USS Runner SS-476

Construction began on the USS Runner in the summer of 1944, and she was completed early in 1945. She was a Tench-class submarine. The Tench-class subs were an improvement over the earlier classes of submarines, Gato and Balao. Although not much larger than earlier subs, the Tench class had internal improvements that made life on board much more pleasant. They were also more durable. The Navy had originally ordered 146 of these submarines, but when the strength of the Japanese military began to weaken, the Navy cancelled all but 31 of them.

Wartime Service

The USS Runner received her initial training in the waters off of the East Coast, before heading to more specialized training in both Key West and then Panama. She then sailed for Pearl Harbor to receive her first assignment. On her first patrol, the Runner was sent to the waters off the coast of Japan. There, she swept the area for mines. While in the area, she sighted enemy vessels. She fired at a tanker that was protected by two escort ships. They managed to escape the attack, but the Runner had a successful hit on a minesweeper, sinking it. Toward the end of her patrol, the Runner took in crew from the USS Gabilan and USS Aspro, whose planes had been downed, and transported them to Guam.

The second patrol of the Runner was set to take place, once again, in the waters off of Japan's Honshu Island. By the time she reached her patrol area, however, the Japanese had ended hostilities. The Runner, accompanied with ten other subs that were in the area, sailed into Tokyo Bay to take part in the formal ceremony accepting Japan's surrender. The submarines then left the area and sailed for Pearl Harbor. From there, she made the trip to Connecticut.

Service After the War

The USS Runner, as part of Submarine Squadron 6, traveled to Panama where she would remain for three years. During this time she took part in training missions in the Caribbean. In the summer of 1949, the Runner was reassigned to base in Norfolk. She remained there for seven years, taking part in training exercises and travelling across the Atlantic on patrols to Europe. In the summer of 1958, the Runner was transferred to Puerto Rico, and was used as a missile guidance submarine.

When the Runner returned to Virginia, she continued to participate in training exercises along the East Coast. Early in 1962, she was assigned to the Mediterranean Sea for missions with NATO troops. When she returned to port, she participated in antisubmarine warfare training. Antisubmarine training would take up a good portion of her time over the next few years. She received an overhaul to update her equipment, she took part in training in the Atlantic and was sent into the Great Lakes and used to train reservists. She also took part in another deployment in the Mediterranean Sea during this time as well.

In 1968, the USS Runner was assigned to the Underwater Demolition Team, operating in Virginia. During this time, she continued to operate in antiwarfare submarine training. In the spring of 1968, the USS Runner, took part in what would be her final deployment to the Mediterranean. During her time overseas, she participated in NATO exercises, and visited Spain and Portugal. At the end of this mission, she returned to port in Norfolk.

Early in 1969, the USS Runner was decommissioned. Located at the time in Boston Naval Yard, she was towed to the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. There, she was renamed the AGSS-476, and used to train members of the Navy Reserve. She was removed from the Navy Register at the end of 1971. Although the USS Runner had a lengthy career in the Navy, because of her limited action in the second World War, she only received one Battle Star.

Life in the Navy

The men that worked aboard the USS Runner and other Navy submarines spent weeks and even months at a time on board these vessels. Wile the men who served during war clearly understood the risks of heading out to sea to face the enemy, even those members of the Navy Reserves faced dangers. The submarines could encounter mechanical difficulties in even the calmest training duties. Another danger associated with Navy submarines was the material used to make the vessels. The Navy used asbestos in many of the materials on board. Asbestos prevents sparks from igniting and makes an excellent heat shield and insulation. It was also readily available. For these reasons, the Navy used asbestos on board their submarines and ships.

Exposure to asbestos can lead to a variety of serious health conditions. These health problems, such as asbestosis and mesothelioma, can take decades to develop. Many of the men who served in the Navy during the Second World War, and later, during peace time, may have been exposed to asbestos. If you believe that you are at risk and would like more information, please fill out the form on this page to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

Submarines Index