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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

SS-317 / SSA-317 Barbero

Radio Call Sign: November - Zulu - Lima - Uniform
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 25 March 1943, at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT.; Launched, 12 December 1943; Commissioned USS Barbero (SS-317), 29 April 1944; Status changed to in commission in reserve, 25 April 1946; Converted to a cargo submarine (SSA-317), at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Recommissioned, 26 July 1948; Decommissioned, 30 June 1950; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet; Converted to a guided missile submarine SSG-317, at Mare Island Naval Shipyard between 1 February and 25 October 1955; Recommissioned, (SSG-317), 25 October 1955; Decommissioned, 30 June 1964; Struck from the Naval Register, 1 July 1964; Final Disposition, sunk as a target by Greenfish (SS-351), 7 October 1964 off Pearl Harbor. Barbero received two battle stars for her World War II service.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,242 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, could carry up to two Regulus I missiles, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, one 20mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four main generator engines., General Motors diesel engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity 118,000, four General Electric motors, HP 2,740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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For Full Size		SizeImage DescriptionSource
Barbero70k Postal cover marking the keel laying of the Barbero (SS-317) on 25 March 1943 at Electric boat. courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero107k The Barbero (SS-317) sliding down the launching ways at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT., 12 December 1943. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Barbero13k Commemorative post mark from the Barbero's (SS-317) commissioning on 29 April 1944. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Barbero17k Commemorative post mark from the Barbero's (SS-317) commissioning on 29 April 1944. Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
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.
Besugo535k Forward plan view of Besugo (SS-321) at Mare Island on 29 January 1946. The Spadefish (SS-411) and Barbero (SS-317) are aft of Besugo. USN photo # 325-46, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Mare Island52kBarbero (SS-317) and Hardhead (SS-365) and nestled between them, (deduced from the larger photo), is Spadefish (SS-411). The other boats are unknown at this time. Date on photo is 3 May 1946 at Mare Island Shipyard, Ca.Photo courtesy of Ric Hedman.
Barbero276k LCDR Samuel T. Bussey new commanding officer of Barbero (SS-317) reads his orders during Barbero's commissioning ceremonies in dry dock #1 at Mare Island on 26 July 1948. USN photo # 1188-7-48, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero100kBarbero (SS-317), superstructure view at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 21 September 1948.Photo fix by Jim Kelling. Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Barbero199kBarbero (SS-317), port side view at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 21 September 1948.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Barbero94kStarboard broadside view of the Barbero (SS-317), at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 21 September 1948.Source: NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.
USN photo # NY9-1769-9-48 courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Barbero99kStern view of the Barbero (SS-317), at the Mare Island Naval Shipyard, 21 September 1948.Source: NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.
USN photo # NY9-1771-9-48 courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Barbero 515k Using sling and cargo boom to lower cargo into LVT from Barbero (SS-317) on 10 March 1949. USN photo # 80-G-422914 by PFC William R. Keating, from NARA, College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
Barbero76kBarbero (SS-317) sporting her new snorkel mast, San Diego, CA, 1949. Photo courtesy of Ric Hedman, & dedicated to the memory of Master Chief Petty Officer Charles (Monty) M. Montgomery.
Thanks to Chief Petty Officer Joe Phoenix.
Barbero96kBarbero (SS-317), pre 1950, place unknown.Courtesy of US Navy.
Barbero148kThe crew at quarters for the decommissioning of the Barbero (SS-317) at Mare Island on 30 June 1950. CDR C. P. Callahan (Commanding Officer) is the commander to the left and next to him is Capt. B. E. Bacon Jr. (Commander, Submarine Administration Mare Island). The Aspro (SS-309) lies to the port side of the Barbero. USN photo # 6523-6-50, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero148k CDR C. P. Callahan (Commanding Officer) of the Barbero (SS-317) reads the decommissioning orders at Mare Island on 30 June 1950. Capt. B. E. Bacon Jr. (Commander, Submarine Administration Mare Island) is to the right of CDR Callahan. USN photo # 6661-50, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero44kRADM F. I. Entwistle, Area Commander Mare Island, speaks at the recommissioning ceremonies aborad Barbero (SS-317) at Mare Island on 28 October 1955. USN photo # 27016-10-55, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero118kLieutenant Commander S. T. Bussey, USN, is shown accepting command of the Barbero (SS-317) during its recent commissioning ceremonies on 28 October 1955. Seated on the speakers stand are:
Left to Right: LCDR M. D. Becker, USN, Aide to Shipyard Commander, Rear Admiral M. J. Lawrence, USN, Shipyard Commander, Vice Admiral C. Lockwood, USN (Ret.), Rear Admiral F. I. Entwistle, Commander U. S. Naval Base Mare Island, Captain H. Carpenter, USN, Administrative Officer, CDR T. Ustick, Aide to Naval Base Commander, and Chaplain W. Wolf.		Source: NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.
USN photo # NY9-27014-10-55 courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Barbero131k Bow on view of Barbero (SSG-317) departing Mare Island on 18 January 1956. USN photo # 27725-1-56, courtesy of Darryl L. Baker.
Barbero69kPort quarter view of Barbero (SSG-317) at Mare Island on 18 January 1956. Source: NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.
USN photo # NY9-27726-1-56 courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Barbero89kStern view of Barbero (SSG-317) at Mare Island on 18 January 1956.
Interesting how much lower she rode in the water as an SSG, compare the prop guards. 		Source: NARA San Francisco, Mare Island Naval Shipyard Ship Files.
USN photo # NY9-27729-1-56 & text courtesy of Tracy White @ Researcher @ Large.
Barbero111kBarbero (SSG-317) with crew lined up on deck to salute as cruiser passes at Norfolk VA, June 1957. Photographer: Hank Walker, courtesy of life.time.com
Barbero730kCrewmembers at the stern of Barbero (SSG-317) before firing on April 1958. Photo scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower.
Barbero90kBarbero (SSG-317) showing a Regulus 1 missile being prepared for launching. This particular shot, on 7 June 1959, consisted of the missile being loaded with U.S. mail and flown ashore to be landed by radio control, as a demonstration of the potential of missiles for non-military uses.USN photo courtesy of The American Submarine, by Norman Polmar & submitted by Robert Hurst.
Barbero71k"Neither rain nor shine or threat of snow will keep the mailman from his appointed rounds."
On 8 June 1959, the Barbero (SSG-317) fired a Regulus missile mail container in a unique experiment to see that the mail would get through. No postage due stamps were reported on this delivery. 		Courtesy of Nancy Pope, Historian,
National Postal Museum, Smithsonian Institution.
Mail by Missile Slideshow, Presentation by Curator Nancy A. Pope, 11 June 2009 courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero26kSouvenir commemorating of the first official missile Mail, launched by the Barbero (SSG-317) on 8 June 1959.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Barbero37kPoint of Landing of the first official missile Mail, launched by the Barbero (SSG-317) on 8 June 1959.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Barbero260k Barbero (SSG-317), Wahoo (SS-565) and Aspro (SS-309) tied along dock in Hong Kong, November 1959.
The destroyer Halsey Powell (DD-686) is behind the Aspro. 		Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi and improved by Jim Kelling.
Barbero280kComposite photo of two parts of the Barbero (SSG-317) at Pearl Harbor, 1959-60.Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero45k Barbero (SSG-317) with a Regulus missile exiting from launcher. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Barbero724k Barbero (SSG-317) weathering a typhoon as seen through her periscope in western Pacific; December 1959. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero482k Barbero (SSG-317) in dry dock following damage caused by a typhoon western Pacific; December 1959. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero404k1959 Xmas tree aboard the Barbero (SSG-317). Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero172kBarbero (SSG-317) in drydock, either Pearl or Yokosuka. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero200k Barbero (SSG-317) midships, circa 1960. Compare her periscope shears with this photo of her snorkel mast, San Diego, CA, 1949. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi and improved by Jim Kelling.
Barbero174k Barbero (SSG-317) Plaque. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Regulus Deterrent Patrols1.30kRegulus Deterrent Patrols by the following submarines from September 1959 to July 1964:
Tunny (SSG-282),
Barbero (SSG-317),
Grayback (SS-574),
Growler (SSG-577),&
Halibut (SSGN-587). 		Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero28kBarbero (SSG-317), with a Regulus missile exiting from launcher, 12 January 1960.Courtesy of Nick Spark.
Barbero45kBarbero (SSG-317) surfacing in Hawaiian waters on 4 August 1960 for the 1000th launch of a Regulus I guided missile. USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Barbero1.87kBarbero (SSG-317) before firing on August 1960. Photo scanned by Ryan Crierie, via flickr, courtesy of Stephen Gower.
Barbero124kFirst of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SSG-317), circa 1960. Note the folded missile wings. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero386kSecond of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SSG-317), circa 1960. Note the missile is painted red.
First of all, red missile means training missile with no warhead. No warhead means, no problem regarding classified material. But even beyond that, if you watch the "Regulus" documentary (click here) you will see that we showed the weapons system in depth. It's a completely declass program at this point, with the exception of any data surrounding the nuclear warhead.
In the background lies the Gurnard (SS-254), which served as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel sometime between November 1949 thru June 1960. 		Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi. Text courtesy of Nick Spark via Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
Barbero463kThird of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SSG-317), circa 1960. The crane has the missile positioned just in front of the container where it can be inspected before further loading. Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero434kFourth of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SSG-317), circa 1960.
What's under the hood?		 Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Barbero509kLast of five photos showing the loading sequence of a Regulus missile aboard the Barbero (SSG-317), circa 1960.
The bow of the Newell (DE-322) is visible in the right foreground.		 Photograph courtesy of Ron Phillipi.
Bluegill 1.80 Sub base Pearl Harbor, 1962. From L to R: Bream (SS-243),Bluegill (SS-242), Bashaw (SS-241), Medregal (SS-480) & Blackfin (SS-322) with Coucal (ASR-8), alongside.
Tunny (AGS-282) and Barbero (SS-317) are possibly the two nearest foreground boats. 		Photo i.d. courtesy of John Hummel & Robert Morgan.
Photo courtesy of Rick Connole, son of Commander David R. Connole,K.I.A. while commanding the Trigger (SS-237), lost with the entire crew of 89 on 28 March 1945.
Sailfish 886k Orion (AS-18) at Naval Station Norfolk, VA. during a change of command ceremony with the following submarines alongside.
Inboard to outboard:
Sailfish (SSR-572),
probably Cutlass (SS-478),
Runner (SS-476),
Cobbler (SS-344),
Argonaut (SS-475),
unidentified,
Requin (SS-481) & Barbero (SSG-317).		 US Naval History and Heritage Command photo # NH 92321 courtesy of Robert Hurst via Gary Priolo.
Barbero121kBarbero (SSG-317) in 1/192 scale, solid cast resin.Photograph courtesy of Mel Douyette & coldwarsubmarines.com
Fremantle 365k This plaque was unveiled 20 March 1995 by His Excellency Major General P.M. Jeffery OA MC, Governor of Western Australia to commemorate the sacrifices made by Allied submarines that operated out of Fremantle, Western Australia during WW II. Photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
View the Barbero (SS/SSA/SSG-317)
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

Regulus; U.S. Navy's first nuclear missile submarines.
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
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