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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Archerfish (SS-311) (AGSS-311)

Radio Call Sign: November - Yankee - Uniform - Golf

Unit Awards, Campaign and Service Medals and Ribbons

Presidential Unit Citation

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 22 January 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME.; Launched, 28 May 1943; Commissioned USS Archerfish (SS-311), 4 September 1943; Decommissioned, 12 June 1946, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA.; Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet, Mare Island; Recommissioned 7 March 1952; Decommissioned, 21 October 1955, at New London, CT.; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, New London; Recommissioned 1 August 1957; Reclassified Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-311), in early 1960; Decommissioned and simultaneously struck from the Naval Register, 1 May 1968; Final Disposition, sunk as a target by Snook (SSN-592), off the coast of California, 19 October 1968. Archerfish received seven battle stars and one Presidential Unit Citation for her World War II service.

Specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,424 t.; Length 311' 10"; Beam 27' 3"; Draft 15' 3"; Speed, Surfaced 20.25 kts, Submerged 8.75 kts; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth Limit, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one 40mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesels-electric reduction gear with four Fairbanks-Morse main generator engines., 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity, 94,400 gal., four Elliot Motor Co., main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Size	Image Description	Source
59k	Toxotes jaculatrix, the Archerfish.	Photo courtesy of wikipedia.org. Photo added 05/23/08.
21k	The Archerfish (SS-311) slides down the launching ways at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Kittery, ME., 28 May 1943.	US Navy photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com. Photo added 05/23/08.
71k	Captain Joseph F. Enright was born in Minot, North Dakota, on 18 September 1910. Graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1933, he joined the submarine force in 1936. Over the next six years, he served in S-35 (SS-140) and S-22 (SS-127), including duty as Executive Officer of the latter. In 1942 and 1943, Lieutenant Commander Enright commanded O-10 (SS-71) and Dace (SS-247). Following several months service at the Midway Islands submarine base, in September 1944 he took command of Archerfish (SS-311). On 29 November 1944, his submarine sank the Japanese aircraft carrier *Shinano, an action for which Commander Enright was awarded the Navy Cross. The ship was presented the Presidential Unit Citation. Following World War II, Enright had a variety of shore and seagoing duties and was promoted to Captain in 1952. His later commands included Submarine Division 31 in 1949-50, Fulton* (AS-11) in 1953-54, Submarine Squadron 8 in 1954-55 and Boston (CAG-1) in 1959-60. Captain Enright retired on 1 July 1963. He died on 07/20/00.	US Navy photo # NH 90520 from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center & submitted by Bill Gonyo. Text courtesy of USNHC. Photo added 05/23/08.
120k	Archerfish (SS-311), underway 30 May 1945, probably in the San Francisco Bay area.	US National Archives photo # 80-G-326328, a US Navy photo, courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center.
109k	Archerfish (SS-311), underway 30 May 1945, probably in the San Francisco Bay area.	US National Archives photo # 80-G-326329, a US Navy photo, courtesy of the US Naval Historical Center.
93k	Archerfish (SS-311), off Hunter's Point Naval Drydocks, San Francisco, California, 5 June 1945.	US Navy photo # NH 96816, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
114k	Archerfish (SS-311), leaving Hunter's Point Naval Drydocks, San Francisco, California, 5 June 1945, after her last wartime overhaul. Installed are two 5" / 25 cal deck guns,a 40mm single gun mounted on her forward gun deck and a 20mm gun on the after deck. The 20mm gun (less base) was stored in pressure proof lockers adjacent to the base mount. Her number 2 periscope is in full raised position. Also raised is the "SD" radar antenna mast. By the arrangement of the limber holes along the lower portion of the superstructure, this boat was built with the Portsmouth plans. The plans between Portsmouth & Electric Boat are slightly different.	USN Archive photo # 19-N-87174. Photo and text courtesy of The Floating Drydock, "Fleet Subs of WW II" by Thomas F. Walkowiak.
83k	Ship's crew pose on board, while she was alongside Proteus (AS-19) in Tokyo Bay, 1 September 1945. Men in the front row are holding Archerfish's (SS-311) battleflag, which features her insignia in its center. The insignia is also painted on the large circular plaque held up below the superstructure railing in the background.	US Navy photo # NH 95017, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN(Retired), 1979.
45k	Archerfish (SS-311), port side view, possibly entering Tokyo Bay, circa Sept. 1945.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
45k	Archerfish's (SS-311) battleflag.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
95k	Proteus (AS-19) with submarines of Submarine Squadron 20 alongside in Tokyo Bay, on VJ-Day, 2 September 1945. Names of the submarines present, their commanding officers and the commanding officers of SubRon20 and Proteus (AS-19) are printed at the bottom of the image: Archerfish (SS-311), Cavalla (SS-244), Gato (SS-212), Haddo (SS-255), Muskallunge (SS-262), Pilotfish (SS-386), Razorback (SS-394), Runner (SS-476), Segundo (SS-398), Sea Cat (SS-399), and Tigrone (SS-419).	US Navy photo # NH 95019, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center. Courtesy of Captain Joseph F. Enright, USN(Retired), 1979.
137k	Reserve 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 commerating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
453k	Photo 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 commerating 50 years, U. S. Submarine Veterans of WW II 1996 calendar, courtesy of Darryl Baker
279k	Line up of decommissioned subs at Groton, CT., circa 1947. From left to right:Archerfish (SS-311), Flasher (SS-249), Cobia (SS-245), Croaker (SS-246), Drum (SS-228) & what looks like the Cavalla (SS-244).	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Jack Treutle. Photo i.d. courtesy of Ric Hedman.
203k	Photo of forward portion of sail and antenna arrangement of Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952.	USN photo # 12448-3-52, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
170k	Photo of port side of sail and antenna arrangement of Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952.	USN photo # 12450-3-52, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
117k	Photo of antenna arrangement aboard from aft of gun mount Archerfish (SS-311) at Mare Island on 25 March 1952. She was being activated at the yard from 7 March to 29 May 1952.	USN photo # 12452-3-52, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
34k	Commemorative post mark honoring Archerfish (SS-311), 26 January 1961 at Willemstad, Curacao in Netherlands Antilles Oceanographic Survey "Operation Sea Scan".	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
111k	Archerfish (AGSS-311), operating off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 12 March 1961. She was then participating in "Operation Sea Scan", a scientific undertaking to investigate oceanographic and weather conditions. Photographed by PH2 C.L. Roberson.	US Navy photo # NH 96815, from the collections of the US Naval Historical Center.
180k	Archerfish (AGSS-311), operating off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 12 March 1961.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org
181k	Archerfish (AGSS-311), operating off the coast of Oahu, Hawaii, 12 March 1961.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org
24k	Archerfish (SS-311), was refitted for survey and oceanography research in 1960. Photograph taken on October 27th 1961 as *Archerfish* departed Fremantle Naval Base in Australia.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Jack Treutle.
86k	Archerfish (AGSS-311) in the foreground with Kawishiwi (AO-146) in the background, at Naval Station Subic Bay, PI, January 1965.	Allen R Vaughan QM2(SS) Archerfish (SS-AGSS-311) crew member.
67k	Archerfish (SS-311), port side view, circa 1957 to 1968.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
61k	Archerfish (SS-311), starboard side view, circa 1957 to 1968.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
64k	Archerfish (SS-311), starboard side view, circa 1957 to 1968.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of ussubvetsofworldwarii.org.
1.7m	Change of Command Ceremony PDF of the Archerfish (SS-311), 1 May 1968.	Courtesy of Ron Reeves HTC (ret.) & John Perry Wood USNA '53.
41k	On 17 October 1968 off San Diego, the ex-Archerfish (SS-311) meets her end as the Snook (SSN-592) fired 3 torpedoes; This photo shows the second torpedo, a MK37-2 that struck near her stern doing little damage.	U.S. Navy & text photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com.
36k	On 17 October 1968 off San Diego, the ex-Archerfish (SS-311) meets her end as the Snook (SSN-592) fired a MK 14-5 torpedo that hits her amidships, sinking the target in 52 seconds.	U.S. Navy & text photo courtesy of ussarcherfish.com.