USS Tunny (SS-282)

Any of several oceanic fishes resembling the mackerel. The tunny, which is found in all warm seas, can reach a length of 10 feet and weigh in excess of 1,000 pounds.

The first Tunny (SS-282) was laid down on 10 November 1941 at Vallejo, Calif., by the Mare Island Navy Yard; launched on 30 June 1942; sponsored by Mrs. Frederick G. Crisp; and commissioned on 1 September 1942, Lt. Cmdr. Elton W. Grenfell in command.

Following shakedown training out of California ports, Tunny arrived in the Hawaiian Islands on 12 December 1942. After an additional week of training and two weeks of availability, she got underway from Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, on 12 January 1943 for her first war patrol. For nearly a week, rough seas hampered the progress of the submarine. Then, as she approached the Ryukyus, sea traffic increased. Sightings of sampans became frequent, and Tunny often dove to avoid detection by suspicious looking trawlers.

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From the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, compiled by the Naval History and Heritage Command (Tunny I (SS-282)). A work of the United States Government, in the public domain.