On October 13th, SSN-804, a future Virginia-class submarine, was officially named the USS Barb. It is the first United States Navy submarine to be named after an aquatic animal since USS Seawolf (SSN-21).
However, it is actually named in honor of the first USS Barb (SS-220), a Gato-class submarine that compiled an incredible record of victories during World War II.
The second USS Barb (SSN-596) was a Permit-class attack submarine.
Kind of nice to see the Navy use a name such as this for a change, I like this name.
Tried to follow in my father’s footsteps as a submariner, but shade blindness kept me out of the boats. Wound up going airdale and spent a lot of time in anti-submarine warfare squadrons.
Evidently, they are going to continue naming boats in the Virginia-class (and possibly future submarines classes), after famous boats of the past. The next two have been named.
SSN-805 will be USS Tang
SSN-806 will be USS Wahoo
Both boats will be Virginia-class attack submarines.
Below are the respective boats they are named for:
