USS Batfish (SS310)
Amateur Radio Call Sign "WW2SUB"
![](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/USS_BATFISH-4-1024x528.jpg)
USS Batfish Today
Today, the USS Batfish is dry docked at the War Memorial Park in Muskogee Oklahoma.
History of the USS Batfish
Precommisioning
During the planning stages, its was named Acoupa. But on September 24, 1942, prior to her keel laying on December 27, 1942, she was renamed Batfish after a “small, pediculate fish resembling the stingray, which sits on the bottom, supported by its fins, waiting for its prey which consists of almost everything coming within its reach.” Although the physical comparison was unflattering, the implication of the expected performance came through loud and clear. Batfish was constructed at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in New Hampshire, launched May 5, 1943 under the sponsorship of Mrs. Nellie W. Fortier, and commissioned on August 21, 1943.
![](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/launching.jpg)
![](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Fortier2.jpg)
Commisioning
Upon commissioning on August 21, 1942, Lieutenant Commander Wayne R. Merrill, USN, assumed command of Batfish. The crew stood rigidly proud in salute as the United States flag was hoisted above the Batfish’s stern. Then Captain Merrill read his orders. Shakedown training began the next day.
Post-commissioning shakedown was held around Portsmouth, New Hampshire. During the month of training exercises included in the shakedown cruise, about 66% of the crew had to be qualified in submarines and also learn the war time procedure of submarines. Diving, gunnery and seamanship drills were held daily. In mid-September, Batfish sailed for Newport, Rhode Island for torpedo exercises and then on to New London, Connecticut, arriving on September 26, where gunnery drills took priority. While in New London, Batfish had to pass the rigid operational readiness inspection and prove to
Commander Submarines Atlantic that the submarine was ready to go to war. On October 9, Batfish passed her exams and went back to New London for minor repairs and to take on fuel, provisions, and a full load of live ammunition. On October 14, Batfish was pronounced ready for battle and embarked towards Pearl Harbor via the Panama Canal.
En route, on October 31, a periscope of a German U-boat was sighted. Batfish avoided the submarine and in the process, fired one stern torpedo. The torpedo missed and the U- boat was never heard or sighted. On November 8, Batfish entered the Bay of Panama and began the journey westward across the Pacific to Pearl Harbor. On November 19, the rendezvous point off Oahu was reached and Batfish was met by her escort, YMS 286 which led Batfish into Pearl Harbor. At 1 p.m. on December 11, 1943, Batfish backed from the dock, departing on her first war patrol.
![](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/LongIsland.jpg)
![The-other-Engine-Room](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/The-other-Engine-Room.jpg)
![to-Conning-Tower](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/to-Conning-Tower.jpg)
![Torpedo](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Torpedo-1.jpg)
![Manuvering-Room](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Manuvering-Room.jpg)
![Manuvering-Room-Controls](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Manuvering-Room-Controls.jpg)
![FM0 FC000011000:zzzzzz0 e 95 00 0 05f04224503ea1040 c30139243 55 0248 01e7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01e7f1a8f1b9 064 01d3f198f199 064 01bff1a9f1bd 0 4 01abf1b6f1db 06e 0197f1b4f1de 064 0183f1a4f1ce 064 01b3f17ef19a 064 01b7f1baf1e3 064 01bbf1b9f1e2 064 01bff1baf1e9 064 01c3f1bdf1e1 064 01c7f1bbf1db 064 01bff1b9f1d6 064 01bff1bdf1e4 064 0](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/New-Entrance-Plate-Primed-scaled.jpg)
![FM0 FC100110111:zzzzzz0 e bf 00 0 05f04224503ea1040 c30139243 55 0242 01e7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01e7c11cb1f3 064 01d3c154b268 064 01bfc114b1d1 0 5 01dbc0f3b18d 06e 01dfc127b1eb 064 01e3c0fbb17e 064 01e7c0fab166 064 01ebc0fbb158 064 01efc0fab14f 064 01f3c133b1a9 064 01f7c122b190 064 01fbc0efb14a 064 01efc0eab109 064 01efc110b10e 064 0](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Old-Entrance-Board-Removed-scaled.jpg)
![One-Snowy-Day-at-the-Batfish](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/One-Snowy-Day-at-the-Batfish.jpg)
![Crews-Quarters](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Crews-Quarters.jpg)
![Crews-Mess-and-extension-of-Special-Events-Radio-Room](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Crews-Mess-and-extension-of-Special-Events-Radio-Room.jpg)
![FM0 FC000000000:zzzzzz016185 00 0 05f04224503ea1040 c30139243 55 023f1121e7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01e7311f2156 064 01cf30ff2141 064 01b73105214b 0 0 019f30e92134 0ff 01bd30ba2105 064 01c330a8210a 064 01c9308820de 064 01cf309a2101 064 01d5309720ec 064 01db30c62112 064 01e130cf2122 064 01e730dd2131 064 01ed30e6213e 064 01f331032157 064 01f9311b2169 064 01ff30f62148 064 020531172165 064 020b311f216a 064 021131052151 064 021730db212d 064 020530eb213d 064 020530e72137 064 0](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Evacuation-Prep-in-Forward-Torpedo-Room-scaled.jpg)
![Aft-Torpedo-Room](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/Aft-Torpedo-Room.jpg)
![An-Engine-Room](https://ussbatfisharc.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/An-Engine-Room.jpg)
Physical Properties | |
Class | Balao |
Length (ft-in) | 311-9 |
Beam (ft-in) | 27-3 |
Draft (ft-in) | 15-3 |
Pressure Hull Thickness (lb/sq in) | 35-35.7 |
Surfaced Displacement (tons) | 1525 |
Submerged Displacement (tons) | 2415 |
Complement | 10/70-71 |
Surface plant | 4 X 1350 BHP (brake horse power) |
Submerged plant | 4 X 685 HP |
Auxiliary plant | 1 X 300 Kw |
Battery (cells) | 2 X 126 Sargo (Battery Type) |
Capacity (amp-hr) | 2 X 9300 (war) |
Surface speed (kt) | 20.25 |
Surface endurance (nm/kt) | 11000 / 10 |
Submerged speed (kt) | 8.75 |
Submerged endurance | 48 hr at 2 kt |
Test Depth (ft) | 400 |
Tubes (bow) | 6 X 21 in |
Tubes (aft) | 4 X 21 in |
Torpedoes | 24 |
Weights (tons) | |
Hull | 697.06 |
Hull Fittings | 149.15 |
Machinery | 448.65 |
Engines (dry) | 52.43 |
Batteries | 192 |
Motors | 24.30 |
Armament | 41.05 |
Ammunition | 40.88 |
Equipment and Outfit | 54.19 |
Stores and Fresh Water | 37.99 |
Complement | 6.47 |
MBT Capacity | 615.72 |
Lead Ballast | 87 |
Standard Displacement | 1545.29 |
Fuel Oil | 175.94 / 300.91 |
Lubricating Oil | 19.33 / 22.63 |
Design Displacement | 1804.1 |
Machinery | |
Main Engines | No. / Mfg.: 4 / Fairbanks, Morse |
Type: Opposed Piston | |
Cylinders: 9 | |
Model: 38D8 1/8 | |
BHP: 1535 | |
Main Generators | No. / Mfg: 4 / Elliott |
KW: 1100 | |
Auxiliary Engine | No. / Mfg.: 1 / General Motors |
Type: ? | |
Auxiliary Generators | No. / Mfg.: 1 / ? |
KW: 300 | |
Main Motors | No. / Mfg.: 4 / Elliott |
HP: 1375 | |
Reduction Gears | Mfg.: Westinghouse |
Ratio: ? | |
Arrangement | E5 |
E=Engine, M=Motor, | |
Storage Batteries | No.: 2 X 126 |
Mfg.: Gould Storage Battery Co. | |
Model: OWTX49B | |
Propulsion Controls | Westinghouse |
Total Shaft HP | Surface: 5400 |
Submerged: 2740 | |
Sources: – Alden, The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy: A Design and Construction History – Friedman, U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History |