Tusk
An alternate name for the cusk, a large edible saltwater fish related to the cod.
(SS-426: dp. 1,570 (surf.), 2,415 (subm.); 1. 311'8"; b. 27'3"; dr. 16'5" (mean) ; s. 20.25 k. (surf.), 8.75 k. (subm.); cpl. 81; a. 10 21" tt., 1 5", 1 40mm., 1 20mm., 2 .50-cal. mg.; cl. Balao, Tench Variant)
Tusk (SS-426) was laid down on 23 August 1943 at Philadelphia, Pa., by the Cramp Shipbuilding Co.; launched on 8 July 1945; sponsored by Mrs. Carolyn Park Mills; and commissioned on 11 April 1946, Comdr. Raymond A. Moore in command.

Tusk completed her shakedown cruise in the southern Atlantic with a round of goodwill visits to Latin American ports. She called at Rio de Janeiro and Bahia in Brazil in June and July 1946, Curacao in the Netherlands West Indies, and at Balboa, Panama also in July before returning to New London in August 1946. On November 16, 1946 while at the the US Naval Academy she was toured by President Harry S. Truman and Vice Admiral Aubrey W. Fitch. For the next year, she conducted operations along the east coast between New London and Wilmington, N.C. During the first month of 1947, Tusk participated in a fleet tactical exercise in the Central Atlantic. On February 12 she collided with the hospital ship USS Consolation AH-15 while attempting to surface, resulting in damage to her sail and masts. A three-month overhaul at Philadelphia followed by oceanographic work along the Atlantic shelf in conjunction with Columbia University and the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute occupied her until October 1947 when she entered the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for a "Guppy II" conversion.

Over the next seven months, Tusk received extensive modifications to improve her submerged performance characteristics. Four "greater capacity" batteries replaced her old larger ones. Her hull became more streamlined—the anchors were recessed into the hull and the propeller guards were removed—to improve her overall hydrodynamic design for underwater operations. Her sail was streamlined and enlarged to house the snorkel, a device added to allow her to operate on diesel power at periscope depth and to recharge her batteries while running submerged. All of these changes helped to convert Tusk from simply a submersible surface ship into a truer submarine. They increased her submerged range; and, though she lost about two knots in surface speed, her submerged speed increased from just under 10 knots to about 15.

The newly converted submarine returned to active duty early in the summer of 1948. She conducted her shakedown training and made a simulated war patrol to the Canal Zone in June and July. She returned to the United States in August and visited the Naval Academy at Annapolis where her presence allowed about 1,000 fourth classmen to see at first hand the latest development in submarine design. That fall and winter, Tusk resumed normal operations, participating in exercises with other United States and NATO forces. She ranged from the Caribbean Sea in the south to above the Arctic Circle in the north. The beginning of 1949 brought a more restricted radius of operations. During the first six months of that year, she served with Submarine Development Group 2 based at Newport, R.I. In July, Tusk rejoined the multinational forces of NATO for another round of exercises in the North Atlantic. During these exercises, she visited Londonderry, Northern Ireland; and Portsmouth, England.

During the final phase of those exercises, Tusk was operating in a unit which also included the submarine Cochino (SS-345). On 25 August 1949, while steaming through a gale off the coast of Norway, Cochino suffered an explosion in one of her batteries. Tusk rushed to the aid of the stricken submarine, providing medical supplies for Cochino's injured by way of life rafts. One such raft capsized in heavy seas sending a Cochino officer and a civilian employee of the Bureau of Ships into the icy Arctic waters. Both were recovered, but during the administration of artificial respiration on board Tusk, another wave broke over her deck washing away the civilian and 11 Tusk crewmen. Only four sailors were subsequently rescued. After those tragic events, Tusk and the limping Cochino headed for Hammerfest, Norway. Along the way, another explosion erupted in Cochino's after battery. The second detonation sealed Cochino's doom. Water literally poured through her battered hull. Tusk came alongside in heavy seas and lashed herself to the sinking submarine. Under the worst possible conditions, Tusk took all of Cochino's crew off safely. Minutes later Cochino took her final plunge; and Tusk headed for Hammerfest.

That fall, the submarine returned to the United States to resume east coast operations out of New London in support of the Submarine School. She made cruises north to Halifax, Nova Scotia, and south to Bermuda. 11/09/49: The USS Tusk (SS-426) is rammed while submerged by the USS Aldebaran (AF-10) 175 miles off Labrador, Newfoundland, Canada. The submarine suffers damage to its periscope and superstructure. Her duty with the Submarine School continued until the middle of 1951 when she was assigned once more to Submarine Development Group 2. That assignment, punctuated by regular exercises with the fleet, continued until the summer of 1952 when she returned to an operational unit, Submarine Squadron (SubRon) 10. Normal east coast duty out of New London lasted until late in the year. In the spring of 1953 Tusk was deployed to the Mediterranean for a six-month tour with the 6th Fleet, visiting Malta, Gibraltar, Cannes France, Piraeus Greece, Izmir Turkey and Oran Algiers. Her return to the United States brought more local operations out of New London. During the first part of 1954, the submarine operated in the Caribbean. Then, after four months of local operations out of New London, she sailed for northern European waters. That tour brought port visits to Belfast, Ireland; and Glasgow, Scotland; as well as training exercises with NATO forces in the northern Atlantic.

The first four years of the 1950's established the pattern for the remainder of Tusk's Navy career. She saw four additional Mediterranean deployments between 1954 and 1973. Initially, however, a long stretch of east coast operations intervened between overseas deployments. On August 7, 1957, the USS Cobbler (SS-344) and USS Tusk (SS-426) were slightly damaged after an underwater collision during maneuvers off New Jersey. On June 29, 1959 she entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for repairs and maintenance, leaving in November. In New London, CT on December 4, 1959 Tusk hosted a cruise with 50 Midshipmen from Yale's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps.

Tusk left New London on January 18, 1960 and conducted ship to ship exercises with USS Entemedor (SS-340) out of Norfolk, VA. On January 23-25, 1960 she welcomed visitors at City Pier #5 in Washington DC. March 1960 found Tusk participating with USS Tench (SS-417) in the artic for Operation ICEX and visiting Halifax, Nova Scotia. Six years elapsed between her 1954 northern Europe assignment and her second Mediterranean cruise late in 1960. During this cruise (July 6-7, 1960) she participated in a Joint Naval exercise with three Portuguese Frigates (Nuno Tristao, Diogo Gomes and Corte Real) visited Oporto, Portugal (July 8-11, 1960) to help celebrate "Navy Day" events and commemoration ceremonies related to the 500th anniversary of Prince Henry the Navigator. Later visiting Rota, Spain; Malta; Genova, Sardegna, Livorno, Fiumicino during the Olympic games, Naples, Sicily, Cagliari, Italy and Gibraltar. One event of that cruise was a submerged collision with the USS Independence CVA-62, destroying the Tusk's forward torpedo boom and capstan and damaging the teak decking. Tusk returned to New London in December 1960 for a 6 week upkeep repairing engine #4 by replacing 2 broken crank shafts.

The fall of 1961 brought another round of NATO exercises followed by joint American-Canadian training operations in the western Atlantic. January 1962 found Tusk in upkeep prior to heading north with SKATE (SS-578) and ENTEMADOR (SS-340) for SUBICEX 1-62. One purpose of the exercise was to train SKATE for a rendezvous at the North Pole in the summer with the SEA DRAGON coming from Pearl Harbor. After ICEX Tusk conducted local operations going to Halifax and Bermuda for liberty until entering Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in July 1962. This yard period was a major overhaul for TUSK. All 4 engines, all 4 generators, and all 4 main propulsion motors were removed from the ship and taken to the shop for complete overhaul. Number 4 engine was scrapped and an overhauled replacement engine was placed aboard. The superstructure from the sail aft was replaced with the new plastic clamshell superstructure. She received a new periscope with built in electronic sextant for taking star sights submerged. Toward the end of the overhaul, an experimental sonar was placed aboard just forward of the sail.

Another three-year period of New London-based local operations occurred before she was deployed again to Europe in the fall of 1964 for more NATO training. TUSK entered the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard in June 1965 to undergo a major overhaul. Her configuration was changed with the addition of a new high plastic conning tower fairwater, the purpose of which is to provide room for more electronic masts, provide easier visual observation of the deck, and greater comfort for the TUSK's watchstanders. In addition, TUSK received the PRAIRIE-MASKER system, increased air-conditioning capacity, additional storerooms, and additional fresh water tanks. Upon completion of overhaul in January 1966, TUSK was transferred from Submarine Squadron TEN to Submarine Squadron EIGHT. During the spring and summer of 1966, Tusk returned to the Mediterranean for her third tour of duty with the 6th Fleet, visiting Gibralter- Valletta, Malta- Naples- Patrais- Greece- Barcelona and Palma, Mallorca. August 1966 brought a resumption of duty in American coastal waters which lasted until early 1967.

During the summer of 1967, the submarine returned to northern European waters, visiting Holy Loch, Scotland; Portsmouth, England; Cherbourg, France; Bremerhaven, Germany; Aarhus, Denmark; Goteborg, Sweden; Londonderry, Northern Ireland; and participating in yet another series of multinational NATO exercises. That November, she joined in binational American-Canadian exercises in the western Atlantic before resuming her east coast routine. The boat spent the summer of 1968 in the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhall where the batteries were replaced, engines removed and rebuilt, all systems were gone over and boat was painted inside and out, later conducting services with nuclear-powered submarines Jack (SSN-605) and Lafayette (SSBN-616).

January 27, 1969 until March 10 she participated in Operation Springboard visiting San Juan and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, V.I. On July 7, 1969 she made her fourth deployment to the Mediterranean, traveling across the Atlantic with USS Sea Owl (SS-405) and USS Irex (SS-482) arriving in Rota, Spain on July 19. She spent 4 days in Gibralter B.B.C. and conducted exercises with the Sixth Fleet. August 15-19, 1969 found Tusk in dry dock in Rota followed with trips to Naples, Italy and Palma de Mallorca, Spain.Returning to east coast operations in October. On December 1, 1969, TUSK was transferred to Submarine Squadron TWO.

March 9, 1970 thru April 15 Operation Springboard

November 13, 1970 Halifax, Nova Scotia

February 27, 1971 St. Thomas, Virgin Islands

March 1971 Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico

May 16-21, 1971 Royal Bay, Bermuda- Tusk participated in Type Training evolutions, alternating exercise firings and target services with USS Corporal (SS-346). St. Georges, Bermuda

June 1971 Dependent's Cruise Nahant, MA

July 12, 1971- December 21, 1971 Charleston, SC

February 1972 Norfolk, VA- Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico

March 1972 Charlotte Amalie Harbor, St. Thomas, V.I.- San Juan, Puerto Rico- Savannah, GA

May 28, 1972 Memorial Day Service, Pier 94, New York Harbor, NY

August 1972 Rota, Spain- Palma Mallorca, Spain- Levkas, Greece- Ormas (Fanari,Sivota) Greece

September 1972 Ithaki Island, Greece- Naples, Italy- Nice, France- Ibiza, Spain- Rota, Spain

November 27, 1972 Drydocked

January 1973 Boston, MA

March 1973 Charleston, SC- Guantanamo Bay, Cuba- Ocho Rios, Jamaica- Port au Prince, Haiti- Montego Bay, Jamaica

April 1973 West Palm Beach, FL

May 1973 Halifax, Nova Scotia- Memorial Day, Manhattan Island, NY,NY

May 30, 1973 Republic of China crew arrived to commence training for turnover

The submarine rounded out the final year of her career with normal operations along the eastern seaboard, primarily in the New England vicinity. On 18 October 1973, Tusk was decommissioned at New London, Conn., and was simultaneously transferred, by sale, to the Taiwan Navy. Her name was struck from the Navy list on the same day and she remains in service as Hai Pao (792).

Since 1946 the Commanding Officers of the USS TUSK were:

CDR RAYMOND A. MOORE ( 04/11/1946-04/25/1946 )

CDR MARSHALL G. AUSTIN (04/25/1946-1948 )

Commanded USS Redfin SS 272

War Patrol #'s 2, 3, 4 and 5

Earns Navy Cross

Sank

April 11, 1944 Destroyer "Akigumo"

April 15, 1944 Passenger-cargo "Shinyu Maru"

April 16, 1944 Passenger-cargo "Yamagata Maru"

June 11, 1944 Tanker "Asanagi Maru"

June 24, 1944 Passenger-cargo "Aso Maru"

Nov 8, 1944 Tanker "Nichinan Maru No 2"

CDR GUY F. GUGGLIOTTA ( 1948-1949 )

Commanded USS S-28 SS 133

Commanded USS Halibut SS 232

War Patrol #10

Commanded USS Raton SS 270

War Patrol # 8

CDR ROBERT K. WORTHINGTON ( 1949-1951 )

Commanded USS Balao SS 285

War Patrol #'s 8, 9 and 10

Earns Navy Cross

Sank

March 18, 1945 Trawler " Daito Maru No.2"

March 19, 1945 Transport "Hakozaki Maru"

"Daito Maru No.1, Katsura Maru No.1, Eiho Maru No.1 and Eiho Maru No.2"

March 26, 1945 Cargo "Shinto Maru No 1"

LCDR ARTHUR H. WARNER ( 1951-06/30/1953 )

CDR CHARLES T. COOPER, III ( 06/30/1953-07/08/1955 )

LCDR J. P. WISE ( 07/08/1955-06/29/1957 )

LCDR HENRY S. MORGAN, JR. ( 06/29/1957-05/04/1959 )

LCDR JOHN C. SMITH ( 05/04/1959-07/10/1961 )

LCDR ALAN B. CRABTREE ( 07/10/1961-06/21/1962 )

LCDR JEROME A. DAVI ( 06/21/1962-06/05/1964 )

LCDR ROBERT G. BILLS (06/05/1964-09/20/1965 )

CDR HOBART J. WISEMAN ( 09/20/1965-07/06/1967 )

CDR GERALD D. McCARTHY ( 07/06/1967-05/13/1969 )

CDR CHARLES J. ZADD ( 05/13/1969-03/13/1971 )

CDR ALFRED M. KOSTER, IV ( 03/13/1971-09/09/72 )

LCDR DAVID H. BOYD ( 09/09/1972-10/18/1973 )

Click on photo for Muster Rolls