USS Brill SS-330

The USS Brill SS-330 was the only ship to be named after the European flat-fish to serve the American Navy. She was a Balao-class submarine built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on June 24, 1944 and commissioned into the Navy on October 26, 1944.

When the Brill was on the surface, her displacement measured 1,526 tons and she could travel at speed of just a little over 25 knots. Her submerged displacement was 2,424 tons and her speed was just a little under nine knots. She measured a little over 311 foot in length and a little more than 27 foot in width. She had a combination of diesel and electric engines. There were four V16 diesel engines made by General Motors that drove her electrical generators. These generators supplied power to two 126 cell Sargo batteries. The batteries and the engines supplied power to four electric motors made by General Electric, which drove two propellers. She could carry up to 24 torpedoes which could be fired from ten different rubes, six in the front and four in the rear. The sub also had one five inch 25 caliber gun and four machine guns on her deck for surface engagements. Her crew complement consisted of ten officers and 70 to 71 enlisted men.

There were four V16 diesel engines made by General Motors that drove her electrical generators. These generators supplied power to two 126 cell Sargo batteries. The batteries and the engines supplied power to four electric motors made by General Electric, which drove two propellers. She could carry up to 24 torpedoes which could be fired from 10 different tubes, six in the front and four in the rear. The sub also had one five-inch 25 caliber gun and four machine guns on her deck for surface engagements.

There is not a lot of history on the Brill. She only served the United States Military for less than four years. Once shakedown and training activities were completed she made way to Pearl Harbor. She arrived in Hawaii on January 8, 1945. Once she reached the Pacific, she completed three tours through the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. The Brill didn't come into contact with the enemy much at all. The only time she scored on any vessels was against an unidentified, 1,000 ton ship.

The Brill served the United States Military for less than four years. Once shakedown and training activities were completed, she made way to Pearl Harbor. She arrived in Hawaii on January 8, 1945. Once she reached the Pacific, she completed three tours through the South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam. The Brill did not come into contact with the enemy much at all. The only time she scored on any vessels was against an unidentified, 1,000 ton ship.

After World War II

In August of 1945, she left Australia to head home to America. After a leisurely cruise home, she arrived in San Diego, California on February 12, 1946. At the end of April, she headed back to Pearl Harbor. Between September and November 1946, she made three more tours, one to Midway, one to Alaska and one to Puget Sound, Washington.

Upon her return to Hawaii, she served as a training vessel until September 1947. She returned to San Diego and received an overhaul and then made her way back to Connecticut. She arrived in New London on March 18, 1948 and was then decommissioned in May of 1948. On the same day she was decommissioned, she was turned over to the Turkish Navy. She served with them until being decommissioned in 1972. She received one battle star for World War II service.

One of the dangers men faced while serving on the Boarfish was asbestos, which was heavily used in materials for insulation and fireproofing. Poor ventilation aboard the submarines, especially when they were submerged, allowed the dust from asbestos to travel throughout the ship. Research has indicated that it can take up to 50 years for asbestos-related illnesses to develop, meaning those that served or worked on the Brill may still be at risk. If you 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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