USS Seadragon SS-194

The USS Seadragon submarine earned 11 Battle Stars for her service during World War II. She was propelled by four nine-cylinder diesel engines, two 126-cell batteries, four high-speed electric motors, and two shafts. She could reach 20 knots per hour on the surface and nine when submerged. Her complement was 59 men, and her armament consisted of eight 21-inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes, 24 torpedoes, one three-inch 50-caliber deck gun and four machine guns. Seadragon was 311 feet long and could endure 48 hours underwater at two knots per hour, at a maximum depth of 250 feet.

Early Loss and Damage

USS Seadragon was commissioned in 1939; her first tour of duty took her to the Philippine Islands, where she trained as part of the Asiatic Fleet. Within two years, she suffered a major disaster. Trapped in the midst of an enemy air raid against Cavite, Seadragon was heavily damaged by an explosion that ripped off part of her bridge. Her conning tower ballast tanks were showered and punctured with debris, and her hull's black paint was gone. Sadly, USS Seadragon incurred one crewmember fatality and five wounded sailors. The attack caused other explosions and infernos along the wharf.

Even though Seadragon was feet away from a torpedo-laden lighter, Submarine Rescue Vessel Pigeon attempted to rescue her. She was, however, able to make it into Manila Bay on own, where she received a temporary fix from tender Canopus. She then embarked on a war patrol in the South China Sea, during which time she experienced additional problems. As she approached a six-ship convoy; her periscope was seen by enemy aircraft. Unfortunately, because she hadn't yet been repainted, red undercoating showed in areas, including her bow planes and propeller guards, and she was thus obvious in the relatively shallow water. But luckily she was able to speed to deeper water and dive before being attacked.

Notable Attacks

Seadragon achieved success in 1942 when she sunk the 6,441-ton transport Tamagawa Maru. After this, her next assignment was to transport 17 crew members from CAST (cyptanlysts and traffic analysts), followed by a patrol in the South China Sea and the sinking of Shinyo Maru and Hakodate Maru. This deployment was also noted for an onboard emergency appendectomy performed by the Pharmacist's Mate. It was the first such occurrence on a submarine. For saving a fellow crewman's life, Lt. Cmdr. Wheeler B. Lipes was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal. The remainder of the tour resulted in Seadragon sinking of Shigure Maru and a Japanese submarine, but not without damage to her torpedo room - yet she was still able to damage another cargoman before an overhaul. Later in1943, Seadragon damaged several other freighters and an enemy transport, and the following year, damaged additional cargomen and sunk Daiju Maru. This mission was followed by the setting of an armed trawler on fire and the sinking of Eiko Maru, Taiten Maru, and Kokuryu Maru.

In 1945, the USS Seadragon answered a call to duty for downed aviators and the hunt for enemy shipping lines. After completion, she was utilized in a training capacity for naval air units. During the last days of war, she served with the Atlantic Fleet out of Guantanamo Bay and Key West, Florida. Seadragon was decommissioned in November, 1945, but was re-commissioned in early 1946. Her second career involved a task concerned with submarine preservation until she was decommissioned again in 1946. USS Seadragon was considered part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet until stricken from the Naval Vessel Register two years later.

Seadragon certainly faced more than her share of perilous situations, and she consistently pulled through in a manner befitting a well-trained and able crew. The majority of her problems came from enemy attack; there is nothing noted on record of her experiencing any onboard mishap or accidents. She is very fortunate that the attacks did not start fires. Everyone on vessels knows that the failure to contain a blaze can mean death for all aboard. That is why the Navy went to great efforts to provide its warships with the best known fire prevention devices known during the 1940s, including, in all likelihood, a large amount of asbestos. Included with standard insulation, asbestos offered the benefits of excellent control of heat, flames, fire and electricity, in any small or tight space, without adding any extra weight to the ship.

Yet, during the attack of a ship, or from normal wear and tear, the asbestos sealant may have become damaged. If so, microscopic asbestos fibers may have escaped and floated into the ship's air system. Recycled circulation may have caused anyone on board to inhale or swallow the fibers. Asbestos can tend to stay in human tissue. With the long latency period of asbestos conditions, only now are diseases being diagnosed from exposure that took place 40 or 50 years ago. It is therefore very important that any crew member of the USS Seadragon see their doctor if they experience unusual physical symptoms. For more information on asbestos and asbestos-related disease, please fill out the form on the right to receive a comprehensive packet in the mail.

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