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.

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