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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

Guavina (SS-362) (SSO-362) (AGSS-362) (AOSS-362)

Radio Call Sign: November - Kilo - Hotel - Mike

Gato Class Submarine: Laid down, 3 March 1943, at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI.; Launched, 29 August 1943; Commissioned USS Guavina (SS-362), 23 December 1943; Decommissioned, 6 December 1945; Reactivated in 1949 for conversion at Mare Island Naval Shipyard, Vallejo, CA, to a Submarine Oiler; Recommissioned, USS Guavina (SSO-362), 1 February 1950; Redesignated Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-362), 26 July 1952; Redesignated Submarine Oiler (AOSS-362), 12 July 1957; Decommissioned, 27 March 1959, and assigned to reserve training in Baltimore; Struck from the Naval Register, 30 June 1967; Final Disposition, sunk as a target by Cubera (SS-347), off Cape Henry, VA.Guavina received five battle stars for World War II service.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves, HTC, USNR (ret.)

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; Cruising Range, 11,000 miles surfaced at 10kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2kts; Operating Depth, 300 ft; Complement 6 Officers 54 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 3"/50 deck gun, two .30 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; ; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four General Motors main generator diesel engines, 5,400 hp, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gals., four General Electric main motors with 2,740 hp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Size	Image Description	Source
48k	Guavina (SS-362), on the building ways at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 29 August 1943.	*Editors Note: There are over 200 images submitted on these pages covering the following submarines that were constructed at the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co, Manitowoc, WI,: SS-265 through SS-274, and SS-361 through SS-380. None of them would have seen the light of day if it were not for the efforts of Curator, Asst. Director, Bill Thiesen of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Larry Bohn,* who sent them to NavSource for publication. A special debt of gratitude is owed to these two men and the *Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia* (SS-245) for allowing these photographs to be seen by the lovers of naval history worldwide.
33k	Commemorative postal cover marking the Guavina's (SS-362) launching on 29 August 1943.	Courtesy of petloveshack.com. Photo added 04/11/07.
48k	The Guavina (SS-362) starts to raise her launching timbers on the building ways at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 29 August 1943.	Submitted by Larry Bohn. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245) .
55k	Watercolor print by the artist Tom Denton of the side launching of a Manitowoc built boat.	Courtesy of submarineart.com.
39k	Plankowners of the Guavina (SS-362) pose on the building ways at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, WI., 29 August 1943.	Submitted by Larry Bohn. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245) .
38k	Guavina (SS-362) commissioning emblem, December 23, 1943.	Submitted by Larry Bohn. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245) .
110k	Guavina (SS-362), underway in the Pacific, circa 1944-45.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
150k	Major overhaul of the Guavina (SS-362) at the Bethlehem Steel Shipyard in San Francisco during the summer of 1945. It is distinguishable by the new 5 inch deck gun mounted aft of the conning tower shears.	Courtesy of Robert E. Straub, RM2SS USS Guavina SS-362 (Aug. 1944 to Aug. 1946).
461k	6 Dec 45 photo appeared in the 14 Dec 45 issue of the Mare Island newspaper lists the following subs present at the dockyard: Unknown, Dragonet (SS-293), Guavina (SS-362), Sunfish (SS-281), Sargo (SS-188), Spearfish (SS-190), Saury (SS-189). First two ships in second row appear to be: Bashaw (SS-241) and Mingo (SS-261). The Tiru (SS-416) is on the building ways on the left above the subs and surrounding by staging and cranes. It is interesting to note that the boats have started the mothballing process, as evidenced by the preservative cocoons around the deck guns.	U.S. Navy photo courtesy of Darryl Baker. Partial text courtesy of David Johnston, USNR.
43k	Guavina's (SS-362) battle insignia.	Submitted by Larry Bohn. Courtesy of the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, home of the Cobia (SS-245) .
97k	Guavina (SS-362) WW II battleflag.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org.
308k	Bow view of the Tiru (SS-416) under construction at Mare Island on 3 Jan 1946. Submarines in the background are decommisioned or will soon be: from front to rear are Bashaw (SS-241), Pampanito (SS-383), Mingo (SS-261), Gurnard (SS-254), Macabi (SS-375), Tunny (SS-282), Guavina (SS-362) and Sand Lance (SS-381).	USN photo # 18-46, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
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.
900k	Inactivated submarines at Mare Island on 3 January 1946. Front row left to right: Sand Lance (SS-381), next two could be Sealion (SS-315) and Seahorse (SS-304), Searaven (SS-196), Pampanito (SS-383), Gurnard (SS-254), Mingo (SS-261), Guitarro (SS-363), Bashaw (SS-241). Back row left to right: Unknown, Tunny (SS-282), next three could be Sargo (SS-188), Spearfish (SS-190), and Saury (SS-189), Macabi (SS-375), Sunfish (SS-281), Guavina (SS-362), Lionfish (SS-298),Piranha (SS-389). The Scabbardfish (SS-397) is docked in *ARD-11* on the other side of the causeway. The mixture of boats from the *Salmon/Sargo, Gato, and Balao classes* illustrate the clear differences in the conning tower fairwaters and the periscope shears that can be used to identify boats. The high bridges with the uncovered support frames (the "covered wagon" look) of the *Gatos* and *Salmon/Sargo's* contrast with the low and sleek look of the *Balao's. The fatter, more robust periscope shears of the Balao's* are markedly different from the thinner shears with more supporting structure of the *Gatos* and *Salmon/Sargo's. The differences in the pattern of the superstructure limber holes can also be used for identification purposes. The single row of large semi-circular holes indentify Electric Boat or Manitowoc boats. A dual row of smaller rectangular holes mark the government built boats. Also note that the EB/Manitowoc boats have the deck mounted, T-shaped JP sonar head on the starboard side of the forward deck, while the government boats have it on the port side. EB/Manitowoc boats had the anchor on the starboard side, the government boats on the port side. A close look will show that some of the boats have had the anchor removed and the hawsepipe plated over as part of the mothball process. Most of the boats have the late war radar outfit of the SJ surface search (small dish) and SV air search (large dish). The Balao's* and some of the *Gatos* have the SS dish mounted on a separate large mast aft of the periscopes. The older *Salmon/Sargo's* and *Gatos* have a much smaller mast. *Searaven* appears to have had her radars already removed. *Searaven* is actually sporting a late war SJ surface search antennae mounted to starboard of the periscopes. This is a rare installation. Most often it was mounted forward (early war) or aft (late war) of the 'scopes shears. Her air search set is a late war SD antennae mounted on a stub mast directly aft of the 'scopes. *Searaven* never received the much more capable SV air search set. Having been assigned to training duties after November, 1944 it was probably felt that the SV set was not necessary. One strange thing: almost all of the boats appear to have the outer doors of the forward torpedo tubes open. Even though the boats have an interlock system that prevents the breech and outer doors from being opened at the same time, this is an unusual thing to do and a potential source of catastrophic flooding.	U.S. Navy photo # 17-46, courtesy of Darryl Baker. Text courtesy of David Johnston, USNR.
136k	Aft plan view of Guavina (SS-362), at Mare Island under going conversion on 20 Jan. 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5274-1-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
120k	Forward plan view of Guavina (SS-362), at Mare Island under going conversion on 20 Jan. 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5275-1-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
124k	Commissioning ceremonies aboard Guavina (SS-362) at Mare Island on 1 Feb. 1950. Officer from left to right: Unidentified LCDR, Capt. R. E. Bacon, Commander, SubAD; RADM F. J. Lowry, Area Commander, Mare Island; RADM H. E. Haven, Commander, Mare Island Naval Shipyard; LCDR W. E. Norrington, Jr., Commanding Officer, *Guavina*; and Capt. C. R. Woodson, Shipyard Administrative Officer.	U.S. Navy photo # 5337-2-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
82k	Bow on view of Guavina (SS-362) departing Mare Island on 10 Feb. 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5396-2-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
69k	Broadside view of Guavina (SS-362) departing Mare Island on 10 Feb. 1950. She was under conversion at the yard from 15 April 1949 to 10 Feb 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5398-2-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
141k	Amidships looking aft plan view of Guavina (SS-362) at Mare Island on 10 March 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5660-3-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
124k	Amidships looking forward plan view of Guavina (SS-362) at Mare Island on 10 March 1950.	U.S. Navy photo # 5661-3-50, courtesy of Darryl Baker.
250k	In 1951 the submarine force achieved another important milestone. Guavina (SS-362) used an experimental searchlight sonar to distinguish the sound signature of Seacat (SS-399) and the fleet tug Salinian (ATF-161) at ranges of 9-10 nm.	Text & US Navy photo courtesy of chinfo.navy.mil.
63k	Starboard view of theGuavina (SS-362), underway circa 1950's.	Courtesy of ussubvetsofwwii.org
30k	Guavina (AGSS-362), Philadelphia Navy Yard, 21 July 1954.	Courtesy of John Hummel.
272k	Guavina (AGSS-362), refueling a P5M Marlin flying boat off Norfolk, VA. in 1955. Prior to World War II, several submarines were fitted to refuel seaplanes. During the war, Germany and Japan used this technique with some success. After the war this technique was experimented with within the US Navy. It was planned to use submarines to refuel the new jet powered P6M flying boats. As part of this program *Guavina* was converted to carry 160,000 gallons for aviation fuel. To do this, blisters were added to her sides and two stern torpedo tubes were removed. When the P6M project was canceled, there was no further need for submarine tankers. This concept was never used operationally in the US Navy.	US Navy photo courtesy of Larry Bohn.
72k	Guavina (AGSS-362), alongside Chewaucan (AOG-50), taking on AVGAS, off Cagliari, Sardinia, 9 October 1956.	Photo by Larry Bohn.
49k	Guavina (AGSS-362), coming alongside Chewaucan (AOG-50), to take on AVGAS, in Suda Bay, Crete, December 1956. The unusual light pattern on *Guavina's hull is caused by the sun shining through the tank deck and catwalk of Chewaucan. Note the fueling platform at the stern of Guavina*.	Photo by Larry Bohn.
64k	Guavina (AGSS-362), alongside Chewaucan (AOG-50), taking on AVGAS, Suda Bay Crete, December 1956.	Photo by Larry Bohn.
51k	Guavina (AGSS-362), alongside Chewaucan (AOG-50), taking on AVGAS, Suda Bay Crete, December 1956.	Photo by Larry Bohn.
44k	Guavina (AOSS-362) in Baltimore, 1966.	Courtesy of Donald Wood, via submarinesailor.com.
75k	The Guavina's (AGSS-362) final moments above the ocean floor as seen through the periscope of the Cubera (SS-347), following a Mark 16 torpedo test off the coast of Cape Henry, Virginia, 11 November 1967.	Photo courtesy of Ron Norford.