|
Commemorative post mark from Bonefish's (SS-223)
launching at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 7 March 1943
|
USS
BONEFISH SS-223
Bonefish Bio
Pig Boats
USS Bonefish
On Eternal Patrol
November - Bravo - Kilo - Foxtrot |
Commemorative post mark from Bonefish's (SS-223)
launching at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 7 March 1943. |
|
Why the Bonefish?
The name, USS Bonefish (SS-223), the 51st
of 52 submarines lost in World War II was assigned to Washington
State by the United States Submarine Veterans of WWII. (Each
state was assigned a lost submarine name, except California and
New York, who were assigned two each.) Bonefish was lost with
all hands (85) on June 18, 1945.
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 25
June 1942, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 7
March 1943; Commissioned USS Bonefish (SS-223), 31 May 1943;
Final Disposition, sunk on 8th patrol by Japanese warship in
Toyama Wan, west coast of Honshu, 18 June 1945, all hands lost.;
Struck from the Naval Register, (date unknown). Bonefish
received five Navy Unit Commendations and seven battle stars
during World War II.
Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged:
2,424 t.; Length 311' 9"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed,
Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Complement 6 Officers 54
Enlisted; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Submerged Endurance, 48 hrs
at 2 kts; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles
surfaced at 10 kts; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six
forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .50
cal. machine guns, two .30 cal. machine guns; Propulsion, diesel
electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator
engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gals., four General
Electric main motors, HP 2740, two 126-cell main storage
batteries, twin propellers.
|
Bonefish, The Parade Float
History
In 1982, Lockwood Chapter WWII Subvet Ken Martinson
designed and constructed the Bonefish conning
tower at his home on Camino Island. A rented flat bed
trailer was used to make Bonefish’s first show in
the 1982 Auburn Veterans Day Parade. WWII Subvet and
USSVI Bremerton Base Holland Club, National & base Life
member Paul Christofferson gave his home made
trailer up for a permanent carriage for Bonefish.
WWII Subvet Howard Bryson improved, maintained
and towed the Bonefish in many parades around
Western Washington. In 1997, WWII Subvet and USSVI
Seattle Base Holland Club, National & base Life member
John Baker and USSVI Bremerton Base Holland Club,
National & base life member Jim Foote moved the
Bonefish into the Granite Falls High School shop
for an overhaul arranged by WWII Subvets State Commander
Ed Kichgessner.
Upkeep of the float was then taken on by USSVI Bremerton
Base. In 2002, the NW CPOA took on maintenance and
installed a cover to keep Bonefish dry. In 2007,
a complete overhaul of the float was conducted by the
Bangor IMF First Class Petty Officer’s Association under
direction of the NW CPOA.
Coming out of that overhaul, USSVI associate life member
Sam Swenson took responsibility for maintenance
and improvements. New electrical wiring and rear fold up
steps have been installed. A PA system was purchased for
audio character. Other improvements are forth coming as
preparations are made for the 2008 parades and future
events.
Since then Sam has
continued to make improvements and maintain Bonefish in
tip top condition!
From
whence we came! |
|