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Marlin

Ships

No	Name	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comm	Fate	Modification
SS204	Mackerel	38	Electric Boat, Groton	10.1939	28.9.1940	3.1941	stricken 11.1945	Mackerel
SS205	Marlin		Portsmouth N Yd	5.1940	29.1.1941	8.1941	stricken 11.1945	Marlin

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	SS204: 940 / 1190 SS205: 910 / 1165
Length, m	SS204: 74.1 SS205: 72.8
Breadth, m	SS204: 6.73 SS205: 6.60
Draught, m	SS204: 4.27 SS205: 3.96
No of shafts	2
Machinery	SS204: 4 Electric Boat diesels / 4 electric motors SS205: 4 Electric Boat diesel-generators / 4 electric motors
Power, h. p.	SS204: 3360 / 1500 SS205: 3400 / 1500
Max speed, kts	SS204: 16.2 / 11 SS205: 16.5 / 11
Fuel, t	diesel oil 116
Endurance, nm(kts)	SS204: 6500(10) / SS205: 7400(10) /
Armament	1 x 1 - 76/50 Mk 21, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90, 6 - 533 TT (12, 4 bow, 2 stern)
Electronic equipment	WBA, JK sonars
Complement	42
Diving depth operational, m	75 (designed), 90 (possible)

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

Mackerel class submarines (or M class) were designed as cheaper alternative for large Р, S and Т classes which dimensions called criticism of a number of General board members. It was considered, what exactly submarines with smaller, in comparison with "fleet" submarines (as often P and T classes were called), displacement, will replace become outdated S class.

Under the FY1940 program the building of two "prototypes" of M class was provided. The detailed design of the first (SS204) was fulfilled by Electric Boat, second (SS205) by Bureau of Construction. Being as a whole very similar, designs had a number of basic differences, in particular SS204 had machinery with direct drive, and SS-205 was diesel-electrical driven. Double-hulled.

As a whole submarines have appeared unsuccessful: at enough strong armament for their displacement their endurance appeared absolutely insufficient for operations on the Pacific, besides, limited dimensions have predetermined insufficient, to the USN, habitability. A planed building of the big series have refused, and commissioned in 1941 "prototypes" were used mainly for training.

Modernizations

1942 - 1943, both: CT was rebuilt; - 1 x 1 - 76/50, 2 x 1 - 12.7/90; + 1 x 1 - 127/25 Mk 17, 2 x 1 - 20/70 Mk 4, SD, SJ radars

Naval service

No significant events.