USS Sculpin (SS-191)

A spiny, large-headed, broad-mouthed, usually scale-less fish of the family Cottidae. Several species are found on the Atlantic coasts of Europe and North America.

The first Sculpin (SS-191) was laid down on 7 September 1937 at Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy Yard; launched on 27 July 1938; sponsored by Mrs. J. R. Defrees; commissioned on 16 January 1939, Lt. W. D. Wilkin in command.

While on her initial shakedown cruise on 23 May 1939, the diesel-powered submarine was diverted to search for the sunken submarine, Squalus. Sighting a red smoke bomb and a buoy from the sunken submarine, she established communications, first by phone and then by signals tapped in Morse code on the hull. It was determined that Squalus was resting on the bottom in 40 fathoms of water, with both engine rooms flooded. Sculpin stood by while Falcon (ASR-2) rescued the survivors, and rendered further assistance by familiarizing the divers with the configuration of her sister ship. Sculpin aided in the salvage of the sunken vessel by sounding out the approaches to Portsmouth Harbor and preparing supplementary charts of the area where Squalus was refloated.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Sculpin I (SS-191)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.