USS Bullhead (SS-332)

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Career
Ordered:
Laid down:
Launched:	16 July 1944
Commissioned:	4 December 1944
Fate:	sunk, probably by Japanese
Stricken:
General Characteristics
Displacement:	1526 tons
Length:	311 feet 9 inches
Beam:	27 feet 3 inches
Draft:	16 feet 10 inches
Speed:	20.3 knots
Complement:	66 officers and men
Armament:	one five-inch gun, ten 21-inch torpedo tubes

USS Bullhead (SS-332), a Balao-class submarine, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for the bullhead, any large-headed fish, especially the catfish, miller's thumb, and sculpin. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Connecticut. She was launched on 16 July 1944 sponsored by Mrs. Howard P. Doyle, and commissioned 4 December 1944 with Commander W. T. Griffith in command.

The war operations of Bullhead extended from 21 March to August 1945 during which time she completed two war patrols. Her area of operations included the Java Sea and South China Sea and the Gulf of Siam.

During the greater portion of her first war patrol Bullhead performed lifeguard services and on two occasions bombarded Pratas Island, China, damaging enemy radio installations. She also rescued three airmen from a downed B-29 Superfortress following an air strike on the China coast.

On her second patrol, in May and June 1945 in the Gulf of Siam and the South China Sea, Bullhead sank two small freighters, a schooner and a sub chaser totaling 1800 tons and damaged two more sub chasers and another small freighter, all in gun actions.

On the last day of July 1945 Bullhead left Fremantle to commence her third war patrol. Her orders were to patrol in a wolfpack with Capitaine (SS-336) and Puffer (SS-268) in the Java Sea until 5 September and then head for Subic Bay in the Philippines.

Bullhead reported on 6 August that she had passed through Lombak Strait. That tranpired to be the last word received from Bullhead. On 12 August, Capitaine, planning to arrive on 13 August, ordered Bullhead to take position the following day in a scouting line with Capitaine and Puffer. Receiving no reply, Capitaine reported on 15 August, "Have been unable to contact Bullhead by any means since arriving in area."

Since the British submarines HMS Taciturn and Thorough, were in the same general area as Bullhead, and Cod (SS-224) and Chub (SS-329) passed through in transit at various times, it is difficult to determine precisely which of the many Japanese anti-submarine attacks was the one that sank Bullhead. However, one occurred on 6 August 1945, when an Japanese Army plane attacked with depth charges. It claimed two direct hits, and for ten minutes thereafter, there was a great amount of gushing oil and air bubbles rising in the water. Since the position given is very near the Bali coast, it is presumed that the proximity of mountain peaks shortened Bullhead's radar range and prevented her receiving a warning of the plane's approach.

Bullhead received two battle stars for her World War II service.

References

This article includes information collected from the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships.