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NavSource Online: Submarine Photo Archive


Patches contributed by Mike Smolinski

Clamagore (SS-343)

Radio Call Sign: November - Juliet - Delta - Uniform

Balao Class Submarine: Laid down, 16 March 1944, at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT.; Launched, 25 February 1945; Commissioned Clamagore (SS-343), 28 June 1945; Converted to a Guppy type submarine in 1948; Decommissioned, is 12 June 1975; Struck from the Naval Register, 27 June 1975; Final Disposition, Donated as Museum Ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina since 11 May 1981.
On 10 January 2017 the Palm Beach County Commissioners voted unanimously to approve funds for the vessel to be sunk as an artificial reef.
Partial data submitted by Ron Reeves (of blessed memory) & Yves Hubert.

As built to the specifications: Displacement, Surfaced: 1,526 t., Submerged: 2,242 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, 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, one 20mm gun, two .50 cal. machine guns; Patrol Endurance 75 days; Propulsion, diesel-electric reduction gear with four main generator engines., General Motors diesel engines, HP 5400, Fuel Capacity 118,000, four General Electric motors, HP 2,740, two 126-cell main storage batteries, two propellers.
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Clamagore
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568k Clamagore is also known as a blue parrotfish (Scarus coeruleus). Photo courtesy of wikipedia.org
Clamagore423k Clamagore (SS-343) being launched at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. Miss Mary Jane Jacobs, daughter of Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, smashing bottle of champagne on bow. Clamagore serves as a museum ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina. Photographed on 25 February 1945.USN photograph # 80-G-304906, now in the collections of the National Archives courtesy of the National Museum of the U.S. Navy, via flickr.com.
Clamagore449k Clamagore (SS-343) being launched at Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut. Miss Mary Jane Jacobs, daughter of Vice Admiral Randall Jacobs, USN, Chief of Naval Personnel, smashing bottle of champagne on bow. Clamagore serves as a museum ship at Patriot's Point, Charleston, South Carolina. Photographed on 25 February 1945.USN photograph # 80-G-409435, courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
Clamagore465kShown, left to right: Admiral Randall Jacobs; Miss Mary Jane Jacobs, Sponsor; Mrs. Randall Jacobs, and Captain Issac I. Yates. USN photograph # 80-G-409435, courtesy of National Museum of the U.S. Navy.
Clamagore26kCommemorative postal cover on the occasion of Clamagore's (SS-343) commissioning at the Electric Boat Co., Groton, CT., 28 June 1945.USN photo courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Clamagore42kStarboard photo of the Clamagore (SS-343) in 1946. She operated off Key West with various fleet units and with the Fleet Sonar School, voyaging on occasion to Cuba and the Virgin Islands until 5 December 1947, when she entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for modernization and installation of snorkel. USN photo courtesy of home.sc.rr.com. Text courtesy of DANFS.
Clamagore208kClamagore (SS-343) entering Havana Harbor, circa 1947. USN photograph courtesy of Steven P. Ireland, in memory of his father, Melvin L. Ireland QMC.
480, 343  & 34783kMedregal (SS-480), Clamagore (SS-343) & Cubera (SS-347), at Key West in 1948.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Clamagore472kCommander says good-bye to his crew before turning over command of the submarine, 30 June 1950.
"Commander J. F. Bauer, says good-bye to crew of the submarine Clamagore (SS-343) before turning over command to Lt. Commander T. B. Denegre, who stands at his left. Conning tower is behind group of officers. The Clamagore, which has been at the Philadelphia Naval Base, leaves for duty with the Atlantic Fleet."
Photo courtesy of the George D. McDowell Philadelphia Evening Bulletin Photographs @ digital.library.temple.edu
343375kClamagore (SS-343) at sea on 8 February 1952.USN photo USN # 438066 courtesy of Thomas F. Walkowiak. & The Floating Drydock.
Fremantle 428k Subs at Key West, FL., post late March 1952.
From left to right: Clamagore (SS-343), Amberjack (SS-522), Cero (SS-225), unknown, Cobia (SS-245). The rest are too unclear to i.d.
Photo courtesy of Albert Krause, Jr, SO2(SS).
343
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NRLt. Comdr. Morin Succeeds Commander Denegre as CO Of Clamagore (SS-343) Today.
LT. COMDR. GEORGE F. MORIN (left), is congratulated by Capt. Charles H. Andrews, Submarine Squadron Four Commander as Morin took over command of the Clamagore this morning at 9 o’clock. He succeeded Comdr. Thomas B. Denegre, Jr., USN.
Image and text provided by University of Florida.
Photo from The Key West Citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 30 August 1952, Image 1, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Clamagore
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NR Down The Hatch!
INSPECTION TOUR OF NAVAL ACTIVITIES HERE began with a visit to the submarine Clamagore (SS-343) when the Secretary of the Brazilian Navy, Vice Admiral Renato A. Guillobel stopped in Key West en route from Rio de Janeiro to Washington, D. C. Accompanied by Brazilian and United States Naval officers, Guillobel; who arrived Wednesday afternoon, boarded the Clamagore yesterday morning and spent 45 minutes on the submarine which is the flagship of Capt. C. H. Andrews, commander of SubRon Four. Skipper of the Clamagore, Lt. Comdr. George F. Morin and his staff and crew greeted the distinguished visitor who was escorted by Admiral Irving T. Duke, commanding officer of all Naval bases in this area. The Admiral left today.
Image and text provided by University of Florida.
Photo from The Key West Citizen. [volume] (Key West, Fla.) 1879-current, 22 September 1952, Image 2, via chroniclingamerica.loc.gov.
Clamagore229kClamagore (SS-343) sometime after her GUPPY conversion, circa post 1952.USN photo courtesy of usssubvetsofwwii.org.
Clamagore97kClamagore (SS-343) with step sail.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Clamagore80k Clamagore (SS-343) in Naples, Italy 1954 as viewed from the Norris (DD-859).Courtesy of Bill Paterson LTjg via Dave Cupples MM/2 Norris.
Clamagore205kLCDR. Joseph Henry Buescher was the commanding officer of the Clamagore (SS-343) from June 1954 to June 1956. Photo courtesy of Bill Gonyo.
343470kClamagore (SS-343) during the 1950's with 5"25.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Thornback 651k Birds of a feather not all flocking together: Mackerel (SST-1), Thornback (SS-418), Clamagore (SS-343) & Chivo (SS-341) with the Howard W. Gilmore (AS-16) in the distance. Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Clamagore62kClamagore (SS-343) sailing down the river to the sub base at New London CT, in one of her final configurations, with the shark fin arrays with the standard BQG-4 PUFFS system. This photo was taken in the 1960's timeframe. Text courtesy of DANFS & QM2(SS)David Johnston USN photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Clamagore757k7 page PDF history of the Clamagore (SS-343) up to 1965.USN photos courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Clamagore107kClamagore (SS-343), 15 February 1967 off Puerto Rico. USN photo by PH3 Higgins.
Sub Ron 831k Sub Ron 8: Clamagore (SS-343),(front) Cobbler (SS-344) on her starboard side Corporal (SS-346) on her port side, Blenny (SS-324) bringing up the rear. Circa 1968-71, location unknown.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Sub Ron 8323k Sub Ron 8 from a different perspective: Corporal (SS-346) is on the port side of the diamond, Cobbler (SS-344) is on starboard side Clamagore (SS-343) up front and Blenny (SS-324) bringing up the rear, circa 1968-71, location unknown.Photo courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired).
Small624kOctober 1969 Bio for RADM Walter L. Small, USN. Per the bio he commanded Batfish (SS-310), Clamagore (SS-343), Van Valkenburgh (DD-656) and Sperry (AS-12).
The photo is of RADM Small addressing officer and men of SUBPAC during the change of command of SUBPAC on 10/13/70 aboard the Queenfish (SSN-651). Note Sailfish (SS-572) is in the background.
USN photo courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum via Darryl L. Baker.
Clamagore630kThree faces of Clamagore (SS-343). USN photo courtesy of Scott Koen & ussnewyork.com.
Clamagore78kAn Acrylic painting by the artist Dante H. Bertoni entitled "Berthing the Newly Arrived Submarine Clamagore (SS-343), 1971. Painting # 88-161-AP.
Courtesy of the USNHC.
Clamagore23kCommemorative postal cover marking the decommissioning of the Clamagore (SS-343), 27 June 1975.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Clamagore28kClamagore (SS-343) against pier, Tiru (SS-416), Blenny (SS-324) & Albacore (AGSS-569), circa late 1970's at the Philadelphia Navy Yard.Courtesy of John Hummel, USN (Retired). Photo I.d. submitted by Ron Reeves (of blessed memory)
Clamagore365kThe Clamagore (SS-343) being brought to Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Charleston, SC. 1981.Photo courtesy of Tommy Trampp.
Clamagore210kClamagore (SS-343) at Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Charleston, SC. 1989.Courtesy of Wendell McLaughlin.
Clamagore16kCommemorative postal cover issued on the occasion of the Clamagore's (SS-343) 50th anniversary commissioning, 28 June 1995.Courtesy of Jack Treutle (of blessed memory).
Clamagore388kHow many Guppy Class submarines do you see underway these days.
On 24 January 2012 the Clamagore (SS-343) got underway with tug assist from her permanent berth at Patriots Point Maritime Museum in Charleston, South Carolina. Harbor Pilot Patrick Kennedy took these picture as he was passing on a inbound ship.
Text courtesy of Manning J. Harvey III, Senior Chief Quartermaster, Submarines, United States Navy.
Photo courtesy of Patrick Kennedy.
Clamagore2.49k Clamagore (SS-343) may meet her makers soon. A 6 photo PDF of the sub is shown here on June 2014.Photos courtesy of Denise Middleton.
Clamagore
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3.17k This 16 page PDF of the Clamagore (SS-343) appeared in the March 2019 issue of the subcommittee.org. and was written & compiled by Tom Dougherty. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.13k Bow view of the Clamagore (SS-343). Overall weathering is evident. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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2.22k Clamagore (SS-343) & a view of her PUFFS Photos courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.83k Bow BQG-4 PUFFS fin installation, which sits flush with the deck. Again, corrosion is eviden. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.26k GRP Northern sail details. The faint outlines of the underlying metal frame can be seen. The hull slopes downward from the bow, so the amidships PUFF is slightly raised to make it level with the bow installation. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.91k Aft PUFFS Installation near the stern, raised up to be at the same height as the other two fns. Important detail for modelers of Guppy IIIs! Corrosion and bird guano add to this sad scene. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.66k Clamagore (SS-343) crew's mess looking forward. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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3.17k
The extended sonar shack is seen here in a 2 photo PDF.
1st photo: View of the sonar suite shows the BQR-2B "chin" sonar console, with the handwheel for manual searching and the recorder with the paper and stylus above the handwheel. To the extreme right is the BQS-4 active pinger console with the PPI display (orange, partially hidden.
2nd photo: The unique Guppy III 15 foot hull plug, containing the updated sonar suite. The center console's shows the BQG-4 PUFFS controls and displays.
Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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3.31k Clamagore (SS-343) control room here in a 2 photo PDF.
1st photo: Console with orange display scopes is to the starboard of ship’s steering wheel, which faces forward.
2nd photo: The control room, looking to port. In addition to the "standard" fleet sub controls, this room had a large suite of additional electronics installed. These were ESM receivers, search radar and other items. Ship’s wheel (silver, edge on) is center, right. Diving controls are at center and left on back hull.
Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.71k Aft engine room. Both forward and aft engine rooms have central passageway and two diesel engines apiece (4 diesels total) 2 GM 16-278A, V16. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.71k Forward torpedo room housed six torpedo tubes and 16 torpedoes. Crew bunks were also located in this area. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.78k Aft torpedo room. Four torpedo tubes with 8 torpedoes. Crew bunking was also in this area, along with an aft "head" (toilet). Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.59k Control room- Ship's steering. The large wheel controlled the ships rudder. Area cramped due to installation of post war electronic radar and sonar gear. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.21k Crews' mess. Two of the four mess tables in offset passageway area. Bench seats have storage under benches, as well as lockers on the wall. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.51k Crew sink and shower. Two sinks and a shower stall. Again in the offset passageway area to maximize space. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.43k Fresh water distilling plant. Capable of making thousands of gallons per day of fresh water from seawater by evaporation. Generated fresh water and brine residue. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.71k One of the General Motors V16 cylinder engines. The four engines were directly connected to electric generators which drove electric propulsion. motors connected to the screws and/or charged batteries Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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2.21k Hi Pressure air gauges for ballast tanks. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.68k Looking forward from aft of control. Starting with the control room, the corridor leading fore and aft is offset to starboard. This keeps the passageway from bisecting the control room and the crew's mess and aft berthing area. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.
Clamagore
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1.92k Maneuvering room. Large electrical cabinets shunted power to either the propulsion drive motors (directly below the cabinets) or to the storage batteries. The Clamagore (SS-343) had a "split panel" with port and starboard cabinets, separated by the passageway. Photos & text courtesy of Tom Dougherty.

View the Clamagore (SS-343)
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
Clamagore SS-343, Patriots Point Naval and Maritime Museum, Charleston, SC
Clagmore Association
Guppy Submarines
Ep-21 (1) - Victory At Sea ~ Full Fathom Five - HQ

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