USS Sabalo (SS-302)

Another name for the tarpon, a large, silvery game fish of the herring group, found in the warmer parts of the western Atlantic. The first Sabalo retained her former name; the second was named for the fish.

Sabalo (SS-302) was laid down on 5 June 1943 by Cramp Shipbuilding Co., Philadelphia, Pa.; launched on 4 June 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Charles M. Oman; and commissioned on 19 June 1945 at the Philadelphia Navy Yard, Lt. Cmdr. James G. Andrews in command.

After trials in the Delaware, Sabalo proceeded to the Submarine Base, New London, Conn., for shakedown and training. She operated locally from New London until June 1946 when she began preparations for inactivation. She decommissioned on 7 August at Portsmouth, N.H., and was placed in reserve, remaining there until recommissioning in June 1951 at New London.

In August 1951, Sabalo departed New London for Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, her new home port. Arriving in September, she conducted local operations into February 1952. From 18 February to 28 September, she underwent conversion to a "Fleet Snorkel" type at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard. Following this conversion, she alternated local operations with simulated war patrols while deployed to the western Pacific. The first deployment, 26 December 1952 to 26 June 1953, was followed by a second, mid-November 1954 to 10 May 1955. Her third deployment, 17 September-4 November 1955, was conducted off Alaska and among the eastern Aleutians.

In September 1966, Sabalo's home port was changed to San Diego, Calif., and she resumed training operations off the west coast, primarily providing services to ships undergoing ASW, type, and refresher training. Sabalo served in that capacity as a unit of the 1st Fleet until decommissioned on 1 July 1971. Stricken from the Navy list the same day, she was sunk off San Diego in February 1973.

From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Sabalo II (SS-302)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.