USS Bluegill SS-242

Named for the bluegill fish of the Great Lakes region, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was a Gato-class submarine used during World War II. This vessel was part of the Pacific Fleet for many years and her service helped to patrol and defend against the Japanese Navy in the Far East. Without the Navy's strong presence in the Pacific, World War II may not have been won.

Laid down on December 7, 1942 by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was one of 77 Gato-class submarines to join the United States Navy in the early 1940s. These submarines, which were later taken over by the better Balao-class, had four General Motors V16 diesel engines, which in turn drove four electric motors and two propellers.

The USS Bluegill SS-242 could travel at speeds up to 21 knots per hours when surfaced and 8 knots per hour when submerged. At lower speeds, she could stay submerged for up to 48 hours at a test depth of 400 feet. Like other Gato-class and Balao-class submarines, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was equipped with 10 torpedo tubes that carried 24 torpedoes, as well as a desk gun and four machine guns.

The USS Bluegill SS-242 was launched on August 8, 1943 and commissioned on November of that year. She was sponsored by the wife of Congressman W. Sterling Cole of New York and Lieutenant Commander Eric L. Barr, Jr. was placed in command. She was assigned to the Pacific Fleet out of Pearl Harbor and traveled there in early 1944 through the Panama Canal.

During World War II

From April 1, 1944 to June 21, 1945, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was one of the most active submarines in the Pacific Fleet. She completed six wartime patrols during this time period. Her travels took her throughout the South China Sea, the Java Se, and the wars off the coast of New Guinea and Formosa.

During this time, she sunk a total of 10 Japanese vessels totaling over 46,000 tons. One of the most significant victories was in the sinking of the Yubari, a light cruiser, on April 28, 1944. This ship was designed to be a scout cruiser and was equipped with destroyer-type machinery. She was the flagship of the Japanese invasion of Wake Island, so this victory was especially sweet for the United States.

In January of 1945, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was a support ship for the American reoccupation of Philippines. She also contributed to the bombardment of Paratus Island. When 12 of her crew members landed on the island and found that the Japanese had deserted it, they held a ceremony raising the American flag and declared it “Bluegill Island.” Following this mission the USS Bluegill SS-242 returned to Pearl Harbor for refitting and repairs.

After World War II

From Pearl Harbor, she was sent out a final wartime patrol before the war ended. The USS Bluegill SS-242 remained a part of the Pacific Fleet until the spring of 1946, at which time she was sent to the Mare Island Navel Shipyard to become part of the reserve fleet. She remained there until 1951, when she was recommissioned to rejoin the Pacific Fleet and took part in training exercises.

On July 7, 1952, she was decommissioned again for conversion to an SSK “hunter killer” submarine. Upon completion of these renovations, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was reclassified as the USS Bluegill SSK-242 and recommissioned. She spent 12 years serving the United States and was one of the few Gato-class submarines to serve in the Vietnam War. In 1965, the USS Bluegill SS-242 (now SSK) completed an important tour to the Gulf of Tonkin, taking part in a pilot rescue mission as well as reconnaissance.

After service in the Vietnam War, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was decommissioned once again and on June 28, 1969, she was struck from the United States Navy's Register. In 1971, she was sunk off the coast of Lahaina in about 40 meters of water. She remained there for the next 13 years and served as a sink site for underwater rescue training. Later, in November of 1984, the ship was salvaged from the coastal water and taken out to sea for a proper military sinking.

During World War II and the following years, the USS Bluegill SS-242 was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation as well as four battle stars. Although her memory should be honored, it is also important to remember that this submarine, like most other vessels built during this time period, was built using products that contained asbestos. If you or a loved one were exposed to asbestos while serving on a Navy vessel and have been diagnosed with an asbestos-related disease, please fill out the request form on this page to receive a free informational packet.

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