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| USN Balao Class Fleet Submarine 1,550 Tons 311' 6" x 27' 3" x 16' 10" 10 × 21" torpedo tubes 1 × 4" deck gun 1 x 40mm AA gun 1 x 20mm cannon |
Sub History Built in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, New Hampshire. Laid down March 15, 1943 as a Balao Class Fleet Submarine. USS Pampanito (SS-383) and USS Picuda (SS-382) were the first two of ten submarines built in the new shipbuilding basin. Launched July 12, 1943 as USS Pampanito (SS-383). Commissioned November 6, 1943 in the U.S. Navy (USN) with Lieutenant Commander Charles B. Jackson, Jr. in command. After shakedown off New London, Connecticut transits the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor arriving February 14, 1944. Wartime History In total, Pampanito made six war patrols in the Pacific. In total, she sank six Japanese ships and damaged four others. First War Patrol Her first war patrol, from March 15 to May 2 was conducted in the southwest approaches to Saipan and Guam. She served on lifeguard duty south of Yap, then scored two torpedo hits on a destroyer before sailing for Midway Island and Pearl Harbor for refit and repairs to a hull badly damaged by depth charges. Second War Patrol Pampanito's second war patrol, from June 3 to July 23 off Kyūshū, Shikoku, and Honshū. On 23 June, a submerged Japanese submarine fired two torpedoes, just missing Pampanito. On 6 July, Pampanito damaged a Japanese gunboat, and 11 days later headed for Midway Island. Third War Patrol Pampanito's third war patrol, from August 17 to September 28, was part of a "wolfpack" operation with submarines USS Growler (SS-215) and USS Sealion (SS-315) in the South China Sea. On September 12, 1944 a US submarine wolf pack including USS Sealion (SS-315), USS Barb (SS-220), USS Queenfish (SS-393), USS Pampanito (SS-383) and USS Growler (SS-215) attack a convoy bound from Straits Settlement for Japan. She sank 10,509 ton POW ship Kachidoki Maru carrying 900 British prisoners, the 5,135 ton tanker Zuihō Maru, and damaged a third ship. On September 15, the attacking submarines were notified that Allied prisoners were found among the wreckage from the Rakyo Maru and Pampanito traveled at top speed back to the scene of the sinking, arriving five days later. Finding men clinging to makeshift rafts, Pampanito was able to pick up 73 British and Australian survivors and called in three other subs, USS Sealion, USS Barb (SS-220) and USS Queenfish (SS-393), to assist with the rescue. She then set course for Saipan, disembarked the survivors, and returned to Pearl Harbor. Fourth War Patrol Pampanito's fourth war patrol, from 28 October to 30 December, took place off Formosa and the coast of southeastern China with Sea Cat (SS-399), Pipefish (SS-388), and Searaven (SS-196). Sinking 1200 ton cargo ship Shinko Maru Number One, 19 November, she damaged a second ship before putting in to Fremantle for refit. Fifth War Patrol Patrolled in the Gulf of Siam, from 23 January to 12 February 1945, with Guavina (SS-362), was highlighted by two sinkings: 6,968-ton cargo ship Engen Maru on February 6 and the 3,520-ton passenger-cargo ship Eifuku Maru on February 8. Afterwards, the submarine refitted at Subic Bay. Sixth War Patrol Departed Subic Bay for the Gulf of Siam, operating with Caiman (SS-323), Sealion, and Mingo (SS-261), she sighted only one target before returning to Pearl Harbor. Afterwards, proceeded to San Francisco for an overhaul, then returned to Pearl Harbor on August 1, 1945. After the surrender of Japan the submarine returned to San Francisco. On December 15, 1945 decommissioned at Mare Island. Awards For her World War II service, Pampanito earned six battle stars, one for each of her war patrols. Postwar Remained in reserve until April 1960 when she was assigned to Naval Reserve Training at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. On November 6, 1962 reclassified as AGSS-383 and served as a U.S. Naval Reserve training ship based at Vallejo, California. On December 20, 1971 stricken from the Navy Register. Display In 1999, the submarine was moored at Pier 45, Fisherman's Wharf and operated by the San Francisco Maritime Park Association. The submarine hosts approximately 110,000 visitors a year and is one of the most popular historic vessels in the country. Restored to her configuration at the end of the Pacific War. References USS Pampanito Official Website Down Periscope features this submarine Contribute
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