The Fleet Boats of World War Two
The long-range Fleet Submarines were primarily of the three basic classes GATO, BALAO and TENCH, respectively. Visually identical to the uninitiated, the classes differed greatly with respect to diving performance. As the pressure hulls were improved by hardening and thickening, greater hull-crush depths were achieved.
WWII fleet boats were based on the design and basic dimensions of the TAMBOR class submarines of 1939, which dived to an operating depth of 250 feet. The 6 TAMBOR class subs went on to serve with distinction in the Pacific.
The lead ship of class, USS GATO (SS-212), was built at the birth place of the U.S. Navy's submarine service, the Electric Boat Company in Groton, CT. Her keel was laid down on 5 October 1940. Subsequent launch was 21 August 1941 and she was commissioned 31 December 1941. Only slightly larger than the TAMBORs, she could operate at a depth of 300 feet.
GATO class submarines were built at three other facilities including the Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, and the Portsmouth Navy Yard, in Kittery, Maine. Both of which launched and commissioned GATO boats weeks or days before the USS GATO. The remaining GATO class boats were some of the famed Freshwater Submarines built on the shores of Lake Michigan in Manitowoc, Wisconsin, by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company. 77 GATOs were built during the war.
Displacement Submerged: 2424 tons
Length: 311' 9"
Beam: 27' 3"
Draft: 15' 3"
Speed Surfaced: 20.25 kts.
Speed Sumberged: 8.75 kts.
Operating Depth: 300 feet
Patrol Endurance: 75 Days
Range: 11,000 Miles
Torpedo Tubes: 10 (6 Foreward and 4 Aft)
Torpedos: 24 (16 Forward and 8 Aft)
General Deck Armament: Main Deck Gun 3 to 5 Inches
Compliment of AA, 20 to 40 MM
2 each .50 and .30 Cal Machine Guns
Drive: Full-time Diesel-Electric
Their crews were the hand-picked best among volunteers, who were trained to a level not even found in the Naval Air Service. Each crew of 80 was essentially a company of special operators, trained to engage the enemy without support and against great odds. They achieved their objectives beyond all expectation but at a heavy price. One in five submariners were to die at sea.
