USS Spadefish (SS-411)

The first Spadefish (SS-411) was laid down on 27 May 1943 by the Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, Calif.; launched on 8 January 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Francis W. Scanland; and commissioned on 9 March 1944, Cmdr. G. W. Underwood in command.

Fallowing shakedown training along the coast of California, Spadefish departed San Francisco on 14 June and arrived at Pearl Harbor on 22 June. On 23 July, she got underway from Pearl Harbor for her maiden war patrol, as a member of a coordinated attack group with Picuda (SS-382) and Redfish (SS-395). Although she was commissioned late in the war and spent only one year in the Pacific war zone, she was to run up a record of 21 ships and numerous trawlers sunk and many others damaged.

On 19 August, while patrolling in Philippine water off the northwest coast of Luzon, Spadefish got off to a resounding start by torpedoing and sinking Japan's 9,589-ton, passenger-cargo ship Tamatsu Maru. Three days later, she trailed three large tankers through Babuyan Channel along the northern Luzon coast; closed range; and fired two spreads of torpedoes, sinking the 10,023-ton tanker Hakko Maru No. 2, and damaging a second tanker that, protected by a destroyer, limped back to a shallow cove off Luzon. For several hours into the next day, Spadefish attempted to get around the escort to attack the damaged ship anchored in the cove. The submarine finally let go with four stern torpedoes at the destroyer, but the enemy zigged clear and proceeded to depth charge the entire area. Having only three torpedoes remaining, Spadefish set course for Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, to replenish her supply.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Spadefish I (SS-411)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.