SUBMARINE LORE

 

This is a tale, of Submarine Lore.

We’ll begin with a brave boat, the old S-Forty Four.

What she thought was a maru, in the dark of the night.

Turned into a destroyer, who gave her a fight.

 

The S-Boat was courageous, she had come a long way.

Her sailors' battle surfaced, and jumped into the fray.

Out-gunned ten to one, she did all she could do.

Then God in heaven took in, that gallant submarine crew.

 

The Squalus and Sailfish, were one in the same.

The Sculpin was there, in the tragedies, triumphs and fame.

A pilot named Bush, was saved by the Finback.

Torpedoes were tested, by "Red" Coe and the Skipjack

 

The Torsk and her crew, made a formidable pair.

She sank the last two, and did her fair share.

To this day she sits quietly, in memory of war.

So pay her a visit, if you're ever in Baltimore.

 

The Halibut thanked Portsmouth, for a boat strongly built.

History recalls "shots down the throat" and "shots up the kilt."

War patrols could be stressful, but every now and then.

Those clever submariners, had some "depth charge medicine."

 

Tigrone saved thirty-one, so they could fly another day.

In September of 45, she was moored in Tokyo Bay.

She was credited with firing, the last shots of the war.

And went on to serve, for almost 30 years more.

 

Names like Gilmore, Cromwell, Dealey and Street.

Have a place of great honor, within the submarine fleet.

The Seawolf, the Bowfin, the Robalo had heart.

The tenders and relief crews, all did their part.

 

There were other fearless boats, like the Ray and the Rasher.

The Bluefish, the Batfish, the Flier and Flasher.

We’ve heard the bell toll, for the Shark and the Amberjack.

The Grenadier, Growler, Grampus and Grayback.

 

In almost 4 years of war, 52 boats met their fate.

The last being Bullhead, transiting Lombok Strait.

During World War II, the "Silent Service" paid a dear cost.

And the saddest words heard, were "overdue and presumed lost."

By John Chaffey
SSN639, SSN687, SSBN619

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