMS Asahi was torpedoed and sunk on 25 May 1942, 100 nm SW of Cape Paderan (10 degrees 00' N, 110 degrees 00' E) by the submarine Salmon (SS-182). Photo courtesy NMM/Richard Perkins. Taken from "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945" by Jentschura, Jung and Mickel: Translated by Antony Preston and J.D. Brown via Robert Hurst.
SS 182 51k Salmon (SS-182) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 22 March 1943. USN / Mare Island photo # 1959-43 & NA photo # 19-N-42433, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
SS 182 74k Bow view of the Salmon (SS-182) in the Mare Island channel on 22 March 1943. Mare Island photo # 1961-43, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 182 127k Salmon (SS-182) at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 23 March 1943, following completion of an overhaul. Circles on the image mark recent alterations to the ship. Note rope laid out on deck, aft of the conning tower. USN photo # 19-N-42439, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
SS 182 244k Stern portion of the Salmon (SS-182) at Mare Island on 23 March 1943. Mare Island photo # 1988-43, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 182 184k Bow on view of Salmon (SS-182) off Mare Island on 10 August 1944. She was in overhaul at the yard from 30 May to 4 September 1944. Mare Island photo # 5162-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 182 161k Stern view of Salmon (SS-182) off Mare Island on 10 August 1944. She was in overhaul at the yard from 30 May to 4 September 1944. Note: In the background are several boats with flags flying, they are Mare Island built LCTs. Mare Island photo # 5163-44, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 182 76k Salmon (SS-182) off the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 10 August 1944. USN / Mare Island photo # 5166-8-44, from the collection of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
SS 182 114k Salmon (SS-182) forward view at the Mare Island Navy Yard, California, 16 August 1944, following overhaul. Circles on the photo mark recent alterations to the ship. U.S. Naval Historical Center photo # NH 97463, from the Bureau of Ships Collection in the U.S. National Archives.
SS-182 694k 30 October 1944: LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Frederick J. Harlfinger's Trigger (SS-237) picks up the 10,021 ton tanker Takane Maru with her escorts and attacks. One torpedo broaches alerting the oiler that avoids the other torpedoes. At 1620, Trigger fires all four of her stern tubes. In the middle of squall, kaibokan CD-22's lookouts spot torpedo tracks and she evadees them, but Takane Maru is hit by two in her stern area. They wreck the starboard engine-room and bring her to a halt, but she does not sink. Trigger goes deep as 78 depth charges rain down on her within the next hour, but cause no damaged.
130 nm SW of Toizaki, Kyushu. CD-22, CD-29 and CD-33 are guarding the immobilized Takane Maru. At about 2100 that night, LtCdr Harley K. Nauman's Salmon (SS-182) fires four torpedoes for two hits. The escorts counter-attack. Salmon crash dives, but is damaged badly by a severe depth charging. Her pressure hull is dished in, an engine is knocked off its base plate, radio and radar equipment damaged and she begins leaking heavily. Salmon sinks to 500 feet out of control. Her diving officer finally checks her descent, but cannot hold her. Nauman decides to battle surface and engage the escorts with Salmon's deck guns.
Salmon surfaces in the midst of a heavy squall. Nauman's crew quickly begins to correct a 15-degree list, puts two of Salmon's diesel engines on line and stops some leaks. At about 2200, CD-29 sights a surfaced submarine off her starboard bow, 500 meters away. CD-29 switches on her searchlight and opens fire with her 120-mm bow gun, but loses the target after the first salvo. At 2235, CD-22 and CD-33 arrive and attack Salmon from different directions. CD-22 charges the submarine intent on ramming. Nauman, in turn, charges the kaibokan. The two vessels pass each other just 50 yards apart. CD-22 opens fire on the submarine with her 25-mm AA gun. Salmon's machine-guns, 20-mm AA and deck guns return fire and kill four of CD-22's sailors and wound another 14. CD-22 is also hit in the bow by a dud shell that causes a temporary leak. Her speed drops to 11 knots. 		Photo & text courtesy of combinedfleet.com.
PDF courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
SS 182 402k On 30 October 1944 during her eleventh war patrol, Salmon (SS-182) underwent a severe depth charge attack southeast of Kyushu while submerged at a depth of about 300 feet.
As a result of this attack, Salmon incurred severe damage. This case of damage can be considered one of the most serious to have been survived by any U.S. submarine during World War II. Pressure hull deformation was extensive in way of both engine rooms. The external main engine air induction piping collapsed and flooded, causing the ship to become heavy overall, and the stern diving planes jammed in "full dive" position. Depth control was immediately lost and Salmon oscillated up and down several times, remaining submerged only by blowing the safety tank and by going ahead at emergency speed with a 20 degree up angle on the boat. Seventeen minutes after the attack, with batteries depleted, the after engine room flooded almost to the level of the main motors, and still not having achieved depth control, Salmon surfaced, outgunned the opposing Japanese escorts and escaped with three engines on full power.
This report is based on the information contained in the references and on further informal correspondence with the then Commanding Officer. The Photographs were furnished by Naval Drydocks, Hunter's Point. The PLATE was prepared by this Bureau. 		Photo & text courtesy of ibiblio.org.
SS 183 331k Pressure hull deformation between frames 137-143, over the after engine room on the Salmon (SS-182) from depth charge explosion on 30 October 1944 Southeast of Kyushu. Source: Navy Department Library, War Damage/Loss Report No.58, Salmon (SS-182).
SS 183 363k Portion of collapsed engine air induction piping before removal from the superstructure of the Salmon (SS-182). Source: Navy Department Library, War Damage/Loss Report No.58, Salmon (SS-182).
SS 182 797k Photographed from an altitude of 100 feet by airship ZP-24, Salmon (SS-182) is underway at sea on 15 February 1945, while in the Atlantic en route to Portsmouth, New Hampshire. USN photo # 80-G-304561 from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
View the Salmon (SS-182)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
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PigBoats.COM TM, A Historic Look at Submarines.
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