USSMackerel(SS-204), thelead shipofher classofsubmarine, was the first ship of theUnited States Navynamed for themackerel, a common food and sportfish.

Her keel was laid down on 6 October 1939, at theElectric BoatCompany ofGroton, Connecticut. She waslaunchedon 28 September 1940, sponsored by Mrs. William. R. Furlong, andcommissionedon 31 March 1941, with Lieutenant John F. Davidson in command.

ThroughoutWorld War II,Mackerel, assigned in Submarine Squadron 1 atNew London, Connecticut, participated in the training and improvement of the Navy's submarine force. Designed as an experimental submarine, she provided support services to the Underwater Sound Laboratory and training services to the Submarine and the Prospective Commanding Officers Schools at New London, in addition to training Allied surface vessels and aircraft in antisubmarine warfare.

Although most of her time was spent in the New London area, she steamed as far north asCasco Bayand as far south asChesapeake Bayto conduct antisubmarine training exercises. While in the New London-Narragansett Bayarea she often worked with TG28.4, the antisubmarine development detachment, as well as with the Underwater Sound Laboratory; thus aiding, both tactically and technically, in the development of submarine knowledge.

During the course of the war,Mackerelmade only one contact with the enemy. Having departed New London 12 April 1942, she proceeded, on the surface, toNorfolk, Virginia, to conduct antisubmarine training exercises for Army and Navy aircraft. On the night of the 14th her lookouts sighted the wakes of two torpedoes heading for the submarine. Evasion maneuvers proved effective andMackerel, undamaged, launched two torpedoes at a surfaced enemy submarine. The following morning another, or the same, enemy submarine was sighted, butMackerelwas again out-distanced.

However, unsubstantiated reports claim that prior to this in February 1942,Mackereland her sister ship,Marlin, engaged and sank the giant Free French Navy submarine,Surcouf, after discovering her inLong Island Soundrefueling a GermanU-boat, which was also sunk.[4]

At the end of the war,Mackerelwas ordered to Boston, where she was decommissioned on 9 November 1945, atBoston, Massachusetts, and struck from theNaval Vessel Registeron 28 November 1945. She was sold for scrapping to the North American Smelting Company ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, on 24 April 1947.

A fictionalMackerelwas featured in the novelPride Runs Deepby R. Cameron Cooke. This vessel fought in the Pacific. In the concluding historical note the author, a submarine officer, acknowledges the real boat.

CareerBuilder:Electric Boat Company,Groton, Connecticut[1]Laid down:6 October 1939[1]Launched:28 September 1940[1]Commissioned:31 March 1941[1]Decommissioned:9 November 1945[1]Struck:28 November 1945[1]Fate:Sold for scrap, 24 April 1947[1]General characteristicsClass & type:Mackerel-classsubmarine[2]Displacement:825tons(838t) surfaced[3]
1,190tons (1,209t) submerged[3]Length:243ft1in (74.09m)[3]Beam:22ft1in (6.73m)[3]Draft:13ft ¼in (4.0m)[3]Propulsion:2 Ã Electric Boat direct-drivediesel engines[2]
2 Ã 60-cellSargobatteries[3]
2 Ã Electro Dynamicelectric motors[2]
2 screws[2]
1,680bhp (1,250kW) surfaced[2]
1,500bhp (1,100kW) submerged[2]Speed:16 knots (30km/h) surfaced[2]
11 knots (20km/h) submerged[2]Range:6,500 nautical miles (12,000km) at 10 knots (19km/h) (service)[3]Test depth:250ft (76m)[3]Complement:4 officers, 33 enlisted[3]Armament:6 Ã 21-inch (533mm)torpedo tubes
(four forward, two aft)
12torpedoes[3]
1 Ã 3-inch (76mm) / 50calibergun[3]