USS Bashaw (SS-241)

USS "Bashaw" (SS/SSK/AGSS-241), a "Gato"-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the bashaw, a catfish.

"Bashaw" (SS-241) was launched 25 July 1943 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn., sponsored by Mrs. Norman S. Ives, wife of Captain Ives, and commissioned 25 October 1943, Lieutenant Commander Richard E. Nichols (Class of 1934) in command.

"Bashaw" arrived at Milne Bay, New Guinea, 3 March 1944. During 10 March 1944 – 29 April 1945 she completed six war patrols in the Celebes, Philippine, and South China Seas. "Bashaw" sank three Japanese merchant vessels totaling 19,269 tons as well as several small craft.

"Bashaw" returned to Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, 29 April 1945 and then sailed to Mare Island Navy Yard for an overhaul. Upon completion of the yard period 13 August 1945, she departed for Pearl Harbor. The war ended while she was en route and she was ordered to return to Mare Island. On 5 September she arrived at Mare Island and began her pre-inactivation overhaul, going into commission in reserve there 24 November 1945. On 20 June 1949 her status was changed to out of commission in reserve; she was laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

"Bashaw" was recommissioned 3 April 1951 and operated out of San Diego along the west coast until 10 May 1952 when she went out of commission in reserve. Between May 1952 and March 1953 she underwent conversion at Hunters Point Naval Shipyard to an anti-submarine "hunter-killer" submarine and was reclassified SSK-241, 18 February 1953. "Bashaw" was recommissioned 28 March 1953 and reported to Submarine Division 33 at San Diego. Between March and August 1954 "Bashaw" made a Far Eastern cruise. During the following year she took part in several type exercises, including one major exercise in the Hawaiian area, before being overhauled at San Francisco. Between January and August 1956 "Bashaw" conducted her second postwar tour of the Far East. On 14 August 1956 she arrived at the Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor. "Bashaw" was redesignated SS-241 in August 1959, and redesignated an Auxiliary Submarine AGSS-241 in September 1962. She was finally decommissioned and struck from the Naval Vessel Register 13 September 1969. "Bashaw" was sunk as a target, July 1972.

"Bashaw" received five battle stars for her World War II service.

References

External links

* [http://www.navsource.org/archives/08/08241.htm navsource.org: USS "Bashaw"]
* [http://www.rddesigns.com/ww2/bashaw.html Sinkings by boat: USS "Bashaw"]