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Under Construction 1939-1940

Gar's builder's plaque would be emplaced on the forward edge of the conning tower fairwater. The plaques were normally dismounted and stored below or left ashore when the boat got underway.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

The keel laying of the Gar at the Electric Boat Company in Groton CT., December 27, 1939.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar in frame work at Electric Boat, April 1, 1940. This view is looking aft from about the area of the forward engine room. The remainder of the aft hull has not been assembled. These partial double hull boats had most of the structural frames on the exterior of the pressure hull. The flared out portion will make up the outer hull with the spaces between being the fuel and ballast tanks.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar frame work starboard side looking forward from about the area of the forward engine room. the two humps are part of the air induction piping for the engine room.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

In a view taken three months later on June 27, 1940, construction of Gar has moved along nicely. This view is on the starboard side looking aft from about the area of the control room. The hull is essentially complete, and plating for the outer hull has been installed. The brackets in the right foreground will support the main air induction valve once installed.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

In this view of Gar on September 26, 1940 the superstructure above the pressure hull has been largely completed, and in the background the horizontal cylinder of the conning tower has been installed with the fairwater support beams erected above it. This view of from the area of the aft engine room looking forward on the starboard side.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

This view of Gar's construction taken two days later on September 28, 1940 is on the forward deck looking aft. The forward torpedo room access trunk in visible in the foreground, with the conning tower and fairwater support structure in the background.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Launch Day

A view of Gar's stern on her launch day of November 7, 1940 at the Electric Boat Company, Groton, CT. This shows excellent details of the aft torpedo tube shutter doors, the three bladed propeller, the rudder, stern diving planes, and the propeller guards at the top. A temporary wooden brace has been emplaced to prevent the stern planes from moving unintentionally during launch. Hull sections of another boat can be seen to the right, they could be for Greenling (SS-213) or Grouper (SS-214).

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar's bow being prepped for launch with patriotic bunting on November 7, 1940. The viewing stand for the ship's sponsor and other dignitaries has been erected below the bow.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

A view of the underside of Gar's forward hull, underneath the forward torpedo tubes. This shows details of the launch cradle that Gar would ride down the ways and into the water. The small holes drilled into the outer hull are flood ports for the poppet valve drain tank.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar sliding down the ways on November 7, 1940 with portions of her crew and some yard workers topside.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar is now completely afloat and free of her launch cradle, November 7, 1940 in the Thames River, CT. Two tugs will push her to the fitting out pier for completion of the construction work. Six months of intensive work remained before commissioning.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Fitting Out, 1940-1941

Gar at the fitting out pier at Electric Boat in Groton, CT. on January 3, 1941. Grampus (SS-207) is in the background.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Gar still sitting high in the water at the Electric Boat fitting out pier, January 3, 1941. Note the faired in towing fairlead (bullnose) at the tip of the bow. The Government design for this class still used the older, above deck ring style bullnose. Mackerel (SS-204) is to the right, finishing up her fitting out. She would be commissioned two months later.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

A view from Gar's starboard quarter looking forward, March 30, 1941. By this time Gar has been through sea trials and is just two week away from commissioning. Grampus (SS-207) is seen on the left.

Photo courtesy of the Submarine Force Library & Museum.

Mare Island Overhaul, Fall of 1943

Later War Operations

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