USS Snook (SS-279)

A robalo of the Atlantic that is bluish-gray above and silvery below a black lateral line. The snook attains a length of about four feet and a weight of from 15 to 20 pounds.

The first Snook (SS-279) was laid down by the Portsmouth (N.H.) Navy Yard on 17 April 1942; launched on 15 August 1942; sponsored by Mrs. James C. Dempsey, wife of Lt. Dempsey who had been awarded the Navy Cross for heroism as commanding officer of the submarine S-27; and commissioned on 24 October 1942, Lt. Comdr. C. O. Triebel in command.

After shakedown training off the New England coast, Snook departed New London on 3 March 1943 and set sail for the Pacific. Following a 12-day stopover at Pearl Harbor, the submarine put to sea on 11 April and headed for the Yellow and East China seas for her first war patrol. Upon completion of mine planting in the Shanghai area, Snook continued on up the coast of China to the Yellow Sea. On the afternoon of 5 May, she sighted two freighters standing out of Dairen and took up the chase. She trailed both until after nightfall, then let go with a spread of three torpedoes that quickly sank Kinko Maru. The lead freighter continued on, oblivious to the fate that had befallen her companion, until someone on the sinking ship sounded a whistle. At that point, the freighter began a series of frantic maneuvers to dodge two of Snook's torpedoes; then opened fire with her guns, forcing the submarine to race out of range. Snook quickly returned to the action, however, firing three torpedoes, with one hit amidships, that sent Daifuku Maru to the bottom. With two "kills" to her credit, Snook resumed patrol.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Snook I (SS-279)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.