Pacific Wrecks - USS Permit (SS-178)

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Chronology

USS Permit (SS-178)

USN
Porpoise-class submarine

1,350 Tons (standard)
1,997 Ton (submerged)
298' x 25' 7/8" x 15'
6 x 21" torpedo tubes (4 bow, 2 stern) with 16 torpedoes
1 x 4"/50 cal deck gun
2x2 x .30 cal MG
2 x external bow tubes added 1942

USN circa 1939-1941

Ship History
Built by Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. Laid down June 6, 1935 as Porpoise-class submarine. Launched October 5, 1936 as USS Permit (SS-178) named for the permit fish found from North Carolina to Brazil sponsored by sponsored by Mrs. Edith B. Bowen, wife of Harold G. Bowen, Chief of the Bureau of Engineering. Commissioned March 17, 1937 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Charles O. Humphreys in command. Afterwards, underwent a shakedown cruise then operated from Portsmouth, New Hampshire.

On November 29, 1937 departs Portsmouth bound for the Pacific. On December 10, 1937 transits the Panama Canal bound for California. On December 18, 1937 arrives San Diego and assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 (SubRon 6) and operates off the west coast, Alaska and Hawaii. On May 10, 1939 placed under the command of LtCdr Adrian M. Hurst. During October 1939 departs across the Pacific bound for the Philippines and joins the Asiatic Fleet.

First War Patrol
On December 11, 1941 departs on her first war patrol off the west coast of Luzon. On December 20, 1941 returns to Manila ending the patrol.

Second War Patrol
On December 22, 1941 departs Manila on her second war patrol again off the west coast of Luzon. On December 27, 1941 ends the patrol at Mariveles Harbor.

Third War Patrol
On December 28, 1941 at Mariveles Harbor embarks Admiral Thomas C. Hart's staff and begins her third war patrol to evacuate them to the Netherlands East Indies (NEI) while scouting in the southern Philippines. On February 6, 1942 arrives Surabaya on Java ending her third war patrol and disembarks the passengers. On February 14, 1942 placed under the command of Lt. Wreford G. Chapple.

Fourth War Patrol
On February 22, 1942 departs Surabaya on her fourth war patrol. On March 13, 1942 embarks the crew of PT-32 then scuttles the Motor Torpedo Boat with gunfire roughly one mile southwest of Taguayan Island at roughly Lat 10°58'N, Long 121°12'E. On March 16, 1942 arrives Corregidor and unloads ammunition then embarks 40 personnel from naval radio and communications intelligence personnel including 36 cryptanalysts from the intelligence station CAST then departs bound for Australia. On March 18, 1942 sustains minor damage from three Japanese destroyers while enroute before arriving in Fremantle ending her patrol. On arrival, LtCdr Chapple was reprimanded because the submarine was so overcrowded.

Fifth War Patrol
On May 5, 1942 departs Fremantle on her fifth war patrol bound for the Makassar Strait to patrol shipping routes. On June 11, 1942 returns to Fremantle ending her patrol.

Sixth War Patrol
On July 12, 1942 departs Fremantle on her sixth war patrol across the Pacific bound for Hawaii. On August 30, 1942 arrives Pearl Harbor ending her patrol then departs for the west coast. On September 9, 1942 arrives Mare Island Navy Yard for an overhaul.

Seventh War Patrol
On February 5, 1943 departs on her seventh war patrol off Honshu in Japan. On March 8, 1943 torpedoes and sinks Hisashima Maru off the northern tip of Honshu at roughly Lat 41°16'N Long 142°27'E. On March 16, 1943 ends her patrol.

PARTIAL HISTORY

Fourteenth War Patrol
On September 21, 1944 departs on her fourteenth war patrol to relieve USS Tarpon on lifeguard duty off Truk. On November 11, 1944 ends her patrol at Pearl Harbor and undergoes a refit.

On January 29, 1945 departs for the United States via the Panama Canal to the east coast. On February 23, 1945 arrives Philadelphia Navy Yard. During May 1945 departs for New London, Connecticut and for the remainder of World War II serves as a school submarine for crew training. On October 30, 1945 arrives Boston Navy Yard for inactivation. On November 2, 1945 placed under the command of Lt. Stanley J. Bednarczyk. On November 15, 1945 decommissioned.

Fate
On July 26, 1956 stricken off charge. On June 28, 1958 sold to A.G. Schoonmaker, Inc. and broken up for scrap.

References
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Permit (SS-178)
NavSource - USS Permit (SS-178)

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Last Updated
March 16, 2026

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