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USS Sterlet

Discussion in 'US Submarines' started by Jim, Sep 18, 2010.

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  1. Jim

    Jim Active Member

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    USS Sterlet (SS-392) is only one of the many submarines that gave great service during World War II. Most of the older boats that were available at the war's beginning were retired at war's end and were scrapped. Others were placed in reserve and "mothballed" in case they might be needed. Some served on. The changes in service required by the Cold War and the advances in submarine design, most notably the nuclear-powered submarines, changed the look and mission of these World War II boats. Sterlet, shown here in her final action of the war, in post-war years lost her deck guns and gained a sleek faired sail. Some boats received more powerful batteries, snorkels, and clean deck structures that gave a higher underwater speed and greater endurance. These boats kept watch on Soviet ports and ships from the late 1940s through to the mid 1970s when they were relieved of their duties by the newer nuclear boats. The author “Jim Christley” served aboard Sterlet from 1965 to 1968 as she participated in her last war in Vietnam. She was retired in late 1968 and used as a torpedo test target in early 1969.

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    Painting by Tony Bryan
     

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