USS Seahorse (SS-304)

USS Seahorse (SS-304), a Balao-class submarine, was the first submarine and second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the seahorse, a small fish whose head and the fore part of its body suggest the head and neck of a horse.

Seventh and eighth war patrols, March – August 1945

Upon completion of an overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard, Seahorse put to sea on 9 March 1945 for her seventh war patrol. Following patrol in the Tsushima Strait, she sank a small junk with gunfire on 8 April. On the 18th, an attack by two patrol boats left the submarine's interior a shambles of broken glass, smashed instruments, and spilled hydraulic oil. Seahorse made hasty repairs and headed for Apra Harbor, Guam, and then to Pearl Harbor for overhaul.

Related Topics:
9 March - 1945 - Tsushima Strait - Junk - 8 April - 18th - Apra Harbor - Guam

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seahorse put to sea for her eighth and final war patrol on 12 July. When hostilities ceased on 15 August, the submarine was on station 40 miles southeast of Hachijo Shima.

Related Topics:
12 July - 15 August - Hachijo Shima

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Following her return to Midway, Seahorse sailed for Mare Island where she was decommissioned on 2 March 1946. She was assigned to the Pacific Reserve Fleet and remained inactive for the remainder of her career. She was reclassified an auxiliary submarine, AGSS-304, on 6 November 1962, struck from the Navy list on 1 March 1967, and sold on 14 December 1968 to Zidell Explorations Inc., Portland, Oregon, for scrapping.

Related Topics:
2 March - 1946 - Pacific Reserve Fleet - 6 November - 1962 - Navy list - 1 March - 1967 - 14 December - 1968

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Seahorse (SS-304) received nine battle stars for World War II service.

Related Topics:
Battle star - World War II

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

See USS Seahorse for other ships of the same name.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~