USS Pampanito (SS-383)

USS Pampanito (SS-383)
Country	USA
Class	Balao-class diesel-electric submarine
Launched	12 July 1943

USS Pampanito (SS-383/AGSS-383), a Balao-class submarine, was a United States Navy ship, the third one named for the pompano fish. She completed six war patrols from 1944 to 1945 and served as a Naval Reserve Training ship from 1960 to 1971. She is now a National Historic Landmark, preserved as a memorial and museum ship in the San Francisco Maritime National Park Association located at Fisherman’s Wharf.

Source: USS Pampanito on Wikipedia

USS Pampanito SS-383 Walk Around
Photographer	Vladimir Yakubov
Localisation	Museum ship, San Francisco
Photos	167

USS Pampanito SS-383 01

USS Pampanito SS-383 02

USS Pampanito SS-383 04

USS Pampanito SS-383 03

USS Pampanito SS-383 06

USS Pampanito SS-383 05

USS Pampanito SS-383 08

USS Pampanito SS-383 07

USS Pampanito SS-383 09

Click on a photo and use the mouse scroll to view all photos

Wait, Searching USS Pampanito for you…

General Characteristics and Role

The USS Pampanito (SS-383) is a Balao-class fleet submarine of the United States Navy, built during World War II. The Balao class was an improved version of the preceding Gato class, featuring a slightly stronger, deeper-diving hull using high-tensile steel. These submarines were the backbone of the U.S. submarine fleet during the Pacific War and were crucial in the campaign against Japanese shipping, which severely crippled Japan’s ability to wage war. Pampanito completed six highly successful war patrols, sinking numerous enemy ships and rescuing Allied prisoners of war. Today, she is preserved as a museum ship in San Francisco.

Property	Typical Value (Balao-Class)
Role	Fleet Submarine (Attack)
National Origin	United States
Manufacturer	Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Commissioned	6 November 1943
Crew	Approx. 10 Officers, 70 Enlisted
Length	95.02 m (311 ft 9 in)
Beam	8.31 m (27 ft 3 in)
Test Depth	120 m (400 ft)
Displacement (Submerged)	2,424 long tons

Powerplant and Performance

Propulsion: 4 x General Motors 16-278A V16 diesel engines driving electrical generators; 2 x electric motors for submerged power.
Power Output: 5,400 shp (diesel) / 2,740 shp (electric).
Maximum Speed (Surface): 20.25 knots (37.5 km/h).
Maximum Speed (Submerged): 8.75 knots (16.2 km/h).
Armament: 10 x 21-inch torpedo tubes (six forward, four aft).
Torpedo Load: Carried 24 torpedoes in total.

Wartime Service and Legacy

War Patrols: Pampanito successfully completed six war patrols in the Pacific.
Notable Action: During her fifth patrol in the South China Sea (known as the “Convoy Killer” patrol), Pampanito was part of a coordinated attack that sank three Japanese transport ships.
Rescue Mission: Following the attack, Pampanito returned to the area and rescued 73 Allied Prisoners of War (POWs) who had been aboard the sunken transports, a testament to the humanitarian side of submarine warfare.
Post-War Life: Decommissioned in 1946, she was reactivated for training purposes later, and finally donated as a memorial and museum in 1975.