USS Bergall (SS-320)

A small fish, generally about six to ten inches in length, found along the coast of North America from the Chesapeake Bay north to the Labrador coast, whose color varies with that of its environment.

The first Bergall (SS-320) was laid down on 13 May 1943 at Groton, Conn., by the Electric Boat Co.; launched on 16 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Isabel M. Elkins; and commissioned on 12 June 1944, Lt. Comdr. John M. Hyde in command.

The crew of the new submarine carried out shakedown operations in the waters off New London and attack training at the torpedo range near Newport until 3 July. After returning to New London, the boat set sail for the Pacific on the 16th. En route to Panama, as remarked in Bergall 's war diary, the crew received "indoctrinational life guard duty training" near Puerto Rico when an Army training plane splashed about 1,000 yards away. The airplane crew "were unhurt and enjoyed the ride to Panama." After transiting the Panama Canal on 24 July, the submarine departed Balboa on the 28th and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 13 August.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Bergall I (SS-320)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.