The Gato-class of submarine was the state of the art in American design at the start of World War II. Using the previous Tambor-class submarine as the model standard, the Gatos incorporated improvements that increased their overall patrolling and combat abilities. Modifications to the diesel engines and batteries increased patrol duration over that of the Tambors, and internal alterations provided more amenities for the crew. The class is named after its lead ship, the USS Gato (SS-212).
Several Gato subs are on display in the United States. For instance, the USS Cobia (SS-245) is at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum.
General characteristics
- Displacement: 1825 tons surfaced, 2410 tons submerged
- Length: 312 feet (95 metres)
- Beam: 27 feet (8.2 metres)
- Draft: 15 feet (4.6 metres)
- Depth: 300 feet (90 metres)
- Speed: 20.75 knots surfaced, 8.75 knots submerged
- Armament: one three-inch/50-caliber gun, two 20mm cannon, six 21-inch torpedo tubes forward, four aft
- Crew: 65 - 74 officers and men
- Powerplant: four 6500-hp Diesel engines and four 2740-hp electric motors
- Range: 11,800 nautical miles at 10 knots surfaced
Boats
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