USS narwhal

The USS Narwhal: A Submarine’s Extraordinary Service in World War II

As a member of the Narwhal-class submarines of the United States Navy, USS Narwhal (SS-167) played a distinctive and varied role in naval history throughout World War II. The USS Narwhal entered service in 1930 as an experimental V-class submarine designed to function as a long-range cruiser submarine suitable for a battle of attrition across extensive seas. Narwhal acquired 15 battle stars through its wartime service that included survival at Pearl Harbor and essential roles in Midway defense, the Guadalcanal Campaign, and special operations in the Philippines which tied its record with USS Thresher (SS-200) as the most decorated U.S. submarine. Narwhal distinguished itself through design innovation and mission adaptability while making a significant yet understated impact on critical battles and operations. This analysis explores how Narwhal played a vital role in significant WWII events while detailing the submarine's exceptional qualities that made it stand out in the Pacific Theater.

Origins and Design: A Visionary Submarine

Narwhal took shape during the interwar period when naval experimentation thrived under the 1922 Washington Naval Treaty while strategists planned for potential Pacific battles against Japan. The submarine V-5 (SC-1) began construction at the Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine on May 10, 1927 before being launched on December 17, 1929 and finally commissioned on May 15, 1930. In 1931 it received the name Narwhal and hull number SS-167 becoming the lead vessel of its class together with Nautilus (SS-168) as both were built to serve as “cruiser submarines” based on German U-boat design principles such as those found in Type U-139. Narwhal had a surface displacement of 2,730 tons and submerged displacement of 3,960 tons and reached a length of 371 feet which was more than double the size of the later Gato-class submarines while operating at 17 knots on the surface and 8 knots underwater thanks to its two MAN diesel engines and electric motors.

Its armament was formidable for a submarine: Narwhal featured four forward and two aft torpedo tubes plus two trainable tubes amidships with a total of 24 torpedoes as well as two deck guns measuring 6 inches (152 mm) which represented the largest armament ever fitted to a U.S. submarine. The submarine had basic armor because it needed to travel long distances of 25,000 nautical miles at 10 knots rather than focus on protection since its role as a commerce raider and strategic scout depended on range. What made Narwhal special in its design was its sheer size and versatility: The submarine's spacious interior allowed for troop and cargo transport despite its original design for fuel and supplies storage and its deck guns gave it a unique surface combat capability among submarines. The submarine's extended dive time of more than one minute combined with loud engine noise created operational problems which necessitated inventive tactics throughout the war.

Pearl Harbor: Surviving the Opening Salvo

Narwhal began its World War II service when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 while undergoing repairs at the Submarine Base. As bombs fell on Ford Island at 7: Narwhal’s crew took positions at the anti-aircraft guns during the overhaul to shoot down two Japanese torpedo planes as bombs exploded at Ford Island at 7:55 AM. The Japanese Navy's focus on battleships meant Narwhal escaped direct attacks but suffered from the surrounding explosions when Arizona exploded catastrophically. After successfully completing its overhaul without substantial harm Narwhal embarked on its initial combat mission on February 2, 1942 with Lieutenant Commander Charles W. “Weary” Wilkins in command.

The Pearl Harbor attack demonstrated Narwhal's exceptional durability even though it was not considered a crucial battle by traditional standards. While many battleships were sunk or heavily damaged during the attack Narwhal survived which allowed it to join the war early and conduct patrols that interrupted Japanese shipping thus paving the way for its role in major battles. The submarine’s ability to rapidly recover from battle damage established its critical role as an available resource during the early Pacific theater operations.

The Battle of Midway: A Defensive Sentinel

During the Battle of Midway from June 4–7, 1942 which altered the course of the Pacific War Narwhal served in a supportive capacity. Narwhal joined Task Force 7 alongside Plunger (SS-179) and Trigger (SS-237) for its second patrol departing Pearl Harbor from May 28 to June 13, 1942 to monitor the area east of Midway Island while seeking out Japanese advances toward Hawaii. While Narwhal operated as a defensive screen to find and attack enemy vessels, its patrol zone remained quiet because Japan directed its efforts toward the atoll.

Although submarines including Narwhal played a defensive role in securing the carrier victory that resulted in the sinking of Akagi, Kaga, Sōryū, and Hiryū their impact was restrained by both poor coordination and defective Mark 14 torpedoes. During this patrol Narwhal did not sink any ships and it returned to base on June 13 following the American victory. What made Narwhal special at Midway was its endurance and readiness: Its extended patrol range enabled the submarine to monitor large areas while strengthening Hawaii's defenses but its combat role stayed secondary.

The Guadalcanal Campaign: Commerce Raiding and Diversion

The Narwhal contributed to the Guadalcanal Campaign from August 1942 to February 1943 by conducting commerce raids and executing an essential diversionary mission which aided in the defense of the Solomon Islands. During its third patrol which took place between July 7 and August 26, 1942 in the Kurile Islands Narwhal destroyed four Japanese ships including guardboat Shinsei Maru No. On July 24 Narwhal sank guardboat Shinsei Maru No. 83 (63 tons) along with freighters Nissho Maru (344 tons) and Kofuji Maru (134 tons) and later destroyed Meiwa Maru (2,921 tons) on August 1. The submarine faced both bombs and depth charges on August 14 but only suffered minor damage while continuing to disrupt Japan’s supply routes in the north during the campaign's initial period.

Narwhal's fifth patrol (June 26–August 7, 1943) indirectly assisted Guadalcanal by using its 6-inch guns to bombard Matsuwa airfield in the Kuriles on July 11 and successfully diverted Japanese resources to the north. The distraction gave submarines Lapon, Permit and Plunger the chance to leave the Sea of Japan without being discovered after completing their missions. Narwhal’s special versatility shone here: The deck guns of Narwhal allowed it to conduct shore bombardment which supported its submarine duties by stretching Japanese resources during a crucial period in the Solomons.

The Philippines secret supply support operation

The Narwhal submarine made its most significant contribution to special operations by serving as a covert transport for supplies and troops in the Philippines because of its large size and transport capabilities. During its fourth mission from April 30-May 25 1943 Narwhal sailed from Dutch Harbor Alaska with Nautilus (SS-168) to deliver 106 Army Scouts to Attu in the Aleutians on May 11 for the island's recapture operation demonstrating its capacity to transport troops.

Between late 1943 and 1945 Narwhal conducted 11 more patrols under Commander Jack C. Titus to deliver supplies to Philippine resistance fighters and evacuate civilians before the Battle of Leyte Gulf from October 23 to 26, 1944. During its eighth patrol from November 25 to December 18, 1943 Narwhal delivered 90 tons of cargo and transported 11 Army officers to Butuan Bay, Mindanao before sinking the Himeno Maru (863 tons) on December 5. During its ninth (January 18–February 15, 1944) and tenth (February 16–March 20, 1944) patrols, Narwhal supplied resistance fighters at Pandan Bay and Butuan Bay and evacuated 28 civilians including Professor Roy Bell's family from Negros Island. During its eleventh patrol from May 7 to June 23, 1944 Narwhal brought 22 men and supplies to Samar to boost resistance operations.

The missions Narwhal undertook demonstrated its exceptional adaptability when facing hostile situations like depth-charge attacks after damaging Karatsu (formerly USS Luzon) on March 3, 1944. The submarine could transport either 92 tons of cargo or 120 guerrillas in its spacious holds which enabled Filipino resistance forces to undermine Japanese command operations which led to the victory at Leyte Gulf. Narwhal did not participate in Leyte’s surface battles directly but its operations created a stronger guerrilla force which ultimately influenced the campaign’s result.

Why Narwhal Was Special

Narwhal stood out because of its innovative design and ability to perform multiple roles with lasting effects. The combination of its large size, 6-inch guns and 25,000-mile range represented an innovative construction that distinguished it from others. Narwhal was built for commerce raiding but its ability to transport troops and perform shore bombardment made up for its slow dive times and loud engines while expanding its operational scope beyond Gato-class submarines.

Second, its versatility was extraordinary. The submarine sank 13 vessels with a combined weight exceeding 35,000 tons and launched attacks on airfields and special operations that earned it 15 battle stars which only Thresher could match. The submarine functioned as a Swiss Army knife in the Pacific because it transitioned from combat operations to supplying ships during pivotal battles at Midway, Guadalcanal, and the Philippines campaign.

The USS Narwhal stood out as a testament to human ingenuity and resilience. Following Pearl Harbor the crew's expertise enabled it to meet wartime demands despite its deficiencies. The submarine's preserved guns at Naval Submarine Base New London along with a memorial in Nasipit, Philippines, stand as testaments to its enduring legacy. Despite not receiving the same level of recognition as carriers or battleships, its silent contributions proved to be very meaningful.

Legacy and Significance

Through its patrols across the Kuriles and the Philippines Narwhal disrupted Japanese supply chains and strengthened resistance which allowed for crucial military successes such as the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On April 23, 1945, this submarine was decommissioned and scrapped within the same year while retaining its legacy of 15 battle stars and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Narwhal gained its distinction by transitioning from an experimental prototype into a critical component of wartime efforts which showcased America's naval flexibility. This submarine's service history spanned the entire course of the Pacific War and demonstrated its crucial and adaptable role in World War II. The journey of Narwhal stands as a powerful example of resilience and inventive bravery while honoring the unrecognized heroes who fought underwater in silence.