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{{short description|Submarine of the United States}}
{{otherships|USS Barracuda}}
{{other ships|USS Barracuda}}
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{|{{Infobox Ship Begin}}
{{Use American English|date=October 2024}}
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{{Infobox Ship Image
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
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|Ship image=[[Image:USSBaracudaSS163.jpg|300px|USS Barracuda (SS-163)]]
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{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
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{{Infobox ship image
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|Ship image=[[File:USSBaracudaSS163.jpg|300px|USS Barracuda (SS-163)]]
|Ship caption=
|Ship caption=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Ship country=
|Ship country=United States
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship flag={{USN flag|1945}}
|Ship name=
|Ship name=
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| last = Friedman
| last = Friedman
| first = Norman
| first = Norman
| authorlink =
| coauthors =
| title = U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History
| title = U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History
| publisher = [[United States Naval Institute]]
| publisher = [[United States Naval Institute]]
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|Ship decommissioned=14 May 1937<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship decommissioned=14 May 1937<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Career
{{Infobox ship career
|Hide header=yes
|Hide header=yes
|Ship commissioned=5 September 1940<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship commissioned=5 September 1940<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
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|Ship reinstated=
|Ship reinstated=
|Ship fate=Sold for breaking up, 16 November 1945<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship fate=Sold for breaking up, 16 November 1945<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-dates"/>
|Ship status=
}}
}}
{{Infobox Ship Characteristics
{{Infobox ship characteristics
|Hide header=
|Hide header=
|Header caption=
|Header caption=
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| last = Bauer
| last = Bauer
| first = K. Jack
| first = K. Jack
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|author2=Roberts, Stephen S.
| authorlink =
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| title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants
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| coauthors = Roberts, Stephen S.
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| title = Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants
| publisher = Greenwood Press
| publisher = Greenwood Press
| year = 1991
| year = 1991
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| doi =
| doi =
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
| isbn = 0-313-26202-0 }}</ref>
|Ship displacement=2,119&nbsp;[[long ton|tons]] (2,153&nbsp;[[tonne|t]]) surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 305–311</ref><br />2,506&nbsp;tons (2,546&nbsp;t) submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship displacement=*2,119&nbsp;[[long ton|tons]] (2,153&nbsp;[[tonne|t]]) surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 305–311</ref>
*2,506&nbsp;tons (2,546&nbsp;t) submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship length={{convert|341|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship length={{convert|341|ft|6|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship beam=27&nbsp;ft 6⅝&nbsp;in (9.4&nbsp;m)<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship beam={{convert|27|ft|6+5/8|in}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship draft={{convert|15|ft|2|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship draft={{convert|15|ft|2|in|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship propulsion=(as built) 2 × [[Busch-Sulzer]] direct-drive 6-[[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] [[Two-stroke engine|2-cycle]] diesel engines, {{convert|2250|hp|abbr=on}} each<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 111–113</ref><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 257–259</ref><br />
|Ship propulsion=*(as built) 2 × [[Busch-Sulzer]] direct-drive main diesel engines, {{convert|2250|hp|abbr=on}} each<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 111–113</ref><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' pp. 257–259</ref>
2 × [[Bureau of Steam Engineering|BuEng]] 6-cylinder [[Four-stroke engine|4-cycle]] diesel engines, {{convert|1000|hp|abbr=on}} each, driving [[electrical generator]]s<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259"/><br />(re-engined) 2 x six-cylinder four-cycle [[MAN SE|Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nürnberg AG]] (MAN) diesels, 1000 hp (746 kW) each<ref>Alden, John D., Commander, USN (retired). ''The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy'' (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1979), p.210.</ref>
*2 × Busch-Sulzer auxiliary diesel engines, {{convert|1000|hp|abbr=on}} each, [[diesel-electric]] drive<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259"/>
*Auxiliary engines replaced with [[Bureau of Steam Engineering|BuEng]] [[MAN SE|MAN]] engines 1940, main engines removed 1942-43 on conversion to a cargo submarine<ref name="Alden, John D. 1979 p.210">Alden, John D., Commander, USN (retired). ''The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy'' (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1979), p.210.</ref>
2 × 60-[[Electrochemical cell|cell]] [[Exide]]<ref>Alden, p.211.</ref> [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><br />
2 × [[Elliott Company|Elliott]] [[electric motor]]s, {{convert|1200|hp|abbr=on}} each<ref name="Register"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><br />
*2 × 60-[[Electrochemical cell|cell]] [[Exide]]<ref>Alden, p.211.</ref> [[Battery (electricity)|batteries]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
*2 × [[Elliott Company|Elliott]] [[electric motor]]s, {{convert|1200|hp|abbr=on}} each<ref name="Register"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
two shafts
*2 shafts
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|Ship speed={{convert|21|kn|km/h}} surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><br />{{convert|9|kn|km/h}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship range={{convert|6000|nmi|km}} at {{convert|11|kn|km/h}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><br />{{convert|11000|nmi|km}} at 11&nbsp;knots with fuel in main [[ballast tank]]s<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship speed=*{{convert|21|kn|km/h}} surfaced<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
*{{convert|9|kn|km/h}} submerged<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
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|Ship range=*{{convert|6000|nmi|km}} at {{convert|11|kn|km/h}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
*{{convert|11000|nmi|km}} at 11&nbsp;knots with fuel in main [[ballast tank]]s<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship endurance=10&nbsp;hours at {{convert|5|kn|km/h|0}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship endurance=10&nbsp;hours at {{convert|5|kn|km/h|0}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship test depth={{convert|200|ft|-1|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship test depth={{convert|200|ft|-1|abbr=on}}<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
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|Ship sensors=
|Ship sensors=
|Ship EW=
|Ship EW=
|Ship armament=6 × 21 inch (533 mm) [[torpedo tube]]s<br />&nbsp;(four forward, two aft, twelve [[torpedo]]es)<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><ref>Lenton, H.T. ''American Submarines'' (Doubleday, 1973), p.29.</ref><br />1 × [[5"/51 caliber gun|5 inch (127 mm)/51 caliber]] [[deck gun]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship armament=*6 × {{convert|21|in|adj=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s
*&nbsp;(four forward, two aft, twelve [[torpedo]]es)<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/><ref>Lenton, H.T. ''American Submarines'' (Doubleday, 1973), p.29.</ref>
*1 × [[5"/51 caliber gun|5 inch (127 mm)/51 caliber]] [[deck gun]]<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-specs"/>
|Ship notes=
|Ship notes=
}}
}}
|}
|}


'''USS ''Barracuda'' (SF-4/SS-163)''', [[lead ship]] of [[V-boat#V-1 through V-3—the Barracudas|her class]] and first of the "[[V-boat]]s," was the second ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[barracuda]] (after USS [[USS F-2 (SS-21)|''F-2'']]). Her keel was laid down at [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]]. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] as ''V-1'' on 17 July 1924, sponsored by Mrs. Cornelia Wolcott Snyder, wife of [[Charles P. Snyder (admiral)|Captain Snyder]], and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 1 October 1924 with Lieutenant Commander S. Picking in command. ''V-1'' and her sisters [[USS Bass (SS-164)|''V-2'']] and [[USS Bonita (SS-165)|''V-3'']] were the only class of the nine "V-boats" designed to meet the [[fleet submarine]] requirement of {{convert|21|kn|km/h}} surface speed for operating with contemporary [[battleship]]s.
'''USS ''Barracuda'' (SF-4/SS-163)''', [[lead ship]] of [[V-boat#V-1 through V-3—the Barracudas|her class]] and first of the "[[V-boat]]s," was the second ship of the [[United States Navy]] to be named for the [[barracuda]] (after USS [[USS F-2 (SS-21)|''F-2'']]).
==Construction and commissioning==
''Barracuda''′s [[keel]] was laid down at [[Portsmouth Navy Yard]]. She was [[ship naming and launching|launched]] as ''V-1'' (SF-4) on 17 July 1924, sponsored by Mrs. Cornelia Wolcott Snyder, wife of [[Charles P. Snyder (admiral)|Captain Snyder]], and [[ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 1 October 1924. ''V-1'' and her sisters [[USS Bass (SS-164)|''V-2'' (''Bass'')]] and [[USS Bonita (SS-165)|''V-3'' (''Bonita'')]] were the only class of the nine "V-boats" designed to meet the [[fleet submarine]] requirement of {{convert|21|kn|km/h}} surface speed for operating with contemporary [[battleship]]s.

== Engineering ==

''V-1'' was completed with two [[Busch-Sulzer]] [[direct-drive]] 6-[[Cylinder (engine)|cylinder]] [[Two-stroke engine|2-cycle]] main [[diesel engine]]s of {{convert|2250|hp|abbr=on}} each,<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259"/> along with two Busch-Sulzer auxiliary diesel engines of {{convert|1000|hp|abbr=on}} each, driving [[electrical generator]]s. The latter were primarily for charging batteries, but to reach maximum surfaced speed, they could augment the mechanically coupled main-propulsion engines by supplying supplemental power to the 1,200&nbsp;hp (890&nbsp;kW) electric motors that were intended for submerged propulsion. Although it wasn't until about 1939 that its problems were fully solved, electric transmission in a pure [[diesel-electric]] arrangement became the propulsion system for the successful [[fleet submarine]]s of [[World War II]], the [[United States Porpoise-class submarine|''Porpoise-class'']], and the [[Tambor-class submarine|''Tambor''-class]] through the [[Tench-class submarine|''Tench''-class]]. Prior to recommissioning in 1940, the auxiliary diesels were replaced with two [[Bureau of Steam Engineering|BuEng]] [[MAN SE|Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nürnberg AG]] (MAN-designed) 6-cylinder [[Four-stroke engine|4-cycle]] diesel engines of {{convert|1000|hp|abbr=on}} each.<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p111–113"/><ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p257–259"/> In 1942-43 ''Barracuda'' was converted to a cargo submarine, with the main engines removed to provide cargo space, significantly reducing her speed on the remaining auxiliary diesels.<ref name="Alden, John D. 1979 p.210"/>


== Construction ==
== Construction ==


''V-1'' had been commissioned for surface running only, to permit an early trial of her engines. She was assigned to Submarine Division 20 and, after cruising along the [[New England]] coast, sailed on 14 January 1925 on a surface cruise of the [[Caribbean Sea]], returning in May 1925 for completion. ''V-1'' cruised along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean until November 1927.
''V-1'' had been commissioned in 1924 for surface running only, to permit an early trial of her engines. She was assigned to Submarine Division 20 and, after cruising along the [[New England]] coast, sailed on 14 January 1925 on a surface cruise of the [[Caribbean Sea]], returning in May 1925 for completion. ''V-1'' cruised along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean until November 1927.


== Operational life ==
== Operational life ==


On 8 November 1927 Squadron 20 left [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], for [[San Diego, California]], arriving 3 December. Between December 1927 and May 1932 ''V-1'' served with the Squadron on routine operations with the fleet along the west coast, in the [[Hawaiian Islands]], and in the Caribbean. Her name was changed to ''Barracuda'' 9 March 1931 (for the scrapped ''F-2'') and her designation to SS-163, 1 July 1931. In May 1932 she went into Rotating Reserve with Submarine Division 15 at [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]]. In January 1933 ''Barracuda'' was assigned to Submarine Division 12 and, until late in 1936, operated along the west coast and cruised to [[Pearl Harbor]] and the [[Panama Canal Zone]] with the fleet. On 28 October 1936 she left San Diego for the Caribbean where she took part in the [[Gravimetric Survey Expedition]]. On 8 January 1937 ''Barracuda'' sailed from [[St. Thomas, Virgin Islands]], and arrived at [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], on 14 January, where she remained until placed out of commission 14 May 1937.
On 8 November 1927 Squadron 20 left [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], for [[San Diego, California]], arriving 3 December. Between December 1927 and May 1932 ''V-1'' served with the Squadron on routine operations with the fleet along the west coast, in the [[Hawaiian Islands]], and in the Caribbean. During this period her [[5"/51 caliber gun|5 inch (127 mm)/51 caliber]] [[deck gun]] was replaced by a [[3"/50 caliber gun|3 inch (76 mm)/50 caliber]] weapon.<ref>Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 141-142</ref> Her name was changed to ''Barracuda'' 9 March 1931 (for the scrapped ''F-2'') and her [[hull classification symbol]] to SS-163, 1 July 1931. In May 1932 she went into Rotating Reserve with Submarine Division 15 at [[Mare Island Naval Shipyard]]. In January 1933 ''Barracuda'' was assigned to Submarine Division 12 and, until late in 1936, operated along the west coast and cruised to [[Pearl Harbor]] and the [[Panama Canal Zone]] with the fleet. On 28 October 1936 she left San Diego for the Caribbean where she took part in the [[Gravimetric Survey Expedition]]. On 8 January 1937 ''Barracuda'' sailed from [[St. Thomas, Virgin Islands]], and arrived at [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]], on 14 January, where she remained until placed out of commission 14 May 1937.


== Recommissioning ==
== Recommissioning ==
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''Barracuda'' was recommissioned at [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], on 5 September 1940 and assigned to Submarine Division 9. She sailed from Portsmouth 2 March 1941 to [[Bermuda]], returning in June to join Submarine Division 71. She remained in the [[New England]] area until sailing from [[Submarine Base New London|New London]], [[Connecticut]], on 17 November 1941 to join the [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]. She attended to duty in the Pacific Patrol Area until 15 December 1941 when she rejoined the [[US Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]]. Between 15 December 1941 and 7 September 1942 ''Barracuda'' was attached to Submarine Division 31 and completed six war patrols in the [[Pacific Ocean]], southwest of [[Panama]], without enemy contacts.
''Barracuda'' was recommissioned at [[Portsmouth, New Hampshire]], on 5 September 1940 and assigned to Submarine Division 9. She sailed from Portsmouth 2 March 1941 to [[Bermuda]], returning in June to join Submarine Division 71. She remained in the [[New England]] area until sailing from [[Submarine Base New London|New London]], [[Connecticut]], on 17 November 1941 to join the [[United States Pacific Fleet|Pacific Fleet]]. She attended to duty in the Pacific Patrol Area until 15 December 1941 when she rejoined the [[US Atlantic Fleet|Atlantic Fleet]]. Between 15 December 1941 and 7 September 1942 ''Barracuda'' was attached to Submarine Division 31 and completed six war patrols in the [[Pacific Ocean]], southwest of [[Panama]], without enemy contacts.


''Barracuda'' returned to [[Coco Solo]], [[Panama Canal Zone|Canal Zone]], on 7 September 1942 and, following voyage repairs, she proceeded to [[Philadelphia Navy Yard|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], for overhaul. At this time she was converted to a cargo submarine with the removal of her main engines, severely restricting her speed on the auxiliary engines.<ref>Friedman, p. 114</ref> Following overhaul she was based at New London until February 1945 with Submarine Divisions 13 and 31. She operated on training problems with [[destroyer]]s, other submarines, and planes in [[Block Island Sound]]. ''Barracuda'' arrived at [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] on 16 February 1945; was decommissioned 3 March 1945; and sold 16 November 1945.
''Barracuda'' returned to [[Coco Solo]], [[Panama Canal Zone|Canal Zone]], on 7 September 1942 and, following voyage repairs, she proceeded to [[Philadelphia Navy Yard|Philadelphia]], [[Pennsylvania]], for overhaul. At this time she was converted to a cargo submarine with the removal of her main engines, severely restricting her speed on the auxiliary engines.<ref name="FriedmanSubs1-p114">''U.S. Submarines Through 1945'' p. 114</ref> Following overhaul she was based at New London until February 1945 with Submarine Divisions 13 and 31. She operated on training problems with [[destroyer]]s, other submarines, and planes in [[Block Island Sound]]. ''Barracuda'' arrived at [[Philadelphia Navy Yard]] on 16 February 1945; was decommissioned 3 March 1945; and sold 16 November 1945.

==Awards==
*{{ribbon devices|number=1|type=service-star|ribbon=American Defense Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} [[American Defense Service Medal]] with "FLEET" clasp
*[[File:American Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[American Campaign Medal]]
*[[File:Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal]]
*[[File:World War II Victory Medal ribbon.svg|106px]] [[World War II Victory Medal]]


== References ==
== References ==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

=== Secondary Sources ===
{{refbegin}}
{{refbegin}}
⚫
*{{cite book | last=Campbell | first=John | title=Naval Weapons of World War Two | publisher=Naval Institute Press | date=1985 | isbn=0-87021-459-4 }}
⚫
* Schlesman, Bruce and Roberts, Stephen S., "Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants" (Greenwood Press, 1991), ISBN 0-313-26202-0
⚫
*{{cite journal | last=Friedman | first=Norman | title=US Submarines through 1945: An Illustrated Design History | journal= Naval Institute Press | place= Annapolis | date=1995 | isbn=1-55750-263-3 }}
⚫
* Lenton, H. T. ''American Submarines (Navies of the Second World War)'' (Doubleday, 1973), ISBN 0-38504-761-4
*{{cite book | last1= Gardiner |first1= Robert | last2=Chesneau | first2=Roger | title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946 | publisher=Conway Maritime Press | date=1980 | isbn=0-83170-303-2 }}
⚫
* Silverstone, Paul H., ''U.S. Warships of World War II'' (Ian Allan, 1965), ISBN 0-87021-773-9
⚫
*{{cite book | last= Lenton | first= H. T. | title=American Submarines (Navies of the Second World War) | publisher=Doubleday | date=1973 | isbn=0-38504-761-4 }}
⚫
* Campbell, John ''Naval Weapons of World War Two'' (Naval Institute Press, 1985), ISBN 0-87021-459-4
⚫
*{{cite book | last1=Schlesman | first1= Bruce | last2= Roberts | first2= Stephen S. | title=Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants | publisher=Greenwood Press | date=1991 | isbn=0-313-26202-0 }}
* http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/sublist.html
⚫
*{{cite book | last=Silverstone | first=Paul H. | title=U.S. Warships of World War II | publisher=Ian Allan | date=1965 | isbn=0-87021-773-9 }}
* Gardiner, Robert, ''Conway's all the world's fighting ships 1922-1946'', Conway Maritime Press, 1980. ISBN 0-83170-303-2.
*{{cite journal | url=http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_20/vclass.htm | last=Whitman | first=Edward C. | title=The Navy's Variegated V-Class: Out of One, Many? | journal=Undersea Warfare | date=Fall 2003 | issue=2 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150304052224/http://www.navy.mil/navydata/cno/n87/usw/issue_20/vclass.htm | archive-date=2015-03-04 }}
⚫
* Friedman, Norman "US Submarines through 1945: An Illustrated Design History", Naval Institute Press, Annapolis:1995, ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
⚫
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08163.htm Navsource.org USS Barracuda page]
* [http://pigboats.com/subs/v-boats1.html Pigboats.com V-boats page]
⚫
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-51_mk7.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 5"/51 caliber gun]
⚫
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b3/barracuda-ii.htm}}
{{refend}}
{{refend}}


== External links ==
<!-- non-breaking space to keep AWB drones from altering the space before the navbox-->

* [https://web.archive.org/web/20140322093118/http://www.fleetsubmarine.com/sublist.html USS Baracuda Fleet Submarine]
⚫
* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08163.htm Navsource.org USS Barracuda page]
* [https://pigboats.com/index.php?title=V-1_Class PigBoats.COM V-1 class page]
⚫
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_5-51_mk7.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com 5"/51 caliber gun]
* [http://www.navweaps.com/Weapons/WNUS_3-50_mk10-22.htm DiGiulian, Tony Navweaps.com later 3"/50 caliber gun]
⚫
*{{DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/b/barracuda-ii.html}}


{{V-boats}}
{{V-boats}}
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[[Category:United States Barracuda-class submarines (1919)]]
[[Category:United States Barracuda-class submarines (1919)]]
[[Category:V-boats]]
[[Category:V-boats]]
[[Category:Ships built in Maine]]
[[Category:Ships built in Kittery, Maine]]
[[Category:1924 ships]]
[[Category:1924 ships]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of the United States]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of the United States]]

Latest revision as of 12:19, 10 December 2024

For other ships with the same name, see USS Barracuda.

USS Barracuda (SS-163)
History
United States
BuilderPortsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, Maine[1]
Laid down20 October 1921[1]
Launched17 July 1924[1]
Commissioned1 October 1924[1]
Decommissioned14 May 1937[1]
Commissioned5 September 1940[1]
Decommissioned3 March 1945[1]
Stricken10 March 1945[1]
FateSold for breaking up, 16 November 1945[1]
General characteristics
Class and typeV-1 (Barracuda)-class composite direct-drive diesel and diesel-electric submarine[2]
Displacement
  • 2,119 tons (2,153 t) surfaced[3]
  • 2,506 tons (2,546 t) submerged[3]
Length341 ft 6 in (104.09 m)[3]
Beam27 feet 6+5⁄8 inches (8.398 m)[3]
Draft15 ft 2 in (4.62 m)[3]
Propulsion
Speed
  • 21 knots (39 km/h) surfaced[3]
  • 9 knots (17 km/h) submerged[3]
Range
  • 6,000 nautical miles (11,000 km) at 11 knots (20 km/h)[3]
  • 11,000 nautical miles (20,000 km) at 11 knots with fuel in main ballast tanks[3]
Endurance10 hours at 5 knots (9 km/h)[3]
Test depth200 ft (60 m)[3]
Complement7 officers, 11 petty officers, 69 enlisted[3]
Armament

USS Barracuda (SF-4/SS-163), lead ship of her class and first of the "V-boats," was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the barracuda (after USS F-2).

Construction and commissioning

[edit]

Barracuda′s keel was laid down at Portsmouth Navy Yard. She was launched as V-1 (SF-4) on 17 July 1924, sponsored by Mrs. Cornelia Wolcott Snyder, wife of Captain Snyder, and commissioned on 1 October 1924. V-1 and her sisters V-2 (Bass) and V-3 (Bonita) were the only class of the nine "V-boats" designed to meet the fleet submarine requirement of 21 knots (39 km/h) surface speed for operating with contemporary battleships.

Engineering

[edit]

V-1 was completed with two Busch-Sulzer direct-drive 6-cylinder 2-cycle main diesel engines of 2,250 hp (1,680 kW) each,[4][5] along with two Busch-Sulzer auxiliary diesel engines of 1,000 hp (750 kW) each, driving electrical generators. The latter were primarily for charging batteries, but to reach maximum surfaced speed, they could augment the mechanically coupled main-propulsion engines by supplying supplemental power to the 1,200 hp (890 kW) electric motors that were intended for submerged propulsion. Although it wasn't until about 1939 that its problems were fully solved, electric transmission in a pure diesel-electric arrangement became the propulsion system for the successful fleet submarines of World War II, the Porpoise-class, and the Tambor-class through the Tench-class. Prior to recommissioning in 1940, the auxiliary diesels were replaced with two BuEng Maschinenfabrik Augsburg Nürnberg AG (MAN-designed) 6-cylinder 4-cycle diesel engines of 1,000 hp (750 kW) each.[4][5] In 1942-43 Barracuda was converted to a cargo submarine, with the main engines removed to provide cargo space, significantly reducing her speed on the remaining auxiliary diesels.[6]

Construction

[edit]

V-1 had been commissioned in 1924 for surface running only, to permit an early trial of her engines. She was assigned to Submarine Division 20 and, after cruising along the New England coast, sailed on 14 January 1925 on a surface cruise of the Caribbean Sea, returning in May 1925 for completion. V-1 cruised along the Atlantic coast and in the Caribbean until November 1927.

Operational life

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On 8 November 1927 Squadron 20 left Portsmouth, New Hampshire, for San Diego, California, arriving 3 December. Between December 1927 and May 1932 V-1 served with the Squadron on routine operations with the fleet along the west coast, in the Hawaiian Islands, and in the Caribbean. During this period her 5 inch (127 mm)/51 caliber deck gun was replaced by a 3 inch (76 mm)/50 caliber weapon.[9] Her name was changed to Barracuda 9 March 1931 (for the scrapped F-2) and her hull classification symbol to SS-163, 1 July 1931. In May 1932 she went into Rotating Reserve with Submarine Division 15 at Mare Island Naval Shipyard. In January 1933 Barracuda was assigned to Submarine Division 12 and, until late in 1936, operated along the west coast and cruised to Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal Zone with the fleet. On 28 October 1936 she left San Diego for the Caribbean where she took part in the Gravimetric Survey Expedition. On 8 January 1937 Barracuda sailed from St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, and arrived at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 14 January, where she remained until placed out of commission 14 May 1937.

Recommissioning

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Barracuda was recommissioned at Portsmouth, New Hampshire, on 5 September 1940 and assigned to Submarine Division 9. She sailed from Portsmouth 2 March 1941 to Bermuda, returning in June to join Submarine Division 71. She remained in the New England area until sailing from New London, Connecticut, on 17 November 1941 to join the Pacific Fleet. She attended to duty in the Pacific Patrol Area until 15 December 1941 when she rejoined the Atlantic Fleet. Between 15 December 1941 and 7 September 1942 Barracuda was attached to Submarine Division 31 and completed six war patrols in the Pacific Ocean, southwest of Panama, without enemy contacts.

Barracuda returned to Coco Solo, Canal Zone, on 7 September 1942 and, following voyage repairs, she proceeded to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, for overhaul. At this time she was converted to a cargo submarine with the removal of her main engines, severely restricting her speed on the auxiliary engines.[10] Following overhaul she was based at New London until February 1945 with Submarine Divisions 13 and 31. She operated on training problems with destroyers, other submarines, and planes in Block Island Sound. Barracuda arrived at Philadelphia Navy Yard on 16 February 1945; was decommissioned 3 March 1945; and sold 16 November 1945.

Awards

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i Friedman, Norman (1995). U.S. Submarines Through 1945: An Illustrated Design History. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. pp. 285–304. ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
  2. ^ a b Bauer, K. Jack; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants. Westport, Connecticut: Greenwood Press. p. 265. ISBN 0-313-26202-0.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 305–311
  4. ^ a b c d U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 111–113
  5. ^ a b c d U.S. Submarines Through 1945 pp. 257–259
  6. ^ a b Alden, John D., Commander, USN (retired). The Fleet Submarine in the U.S. Navy (Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press, 1979), p.210.
  7. ^ Alden, p.211.
  8. ^ Lenton, H.T. American Submarines (Doubleday, 1973), p.29.
  9. ^ Gardiner and Chesneau, pp. 141-142
  10. ^ U.S. Submarines Through 1945 p. 114

Secondary Sources

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  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • Friedman, Norman (1995). "US Submarines through 1945: An Illustrated Design History". Naval Institute Press. Annapolis. ISBN 1-55750-263-3.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chesneau, Roger (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-83170-303-2.
  • Lenton, H. T. (1973). American Submarines (Navies of the Second World War). Doubleday. ISBN 0-38504-761-4.
  • Schlesman, Bruce; Roberts, Stephen S. (1991). Register of Ships of the U.S. Navy, 1775–1990: Major Combatants. Greenwood Press. ISBN 0-313-26202-0.
  • Silverstone, Paul H. (1965). U.S. Warships of World War II. Ian Allan. ISBN 0-87021-773-9.
  • Whitman, Edward C. (Fall 2003). "The Navy's Variegated V-Class: Out of One, Many?". Undersea Warfare (2). Archived from the original on 4 March 2015.
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