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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch on right courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy, other patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Cobbler (SS-344)


Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Echo - Delta
Voice Call Sign "Membrane"
Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 3 April 1944, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 1 April 1945; Commissioned USS Cobbler (SS-344), 8 August 1945;
Returned to Groton on 1 December 1948 for complete modernization under GUPPY II program. Modification included a new snorkel induction mast; snorkel exhaust mast and electronic support measures (ESM) mast installations and a newly configured sail.
Off the New Jersey coast on 7 August 1957, Cobbler and the Tusk (SS-426) collided underwater while conducting operations - neither submarine suffered un-repairable damage.
As a unit of the Atlantic Fleet's Antisubmarine Development Force, Cobbler patrolled in support of Task Force "A" during the April 1961 "Bay of Pigs" landing and subsequent Cuban Blockade.
In 1962 she entered Philadelphia Navy Yard for the GUPPY III upgrade which added 15 feet to her hull to accommodate modern electronic equipment. After modernization, she operated in the Atlantic, Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico with routine deployments to the Mediterranean as a unit of the U. S. 6th Fleet.
Pursuant to orders and the terms of the Security Assistance Program, Cobbler returned to Groton, CT where she was simultaneously Decommissioned; Struck from the U. S. Naval Vessel Registry (NVR); Transferred (cash sale) to the Republic of Turkey and Commissioned as the TCG Canakkale (S-341) in ceremonies on 21 November 1973.
Proceeding as a commissioned naval vessel of the Turkish Navy, the ex-Cobbler conducted underway training and independent ship exercises with her new crew prior to sailing for Turkey. Canakkale arrived at her home port at the Golcuk Navy Base, Turkey on 15 January 1974 and operated as a unit of the Turkish Submarine Forces until she was Decommissioned on 22 January 1998.
Final disposition and fate unknown.
Researched by CTRC Donald J. Wagner, USN (Retired) for NavSource.

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, 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
Cobbler18kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of Cobbler's (SS-344) keel laying, 3 April 1944, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Cobbler 530k Cobbler (SS-344) at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut, 1 April 1945. Shown: Mrs. James B. Rutter of Bethesda, Md., served as sponsor with Private Robert E. Falvey. Her husband, a Navy captain, is director of services in the Bureau of Naval Personnel at Washington. USN photo # 80-G-409429 courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
Cobbler186kCobbler (SS-344) makes her start down the ways 1 April 1945, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT. Electric Boat photo courtesy of Jimmy Allen.
Cobbler20kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of the launching of the Cobbler (SS-344), 1 April 1945. Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Cobbler345kPlankowners of the Cobbler (SS-344), circa April 1945. Facing the photograph on the left side, Thomas Watson Duckworth is the first person on the next to last line of men. A man with a sailor hat is standing beside him on the right.Photo courtesy of Jimmy Allen.
Cobbler355kPlankowners wives pose for a Cobbler (SS-344), group photo, circa April 1945. Elizabeth Duckworth is in approximately the same spot. There is nobody standing behind her, she is dressed in white and the left side of the bookcase is directly behind her head. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Allen.
Cobbler362kMustached Cobbler (SS-344) crew, circa April 1945. Photo courtesy of Jimmy Allen.
Cobbler472kCobbler (SS-344), bow view looking aft on 27 July 1945 at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut, Photo courtesy of David Wright.
Cobbler19kCommemorative post mark on the occasion of the commissioning of the Cobbler (SS-344), 8 August 1945. Photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Cobbler266k Navy aerial photo of the Cobbler (SS-344) taken in a flank-speed turn, probably in trials about 1947, after she was retrofitted with a topside rudder. I overlaid in the lower right corner a photo of the original steel "Screaming Shoe" logo that EB attached on both sides of the conning tower. Text & photo courtesy of former crew member George F. Steeg, (ET2 - SS, 1948-49).
Cobbler103k Cobbler (SS-344) entering Havana Harbor, Cuba circa 1947. Photo courtesy of former crew member George F. Steeg, (ET2 - SS, 1948-49).
U-2513149kGerman sub U-2513 with snorkel (fore) US fleet type submarine Cobbler (SS-344) in the center and Cubera (SS-347), with snorkle off the coast of Florida, September 1948.Photographer: Ralph Morse, courtesy of life.time.com
Cobbler136kArmed Forces submarine Cobbler (SS-344) on top of the water. Photographer: Ralph Morse, courtesy of life.time.com
Cobbler83kCobbler (SS-344), underway, circa 1950's, place unknown.Submitted by George M. Arnold.
344
0834422		3.10kCobbler (SS-344) Plaque from the collection of Lt. Cmdr. Daniel Bailey (class of 47) of blessed memory. He served aboard here from 6/16/55-7/22/57. Photo courtesy of his son, Will Bailey.
Cobbler98kNaval Review Of Fleets, Virginia finds the Cobbler (SS-344) at Norfolk VA, June 1957. Photographer: Frank Scherschel, courtesy of life.time.com & submitted by Bill Gonyo.
Becuna80kBecuna (SS-319) & Cobbler (SS-344) conduct a high line transfer. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
344 235k "Crane lines up new 15-foot section for insertion in the hull of the Navy submarine Cobbler (SS-344) at the Philadelphia Naval Base. Segment will house additional equipment and provide more room for the crew of the 16-year-old vessel," 30 January 1962. Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
Cobbler185kThe Cobbler (SS-344), with slow speed directly astern, but with four engines on the line at the Phila. Naval Yard, 4 September 1962.Photo courtesy John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Cobbler332kAerial broadside view of the Cobbler (SS-344) at the Phila. Naval Yard, 4 September 1962.Photo courtesy John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Cobbler285kCobbler (SS-344), rec 10-64.USN photo # NPC 1106412 courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
Grouper190kCavalla (SS-244) inboard and Cobbler (SS-344) outboard, at New London, CT., during the 1960's. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
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.
Sub Ron 831k Sub Ron 8: Clamagore (SS-343),(front) Cobbler (SS-344) on her starboard side Corporal (SS-346) on her port side, Blenny (SS-324) bringing up the rear. Circa 1968-71, location unknown.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Sub Ron 8323k Sub Ron 8 from a different perspective: Corporal (SS-346) is on the port side of the diamond, Cobbler (SS-344) is on starboard side; Clamagore (SS-343) up front and Blenny (SS-324) brining up the rear, circa 1968-71, location unknown.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Cobbler 2.17k Cobbler (SS-344) entering Valletta, Malta in 1970. Photo courtesy of John Browning.
Last Run362kSeptember 1973: Last Run for the Cobbler (SS-344), Corporal (SS-346) & Tigrone (SS-419) in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Photo courtresy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Cobbler356k5 page PDF history of the Cobbler (SS-344).USN photos courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
TCG Canakkale (S-341)
Corporal 236k History of the Commissioning Pennant for the transfer ceremony of the Cobbler (SS-344) & Corporal (SS-346) to Turkey and their becoming the Canakkale (S-341) & Inonu (S-333). Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
Cobbler 1.38k 19 photo PDF of the Turkish career of the Canakkale
Front and back covers of the Decommissioning transfer ceremony of the Cobbler (SS-344) & Corporal (SS-346) to Turkey and their becoming the Canakkale (S-341) & Inonu (S-333). 		Photo courtesy of Y.M.Umar,CPO (Ret.),Turkish Navy.
View the Cobbler (SS-344)
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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