USS Carp (SS-338)

USS "Carp" (SS/AGSS/IXSS-338), a "Balao"-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the carp, a fresh water fish inhabiting the waters of Europe, Asia, Africa, North and South America.

"Carp" (SS-338) was launched 12 November 1944 by Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs. W. E. Hess; and commissioned 28 February 1945, Lieutenant Commander J. L. Hunnicutt, USNR, in command.

"Carp" departed New London 14 April 1945, conducted training at Balboa, Panama, and arrived at Pearl Harbor 21 May. On her first and only war patrol (8 June – 7 August), "Carp" cruised off the coast of Honshū, destroying small craft and patrolling for the carriers of the 3rd Fleet engaged in air strikes on the mainland. Undergoing refit at Midway when hostilities ended, "Carp" returned to Seattle 22 September.

Based in San Diego as flagship for Submarine Division 71, "Carp" operated along the West Coast with occasional training cruises to Pearl Harbor. Between 13 February and 15 June 1947 she made a simulated war patrol to the Far East, and in 1948 and 1949 "Carp" made two exploratory cruises to extreme northern waters, adding to the knowledge of an increasingly important strategic area for submarine operations.

Converted to a Fleet Snorkel-type submarine in February 1952, which added to her submerged speed and endurance, "Carp" supported United Nations' forces in the Korean War during her cruise of 22 September 1952–April 1953 to the Far East. Arriving at Pearl Harbor, her new home port 15 March 1954, "Carp" remained on active duty with the fleet from that port through July 1959. During this time she continued to make cruises to the Far East, one of which included a good-will visit to Australia and participation in a Southeast Asia Treaty Organization exercise, and to Alaskan waters.

On 1 August 1959 "Carp" departed Pearl Harbor for her new assignment with the Atlantic Fleet. Arriving at Norfolk, Virginia, 28 August 1959, the submarine has conducted type exercises and training off the East Coast and in the Caribbean Sea through 1967.

"Carp" was redesignated an Auxiliary Submarine, AGSS-338, in 1968, and Miscellaneous Submarine IXSS-338 in 1971. Around this time, the sub was parked at South Boston Naval Annex, across the harbor from Logan Airport right about where Interstate 90 now crosses. The submarine was used for training. The battery room had been converted into a TV lounge. The rudder was welded in place to preclude anyone taking it out to sea. Otherwise, the boat seemed fully operational. She was struck from the Naval Register, 20 December 1971; she was sold for scrapping in 1973. The conning tower from "Carp" has been preserved at Seawolf Park on Pelican Island just north of Galveston, Texas.

"Carp" received one battle star for her service in World War II. Her single war patrol was designated as "successful".

References

*DANFS|http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c4/carp.htm|http://hazegray.org/danfs/submar/ss338.htm

External links

*navsource|08/08338|Carp