USS Albacore (SS-218)

The first Albacore retained her former name; the second, SS-218, was named for the "large pelagic mackerel-type fish having long pectoral fins."

The second Albacore (SS-218) was laid down on 21 April 1941 at Groton, Conn., by the Electric Boat Co.; launched on 17 February 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Marie Elise Cutts, the wife of Capt. Elwin F. Cutts, the commanding officer of the Submarine Base, New London, Conn.; and commissioned on 1 June 1942, Lt. Cmdr. Richard C. Lake in command.

Following shakedown, the submarine proceeded via the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor and, from that base on 28 August 1942, began her first war patrol which took her to waters of the north and northeast pass through the coral reef which surrounds Truk. On 13 September, Albacore sighted two cargo vessels sailing in a column formation and prepared for her first combat action. Lake made a submerged approach and fired three torpedoes at the leading ship and two at the second. One or possibly two torpedoes hit on the first ship; but none struck the second. Albacore claimed to have damaged the leading vessel.

Continue to the full service history →About 2,101 words

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Albacore II (SS-218)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.