USS Lamprey (SS-372)

USS ''Lamprey'' (SS-372), a ''Balao''-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the lamprey, any of certain eel-like aquatic vertebrates.

USS ''Lamprey'' (SS-372)

''Lamprey'' (SS-372) was laid down 22 February 1944 by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin; launched 18 June 1944, sponsored by Mrs. W. T. Nelson; and commissioned 17 November 1944.

After trials, tests, and training in Lake Michigan, the new submarine entered a floating drydock on 7 December at Lockport, Illinois; was floated down the Mississippi River; and arrived at New Orleans on 13 December. Four days later she departed New Orleans for the Pacific.

''Lamprey'' sailed from Pearl Harbor 17 February 1945 for the coast of Luzon and her first war patrol. She steamed on life guard duty off Formosa and Hong Kong until 29 March; transited the Singapore Straits 8 April; and the next day steamed through the Karimata Straits into the Java Sea. She sighted no worthwhile targets, however, because most of Japan's merchant marine and naval fleet had been destroyed. The submarine headed for a refit at Fremantle, Australia, arriving 22 April 1945.

Under a new commanding officer, Lt. Comdr. Lucien B. McDonald, ''Lamprey'' cleared Fremantle 21 May and entered the Java Sea bound for her patrol area in the Siam Gulf. On 28 May ''Lamprey'' and closed for a coordinated gun attack which damaged and set afire a 600-ton escort ship. ''Lamprey'' set course for Subic Bay where she arrived 29 June.

The submarine returned to sea 26 July for her third war patrol and spent most of her time searching for targets along the Gulf of Siam. She entered the Singapore area 8 August to patrol west of Pengiboe Island where she sank a small craft with gunfire. She was relieved on station by British submarine the same day and headed for Borneo. On 12 August her guns destroyed a cargo-carrying lugger from Surabaya. The submarine was closing in on a two-masted schooner 15 August when she received word to cease hostilities.

''Lamprey'' departed Subic Bay 31 August and moored in San Francisco, 22 September. She entered Mare Island Naval Shipyard, decommissioned 3 June 1946, and was laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.

''Lamprey'' received four battle stars for World War II service.

ARA ''Santiago del Estero'' (S-12)

On 21 July 1960 she was transferred on loan to the Government of Argentina and was commissioned in the Argentine Navy as ARA ''Santiago del Estero'' (S-12). Along with ARA ''Santa Fe'' (former ), she was used mainly for training. The conning towers of both submarines were later locally upgraded to improve hydrodynamics.Historia y Arqueologia Marítima: Submarinos Clase "Balao"
Some years ago, Argentinian officials disclosed that a group of tactical divers had carried out an incursion on the Falkland Islands on board the ''Santiago del Estero'' in October 1966. "Malvinas: Los Secretos de la Guerra"
'' Clarín'', 31 March 1996

The submarine was returned to US Navy custody, 1 September 1971, to be struck from the Naval Vessel Register and sold outright to the Argentine Navy, which therefore employed them only for training purposes. Both submarines were broken up in 1974 for use as spare parts.

See also

* ARA ''Santiago del Estero'' for other Argentine ships named after Santiago del Estero Province

References

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External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lamprey (SS-372)
Balao-class submarines
Ships built in Manitowoc, Wisconsin
1944 ships
World War II submarines of the United States
Ships transferred from the United States Navy to the Argentine Navy