USS BARBEL SS 316

USS BARBEL SS 316 Balao Class

February 4, 1945. Sunk by aerial bombs. 81 men lost.

From: Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships

Barbel
A European fresh water minnow. Its name derives from the pair of fleshy, beard like appendages found on either side of its thick lips.

(SS 316: dp. 1,525 (surf.), 2,424 (subm.); l. 311'9"; b. 27'2"; dr. 19'3"; s. 20.25 k. (surf.), 8.75 k. (subm.); cpl. 80; a. 10 21" tt., 1 5", 1 40mm. 3 20mm.; cl. Balao)

On January 5, 1945, Barbel sailed from Fremantle bound for the South China Sea on her fourth and final war patrol. Late in January, she received orders to join Perch (SS 313) and Gabilan (SS 252) for a patrol in the western approaches to Balabac Strait and the southern entrance to Palawan Passage. On February 3, 1945, Barbel radioed that she had been attacked by enemy aircraft dropping depth charges. No further word was received from Barbel after then. Post war Japanese records contained a report of an air attack on February 4, 1945 on an American submarine. The Japanese plane had scored one hit near the submarine's bridge. This submarine was probably Barbel. She was officially reported lost on February 16, 1945.

Barbel received three battle stars for her World War II service. In total, Barbel sank 15,263 tons in 6 Japanese vessels in her 4-patrol career.