Please report any broken links or trouble you might come across to the Webmaster. Please take a moment to let us know so that we can correct any problems and make your visit as enjoyable and as informative as possible.

NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patch contributed by Mike Smolinski

Barb (SS-220)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Mike - Oscar

Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 7 June 1941, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 2 April 1942; Commissioned USS Barb (SS-220), 8 July 1942; Decommissioned, 12 February 1947, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet; Recommissioned, 3 December 1951; Decommissioned, 5 Februarty 1954, for Guppy conversion; Recommissioned, 3 August 1954; Decommissioned, and loaned to Italy, 13 December 1954; Struck from the Naval Register, 15 October 1972; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 1 April 1975, by the Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service. Barb received the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, and eight battle stars for her World War II service.

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.

Size	Image Description	Contributed By/ Source
29k	Commemorative post marking the double ocassion of the first keel layings at Electric Boat's South Yard & Barb (SS-220) keel laying, 7 June 1941.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
17k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) launching, 2 April 1942.	Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
27k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) launching, 2 April 1942.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
28k	Stern view of the Barb (SS-220), probably during her sea trials, April - June 1942.	US Navy photo courtesy of subnet.com.
34k	Commemorative post marking the Barb's (SS-220) commissioning, 8 July 1942.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com.
78k	Two of the 6 subs of from Sub Squadron 50: Barb (SS-220), *Blackfish (SS-221), Herring* (SS-233), Shad (SS-235), Gunnel (SS-253), and Gurnard (SS-254) tied up at Rosneath, Scotland, circa 7 December 1942. The sub tender Beaver (AS-5) is in the background.	USN photo courtesy of jmlavelle.com.
98k	A 1943 Watercolor by the artist Dwight Clark Shepler entitled "Jerry Hunters, Rosneath, Scotland." portrays the stern view of the sub tender Beaver (AS-5) and 3 of the 6 subs of Sub Squadron 50: Barb (SS-220), Blackfish (SS-221), Herring (SS-233), Shad (SS-235), Gunnel (SS-253), and Gurnard (SS-254).	Painting #87 / 88-199-CK. Courtesy of the USNHC.
103k	Broadside view of the Barb (SS-220) after modifications at Mare Island, CA., 29 January 1944. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 9 Dec. 1943 until 30 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 716-44, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
96k	Stern view of the Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 29 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 714-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
78k	Bow on view of the Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 29 Jan 1944.	USN photo # 718-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
70k	Barb (SS-220) is shown here rescuing British and Austrailian survivors of Japanese prison ship *Rakuyo Maru* , torpoded by Sealion (SS-315), Rescue was by Sealion (SS-315), Growler (SS-215), Queenfish (SS-393).	Courtesy of Theodore Roscoe, from his book "U.S. Submarine Operations of WW II", published by USNI.
214k	"Bone in teeth, a Jap DD pursues Barb (SS-220) whose periscope is seen going under on the get-away. The submarine, commanded by Eugene B. Fluckey, has just torpoded a tanker and the escort carrier *Unyo* on the 15th of September, 1944."	Drawing by Lt. Cmdr. Fred Freemen, courtesy of Theodore Roscoe, from his book "U.S. Submarine Operations of WW II", published by USNI.
53k	A 1944 Charcoal drawing by the artist Griffith Baily Coale entitled "Battle Surface" could very well depict the Barb (SS-220) at Battle Surface. "The last two war patrols conducted by *Barb* are deserving of special mention. Under Commander E. B. Fluckey she commenced her 11th patrol 19 December 1944. The patrol was conducted in the Formosa Straits and East China Sea off the east coast of China, from Shanghai to Kam Kit. During this patrol, which lasted until 15 February 1945, *Barb* sank four Japanese merchant ships and numerous enemy small craft. On 22-23 January *Barb, displaying the ultimate in skill and daring, penetrated Namkwan Harbor on the China coast and wrought havoc upon a convoy of some 30 enemy ships at anchor. Riding dangerously in shallow waters, Barb* launched her torpedoes into the enemy group and then retired at high speed on the surface in a full hour's run through uncharted, heavily mined, and rock-obstructed waters. In recognition of this outstanding patrol, Commander Fluckey was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and *Barb* received the Presidential Unit Citation."	Text courtesy of DANFS. Painting #45 / 88-188-AS Courtesy of the USNHC.
297k	Barb's (SS-220) Battle flag depicting her accomplishment after her 11th war patrol in early 1945. Photo likely taken at the shipyard flag loft. The flag loft did a lot work on submarine battle flags during the war.	USN photo courtesy of Darryl Baker.
34k	Portside view of the *Barb* (SS-220).	Courtesy of Erminio Bagnasco book, "Submarines of WW II", submitted by Aryeh Wetherhorn.
60k	Barb (SS-220) in San Francisco Bay on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 19-N-83952, courtesy of USNHC & submitted by Robert Hurst.
230k	Stern view of Barb (SS-220) departing Mare Island on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 3262-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
223k	Broadside view of Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 3 May 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard from 27 Feb until 16 May 1945.	USN photo # 3264-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
267k	Bow on view of Barb (SS-220) off Mare Island on 3 May 1945.	USN photo # 3266-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
91k	*Barb* (SS-220) underway off Mare Island California, 3 May 1945.	US Navy photo contributed by John Hummel, USN (Retired).
267k	Forward plan view of Barb's (SS-220) conning tower at Mare Island on 7 May 1945.	USN photo # 3365-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
284k	After plan view of Barb's (SS-220) conning tower at Mare Island on 7 May 1945. Sunfish (SS-281) is inboard of *Barb*.	USN photo # 3364-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
114k	Bow on view of the Barb (SS-220).	Courtesy of T. Brittan, courtesy of Profile Publications.
116k	Members of the Barb's (SS-220) demolition squad pose with her battle flag at the conclusion of her 12th war patrol. Taken at Pearl Harbor, August 1945. During the night of 22-23 July 1945 these men went ashore at Karafuto, Japan, and planted an explosive charge that subsequently wrecked a train. They are (from left to right): Chief Gunners Mate Paul G. Saunders, USN; Electricians Mate 3rd Class Billy R. Hatfield, USNR; Signalman 2nd Class Francis N. Sevei, USNR; Ships Cook 1st Class Lawrence W. Newland, USN; Torpedomans Mate 3rd Class Edward W. Klingesmith, USNR; Motor Machinists Mate 2nd Class James E. Richard, USN; Motor Machinists Mate 1st Class John Markuson, USN; and Lieutenant William M. Walker, USNR. This raid is represented by the train symbol in the middle bottom of the battle flag.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 103570, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.
66k	Barb (SS-220) underway on 21 July 1951.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 103521, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Collection of Melvin C. Keehner.
55k	Barb's (SS-220) weathervane. Presented to Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz by his former aide, Rear Admiral Eugene B. Fluckey, USN, circa the later 1950s or early 1960s. Fluckey had commanded the submarine during World War II. The weathervane features submariners' "dolphins" at its top, with the five stars of a Fleet Admiral immediately below, and a model of *Barb* as she appeared following her 1954 conversion to "GUPPY" configuration. It was erected in Nimitz' garden at 728 Santa Barbara Road, Berkeley, California.	US Naval Historical Center photo # NH 58267. Collection of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz.
98k	Barb (SS-220) after she was modernized at Portsmouth NSY at Kittery Maine on Nov. 1954	USN photo, courtesy of Baker Collection.
68k	Barb(SS-220) photographed circa 1954, after she was modernized for transfer to Italy.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # NH 79758, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of Donald M. McPherson, 1974.
129k	Barb (SS-220) underway in November 1954, following modernization and during preparations for transfer to Italy.	Official U.S. Navy Photograph # 80-G-649677, now in the collections of the National Archives.
282k	The Italian Submarine Enrico Tazzoli (S-511), ex-Barb (SS-220) at Taranto, circa 1967.	Photo courtesy of Maurizio Brescia Collection. Photo added 04/21/08.
163k	Retired Medal of Honor recipient Rear Adm. Eugene Fluckey receives recognition from Vice Adm. Charles Munns, Commander, Naval Submarine Forces, at the Arbor Nursing Home in Annapolis, Md. on 27 Nov. 2006. Fluckey received the Medal of Honor for gallantry as commanding officer of Barb (SS-220) in 1944.	USN photo # N-5215E-002 by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Apprentice Matthew A. Ebarb, courtesy of navy.mil.
69k	Retired Vice Adm. Albert Konetzni, presents the American flag to Mrs. Margaret Fluckey during the rendering of military honors for retired Rear Adm. Eugene Fluckey, held in the Naval Academy Columbarium 28 Aug.2007. Fluckey, credited with sinking more tonnage than any other U.S. skipper in World War II, received the Medal of Honor and four Navy Crosses for his five patrols while in command of the Barb (SS-220) died 28 June 2007.	USN photo # N-8655E-002 by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Kelvin Edwards courtesy of navy.mil.
210k	Sonar Technician (Submarine) 2nd Class Mike Micheli, assigned to the Pasadena (SSN-752), renders a 13-gun salute during a burial at sea for retired Rear Adm. Eugene Fluckey on 24 Jan. 2008. Fluckey's ashes were scattered at the same location where he and his crew rescued 14 allied POWs stranded in the South China Sea more than 60 years ago. *Pasadena* is on a scheduled six-month deployment to the western Pacific Ocean.	US Navy photo # N-8534H-008 by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Barry R. Hirayama, courtesy of news.navy.mil.