USS Whale (SS-239)
USS Whale (SS-239), a Gato-class submarine, was the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for a whale, an extremely large, aquatic mammal that is fishlike in form. The USS Cachalot (SS-170)(Cachalot, another name for a Sperm Whale)commissioned on 1 December 1933 preceded the Whale.
Her keel was laid down on 28 June 1941 by the Mare Island Naval Shipyard of Vallejo, California. She was launched on 14 March 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. A. D. Denny, wife of Captain A. D. Denny, the commanding officer of the shipyard), and commissioned on 1 June 1942, with Lieutenant Commander (Lt. Cmdr.) John B. Azer (Class of 1930) in command.
Dock trials and initial shakedown training commenced on 30 July. The submarine—escorted by destroyer Kilty (DD-137)—departed San Francisco, California, on 4 August and arrived at San Diego, California, two days later. Between 30 July and 9 September, she conducted type training in the San Diego and San Francisco areas.
Read more about USS Whale (SS-239): First War Patrol, October – November 1942, Second War Patrol, January – February 1943, Third War Patrol, February – April 1943, Fourth War Patrol, May – June 1943, Fifth War Patrol, July – September 1943, Sixth War Patrol, December 1943 – February 1944, Seventh War Patrol, March – May 1944, Eighth War Patrol, May – July 1944, Ninth War Patrol, August – October 1944, Tenth War Patrol, November 1944 – January 1945, Eleventh War Patrol, June – August 1945, Post-war Operations, August 1945–1960