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USS Barbel (SS-580)
Encyclopedia
USS Barbel (SS-580) was the lead ship
of her class
of submarine
s in the United States Navy
. She was the second Navy ship named for the barbel
, a cyprinoid fish, commonly called a minnow
or carp
.
The contract to build Barbel was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
in Kittery, Maine
on 24 August 1955 and her keel was laid down on 18 May 1956. She was launched
on 19 July 1958 sponsored by Mrs. Bernard L. Austin, and commissioned
on 17 January 1959, with Lieutenant Commander Ord Kimzey, Jr., in command.
and underwent major repairs of all her piping over 2". At that time, her bow planes were also converted to fairwater planes.
In 1966 Barbel accidentally rammed and sank North Vietnam
's largest freighter while trying to determine what type of war-related cargo it was carrying. The Barbel itself nearly sank during this incident. Although damaged, Barbel was able to remain submerged and return to port for repairs. Although the incident actually occurred in a river in North Vietnam, a cover story was created stating that the Barbel was in the Gulf of Tonkin
at the time.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the early classes of nuclear submarines suffered propulsion plant reliability problems, and occasionally were unable to complete their assigned missions. In 1969, while deployed in WESPAC, Barbel was assigned to fill in on a "special mission" for such a nuclear submarine. It was noted by the control room watch standers at that time that there should be some sort of recognition badge, similar to the recently authorized "Polaris Patrol Pin", for diesel boats required to fill in for a broken down nuclear submarine. A contest was held to design the badge. ETR-3(SS) Leon Figurido's winning design was a broadside view of a guppy submarine with SS superimposed on the North Atlantic sail. There were two bare-breasted mermaids facing towards the sail with arms outstretched. Completing the design was a wreath under the boat, with holes for stars, and centered on the wreath were the letters "DBF" standing for "Diesel Boats Forever". And so was born the DBF pin.
exercise torpedoes, and a successful MK 16-8 warshot operational test. In addition the boat performed a zero error Mark 45 torpedo
Technical Standardization Inspection conducted by DoD, a Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection, and the torpedomen identified the source of the MK 45 torpedo "flex hose eater problem." For this record, Barbel was awarded the 1973 Battle Efficiency "E". "Barbel's" record for firing torpedoes was around 1978. She also won the goal of sinking the aircraft carrier "Enterprise" during a RIMPAC exercise during that same period.
From 19 January 1981 to 22 January, Barbel and (SSG-574) participated in ASWEX 81-3U off the coast of the Philippines
, an exercise in shallow water ASW. The submarines opposed the transit of the oiler USNS Navasota (T-AO-106), which was escorted by the destroyer
s (CTF 75 embarked) and , and frigate
s , , , and through the narrow straits.
On 1 May 1989, while operating off Kyūshū
, Japan
, three submariners were washed overboard by heavy waves. One sailor was rescued; two drowned.
on 17 January 1990. The Navy sold Barbel to a scrapper who began the process of scrapping her. After the sail, superstructure and induction piping were removed, the scrapper discovered the boat's interior was filled with painted-over asbestos insulation. Scrapping ceased at that time while the scrapper decided what to do with Barbel. In the mid-1990s (?) Barbel had her sail and superstructure reconstructed out of plywood for a brief role in the movie Crimson Tide
. Her only scene was departure for patrol. After eight years (?) Barbel returned to Navy ownership. She was towed from the berth in San Pedro, California and on 30 January 2001 she was sunk as a target off the California
coast in 1,972 fathoms (3,606 m).
Lead ship
The lead ship or class leader is the first of a series or class of ships all constructed according to the same general design. The term is applicable military ships and larger civilian craft.-Overview:...
of her class
Barbel class submarine
The Barbel class of submarines, the last diesel-electric propelled attack submarines built by the United States Navy, incorporated numerous, radical engineering improvements over previous classes...
of submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. She was the second Navy ship named for the barbel
Barbus barbus
Barbus barbus is a species of freshwater fish in the Cyprinidae family of minnows and carps. It shares the common name "barbel" with its many relatives in the genus Barbus and is properly known as the Common Barbel.B...
, a cyprinoid fish, commonly called a minnow
Leuciscinae
Leuciscinae, commonly known as true minnows, are a subfamily of small fish belonging to the family Cyprinidae.However, the term minnow is also used as an unspecific term for tiny freshwater and saltwater fish, especially those used as fishing bait....
or carp
Carp
Carp are various species of oily freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae, a very large group of fish native to Europe and Asia. The cypriniformes are traditionally grouped with the Characiformes, Siluriformes and Gymnotiformes to create the superorder Ostariophysi, since these groups have certain...
.
The contract to build Barbel was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
Portsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
in Kittery, Maine
Kittery, Maine
Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,543 at the 2000 census. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals...
on 24 August 1955 and her keel was laid down on 18 May 1956. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 19 July 1958 sponsored by Mrs. Bernard L. Austin, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 17 January 1959, with Lieutenant Commander Ord Kimzey, Jr., in command.
1950s and 1960s
Barbel-class submarines were originally designed and built with bow planes. Around 1960, the Barbel had been operating off the coast of the Eastern U.S. while participating in training exercise SLAMEX. Following her first dive of the day to test depth (700 feet), she ruptured a 5" line from sea. An emergency blow was performed. On reaching the surface it was found that she had taken on 350 long tons (355.6 t) of water in the engine room. She entered Portsmouth Naval ShipyardPortsmouth Naval Shipyard
The Portsmouth Naval Shipyard , often called the Portsmouth Navy Yard, is a United States Navy shipyard located in Kittery on the southern boundary of Maine near the city of Portsmouth, New Hampshire. It is used for remodeling and repairing the Navy's ships...
and underwent major repairs of all her piping over 2". At that time, her bow planes were also converted to fairwater planes.
In 1966 Barbel accidentally rammed and sank North Vietnam
North Vietnam
The Democratic Republic of Vietnam , was a communist state that ruled the northern half of Vietnam from 1954 until 1976 following the Geneva Conference and laid claim to all of Vietnam from 1945 to 1954 during the First Indochina War, during which they controlled pockets of territory throughout...
's largest freighter while trying to determine what type of war-related cargo it was carrying. The Barbel itself nearly sank during this incident. Although damaged, Barbel was able to remain submerged and return to port for repairs. Although the incident actually occurred in a river in North Vietnam, a cover story was created stating that the Barbel was in the Gulf of Tonkin
Gulf of Tonkin
The Gulf of Tonkin is an arm of the South China Sea, lying off the coast of northeastern Vietnam.-Etymology:The name Tonkin, written "東京" in Hán tự and Đông Kinh in romanised Vietnamese, means "Eastern Capital", and is the former toponym for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam...
at the time.
During the 1950s and 1960s, the early classes of nuclear submarines suffered propulsion plant reliability problems, and occasionally were unable to complete their assigned missions. In 1969, while deployed in WESPAC, Barbel was assigned to fill in on a "special mission" for such a nuclear submarine. It was noted by the control room watch standers at that time that there should be some sort of recognition badge, similar to the recently authorized "Polaris Patrol Pin", for diesel boats required to fill in for a broken down nuclear submarine. A contest was held to design the badge. ETR-3(SS) Leon Figurido's winning design was a broadside view of a guppy submarine with SS superimposed on the North Atlantic sail. There were two bare-breasted mermaids facing towards the sail with arms outstretched. Completing the design was a wreath under the boat, with holes for stars, and centered on the wreath were the letters "DBF" standing for "Diesel Boats Forever". And so was born the DBF pin.
1970s and 1980s
In 1973 Barbels weapons gang set a SUBPAC record for successfully shooting 118 torpedoes that year. This included successful salvo firing two Mark 16-8Mark 16 torpedo
The Mark 16 torpedo was a redesign of the United States Navy standard Mark 14 torpedo to incorporate war-tested improvements for use in unmodified United States fleet submarines. The torpedo was considered the United States standard anti-shipping torpedo for twenty years; although significant...
exercise torpedoes, and a successful MK 16-8 warshot operational test. In addition the boat performed a zero error Mark 45 torpedo
Mark 45 torpedo
The Mark 45 anti-submarine torpedo was a submarine-launched wire-guided nuclear torpedo designed by the United States Navy for use against high-speed, deep-diving, enemy submarines...
Technical Standardization Inspection conducted by DoD, a Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection, and the torpedomen identified the source of the MK 45 torpedo "flex hose eater problem." For this record, Barbel was awarded the 1973 Battle Efficiency "E". "Barbel's" record for firing torpedoes was around 1978. She also won the goal of sinking the aircraft carrier "Enterprise" during a RIMPAC exercise during that same period.
From 19 January 1981 to 22 January, Barbel and (SSG-574) participated in ASWEX 81-3U off the coast of the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, an exercise in shallow water ASW. The submarines opposed the transit of the oiler USNS Navasota (T-AO-106), which was escorted by the destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
s (CTF 75 embarked) and , and frigate
Frigate
A frigate is any of several types of warship, the term having been used for ships of various sizes and roles over the last few centuries.In the 17th century, the term was used for any warship built for speed and maneuverability, the description often used being "frigate-built"...
s , , , and through the narrow straits.
On 1 May 1989, while operating off Kyūshū
Kyushu
is the third largest island of Japan and most southwesterly of its four main islands. Its alternate ancient names include , , and . The historical regional name is referred to Kyushu and its surrounding islands....
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, three submariners were washed overboard by heavy waves. One sailor was rescued; two drowned.
Fate
Barbel was decommissioned on 4 December 1989, and stricken from the Naval Vessel RegisterNaval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
on 17 January 1990. The Navy sold Barbel to a scrapper who began the process of scrapping her. After the sail, superstructure and induction piping were removed, the scrapper discovered the boat's interior was filled with painted-over asbestos insulation. Scrapping ceased at that time while the scrapper decided what to do with Barbel. In the mid-1990s (?) Barbel had her sail and superstructure reconstructed out of plywood for a brief role in the movie Crimson Tide
Crimson Tide (film)
The film has uncredited additional writing by Quentin Tarantino, much of it being the pop-culture reference-laden dialogue.The U.S. Navy objected to many of the elements in the script — particularly the aspect of mutiny on board a U.S. naval vessel — and as such, the film was produced...
. Her only scene was departure for patrol. After eight years (?) Barbel returned to Navy ownership. She was towed from the berth in San Pedro, California and on 30 January 2001 she was sunk as a target off the California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
coast in 1,972 fathoms (3,606 m).