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| USN Balao-class submarine 1,526 Tons (surfaced) 2,414 Tons (submerged) 311' 9" x 27' 3" x 16' 10" 10 x 21" torpedo tubes (6 forward, 4 aft) 1 x 4"/50 deck gun 1 x 40mm AA 2 x .50 cal MG  USN 1944   Justin Taylan 2004 |
Sub History Built by Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine. Laid down July 23, 1942 as a Balao-class submarine. Launched December 7, 1942 as USS Bowfin (SS-287) sponsored by by Mrs. Jane Gawne, wife of Captain James Gawne and nicknamed "Pearl Harbor Avenger" as the ship was launch was a year after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. Commissioned May 1, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of Commander Joseph H. Willingham. After fitting out, underwent a shakedown cruise via Newport, Rhode Island and New London, Connecticut. Wartime History During July 1943 departs via the Panama Canal then across the Pacific to Brisbane. On August 19, 1943 departs Brisbane for Darwin, refueled. On August 25, 1942 departs on her first war patrol. On September 2, 1943 delivers supplies and evacuates certain people from Binuni Point on Mindanao. On September 25, 1943 submarines USS Bowfin (SS-287), USS Billfish (SS-286), and USS Bonefish (SS-223) attack Japanese convoy; USS Bowfin (SS-287) sinks tanker Kirishima Maru 220 nautical miles north of Nha Trang, French Indochina, 09°50'N, 112°03'E. None of the other attacks prove successful. On September 30, 1943 delivers supplies and evacuates people from Siquijor Island and sinks small Japanese cargo ship Mitake Maru, 05°17'N, 121°57'E. On November 26, 1943 sinks Japanese army tanker Ogurasan Maru and merchant cargo ship Tainan Maru, 13°00'N, 109°30'E. On November 27, 1943 sinks Vichy French cargo ship Van Vollenhoven off the coast of French Indochina at Lat 13°13'N, Long 109°27'E. On November 28, 1943 sinks Japanese army cargo ship Sydney Maru and merchant cargo ship Tonan Maru off central Philippines, 12°45'N, 109°41'E, but is damaged by Japanese gunfire and is forced to terminate her patrol. On January 28, 1944 damages Japanese oiler Kamoi off Makassar at Lat 3°25'S, Long 118°15'E. On February 17, 1945 sinks Japanese Coast Defense Vessel No.56 five miles east of Mikura Jima, central Honshu, 33°53'N, 139°43'E. Bowfin and aircraft sink guardboat No. 26 Nanshin Maru southwest of Mikimoto light, 30°05'N, 135°15'E. On March 2, 1945 sinks Japanese transport Chokai Maru northeast of Miyake Jima, 33°50'N, 139°22'E. On May 1, 1945 sinks Japanese gunboat Chowa Maru southeast of Erimosaki, Hokkaido, Japan, 41°02'N, 144°36'E. On May 8, 1945 sinks Japanese fishing boat No.3 Daito Maru east-southeast of Todogasaki, 39°38'N, 142°08'E. On June 11, 1945 sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship No. 3 Shinyo Maru off Genzan, Korea, 39°24'N, 128°59'E. On June 13, 1945 sinks Japanese merchant cargo ship Meiho Maru, 39°00'N, 128°05'E. Awards For her World War II service Bowfin earned eight battle stars. Also, the Presidential Unit Citation for her second war patrol and the Navy Unit Commendation for her sixth war patrol. Display In 1979 acquired from the Navy as a museum submarine. In 1981 opened to the public as part of the USS Bowfin Submarine Museum and Park permanently moored in Pearl Harbor adjacent to the USS Arizona Museum. In 1986 she was designated a National Historic Landmark. References Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - Bowfin (SS-287) NavSource - USS Bowfin SS-287 USS Bowfin Submarine Museum & Park Contribute
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