USS Croaker

USS Croaker (SS/SSK-246) was a Gato-class submarine of the United States Navy that served primarily during World War II in the Pacific theater, where it conducted six war patrols, sank 11 Japanese vessels totaling 19,710 tons, and earned three battle stars along with the Navy Unit Commendation for its combat actions.^[1][2] Launched on 19 December 1943 by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, and commissioned on 21 April 1944 under Commander John E. Lee, Croaker measured 311 feet in length with a beam of 27 feet and a displacement of 1,525 tons surfaced, armed with ten 21-inch torpedo tubes and capable of carrying up to 24 torpedoes.^[1][2] Her wartime service included notable successes such as the sinking of the Japanese light cruiser Nagara during her first patrol in August 1944, as well as multiple freighters and auxiliaries across patrols targeting enemy shipping in the East China Sea, Java Sea, and South China Sea, while also performing lifesaving rescue operations for downed aviators near the Bonin Islands and Luzon.^[1] Following the war, Croaker was decommissioned in May 1946 but recommissioned in 1951 as a training vessel before undergoing conversion in 1953 to a hunter-killer submarine (SSK-246) with enhanced sonar, radar, and quieting features for antisubmarine warfare duties during the Cold War.^[1][2] She operated along the U.S. East Coast, in the Caribbean, and participated in NATO exercises, including a Mediterranean deployment in 1960, until her final decommissioning on 2 April 1968 and being stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 20 December 1971.^[1][3] Today, Croaker is preserved as a museum ship at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park in Buffalo, New York, where she has been open to the public since 1988 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as one of only six surviving Gato-class submarines.^[2] Visitors can tour her interior to explore the confined living conditions endured by her 80-man crew during wartime operations.^[2]

Construction and commissioning

Construction

The keel of USS Croaker (SS-246) was laid down on 1 April 1943 at the Electric Boat Company shipyard in Groton, Connecticut.^[4] Electric Boat, established as a pioneer in submarine construction since the early 20th century, ramped up production during World War II to become the primary builder of U.S. fleet submarines, delivering 74 submarines, including numerous Gato-class boats, by war's end to support the Navy's aggressive undersea campaign in the Pacific. This wartime effort involved streamlined assembly lines and innovative techniques, such as modular component fabrication, to accelerate output amid material shortages and labor demands. Construction of Croaker adhered to the standardized Gato-class blueprint, which prioritized endurance, stealth, and firepower for extended patrols against Japanese shipping. The vessel measured 311 feet 9 inches in overall length with a beam of 27 feet 3 inches, achieving a surfaced displacement of 1,526 tons and 2,424 tons submerged, powered by diesel-electric propulsion for a top speed of 21 knots surfaced.^[1] These dimensions and features, refined from earlier classes like the Tambor, allowed for a crew of approximately 80 and armament including ten 21-inch torpedo tubes, enabling Croaker to carry up to 24 torpedoes while maintaining operational range exceeding 11,000 nautical miles. No significant deviations from the class norm were incorporated during her build, ensuring interchangeability of parts across the fleet. The Gato-class design principles focused on balancing hydrodynamic efficiency with robust hull strength to withstand deep dives up to 300 feet. Croaker was launched on 19 December 1943, sliding into the Thames River amid a ceremony marking one of Electric Boat's rapid wartime completions, sponsored by Mrs. W. H. P. Blandy, wife of Vice Admiral William H. P. Blandy.^[3] The launch highlighted the yard's efficiency, with the submarine completing hull fabrication and initial outfitting in under nine months despite the complexities of wartime secrecy and resource allocation.

Commissioning

The USS Croaker (SS-246), a Gato-class submarine built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, was formally commissioned into United States Navy service on 21 April 1944. The commissioning ceremony marked the official transfer of the vessel from the builder's control to the Navy, with the crew assuming full operational responsibility following the completion of builder's sea trials conducted earlier in the year. Sponsored by Mrs. William H. P. Blandy, the event signified the submarine's readiness for active duty after its launch on 19 December 1943.^[3] Under the command of Commander John E. Lee, the initial crew—comprising approximately 80 officers and enlisted personnel—was assembled in the weeks leading up to the commissioning, drawing from experienced submariners and new volunteers trained at the Naval Submarine Base New London. Basic operational tests, including systems checks for propulsion, diving, and armament, were integrated into the pre-commissioning phase to ensure seaworthiness. These preparations transitioned the vessel from static trials to dynamic Navy oversight, emphasizing crew familiarization with the submarine's capabilities.^[1][3] Following commissioning, Croaker conducted shakedown training in Long Island Sound and the waters off New London, Connecticut, from late April to mid-May 1944. This intensive period involved simulated dives, surface maneuvers, and torpedo firing exercises to validate the submarine's performance under combat-like conditions and to refine crew coordination before transiting to the Pacific theater. On 24 May 1944, after completing these trials, Croaker departed New London for Balboa, Canal Zone, en route to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 26 June 1944, fully prepared for deployment.^[1]

World War II service

Early patrols

USS Croaker departed Pearl Harbor on 19 July 1944 for her first war patrol, assigned to the East China and Yellow Seas.^[1] On 7 August, she fired torpedoes at the Japanese light cruiser Nagara, scoring one hit that sank the 5,700-ton vessel approximately 35 miles south of Nagasaki.^[1][5] Following this success, Croaker endured a seven-hour depth charge attack from Japanese escorts, with 23 charges dropped in spasmodic patterns, but evaded serious damage by remaining deep.^[6] Later in the patrol, on 14 August, she sank the ex-gunboat Daigen Maru No. 7 (1,289 tons) off the west coast of Korea.^[5] On 16 August, Croaker claimed the auxiliary minesweeper Taito Maru (267 tons) with a single torpedo, though this sinking was not confirmed in postwar assessments.^[7] On 17 August, she sank the cargo ship Yamateru Maru (also known as Sansho Maru, 6,862 tons).^[1][5] Additionally, Croaker served lifeguard duty in the Bonin Islands during U.S. air strikes.^[1] She returned to Midway on 31 August for refitting.^[1] For her second war patrol, Croaker sailed from Midway on 23 September 1944 as part of a wolfpack, again operating in the East China and Yellow Seas, with areas off Formosa and Luzon.^[1] On 9 October, she sank the cargo ship Shinki Maru (2,211 tons) southeast of Nagasaki.^[5] Continuing aggressive operations, Croaker sank the cargo ship Hakuran Maru (also known as Byakuran Maru, 887 tons) on 23 October off the west coast of Korea.^[1][5] The next day, while shadowing a convoy, she expended her last torpedoes to sink the cargo ship Mikage Maru (2,761 tons) and damage the cargo ship Gassan Maru.^[1][5] With empty tubes, Croaker fueled at Midway before proceeding to Pearl Harbor, arriving on 10 November.^[1] Croaker's third war patrol began on 13 December 1944 from Pearl Harbor, focusing on lifeguard duties in the Luzon Straits and South China Sea to support strikes on Luzon ahead of the Lingayen Gulf landings.^[1] Despite extensive patrols, she made no confirmed contacts with enemy shipping and recorded no sinkings.^[1] Croaker provided lifeguard service for aviators but faced tactical challenges from increased Japanese antisubmarine measures, including convoy protections that limited opportunities for attack.^[1] She ended the patrol at Fremantle, Australia, on 12 February 1945.^[1] Across these early patrols, Croaker accounted for 19,710 tons of Japanese shipping sunk, primarily through torpedo attacks in contested waters where depth charge countermeasures and wolfpack coordination were essential to survival.^[5] Her actions during the first and second patrols earned the Navy Unit Commendation.^[1]

Later patrols

USS Croaker departed Fremantle, Australia, on 12 March 1945, for her fourth war patrol off the coast of Indo-China.^[1] The patrol was interrupted twice for repairs in Australia due to mechanical issues, limiting her operational time in the assigned area.^[1] No major engagements with enemy shipping occurred during this period, reflecting the diminishing opportunities for submarine attacks as Japanese naval forces withdrew and Allied advances intensified.^[1] She concluded the patrol on 22 April 1945, having contributed to the broader containment efforts in the region without confirmed sinkings.^[1] Following refit at Subic Bay, Philippines, Croaker sortied on 15 May 1945 for her fifth war patrol in the Java Sea, an area still vital for Japanese supply lines despite the war's late stage.^[1] On 30 May, she conducted a submerged attack on a convoy consisting of three small oilers escorted by a single vessel, firing torpedoes but achieving unconfirmed results amid challenging conditions and potential mechanical limitations.^[1] Persistent mechanical problems necessitated an early termination, and she returned to Fremantle on 5 June 1945, underscoring the operational strains on submarines as the Pacific campaign shifted toward overwhelming air and surface superiority.^[1] For her sixth and final war patrol, Croaker sailed from Fremantle on 1 July 1945, assigned to lifeguard station in the South China Sea and off Hong Kong to support carrier-based air strikes against Japanese targets.^[1] In this role, she remained on station for lifeguard duties to support rescue of downed Allied aviators, a critical but less combat-oriented mission as the war neared its conclusion with atomic bombings and Soviet entry into the Pacific theater.^[1] No enemy contacts or sinkings were recorded, and she returned to Pearl Harbor on 13 August 1945, just after Japan's surrender announcement.^[1] Across her six war patrols, Croaker was credited with sinking 19,710 tons of Japanese shipping in six vessels, including one cruiser, one ex-gunboat, and four cargo ships, with the later patrols emphasizing endurance and support roles amid the Allies' strategic dominance.^[1] These missions highlighted the submarine force's evolution from aggressive interdiction to multifaceted contributions in the final phases of the Pacific campaign.^[1]

Post-war service

Training and conversion

Following the end of World War II, USS Croaker (SS-246) was decommissioned on 15 May 1946 at the Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut, and subsequently placed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at that location.^[1] Her wartime successes, including multiple patrols in the Pacific, provided the basis for her retention in reserve status rather than immediate disposal.^[1] On 7 May 1951, Croaker was recommissioned to serve as a Naval Reserve training ship, operating primarily out of New London to support reserve sailor instruction and familiarization with submarine operations.^[1] This role lasted until 18 March 1953, when she was decommissioned once more at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, to undergo conversion into a specialized hunter-killer submarine.^[1] The conversion, completed later that year, reclassified Croaker as SSK-246 on 9 April 1953 and emphasized anti-submarine warfare capabilities.^[1] Key modifications included the installation of advanced sonar arrays, such as the BQR-4 passive sonar system in the bow, enhanced radar systems for improved detection, and various quieting measures to reduce acoustic signatures.^[2] To accommodate this anti-submarine equipment, two forward torpedo tubes were removed, reducing the forward armament while prioritizing sensor integration over offensive torpedo capacity.^[2]

Operational deployments

Following her recommissioning as SSK-246 on 11 December 1953 after conversion to a hunter-killer submarine at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, USS Croaker was homeported at New London, Connecticut, and returned to active duty in February 1954.^[1] She conducted operations along the East Coast and in the Caribbean through 1956, focusing on anti-submarine warfare training and readiness exercises typical of her new role.^[1] In 1957 and 1958, Croaker participated in NATO exercises, visiting ports in England to support allied submarine coordination and tactical drills.^[1] She was reclassified as SS-246 on 15 August 1959, reflecting adjustments in submarine designations during the period.^[4] In February 1960, she conducted special submarine exercises in England.^[1] In September 1960, Croaker embarked on an extended cruise through the Mediterranean and Suez Canal, calling at various Near Eastern ports and Karachi, Pakistan, to demonstrate U.S. naval presence and engage in joint training; she retraced her route back to New London in mid-December.^[1] Throughout the early 1960s, Croaker resumed local operations out of New London and ongoing anti-submarine warfare drills that contributed to the evolution of hunter-killer tactics in the U.S. Navy.^[1] She continued these training missions and special operations into the mid-1960s, emphasizing submerged detection and engagement techniques against surface and submarine threats.^[1] In May 1967, Croaker was reclassified as AGSS-246 to perform auxiliary submarine roles, such as target and training support.^[4] She remained in active service until her final decommissioning on 2 April 1968.^[8]

Decommissioning and preservation

Final service and decommissioning

Following her final operational deployment in the late 1960s, USS Croaker (SSK-246) was decommissioned on 2 April 1968 at Groton, Connecticut.^[3] She was then placed in an inactive status and berthed in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at New London, Connecticut, where she underwent routine storage and minimal maintenance to preserve her hull and systems during this period of inactivity.^[3] On 20 December 1971, Croaker was struck from the Naval Vessel Register, formally ending her active naval career.^[4] She remained in reserve storage at the Atlantic Reserve Fleet facility for several years, with limited upkeep to prevent deterioration while awaiting potential disposal or transfer.^[4] In 1976, Croaker was transferred to non-profit ownership under the Submarine Memorial Association for preparations as a public exhibit, marking the beginning of her transition from military service to historical preservation.^[9] This reclassification as IXSS-246 on 27 June 1976 facilitated her removal from naval inventory for civilian stewardship.^[4]

Museum ship status

After being struck from the Naval Vessel Register in 1971 and transferred to the Submarine Memorial Association in 1976, USS Croaker was initially displayed in Groton, Connecticut, from 1977 to 1987 under the management of the Submarine Memorial Association.^[8][10] In 1988, Croaker was relocated to Buffalo, New York, to become a permanent exhibit at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park, where she arrived for major exterior restoration work.^[11] Following completion of the restoration, she was officially opened to the public in 1989 after a refit to enhance her structural integrity and appearance.^[10] On 12 September 2008, USS Croaker was listed on the National Register of Historic Places, recognizing her significance as a well-preserved example of a World War II-era Gato-class submarine.^[12] Today, Croaker remains in good condition as a static museum exhibit moored at the park, open to visitors for self-guided tours that allow exploration of her interior compartments, including torpedo rooms, crew berthing areas, and the conning tower, providing an immersive experience of submarine life during World War II.^[2] She plays a key educational role in illustrating the design and operations of Gato-class submarines, as well as the broader context of U.S. Navy submarine warfare in the Pacific theater, drawing thousands of visitors annually to learn about the "silent service." Post-1988 preservation efforts have included ongoing maintenance, with New York State allocating $10 million in 2024 specifically for repairs to her hull and related structures to extend her exhibit life and prevent deterioration from Great Lakes environmental exposure; as of 2025, drydocking for these repairs is planned for 2026.^[13][14]

Awards

Combat awards

During World War II, USS Croaker (SS-246) earned the Navy Unit Commendation for her meritorious service in combat, highlighted by aggressive and successful attacks that sank multiple enemy vessels during her first war patrol.^[1] This award recognized the submarine's exceptional performance in engaging Japanese shipping despite intense enemy countermeasures, contributing significantly to the Allied effort in the Pacific theater.^[1] In addition to the Navy Unit Commendation, Croaker received three battle stars for her participation in Asiatic-Pacific campaigns, specifically tied to her first, second, and fifth war patrols, which were designated as successful by the U.S. Navy.^[1] These stars commemorated her role in key operations, including the sinking of the Japanese cruiser Nagara and several freighters, as well as damage to additional enemy shipping, for a total credited tonnage of 19,710 sunk.^[1] The awards also acknowledged Croaker's vital lifeguard duties, where she provided rescue support for downed aircrews during strikes on targets such as the Bonin Islands, Luzon, and areas off southern China and Hong Kong, enhancing the effectiveness of carrier-based aviation operations.^[1]

Post-war honors

Following World War II, USS Croaker received no additional military commendations such as the Presidential Unit Citation, as her post-war role focused on non-combat training duties rather than operational engagements.^[1] Recommissioned in 1951 as a schoolship and later converted to a hunter-killer submarine in 1953, she supported naval readiness during the Cold War through exercises along the U.S. East Coast, in the Caribbean, and with NATO forces, underscoring her enduring value to the "silent service."^[1] In recognition of her historical significance as one of only six surviving Gato-class submarines and her role in submarine heritage preservation, USS Croaker was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on September 12, 2008, under reference number 08000863.^[12] This designation highlights her contributions to American naval history, particularly as a Gato-class vessel that exemplifies early submarine technology and post-war adaptations.^[2] Although considered for National Historic Landmark status in earlier evaluations, USS Croaker did not receive it due to alterations affecting her World War II-era integrity, such as removed internal components during her training conversions.^[15] Her preservation as a museum ship in Buffalo, New York, since 1988 has instead emphasized her broader educational role in commemorating submarine service across eras.^[2]