USS Porpoise SS-172

Construction began on the USS Porpoise in the fall of 1933, and she was completed in the summer of 1935. The USS Porpoise was a Porpoise-class submarine. The Porpoise-class submarines were built in the late '30s. They were an improvement over older models of submarines for several reasons. They were welded together, rather than riveted. This gave the hull greater strength. The Porpoise-class submarines were also air conditioned, which made for much more comfortable travel. They were powered by a combination of diesel and electric.

The Porpoise was assigned to the Pacific Fleet, and she arrived at her new home in San Diego in the fall of 1936. She participated in training exercises along the coast before heading to a large scale training, known as Fleet Problem Number XVIII, in the spring of 1937. This training tool place in the waters off of Hawaii. Fleet problems are intensive and involved training programs that have specific goals. In Fleet Problem XVIII, the participants practiced tactics for seizing and gaining control of advanced base sites.

At the end of 1937, the Porpoise headed to the navy yard at Mare Island for an overhaul. After the work was complete, she set sail for Pearl Harbor. Here, she completed additional training before setting out for the Philippines as a member of the Asiatic Fleet. She remained with this group until late in 1941. She was located with the Asiatic Fleet when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Porpoise, who was undergoing updates at the time, was quickly moved through repairs and set off for Manila.

Early War Patrol

Now on war patrol, the submarine patrolled the waters of the South China Sea. Although the Porpoise managed to get several torpedoes off on her first war patrol, she did not have any successful hits. Her next patrol proved more productive, with a hit on a cargo ship before returning to port. On the trip from the East Indies to Pearl Harbor, she encountered a cargo ship, but had no success hitting her target. She also rescued five service men who had been on an enemy island before making her way home.The USS Porpoise went from Pearl Harbor to Mare Island, where she was overhauled. Her next trip was patrolling the waters off of the coast of Japan. She sank a cargo ship on this patrol, ending her mission on Midway Island. On her following patrol trip, she visited the waters off of the Jaluit Atoll, and managed to sink a cargo ship.

Another trip to Pearl Harbor for updating, and the Porpoise was back in the water, performing reconnaissance duties. She conducted this mission off Taroa Island and in the waters along the Marshall Islands. She hit three cargo ships on this patrol, sinking a passenger-cargo vessel. At the completion of this patrol, the Porpoise was initially assigned to Pearl Harbor. At her arrival in port, it was determined that she should head back to the East Coast. Her fuel oil tanks were leaking badly, because of a depth charge she received. Already aged, the leaking tanks lead to the decision to remove her from war time patrol. She made her way for Connecticut, where she would be used for training. She spent the remainder of her career as a training submarine. The Porpoise was decommissioned in 1945. In 1947, she was moved to the 8th Naval District, where she was used to train Navy reserves. She completed these duties in Texas. In 1956 she was removed from the Navy List, and was sold for scrap in 1957. Because of her service in the second World War, the USS Porpoise received five Battle Stars.

The Men of World War II

During the Second World War, many men lost their lives in battle. While we will never forget the bravery of these men, many of those who survived the war are at risk today. The submarines and ships that these men spent months and even years of their lives on contained asbestos. At the time, the military used asbestos in a wide variety of products. Submarines, such as the Porpoise, were insulated with asbestos, and the pipes carrying water were lined with asbestos.

Asbestos, we now know, is extremely dangerous. Ingesting or inhaling asbestos fibers can lead to asbestosis or mesothelioma. Both of these diseases are very serious and have a poor prognosis. Another complicating factor of asbestos exposure is the length of time that it takes someone who has been exposed to asbestos to develop these diseases. In many cases it will be many decades before those exposed develop health conditions related to asbestos. If you believe that you may have been exposed to asbestos and would like more information, please fill out the form on this page to receive comprehensive packet in the mail.

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