Submarine USS Blackfin (SS-322)

From Wikipedia. //// Back on Feb. 5th, I wrote about submariner Walter Taverna recounting his World War Ii experiences aboard the USS Blackfin. //// The Blackfin was a Balao-class submarine launched 12 March 1944 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. Commessioned 4 July 1944 and decommissioned in 1948. //// Recommissioned in 1951 and decommissioned in 1972 and sunk as a target vessel off San Diego in 1973. //// It went on five war patrols. On Jan. 24, 1945, it sank the Japanese destroyer Shigure and a tanker. On its fifth patrol, it destroyed 61 floating mines. //// When recommissioned in 1951, it became a GUPPY submarine (Greater Underwater Propulsion Power Program) to improve sub submerged speed, maneuverability and endurance. //// It was used in two movies: 1963's "Move Over darling" and 1968's "Ice Station Zebra." //// It was sunk 13 May 1973 by a torpedo. //// --GreGen

Submariner Recounts Experiences

From the Jan. 25, 2014, Lehigh Valley (Pa.) Express Times "World War II veteran recounts days aboard Blackfin submarine" by Jim Deegan. //// "Walter Taverna, 91, can still hear the sound-- the click that precedes a depth charge. It was a sound he heard while serving five war patrols on the USS Blackfin" in the South China Sea. //// "Once you get a click, the thing detonates. As long as you're below the depth charge, you don't get that much damage inflicted. When it's happening, you think about 'Am I going to make it?' But you pay attention to what you have to do." //// Today is the 69th anniversary of the Blackfin sinking the Japanese destroyer Shigure. This ship was considered to be lucky because twice begore in engagements, it was the only Japanese destroyer to come out of it. //// On Jan. 25, 1945, the Blackfin was getting ready to attack a Japanese tanker. Just before the attack, the sub's skipper turned the periscope and spotted the Shigure bearing down on him. The Blackfin sank it and then turned its attention back to the tanker and sank it as well. //// In all, 36,950 Navy personnel died in action and nearly 38,000 were wounded. //// Taverna belongs to the 27-member Lehigh Valley base of the U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.. //// A Frightening Service. --GreGen