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USS Odax (SS-484)
Encyclopedia
USS Odax (SS-484), a Tench-class submarine
, was the only ship of the United States Navy
to be named for odax, a brilliantly colored, red and green fish belonging to the family Scaridae, the parrot fishes. Her keel was laid down by Portsmouth Navy Yard on 4 December 1944. She was launched
on 10 April 1945 sponsored by Mrs. John E. Fogarty, and commissioned
on 11 July 1945 with Commander F. D. Walker, Jr. in command.
to provide services to the Fleet Training Group. On 30 October, she sailed to Key West, Florida
, for duty with the Fleet Sonar School and conducted operational training until September 1946.
In September 1946, as part of the Bureau of Ships post-war investigation of the high speed submarine, Odax was selected for conversion to a Greater Underwater Propulsive Power Program (GUPPY) and returned to Portsmouth. Completing conversion in August 1947, first of the GUPPY submarines, she sailed to Key West for extensive research development work.
and redesignation as a GUPPY II. She first put her snorkel to tactical use in a large scale convoy exercise in the spring of 1952.
From 1952 through 1955, Odax provided services to the Operational Development Force and Fleet Sonar School in Key West and to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay. During 1956 she received new equipment of improved design at the Charleston Naval Shipyard
and departed in December, bound for the North Atlantic, to operate with the British Fleet. Subsequent operations in 1957 included services to the Operational Development Force, training submariners in the latest tactics of undersea warfare.
In September 1958, Odax deployed to the Mediterranean Sea
for a tour with the Sixth Fleet. During this deployment she transited the Suez Canal
to participate in a Baghdad Pact exercise in the Arabian Sea
.
After her return home, Odax changed home port transferring to Charleston, South Carolina
, in August 1959. She sailed from here early in 1960 to return to the North Atlantic for Barrier Patrol.
, Scotland
, in August 1960 for South America to conduct exercises with naval units of various South American countries. In December, she returned to Charleston to resume local operations.
Between 1961 and 1964, Odax conducted training operations out of Charleston with interim periods for overhaul and modernization.
In August 1964, she deployed again to South America to participate in combined operations while circumnavigating the continent, returning in December. From 1965 to 1967 she operated out of Charleston.
In May 1967, Odax began a deployment in Northern Europe. Upon her return to Charleston she was awarded the coveted Battle Efficiency "E" for Fiscal Year 1967. She resumed coastal operations in October 1967.
In October and November 1967, Odax provided services to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a period of 8 weeks.
In February 1968, Odax entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for overhaul and upon completion in September operated in the Charleston area.
In January 1969, Odax participated in fleet operations in the Caribbean.
In March 1969, Odax deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for NATO operations.
In August 1969, Odax conducted training operations in the local Charleston area.
In December 1970, Odax was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her participation in the NATO operations in Northern Europe. The ship was also awarded her second Battle Efficiency "E".
During 1971, Odax participated in extensive tests of the new SQS-26 sonar system. Early in the year she took time out to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and to submerge in the Mississippi River for publicity purposes.
In August 1971, Odax went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to provide services for US and NATO training exercises.
In February 1972, Odax again provided publicity services by submerging in the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans during Mardi Gras
.
In March and April 1972, in her last military duty, Odax provided NATO services during a seven-week unsupported deployment to the Eastern Atlantic.
On 8 July 1972, Odax was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register
and transferred to Brazil
. Commissioned into the Marinha do Brasil as Rio de Janeiro (S-13), she was decommissioned in 1978 and broken up in 1981.
Tench class submarine
Tench-class submarines were a type of submarine built for the United States Navy between 1944 and 1951. They were an evolutionary improvement over the Gato and Balao classes, only about 35 to 40 tons larger, but more strongly built and with a slightly improved internal layout...
, was the only ship of the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
to be named for odax, a brilliantly colored, red and green fish belonging to the family Scaridae, the parrot fishes. Her keel was laid down by Portsmouth Navy Yard on 4 December 1944. She was launched
Ship naming and launching
The ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
on 10 April 1945 sponsored by Mrs. John E. Fogarty, and commissioned
Ship commissioning
Ship commissioning is the act or ceremony of placing a ship in active service, and may be regarded as a particular application of the general concepts and practices of project commissioning. The term is most commonly applied to the placing of a warship in active duty with its country's military...
on 11 July 1945 with Commander F. D. Walker, Jr. in command.
1940s
After shakedown off Portsmouth, Odax got underway 19 September 1945 for Guantanamo BayGuantanamo Bay Naval Base
Guantanamo Bay Naval Base is located on of land and water at Guantánamo Bay, Cuba which the United States leased for use as a coaling station following the Cuban-American Treaty of 1903. The base is located on the shore of Guantánamo Bay at the southeastern end of Cuba. It is the oldest overseas...
to provide services to the Fleet Training Group. On 30 October, she sailed to Key West, Florida
Key West, Florida
Key West is a city in Monroe County, Florida, United States. The city encompasses the island of Key West, the part of Stock Island north of U.S. 1 , Sigsbee Park , Fleming Key , and Sunset Key...
, for duty with the Fleet Sonar School and conducted operational training until September 1946.
In September 1946, as part of the Bureau of Ships post-war investigation of the high speed submarine, Odax was selected for conversion to a Greater Underwater Propulsive Power Program (GUPPY) and returned to Portsmouth. Completing conversion in August 1947, first of the GUPPY submarines, she sailed to Key West for extensive research development work.
1950s
In August 1951, Odax again sailed to Portsmouth for conversion. The major aspect was the addition of a snorkelSubmarine snorkel
A submarine snorkel is a device which allows a submarine to operate submerged while still taking in air from above the surface. Navy personnel often refer to it as the snort.-History:...
and redesignation as a GUPPY II. She first put her snorkel to tactical use in a large scale convoy exercise in the spring of 1952.
From 1952 through 1955, Odax provided services to the Operational Development Force and Fleet Sonar School in Key West and to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay. During 1956 she received new equipment of improved design at the Charleston Naval Shipyard
Charleston Naval Shipyard
Charleston Naval Shipyard was a U.S. Navy ship building and repair facility located along the west bank of the Cooper River, in North Charleston, South Carolina and part of Naval Base Charleston...
and departed in December, bound for the North Atlantic, to operate with the British Fleet. Subsequent operations in 1957 included services to the Operational Development Force, training submariners in the latest tactics of undersea warfare.
In September 1958, Odax deployed to the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
for a tour with the Sixth Fleet. During this deployment she transited the Suez Canal
Suez Canal
The Suez Canal , also known by the nickname "The Highway to India", is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows water transportation between Europe and Asia without navigation...
to participate in a Baghdad Pact exercise in the Arabian Sea
Arabian Sea
The Arabian Sea is a region of the Indian Ocean bounded on the east by India, on the north by Pakistan and Iran, on the west by the Arabian Peninsula, on the south, approximately, by a line between Cape Guardafui in northeastern Somalia and Kanyakumari in India...
.
After her return home, Odax changed home port transferring to Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
, in August 1959. She sailed from here early in 1960 to return to the North Atlantic for Barrier Patrol.
1960s
Odax departed GlasgowGlasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, in August 1960 for South America to conduct exercises with naval units of various South American countries. In December, she returned to Charleston to resume local operations.
Between 1961 and 1964, Odax conducted training operations out of Charleston with interim periods for overhaul and modernization.
In August 1964, she deployed again to South America to participate in combined operations while circumnavigating the continent, returning in December. From 1965 to 1967 she operated out of Charleston.
In May 1967, Odax began a deployment in Northern Europe. Upon her return to Charleston she was awarded the coveted Battle Efficiency "E" for Fiscal Year 1967. She resumed coastal operations in October 1967.
In October and November 1967, Odax provided services to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a period of 8 weeks.
In February 1968, Odax entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for overhaul and upon completion in September operated in the Charleston area.
In January 1969, Odax participated in fleet operations in the Caribbean.
In March 1969, Odax deployed to the Mediterranean Sea for NATO operations.
In August 1969, Odax conducted training operations in the local Charleston area.
1970s and transfer to Brazilian Navy
In May 1970, Odax departed Charleston for northern Europe for a five-month NATO exercise. During this deployment, while submerged in the Norwegian Sea, Odax learned that her home port had been changed to Key West, Florida.In December 1970, Odax was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her participation in the NATO operations in Northern Europe. The ship was also awarded her second Battle Efficiency "E".
During 1971, Odax participated in extensive tests of the new SQS-26 sonar system. Early in the year she took time out to visit New Orleans for Mardi Gras, and to submerge in the Mississippi River for publicity purposes.
In August 1971, Odax went to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to provide services for US and NATO training exercises.
In February 1972, Odax again provided publicity services by submerging in the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans during Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras
The terms "Mardi Gras" , "Mardi Gras season", and "Carnival season", in English, refer to events of the Carnival celebrations, beginning on or after Epiphany and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday...
.
In March and April 1972, in her last military duty, Odax provided NATO services during a seven-week unsupported deployment to the Eastern Atlantic.
On 8 July 1972, Odax was stricken from the Naval Vessel Register
Naval Vessel Register
The Naval Vessel Register is the official inventory of ships and service craft in custody of or titled by the United States Navy. It contains information on ships and service craft that make up the official inventory of the Navy from the time a vessel is authorized through its life cycle and...
and transferred to Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
. Commissioned into the Marinha do Brasil as Rio de Janeiro (S-13), she was decommissioned in 1978 and broken up in 1981.