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USS Icefish SS-367

The USS Icefish was a United States Navy Balao-class submarine awarded four Battle Stars for her service during World War II. She could dive up to 400 feet and remain at that depth for 48 hours traveling at two knots, or endure 75 days on patrol. Her range was 11,000 nautical miles when surfaced traveling at 10 knots and the vessel could reach 20 knots per hour when surfaced and knots while submerged. The USS Icefish's propulsion system included four V16 diesel engines driving electrical generators, two 126-cell batteries, four high-speed electric motors with reduction gears, and two propellers. The USS Icefish was 312 feet long. The vessel's complement consisted of 81 sailors and her armament included ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, 24 torpedoes, one 5-inch / 25 caliber deck gun, and four machine guns.

World War II

After her keel was laid down in September 1943, the USS Icefish waited five months before she was launched by Wisconsin's Manitowoc Shipbuilding. She completed her first set of tests close to home before traveling via the Mississippi to New Orleans, where her shakedown was officially finished. The USS Icefish then voyaged to Pearl Harbor, where she teamed with the Pacific Fleet's Task Force 17 in August 1944. In September the USS Icefish departed on her first war patrol of the South China Sea and Luzon Straits. By October, the USS Icefish and sister ship USS Drum had sunk 26,901 tons of enemy shipping, along with a cargo vessel and a transport.

Ordered from the Marshall Islands to her next mission, the USS Icefish returned to Hawaii after approximately six weeks due to minor problems. She set sail again in February 1945 heading to the East China Sea, though service there was uneventful. She was then directed to waters off Hong Kong, near the Siam Gulf and Java Sea, but spied no enemy vessels. However, the USS Icefish rescued six Army aviators off Formosa's coast. Following a refit, she intercepted a diesel lugger and took its crew as prisoners before sinking the vessel. This was her final action during the war.

HNLMS Walrus

The USS Icefish ended her patrol and arrived back at home in San Francisco on September 18, 1945. She was decommissioned the following June at Mare Island, and became part of the Reserve Fleet. The vessel was re-commissioned six years later, and sailed through the Canal Zone for Groton, Connecticut, where she was again decommissioned before undergoing a GUPPY IB conversion. On December 10, 1952, USS Icefish was once more re-commissioned and conducted a series of trials, tests and maneuvers before another decommissioning. The vessel was then transferred to the Royal Netherlands Navy. Her new name was the HNLMS Walrus, and the vessel conducted operations until 1971. Once again with the U.S. Navy, the submarine was stricken from the US Naval Register and sold for scrapping on August 15, 1971.

Asbestos Hazards

Fortunately the USS Icefish did not have a record of collisions or minor mishaps and all submarines were not as fortunate. Even if a vessel evaded enemy fire, there was still a large chance of on-board accidents . Some were caused by inclement weather or technical difficulties, while others were the result of carelessness or human error. More than a few instances resulted in fires, something no crew ever wanted to face due to limited escape and resources. Asbestos was used aboard vessels because of the minerals natural resistance to heat and fire. The material was greatly utilized during the mid-20th century for its fire and heat retardant properties, and its ability to fit in the small spaces of ships without adding weight made it even more appealing for use in vessels. However, if asbestos fibers become airborne as a result of damage during rapid and repeated diving, depth charge explosions or daily operations, those on the vessel face the risk of asbestos exposure. Once inhaled or ingested, the fibers can remain in a sailor's lungs for decades. The fibers have been responsible for the onset of serious diseases and even malignancies. If you served on the USS Icefish or worked in a shipyard and would like additional information about asbestos-related illnesses and treatment options, please click here.

Submarines Index

USS Albacore SS 218
USS Amberjack SS 219
USS Angler SS 240
USS Apogon SS 308
USS Archer-Fish SS 311
USS Argonaut-SM-1
USS Argonaut SS 475
USS Aspro SS 309
USS Atule SS 403
USS Balao SS 285
USS Bang SS 385
USS Barbel SS 316
USS Barbero SS 317
USS Barb SS 220
USS Barracuda SS 163
USS Bashaw SS 241
USS Bergall SS 320
USS Besugo SS 321
USS Billfish SS 286
USS Blackfin SS 322
USS Blackfish SS 221
USS Blenny SS 324
USS Blower SS 325
USS Blueback SS 326
USS Bluefish SS 222
USS Bluegill SS 242
USS Boarfish SS 327
USS Bonefish SS 223
USS Bonita SS 165
USS Bowfin SS 287
USS Bream SS 243
USS Brill SS 330
USS Bugara SS 331
USS Bullhead SS 332
USS Bumper SS 333
USS Burrfish SS 312
USS Cabezon SS 334
USS Carbonero SS 337
USS Hake SS 256
USS Hammerhead SS 364
USS Harder SS 257
USS Hardhead SS 365
USS Hawkbill SS 366
USS Herring SS 233
USS Hoe SS 258
USS Icefish SS 367
USS Jack SS 259
USS Jallao SS 368
USS Kete S 369
USS Kingfish SS 234
USS Kraken SS 370
USS Lagarto SS 371
USS Lizardfish SS 373
USS Loggerhead SS 374
USS Macabi SS 375
USS Mackerel 204
USS Manta SS 299
USS Mapiro SS 376
USS Marlin SS 205
USS Mingo SS 261
USS Moray SS 300
USS Muskallunge SS 262
USS Narwhal SS 263
USS Nautilus SS 168
USS Paddle SS 167
USS Pampanito SS 383
USS Parche SS 384
USS Pargo SS 264
USS Perch SS 176
USS Permit SS 178
USS Peto SS 265
USS Pickerel SS 177
USS Picuda SS 382
USS Pike SS 173
USS Pilotfish SS 386
USS Pintado SS 387
USS Pipefish SS 388
USS Piranha SS 389
USS Plaice SS 390
USS Plunger SS 179
USS Pogy SS 266
USS Pollack SS 180
USS Pomfret SS 391
USS Pompano SS 181
USS Pompon SS 267
USS Porpoise SS 172
USS Puffer SS 268
USS Queenfish SS 393
USS Quillback SS 424
USS Rasher SS 269
USS Raton SS 270
USS Ray SS 271
USS Razorback SS 394
USS Redfin SS 272
USS Redfish SS 395
USS Robalo SS 273
USS Rock SS 274
USS Ronquil SS 396
USS Runner SS 275
USS Runner SS 476
USS S-1 SS 105
USS S-20 SS 125
USS S-46 SS 157
USS Sailfish SS 192
USS Salmon SS 182
USS Sand Lance SS 381
USS Sargo SS 188
USS Saury SS 189
USS Sawfish SS 276
USS Scabbardfish SS 397
USS Scamp SS 277
USS Scorpion SS 278
USS Sculpin SS 191
USS Sea Cat SS 399
USS Sea Devil SS 400
USS Sea Dog SS 401
USS Seadragon SS 194
USS Sea Fox SS 402
USS Seahorse SS 304
USS Sealion SS 195
USS Seal SS 183
USS Sea Owl SS 405
USS Sea Poacher SS 406
USS Searaven SS 196
USS Sea Robin SS 407
USS Seawolf SS 197
USS Segundo SS 398
USS Sennet SS 408
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