Definition
USS Cachalot (SS‑170) was a United States Navy submarine, the lead ship of the Cachalot‑class, commissioned in 1933 and active during World War II.
Overview
USS Cachalot was built by the Electric Boat Company at the Navy Yard in Groton, Connecticut. Laid down on 15 May 1931, launched on 8 February 1933, and commissioned on 6 May 1933, she served primarily in the Pacific theater. During the war she conducted patrols off the Philippines, the East China Sea, and the Aleutian Islands, engaging enemy shipping and performing rescue and escort duties. After the end of hostilities, the vessel was decommissioned on 15 May 1945 and subsequently struck from the Naval Vessel Register. She was sold for scrap in 1947.
Etymology / Origin
The name “Cachalot” derives from the French word cachalot, meaning “sperm whale.” The United States Navy traditionally assigns marine animal names to its early submarine classes, and the vessel was thus named after the large cetacean.
Characteristics
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Class and type | Cachalot‑class submarine |
| Displacement | 1,350 tons surfaced; 1,600 tons submerged |
| Length | 306 ft (93 m) |
| Beam | 26 ft 9 in (8.15 m) |
| Draft | 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) |
| Propulsion | 2 × diesel engines (4,400 bhp total) for surface running; 2 × electric motors (2,400 hp total) for submerged operation |
| Speed | 21 knots surfaced; 9 knots submerged |
| Range | 11,000 nm at 10 knots surfaced; 48 nm at 5 knots submerged |
| Armament | 10 × 21‑inch (533 mm) torpedo tubes (6 bow, 4 stern) with 24 torpedoes; 1 × 3‑inch/50 caliber deck gun; later equipped with 1 × .50 caliber machine gun and radar/ sonar upgrades |
| Crew | Approximately 54 officers and enlisted personnel |
During her service life, Cachalot received multiple upgrades, including the installation of surface search radar (SG) and improved sonar (QT) systems, which enhanced her combat effectiveness in later World War II patrols.
Related Topics
- Cachalot‑class submarines – The class comprised only USS Cachalot; her design influenced later fleet submarine development.
- United States Navy submarine force – The broader organization to which Cachalot belonged, crucial to Allied naval strategy in the Pacific.
- World War II submarine warfare – The operational context for Cachalot’s patrols, emphasizing anti‑shipping and reconnaissance missions.
- List of United States Navy ships named after marine animals – Includes other submarines such as USS Barracuda, USS Seawolf, and USS Shark.
References: Naval History and Heritage Command records; Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships (DANFS); Jane’s Fighting Ships (1937‑1945 editions).