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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive

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Atule (SS-403) (AGSS-403)

Radio Call Sign: November - Juliet - Yankee - Alpha

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 25 November 1943, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H..; Launched, 6 March 1944; Commissioned USS Atule (SS-403), 21 June 1944; Decommissioned, 8 September 1947; Laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet, New London Group; Converted to a Guppy 1-A type submarine at US Naval Shipyard, Portsmouth, NH in 1950; Recommissioned, 8 March 1951; Reclassified Auxiliary Submarine (AGSS-403), 1 October 1969; Decommissioned, 6 April 1970, at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard, Philadelphia, PA.; Struck from the Naval Register, 15 August 1973; Final Disposition, sold to Peru under terms of the Security Assistance Program in July 1974, renamed Pacocha (S-48). She sank shortly after sunset on 26 August 1988, about three miles from the port of Callao, eight miles northwest of Lima after a 412-ton Japanese fishing boat Kiowa Maru, struck her by accident.
4 of her crew, including her Captain, Daniel Nieva Rodriguez, drowned.

The Peruvian Navy's efforts to salvage Pacocha began on 30 August 1988, immediately after the crew escaped, and continued for eleven months. One hundred fifty men, seventy of them divers from the Salvage Service, worked eight hundred hours, two hundred of preliminary inspection and six hundred diving. The submarine broke the surface again on 23 July 1989, eleven months after she was sunk. After being studied for the effects of the ramming and sinking, her hulk was cannibalized for spare parts for other Peruvian submarines.
Atule earned four battle stars for World War II service.
Peruvian history courtesy of wikipedia.org

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced 1,526 t., Submerged 2,391 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 10 kts; Submerged Endurance, 48 hours at 2 kts; Operating Depth, 400 ft; Complement 6 Officers 60 Enlisted; Armament, ten 21" torpedo tubes, six forward, four aft, 24 torpedoes, one 5"/25 deck gun, one single 40mm gun mount, one single 20mm gun mount, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear, Fairbanks Morse diesel engines, 5,400 HP, Fuel Capacity, 116,000 gal., four Elliot Motor Co. electric main motors with 2,740 shp, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.

Click On Image For Full Size	Size	Image Description	Source
	727k	Miss Elizabeth Barnum, maid of honor, and Miss Elizabeth L. Kauffman, sponsor for Atule (SS-403). Launched at Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H. 6 March 1944.	National Archives Identifier:12562926 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
	900k	Atule (SS-403) was sponsored by Miss Elizabeth Louise Kauffman, the daughter of Rear Admiral James Lawrence Kauffman. (President of Jefferson Medical College and Jefferson Medical Center 1949-59). She married Prescott S. Bush, Jr., brother of former Lt. (J.G.) George H. W. Bush, also known as the 41st President of the U.S.	Photo courtesy of Wendy S. Gulley, Archivist, Submarine Force Museum, Naval Submarine Base NLON, Groton, CT.
	14k	Commemorative launch day badge from Atule's (SS-403) launching at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 6 March 1944.	Courtesy of James A Munroe in remembrance of his father Raymond L Munroe Sr. who worked at the yard during WW II and the Korean wars as a chauffeur.
	735k	Cold weather and water await the Atule (SS-403) at her launching at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., 6 March 1944.	National Archives Identifier:12563007 Photo courtesy of catalog.archives.gov
	1.84k	Aerial photo of the Atule (SS-403) on 15 August 1944.	USN photo # 80-G-313787 from National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), College Park, Maryland, courtesy of Sean Hert.
	63k	Atule (SS-403), circa 1944-45.	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
	1.17k	By the time WW II broke out the Is/Was was becoming a thing of the past being replace by the TDC, Torpedo Data Computer, but was carried as a back-up. This beonged to the Atule (SS-403).	Photo courtesy of Ric Hednan.
	144k	*Asama Maru* was completed as a passenger-cargo ship for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha NYK(Japan Mail Steam Ship Co. Ltd) Line in 1929. She saw extensive service in the 1930's on NYK's Far East-California route. Requisitioned by the IJN in 1941, she was converted to a troop ship. In 1942, she served as a diplomatic exchange and repatriation vessel. Later, she was used to transport Allied prisoners of war. Shortly after midnight on 1 November, Atule (SS-403) established surface radar contact on a fast-moving escorted transport and moved in for the kill. Despite rain squalls and heavy seas, *Atule* was able to close the transport and fire six torpedoes. The first hit caused a terrific explosion which threw flaming material high in the air. When one of the transport's escorts began to close the submarine, she began a crash dive but still managed to hear a second explosion as she submerged. Nine depth charges exploded in the vicinity, but none was close enough to damage *Atule. The crew in the submarine heard loud breaking up noises and upon surfacing, found a large oil slick and much debris. Atule* was later credited with sinking *Asama Maru*, a 16,975-ton Japanese transport.	Text courtesy of combinedfleet.com & DANFS. Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
0840327	NR	Comdr. John H. Maurer,USN. Commander of the submarine Atule (SS-403), which was credited with destroying 35,000 tons of Japanese shipping during the Pacific war, Comdr. Maurer, 33, wears the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, the Army Distinguished Unit and Presidential Unit Citation ribbons.....	Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 02 December 1945, Image 140, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	492k	Atule (SS-403) postwar.	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
	122k	Atule's (SS-403) bridge & WW II flags.	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
	35k	On 4 July 1946, Atule (SS-403) headed for the frozen north as a member of Operation "Nanook." The purpose of this mission was to assist in the establishment of advanced weather stations in the Arctic regions and to aid in the planning and execution of more extensive naval operations in polar and sub-polar regions. In company with Norton Sound (AV-11), Whitewood (AN-63), Alcona (AK-157), Beltrami (AK-162), and USCG Northwind (WAG-282), *Atule* was to transport supplies and passengers, conduct reconnaissance of proposed weather station sites, train personnel, and collect data on Arctic conditions.	USN photo courtesy of Arctic Submarine Laboratory. Text courtesy of DANFS.
	276k	"A standard steam-type torpedo fired by the modern U.S. Navy Submarine Atule (SS-403) strikes the captured German Submarine *U-977* off Cape Cod, 13 November 1946……It was sunk under a Tri-Party agreement between the U.S., Britain and Russia".	Photo & text courtesy of rubylane.com., inspired by Jim Corcoran.
0840377	NR	SEA RAIDER'S END Struck by a steam torpedo fired from the United States Navy submarine Atule (SS-403), the former German submarine *U-977* exploded at sea, 40 miles east of Cape Cod, during firing tests made yesterday. The experiment was conducted under the tri-partlte agreement which permits the Allies to keep captured German or Jap submarines for a time for study before sinking them. The sinking of the 740-ton sub was described as a "test of our offensive weapons" and was "highly successful." The undersea craft was reported to have gone down less than a minute after being hit. This spectacular shot at the moment of the explosion was made by Anthony Camerano, Associated Press staff photographer.	A.P. Wirephoto. Image and text provided by Library of Congress, Washington, DC. Photo & text by Evening Star.[volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 14 November 1946, Image 3, courtesy of chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
	157k	*U-977* bites the dust from the Atule (SS-403), a short distance away.	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	826k	Mothballed subs of the New London Group of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	1.18k	On 27 February 1947, Atule (SS-403) arrived at Philadelphia for overhaul and inactivation. On 8 September 1947, she was placed out of commission, in reserve, with the New London Group of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet. After three years in "mothballs," *Atule* was towed to the Portsmouth (N.H.) Naval Shipyard for reactivation and conversion to a Guppy 1-A type submarine. Outfitted with a snorkel to permit use of her engines while submerged and a smooth streamlined superstructure for added speed, *Atule* rejoined the fleet a stronger, more versatile warship. On 8 March 1951, the submarine was recommissioned, Lt. Comdr. Benjamin C. Byrnside, Jr. in command. Assigned to Submarine Squadron 8 in New London, *Atule* conducted a shakedown cruise in the Caribbean and then participated in Fleet and NATO training exercises in the Atlantic and the Caribbean. On 9 February 1952, she departed New London for a tour of duty in the Mediterranean and participation in NATO Exercise "Grand Slam." During the deployment, she visited Gibraltar, Malta, and Marseilles, before arriving back in the United States on 29 March. *Atule* & Becuna (SS-319) are pictured together tied up with 2 British Battle Class destroyers. Note the HMS Sluys (D-60) alongside the *Becuna*.	Text courtesy of DANFS. Photo i.d. courtesy of Barry Gerrard. Photo courtesy of Brian Sullivan via his father, Phil, of blessed memory, who served aboard the *Atule* in the early 50's.
	151k	Crew of the Atule (SS-403), circa 1956-7 at Groton CT. Will Emerich, Chief of the Boat, is in the front row at the far right hand side.	Photo i.d. and partial text courtesy of Capt. Eric Emerich, USMC. Photo courtesy of Thomas and Josephine McLoughlin.
	62k	Crew family members of the Atule (SS-403), circa 1956-7 at Groton CT.	Courtesy of Thomas and Josephine McLoughlin,
	103k	Atule (SS-403), underway in Havana, Cuba, 1958.	Courtesy of Robert Marthaler, RM3 SS (1955-1958).
0840310	1.15k	Atule (SS-403) does Barcelona, 4 August 1960, sometime between 0900-1000.	Photo by Manuel Galilea. Courtesy of Museu Marítim de Barcelona via Fabio Pena.
	116k	Atule (SS-403) entering the Naval station Key West C 1960.	Wright Langley collection. Florida Keys Public Libraries. Photo # MM00046592x, via Robert Hurst.
	249k	Change of command at Subron 12 Key West Fla. in the 1960's aboard the Bushnell (AS-15). Barracuda (SST-3) upper right. Other boats there are Sea Cat (SS-399), Picuda (SS-382), Atule (SS-403), Sea Fox (SS-402), Threadfin (SS-410) & Chopper (SS-342).	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
	168k	Sail away: As many different types of sails as there are boats in this photo of Squadron 12, Key West, Florida, in Mid 60's: Atule (SS-403), Balao (SS-285), Grenadier (SS-525) & Bluegill (SS-242).	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, (USN) retired.
	103k	Atule (SS-403) inboard of Darter (SS-576) at the Charleston Naval Shipyard, 1966. *Darter* is finishing a comprehensive overhaul which saw the addition of a 16 1/2 foot section added between the after battery and the engine room, referred by her crew as the "Plug". She also received a complete Subsafe safety package, which included an emergency ballast tank blow system, which is being tested in this photo.	Photo & text i.d. courtesy of David Johnston (USN, retired) USN photo from the collection of Mr. Palmer Olliff, courtesy of Bob Hall & submitted by Fabio Pena.
	74k	Atule (SS-403), rafting up to Thornback (SS-418), Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, 1966.	Courtesy of Lohman, submitted by George M. Arnold.
	204k	Thornback (SS-418) left, Atule (SS-403) right, circa 1967.	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	325k	Thornback (SS-418) right, Atule (SS-403) left, circa 1967.	USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	911k	Circa 1968 Welcome Aboard the Atule (SS-403) pamphlet.	PDF courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
	1.00k	In February 1968, Atule (SS-403) headed for the Gulf of Mexico and New Orleans to train naval reservists and to celebrate Mardi Gras. The submarine returned via St. Petersburg, Fla. to her home port, where she continued general operations until 1 October when she got underway for her last Mediterranean deployment. She is seen here on 5 March 1968.	Text courtesy of DANFS. USN photo courtesy of Ron Reeves (of blessed memory).
	333k	Albacore (AGSS-569) orange with envy alongside Atule (SS-403).	USN photo courtesy of subasepearl.com.
Pacocha (S-48)
	515k	Pacocha (S-48) in drydock, 1988. The Peruvian Navy's efforts to salvage *Pacocha* began on 30 August 1988, immediately after the crew escaped, and continued for eleven months. One hundred fifty men, seventy of them divers from the Salvage Service, worked eight hundred hours, two hundred of preliminary inspection and six hundred diving. The submarine broke the surface again on 23 July 1989, eleven months after she was sunk. After being studied for the effects of the ramming and sinking, her hulk was cannibalized for spare parts for other Peruvian submarines.	Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). Peruvian history courtesy of wikipedia.org
	367k	Report on the loss of the Atule (SS-403).	Chicago Tribune article courtesy of David Carre, CAPT, USN (RET)(former crew member).

View the Atule (SS-403)
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
Guppy Submarines
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ

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