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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive
Patch courtesy of
BMCS Don McGrogan, USN (ret.)

Pargo (SS-264)

Radio Call Sign: November - Alpha - Tango - Romeo
Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 21 May 1942, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 24 January 1943; Commissioned USS Pargo (SS-264), 26 April 1943; Decommissioned, 12 June 1946; Placed in service as a Naval Reserve Training Vessel in the 13th Naval District; Placed out of service and struck from the US Naval Register, 1 December 1960; Final Disposition, sold for scrapping, 17 January 1961. Pargo received 8 battle stars for 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 Hoover, Owens, Rentschler Co. main generator diesel engines, 5,400HP, Fuel Capacity, 97,140 gal., four Allis Chalmers Manufacturing Co.main motors, 2,740HP, two 126-cell main storage batteries, twin screws.
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Pargo 18k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the keel laying of the Pargo (SS-264) at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 21 May 1942.
 Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo 78k Stern view of the Pargo (SS-264) shortly before her launching on 24 January 1943. E.B. Company photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Pargo 188k Bottle & presentation case from the launch of the Pargo (SS-264), 24 January 1943.
 Photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo 86k The Pargo (SS-264) sponsor's party appear from left to right:
Mrs. L. Y. Spear, R. (Rene) Samstag, Financier Bernard Mannes Baruch & Miss Belle W. Baruch, on 24 January 1943 at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.		 Electric Boat photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo 91k Christening of the Pargo (SS-264) by her sponsor, Miss Belle W. Baruch, eldest daughter of the Financier Bernard Mannes Baruch, on 24 January 1943. On the left is Belle's sister R. (Rene) Samstag. Electric Boat photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo 281k A Pargo, named for Horlopargus Guntheri, an aggressive and voracious member of the Snapper Family.
This plaque was presented to the Pargo's (SS-264) sponsor, Miss Belle W. Baruch, eldest daughter of the Financier Bernard Mannes Baruch, on the occasion of the boat's launching on 24 January 1943. 		Electric Boat photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation. Partial text courtesy of usspargo.net. & time.com.
Pargo 22k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of Pargo's (SS-264) launching, 24 January 1943.
 Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo 28k Commemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of Pargo's (SS-264) commissioning, 6 April 1943.
 Courtesy of Jack Treutle.
Pargo 43k Commemorative commissioning post card of the Pargo (SS-264), April 1943.
Courtesy of Richard Leonhardt.
Pargo 122k Broadside view of the Pargo (SS-264) off Mare Island on 1 Mar 1944. She was in overhaul at the shipyard from 21 Dec 1943 until 5 Mar 1944.
USN photo # 1410-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 149k By now, the length of the fairwater was reduced and by 1944 this was the basic shape of the fairwater. This view of the Pargo (SS-264) which is painted in overall black, was taken in 4 March 1944 during refit at Mare Island.
USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org. Text courtesy of The Floating Drydock, Fleet Subs of WW II by Thomas F. Walkowiak.
Pargo 142k Port quarter bow view of the Pargo (SS-264) was taken in 4 March 1944 during refit at Mare Island. Tripod legs have replaced the cast bases of the 20mm guns and the 4"/50 cal deck gun has been installed.
USN photo # courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Pargo 130k Pargo (SS-264) 1 March 44 - Sperry Mill off the port bow.
 USN photo # 1408-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 133k Bow view of the Pargo (SS-264), 1 March 1944 at Mare Island. During this overhaul she received a new engine.
 USN photo # 1412-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 133k Plan view aft of the Pargo (SS-264) 4 March 1944 during refit at Mare Island.
USN photo # 1501-44, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 192k Pargo (SS-264) off of San Francisco, dated 21 May 1945. Note that she carries two 5"/25 mounts
USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
Pargo 156k Pargo (SS-264) off of San Francisco, dated 21 May 1945. Note that she carries two 5"/25 mounts
USN photo courtesy of David Buell.
Pargo 61k Pargo (SS-264) 28 May 1945 off Mare Island, CA.
 USN photo.
Pargo 69k Stern view looking forward of the Pargo (SS-264) in drydock 28 May 1945, during refit at Mare Island.
 USN photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Pargo 230k Stern view of Pargo (SS-264) off Mare Island on 28 May 1945.
USN photo # 4033-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 204k Broadside view of Pargo (SS-264) off Mare Island on 28 May 1945. She was in overhaul at the yard form 24 March until 17 June 1945.
USN photo # 4035-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 165k Bow on view of Pargo (SS-264) departing Mare Island on 28 May 1945.
USN photo # 4037-45, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Pargo 55k Plan view of the Pargo (SS-264) during refit at Mare Island. This overhaul lasted from 25 March to 17 June 1945.
USN photo # 174-45, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Pargo 331k Plan view amidships, looking forward, 2 June 1945. US Navy photo # 4173-45, courtesy of Ed Zajkowski.
Photo added 12/10/11.
Pargo 178k An early battle flag for the Pargo (SS-264).
 Photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo 205k Pargo's (SS-264) Pennant.
 Photo courtesy of George K.Chastain, Executive Director of The Belle W. Baruch Foundation.
Pargo 203k Pargo's (SS-264) battleflag, 1945.
 USN photo 1412-44, courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
Pargo 32k Pargo (SS-264) strung up with lights for early Xmas, November 1945. Tree not yet in place.
 Photo courtesy of Vern Maxson, LCDR(SS), USNR-Retd.
Pargo 68k Pargo (SS-264) Xmam & New Years day card, 1945.
 Photo courtesy of Vern Maxson, LCDR(SS), USNR-Retd.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet137kReserve fleet at Mare Island, circa Jan 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. This photo is a Berthing list identifying the ships in the picture. Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Mare Island Reserve Fleet453kPhoto of the Reserve fleet at Mare Island, circa Jan 1946. There are 52 submarines and 4 Sub Tenders in this photo. Whether coincidental or on purpose, the number of boats in the photo is the same as that which were lost in WW II.
From back to front and left to right, first group of 12 boats:
Sandlance (SS-381)
Tunny (SS-282)
Aspro (SS-309)
Lionfish (SS-298)
Guvania (SS-362)
Sunfish (SS-281)
Macabi (SS-375)
Gurnard (SS-254)
Pampanito (SS-383)
Mingo (SS-261)
Guitarro (SS-363)
Bashaw (SS-241)
From back to front and left to right, second group of 12 boats:
Sealion (SS-315)
Hammerhead (SS-364)
Bream (SS-243)
Seahorse (SS-304)
Tinosa (SS-283)
Pintado (SS-387)
Mapiro (SS-376)
Pipefish (SS-388)
Moray (SS-300)
Batfish (SS-310)
Hackleback (SS-295)
Bluegill (SS-242)
From back to front and left to right, third group of 12 boats:
Hawkbill (SS-366)
Menhaden (SS-377)
Perch (SS-313)
Loggerhead (SS-374)
Barbero (SS-317)
Baya (SS-318)
Hardhead (SS-365)
Spadefish (SS-411)
Springer (SS-414)
Devilfish (SS-292)
Kraken (SS-370)
Dragonet (SS-293)
From back to front and left to right, fourth group of 12 boats:
Lamprey (SS-372)
Piranha (SS-389)
Manta (SS-299)
Pargo (SS-264)
Rancador (SS-301)
Archerfish (SS-311)
Mero (SS-378)
Sawfish (SS-276)
Spot (SS-413)
Lizardfish (SS-373)
Jallao (SS-368)
Icefish (SS-367)
From back to front and left to right, last group of 4 boats:
Steelhead (SS-280)
Puffer (SS-268)
Stickleback (SS-415)
Trepang (SS-412)
From back to front, Submarine Tenders group of 4 ships:
Pelias (AS-14)
Aegir (AS-23)
Euryale (AS-22)
Griffin (AS-13).
Photo commemorating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
SUBMARINES-MARE ISLAND 264k Seventeen U.S. WW II subs tied up off Mare Island, 9 February 1946. The last boat on the first row appears to be either the Gurnard (SS-254) or the Pargo (SS-264).
This photo show the same area of Mare Island not necessary the same boats. This is the North end of Mare Island in early 1946. All these vessels were at this time are part of the 19th Fleet. I not found any data on the 19th fleet to date. The boats of the ways to the left are Tiru (SS-416) with the Wahoo (SS-516) behind Tiru. The Tamalpasis (YHB-21) with the Port of Stockton (YHB-2) outboard.
International News Photo courtesy of David Buell. Photo i.d. courtesy of Darryl Baker.
SUBMARINES-MARE ISLAND 199k Newspaper clipping of crew members of the Pargo (SS-264) receiving the Navy Unit Commendation at Mare Island in June 1946. Photo from the Vallejo Times Herald, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
Mare Island dry dock #1325k Four submarines in Mare Island's dry dock #1 on 14 Feb 1947. Front row: Sawfish (SS-276) and Pargo (SS-264); back row Puffer (SS-268) and Steelhead (SS-280). U.S. Navy photo # 374-47, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
View the Pargo (SS-264)
DANFS history entry located on the Haze Gray & Underway Web Site.
Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S. Navy Memorial Foundation
Fleet Reserve Association
Additional Resources and Web Sites of Interest
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ
pargo.net
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