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: Service Ship Photo Archive

Contributed by Mike Smolinski

USS Bushnell (AS-15)

International Radio Call Sign:
November - Uniform - Bravo - Golf NUBG

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from to bottom, left to right
Top Row - American Campaign Medal
Bottom Row - Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal - National Defense Service Medal (2)

Fulton Class Submarine Tender:

Laid down, 23 December 1941, at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA

Launched, 14 September 1942

Commissioned USS Bushnell (AS-15), 10 April 1943, CDR. C. T. Bonney in command

During World War II USS Bushnell was assigned to the Asiatic-Pacific Theater

Decommissioned, 30 April 1948, at Mare Island Navy Yard

Recommissioned, 21 February 1953

Decommissioned, 30 June 1970, at Norfolk, VA.

Status changed in July 1975 to in service out of commission

Transferred to the Maritime Administration in August 1975 for lay up in the National Defense Reserve Fleet, James River, Lee Hall, VA.

Struck from the Naval Register, 15 November 1980

Final Disposition, sunk as a target, 1 June 1983

Specifications:
Displacement 9,734 t.(lt) 18,000 t. (fl)
Length 530' 6"
Beam 73' 4"
Draft 23' 6"
Speed 15.4 kts.

Complement

Officers - 47

Enlisted - 397

Largest Boom Capacity 20 t.

Armament (as built)

four single 5"/38 dual purpose gun mounts

four twin 40mm AA gun mounts

Fuel Capacity - Diesel 26,000 Bbls

Propulsion

General Motors 16-248 Diesel electric engines

single Fairbanks Morse Main Reduction Gear
Ship's Service Generators
three Diesel-drive 500Kw 450V A.C.
one Diesel-drive 250Kw 450V A.C.

twin propellers, 11,200shp

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description	Contributed By
09360225	18k	*Namesake* David Bushnell (30 August 1740 - 1824 or 1826) was an American inventor, a patriot, one of the first American combat engineers, a teacher, and a medical doctor. Bushnell invented the first submarine to be used in battle, as well as a floating mine triggered by contact. He was a veteran of the Revolutionary War. (Wikipedia) Find A Grave	Tommy Trampp
	95k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** ready for launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 14 September 1942.. Mare Island Navy Yard photo	Darryl L. Baker
	166k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** bow view prior to launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 14 September 1942. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 194637, 9/14/42.	Darryl L. Baker
	126k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** christening, Mrs. Luther E. Gibson (Sponsor) for the christening at left and Mrs. W. L. Friedell (Matron of Honor) prior to the launching at Mare Island on 14 September 1942 Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 5565-42, 9/14/42.	Darryl L. Baker
	99k	Bushnell (AS-15) christening, Mrs. Luther E. Gibson (Sponsor) christens USS Bushnell at Mare Island, 14 September 1942. Left to right Mrs. Luther E. Gibson (Sponsor), Capt F. G. Crisp, RADM W. L. Friedell (Shipyard Commandant), and unidentified aide. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 5553-42, 9/14/42.	Darryl L. Baker
	185k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at the end of the launching ways after launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 14 September 1942. Mare Island Navy Yard photo 9/14/42.	Darryl L. Baker
	1089k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15) immediately after her launching at Mare Island Navy Yard, 14 September 1942. Tugs assisting include YMT-2 near and an unidentified tug at Bushnell*'s starboard quarter aft. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 194640, 9/14/42.*	Darryl L. Baker
	83k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at anchor in San Francisco Bay, 20 May 1943. US Navy photo	Robert Hurst
	82k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** underway off the coast of northern California, 11 June 1943. US Navy photo from an airship belonging to Lighter-than-Air Patrol Squadron (ZP-31) from NAS Santa Ana.	David Buell
09361548	45k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** with submarines alongside, circa 1944-1946, location unknown.	Kim Black for grandfather F1C Robert Monroe F/1c USS Bushnell, 1944 to 1946
	364k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at anchor off Naval Station San Diego with fleet-type boats alongside, 11 February 1946. US Navy photo.
	71k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at anchor with three fleet-type boats moored alongside, date and location unknown. Photo from "United States Submarine Operations In World War II", by Theodore Roscoe	Robert Hurst and John Hart
	92k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** underway off Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 11 August 1947. Mare Island Navy Yard photo # 1527-47, 8/11/47.	Darryl Baker
09361549	272k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** off San Francisco, 11 August 1947. The Oakland - San Francisco Bay Bridge is in the background. Vallejo Naval and History Museum	Darryl Baker
	27k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** decommissioning ceremony at Mare Island Navy Yard, Vallejo, CA., 30 April 1948. US Navy photo.	Darryl L. Baker
	228k	VIPs at decommissioning of *USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at Mare Island, 30 April 1948. Left to right: Capt. L. C. Follmer, Commander Submarine Admin Mare Island; Capt. Ray, Commander San Francisco Group Pacific Reserve Fleet; Mrs. H. C. Fish; CDR R. H. O’Kane; Capt. H. C. Fish, Commander Mare Island Group Pacific Reserve Fleet; Mrs. Luther E. Gibson (Ship’s Sponsor); LCDR J. D. Reagan; CDR Rogers; CDR R. A. Waugh; Mrs. J. D. Reagan; CDR J. L. P McCallum, Jr.; Capt. W. P. Dowd, Commander Mare Island Naval Shipyard; RADM F. J. Lowry, Commander Mare Island Vallejo Area, San Francisco Naval Base.	Darryl Baker
	104k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at the San Francisco Naval Shipyard (Hunters Point) in 1952. US Navy photo	Donald Oke SN (X Div) USS Bushnell March 1960 to January 1964
	125k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15) with USS Batfish (SS-310)** and another submarine along side at Naval Station Key West, Fl., circa late-1952. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00031430, courtesy the Heritage House Collection, donated by the Campbell, Poirier and Pound families.	Robert Hurst
	99k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored pierside at Naval Station Key West, FL., 18 February 1955. US Navy photo.	Robert Hurst
	101k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** under way as part of Subron 12, off Key West, FL., circa 1952. US Navy photo by SN Donald Oke	Robert Hurst
	123k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** with submarines alongside, moored pierside at Naval Station Key West, FL., circa 1950s.	William "Chip" Lamb
	77k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** with submarines alongside, moored pierside, probably, at Naval Station Key West, FL., circa 1950s. US Navy photo.	Richard Miller BMCS USNR Ret.
MM00003273.	86k	*Submarine Squadron 12* Change of Command ceremony at Naval Station Key West Fl., circa 1950-60s. *USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** with submarines and submarine rescue vessel alongside. US Navy photos Florida Keys Public Libraries MM00003273 and Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00014038x and MM00014038x from the Jeff Broadhead Collection.	Robert Hurst
MM00014038x	229k
MM00038276x	209k
	132k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** under way in the harbor at Naval Station Key West, FL., circa 1960. Photo from the "Ida Woodward Barron Collection. Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00005527x."	Robert Hurst
	36k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** under way, date and location unknown. US Navy photo
	78k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** pierside at the south quay, Naval Station Key West, FL., after completing a three week assignment at Norfolk, VA., 7 March 1961.	Donald Oke SN (X Div) USS Bushnell March 1960 to January 1964
	61k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** departing Key West, FL., bound for Kingston, Jamaica, 17 May 1961.	Donald Oke SN (X Div) USS Bushnell March 1960 to January 1964
09361550	145k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored pierside at Naval Station Key West, FL., date unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
09361551	502k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored pierside at Naval Station Key West, FL., The Conch Train is a sightseeing ride in the city of Key West., date unknown.	Nicholas Tiberio
	138k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored, date and location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1961.	Joe Radigan MACM USN Ret.
	339k	USS Norfolk (DL-1) and *USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored at Naval Station Key West, FL., circa 1960s. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00036477, Photo by Raymond L. Blazevic.	Robert Hurst
	97k	Cochali (YTM-383) and *USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at the Naval Station Key West circa 1960s. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00003163x, Photo from the Ida Woodward Barron Collection.	Robert Hurst
	101k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)**, as part of Subron 12, off Key West, FL. in 1963. US Navy photo	Donald Oke SN (X Div) USS Bushnell March 1960 to January 1964
	70k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at Kingston, Jamaica in February 1963. US Navy photo	Donald Oke SN (X Div) USS Bushnell March 1960 to January 1964
	93k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at Naval Station Key West, FL., 24 October 1966	© Richard Leonhardt
	350k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored at Naval Station Key West, FL., date unknown. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00036415. Photo by Raymond L. Blazevic	Robert Hurst
	206k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at Naval Station Key West, FL., September 1967. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00012310x, gift of Captain Tommy and Marie Lones.	Robert Hurst
	245k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** underway off Key West, FL. Key West. Monroe County Library Collection.Image from Flickr, courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00033766x.	Robert Hurst
09361552	59k	Stern view of *USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored at Naval Station Key West, FL., 1969.	Photo by Steve Devan USS Seahorse (APSS--315)
	59k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** crew manning the rails at Naval Station Key West, FL. in April 1969 for the visit of former President Harry S. Truman. Image from Flickr courtesy of Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00006035.	Robert Hurst
	283k	*USS Sea Poacher* (SS-406) and USS Bushnell (AS-15) alongside the pier at Naval Station Key West, 29 October 1969. Sea Poacher** was leaving Key West for the last time. Photo courtesy of "Florida Keys Public Libraries, image # MM00005528x"	Robert Hurst
	114k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at anchor, 1968, location unknown. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, November 1969.	Joe Radigan MACM, USN Ret.
	282k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** moored pierside at Naval Station Key West, FL., during a SUBRON change of command ceremony, circa 1960s. Florida Keys Public Libraries photo # MM00046575x, courtesy Wright Langley Collection.	Robert Hurst
	75k	*USS Bushnell* (AS-15)** at anchor off Pilottown, LA , providing aid and supplies to victims of Hurricane Camile, circa August 1969. US Navy photo from "All Hands" magazine, March 1970.	Joe Radigan MACM, USN Ret.

For more photos and information about USS Bushnell, see;
Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships
USS Bushnell AS 15

"The USS Bushnell's Turtle", Victory Edition (front page only).
Postal Covers related to the ship
Submarine Tenders of the United States Navy

Commanding Officers
01	CDR. Bonney, Carroll Taber, USN (USNA 1920)	10 April 1943 - 12 September 1944
02	CDR/CAPT Fish, Howell Church, USN (USNA 1924)	12 September 1944 - January 1946
03	CAPT. Kirk, Oliver Grafton, USN (USNA 1929)	January 1946 - May 1947
04	CAPT. MacGregor III, Edgar John, USN (USNA 1930)	May 1947 - 30 April 1948
	Decommissioned	30 April 1948 - 21 February 1952
05	CAPT. Garnett, Philip Weaver, USN (USNA 1933)	21 February 1952 - July 1953
06	CAPT. Bennett, Carter Lowe, USN	July 1953 - July 1954
07	CAPT. Walker Jr.,Francis David, USN (USNA 1935)	July 1954 - July 1955
08	CAPT. Baskett, Thomas Slack, USN (USNA 1935)	July 1955 - July 1956
09	CAPT. Hayler, Frank Edward, USN (USNA 1936	July 1956 - July 1957
10	CAPT. Hess, John Borden, USN (USNA 1937)	July 1957 - 11 July 1958
11	CAPT. Mann Jr., Stephen Stafford, USN (USNA 1938)	11 July 1958 - July 1959
12	CAPT. McGivern, Charles Francis, USN (USNA 1938)	July 1959 - July 1960
13	CAPT. Davey, Harry Ellsworth, Jr., USN (USNA 1939)	July 1960 - 20 October 1961
14	CAPT. Miller, Jim Dick, USN (USNA 1939)	20 October 1961 - 22 January 1963
15	CAPT. Smith Jr., Harvey Jacob (Snuffy), USN (USNA 1940)	22 January 1963 - July 1964
16	CAPT. Gallemore, Roy Holland, USN (USNA 1943)	July 1964 - July 1965
17	CAPT. Cowdrey, Roy Briand, USN (USNA 1944)	July 1965 - August 1966
18	CAPT. Gallemore, James Gilbert (Gil), USN (USNA 1945)	August 1966 - October 1967
19	CAPT. Purinton, David Franklin, USN	October 1967 - 10 August 1969
20	CAPT. Bilderback, Oral John, USN (USNA 1948-B)	10 August 1969 - 30 June 1970


Courtesy Wolfgang Hechler and Ron Reeves

Crew Contact And Reunion Information
U.S.Navy Memorial Foundation

Back To The Navsource Photo Archives Main Page

Back To The Service Force Auxiliaries and Miscellaneous Ship Type Index

Back To The Submarine Tender (AS) Photo Index

Comments, Suggestions, E-mail Webmaster.

This page is created and maintained by Gary P. Priolo

Last Updated 29 March 2024