U.S.S. SHARK (II) SS-314
ON ETERNAL PATROL
Class: Balao, SS-285; Test Depth 400 feet.
Displacement: 1,526 tons (surfaced) 2,391 tons (submerged)
Dimensions: Length 311.8 feet, Beam 27.2 feet, Draft 15.2 feet
Speed: 20.0 knots (surfaced) 8.7 knots (submerged)
Torpedo Armament: 6 Forward and 4 Aft 21-inch Torpedo Tubes
Deck Armament: A 5" Deck Gun, 40 and 20 Caliber Mounted Machine Guns
Keel laid: January 28, 1943, at Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT
Launched: October 17, 1943, 1935, Sponsored by Mrs. Albert Thomas
Commissioned: February 14, 1944, Commanded by Lcdr. Edward N. Blakley
Complement: Normally; 8 Officers, 60 Enlisted Men

The 6th USS Shark, SS-314, a submarine, and designated as Shark II being the second submarine to be so named during World War II, went though her shake-down off of the coast of New London, CT; then was deployed through the Panama Canal to Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, where she arrived on April 24, 1944, for final training.

Shark II's first patrol began on May 16, where she joined the USS Pintado (SS-387) and the USS Pilotfish (SS-386) to begin a coordinated attack in the Marianna Islands. During her first patrol she sank four Japanese ships in an excess of 23,000 tons, while successfully evading Japanese counter-attacks. She sailed to Midway Island and arrived on June 17, for refit and reload.

Shark II's second patrol began on July 10, 1944, into the Volcano and Bonin Islands. After suffering frustrating attacks, but successful evasions, she was assigned to take a life-guard station off of the coast of Iwo Jima on August 1. On August 4, she rescued two airmen from a torpedo bomber from the USS Lexington (CV-16). She terminated her life-guard duties and after a brief stop at Midway Island she arrived at Pearl Harbor on August, 29.

Shark II's third patrol took her into the vicinity of Luzon Strait to participate in coordinated attacks with the USS Seadragon (SS-194) and the USS Blackfish (SS-221). Her last message was to the Seadragon on October 24, anticipating an attack on a Japanese freighter. She was never heard from again and on November 27, 1944, she was presumed lost.

A Japanese report of antisubmarine attacks, now available, records an attack on a submarine by the Japanese destroyer Harukaze in the Luzon Strait on October 24, 1944, by depth charge; almost certainly the demise of the Shark-II.

The USS Shark-II (SS-314) received one battle star for World War II service. As she was lost with all souls onboard she is considered to be on Eternal Patrol. Although she is not on the active list of ships she has never been decommissioned.

Lost At Sea October 24, 1944, By Depth Charge.

Struck From the Navy List March 10, 1945.

ETERNAL PATROL

 Text Photos 87 Submarine Heroes Lost on USS SHARK-II, SS-314.
DISCOVERY MATERIALS

Reference Material

 Text Photos Links Notes on a presumed final attack.

Reference Material

 Text The Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships Vol 6 pp467.

Reference Material

 Text Photos Links Mostly a pictorial site.

Reference Material

 Text Fleet Archive List Notes, some terms used about submarines.

Of Interest Material

 A Grateful Naval Aviator Thanks the USS Shark.

Of Interest Material

 The Luzon Strait, Shark II's common operating area.

Of Interest Material

 The Yellow Sea, where Shark II presumed lost.

Of Interest Material

 Midway Islands, Shark II's most frequent port of call.

Of Interest Material

 Pearl Harbor Submarine Base, Shark II's Home Base.
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This page last revised November 02, 2005, and is hosted by Western Dawn.