USS Barbel (SS-580)

USS "Barbel" (SS-580) was the lead ship of her class of submarines in the United States Navy. She was the second Navy ship named for the barbel, a cyprinoid fish, commonly called a minnow or carp.

The contract to build "Barbel" was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine on 24 August 1955 and her keel was laid down on 18 May 1956. She was launched on 19 July 1958 sponsored by Mrs. Bernard L. Austin, and commissioned on 17 January 1959, with Lieutenant Commander Ord Kimzey, Jr., in command.

"Barbel"-class submarines were originally designed and built with bow planes. Around 1960, the "Barbel" had been operating off the coast of the Eastern U.S. while participating in training exercise SLAMEX. Following her first dive of the day to test depth (700 feet), she ruptured a 5" line from sea. An emergency blow was performed. On reaching the surface it was found that she had taken on 350 tons of water in the engine room. She entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and underwent major repairs of all her piping over 2". At that time, her bow planes were also converted to fairwater planes.Fact|date=March 2007

In 1966 "Barbel" accidentally rammed and sank North Vietnam's largest freighter while trying to determine what type of war-related cargo it was carrying. The "Barbel" itself nearly sank during this incident. Although damaged, "Barbel" was able to remain submerged and return to port for repairs. Although the incident actually occurred in a river in North Vietnam, a cover story was created stating that the "Barbel" was in the Gulf of Tonkin at the time.Fact|date=March 2007

During the 1950s and 1960s, the early classes of nuclear submarines suffered propulsion plant reliability problems, and occasionally were unable to complete their assigned missions. In 1969, while deployed in WESPAC, "Barbel" was assigned to fill in on a "special mission" for such a nuclear submarine. It was noted by the control room watch standers at that time that there should be some sort of recognition badge, similar to the recently authorized "Polaris Patrol Pin", for diesel boats required to fill in for a broken down nuclear submarine. A contest was held to design the badge. ETR-3(SS) Leon Figurido's winning design was a broadside view of a guppy submarine with SS superimposed on the North Atlantic sail. There were two bare-breasted mermaids facing towards the sail with arms outstreatched. Completing the design was a wreath under the boat, with holes for stars, and centered on the wreath were the letters "DBF" standing for "Diesel Boats Forever". And so was born the DBF pin.Fact|date=March 2007

In 1973 "Barbel" 's weapons gang set a SUBPAC record for successfully shooting 118 torpedoes that year. This included successful salvo firing two Mark 16-8 exercise torpedoes, and a successful MK 16-8 warshot operational test. In addition the boat performed a zero error Mark 45 torpedo Technical Standardization Inspection conducted by DoD, a Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection, and the torpedomen identified the source of the MK 45 torpedo "flex hose eater problem." For this record, "Barbel" was awarded the 1973 Battle Efficiency "E".

From 19 January 1981 to 22 January, "Barbel" and USS|Grayback|SSG-574|2 (SSG-574) participated in ASWEX 81-3U off the coast of the Philippines, an exercise in shallow water ASW. The submarines opposed the transit of the oiler USNS "Navasota" (T-AO-106), which was escorted by the destroyers USS|John Young|DD-973|2 (CTF 75 embarked) and USS|Elliot|DD-967|2, and frigates USS|Gray|FF-1054|2, USS|Whipple|FF-1062|2, USS|Lang|FF-1060|2, USS|Ramsey|FFG-2|2 and through the narrow straits.

On 1 May 1989, while operating off Kyūshū, Japan, three submariners were washed overboard by heavy waves. One sailor was rescued; two drowned.

"Barbel" was decommissioned on 4 December 1989, and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 17 January 1990. The Navy sold "Barbel" to a scrapper who began the process of scrapping her. After the sail, superstructure and induction piping were removed, the scrapper discovered the boat's interior was filled with painted-over asbestos insulation. Scrapping ceased at that time while the scrapper decided what to do with "Barbel". In the mid-1990s (?) "Barbel" had her sail and superstructure reconstructed out of plywood for a brief role in the movie "Crimson Tide". Her only scene was departure for patrol. After eight years (?) "Barbel" returned to Navy ownership. She was towed from the berth in San Pedro, California and on 30 January 2001 she was sunk as a target off the California coast in 1,972 fathoms (3,600 m).

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/b2/barbel-ii.htm

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08580.htm navsource:org: USS "Barbel"]