Runner (SS 476) - Naval Cruise Book

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hClrL1L4'inl. rf 1 M 7-P.UmdU is , iq et 2f?if21:2fLffe . 2- G gf -as t if 1 moo CTIO Late in 1963 RUNNER was nominated to represent the US. Submarine Force. Atlantic Fleet in the Great Lakes for a summer cruise. This unusual assignment was received with much enthusiasm by the omcers and men of the RUNNER. Howeven the proposed duties of a combat ready submarine on the Inland Seas initiated much conjecture among the crew of the RUJNCNER. On into the new year the proposed voyage remained a The urpose oftheshzp'scruisewashnalbi dehned by the promulgation of Commander Submarine Division Sixty-T reeis Operation Order. R UNNER was directed to conducttraining in Anti-Submarine Warfare for Naval Reservists stationed in the Great Lakes area. These reserve units were to include air, surhice, and subsurface detachments. As a secondary mission RUJNZVER was to conduct a vigorous public information program. Within the outline of these directives the crew ofthe RUJWVER began preparations for their journey to the Inland Seas. The roundwork laid for the summer 's voyage was substantial Naturalhz supplies and provisions were 3 of concern for the ten week voyage and the appropriate requests were submitted well in advance for the supgrlzes . y , , , t to sustain RUNNI1Rfs needs. Efforts were made to stem the turnover in RUJNJNER s crew so as to o ain the stabilized unit needed to perform RUJWVER's mission in the Great Lakes. In order to 'accomplish her mission more emcientbi RUNNER 's reserve training program was revamped and published to all hands. Th h' was made readv for public inspection by strenuous eforts towards painting and cleaning the exterior favorite topic e s ip and interior ofthe ship. The appropriate navigationalcharts and guides were procured studieal and absorbed ' ' e ' r'f b 'dtchidl in order to make RUNNER s voyage a safe one. Special communications equipment .Las o tame v ar e that Qrpe of communications which is peculiar to the Great Lakes. A public information program intended resent RUNNER to the ublic in the best possible manner was initiated. With these preparations and to p . many more RUNNER departedpon 28 june, 1964 for the Great Lakes. On 3 fub RUNNER arrived in Montreal Canada, the frst of many stops on her journey. The successful and extremebi gratzbiing cruise which RUNNER rrzade is outlined in the following pages. , THE STAFF EDITOR: LTfjgj Hlf OBrien, fr., USN PHOTOGRAPHY' LTfjgj R. A. Gerth, USNR AR T' L. R. Schluter, MMFN fSSj, USN COPY AND TYPING: ENS. L. R. Wass, USN DEPAR T 44 My 9' 'Q MAY 1 31965 LIBRARY

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,,A,,,,,, ,W .,.-,,.,...........-Y...-.-----i-Y ' THE USS. RUNNER SS-476j The US.S. RUNNER KSS-476j z's the second submari'ne to bear that name. The hrst UNNER KSS-275j was an active participant in the World War II having made two successful war patrols. She made her third war patrol in japanese waters hom whi'ch she never returned Her loss was caused either by and enemy mineheld f there were at least four in her patrol areaj, an operational casualty, or an unreported enemy attack. The present RUNNER was built at the US. Naval Shipyard Portsmouth, New Hampshire. She was launched on'17 Octoben 1944 and commissioned 6 February, 1945. Under her first commanding offcen Commander R. H Bass, she completed sea trials and transz'ted to the Pacific where she made two successful war patrols, At the conclusion of hostilz'tz'es RUNNER became the. first Unz'ted States submarine to submerge i'n Tokyo Bay. In October 1945 RUNNER returned from the Pacmc and was assigned to Submarine Squadron Six at Balboa, Canal Zone. RUNNER remained in Balboa for three years where she participated in numerous fleet exercises with the Panama Squadron. june 1949 marked RUNNERS' transfer to Norfolk, Virginia where she became part of a newbz reorganized Submarine Squadron Six. Shortbi thereafter she was awarded the Battle Efciency award for demonstrating superior performance during the previous year. In November 1951 RUNNER underwent an extensive overhaul at the US. Naval Shipyard Charleston South Carolz'na where she was converted to a fleet snorkel submarine. Between 1951 and 1957 RUNNER contributed to her countryis Anti-Submarine Warfare readiness by participating z'n numerous Atlantz'c Fleet and NA T 0 exercz'ses. In the course of one of the NA T0 exercises RUNNER visited LeHavre, France and Portland England. In 1958 RUNNER is homeport was changed to San fuan, Puerto, Rico where she commenced dugi in the Caribbean area as a Regulus missile guidance submarine. RUNNER discarded her role as a missile guidance submarine and returned to Norfolk in 1959. During the period 1960-1961 RUNNER partz'czpated inseveral majorfleet exercises and conducted training in Anti-Submarine Warfare. In earbi 1962 RUNNER was deployed to the Mediterranean. to provide ASW services to the Sixth Fleet. Durz'ng her stay in the .Mediterranean RUNNER visited Rota, Spain, Golf juan, Franceg Naples, Itabig Malta,' Piraeus, Greece, and Izmin Turkey. Aher her Medz'terranean tour RUNNER entered the US. Naval Shipyard at Norfolk, Virginia for over- haulg RUNNER completed overhaul in earbz 1963 and proceded to New London, Connecticut for a month of refresher training. RUNNER is return to the fleet was marked by performance of such an outstanding nature that she was fzwarded the Battle Emciency 'EH for the year of 1963. Earbi in 1964 RUNNER took part in the annual .Springboard exercises conducted in the Carribbean. Between visits to San fuan and St. Thomas RUNNER sharpened her -19.76 control capabilities by taking part in numerous torpedo p'7'Z'7ZgS. RUNNER? practice was rewarded when she was given the Fire Control Efficiency award for 1964. Un june 261 1964 RUNNER made her way toward the Inland Seas to add yet another chapter to her formidable history. This chapter is reviewed in the followi'ng pages. I , ' 45-F' Y 0,1 ..- .., - . . .9 ,..:,. , f ,K 'N V N ' ' V' in - f +4 W..- , l 5 3 . .ff if