U.S.S. COBBLER (SS-344)

SHIP’S HISTORY

Launching and Commissioning.  On Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945, the USS Cobbler, a Balao Class Submarine, was launched in the yards of her builders, the Electric Boat Company, at Groton, Connecticut.  The Cobbler was the fourth ship launched from the Electric Boat Company’s yards in 1945, with only a little more than three months of the year gone.

            Mrs. James B. Rutter, wife of Captain James B. Rutter, USN, christened the ship at the launching ceremonies.  Cobbler was named for a killer fish of the Pompano family.  In his talk at the ceremonies, Lieutenant Commander John J. Shilling, USNR, Senior Chaplain, praised the work of submarines in the war and expressed the hope that the war would be over before the Cobbler had the chance to get into combat.

            Cobbler was commissioned a week later on August 8, 1945, at which time Commander James B. Grady, USN, assumed the duties as her first commanding officer.  World War II was within days of its end and Chaplain Shilling’s hopes for the end of the war were to be realized.

Deck Log – Remarks Sheet

WEDNESDAY 8 AUGUST 1945

USS COBLER SS-344

Commissioning Ceremony

0945 The ship got underway from the Electric Boat Company, Groton, Connecticut.

  Moored starboard side to pier 9, U.S. Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut.

1400 The Commissioning Party came aboard. The Commanding Officer, U.S.

        Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut read the instructions authorizing

  acceptance of the USS COBBLER SS-344. Mr. W. W. Foster, the Electric Boat

  Company representative, presented the ship for acceptance.

  The Commanding Officer, U.S. Submarine Base, New London, Connecticut

  accepted the USS COBBLER SS-344 for the United States Navy. The colors,

  jack and commissioning pennant were hoisted. The Submarine Base Band

  played the National Anthem. The Commanding Officer, U.S. Submarine Base,

  New London, Connecticut declared the United States Submarine COBBLER a unit of the United

  States Navy and directed Commander James B. Grady, USN, to take command.

  Commander James B. Grady, USN, read his orders and assumed command.

  The Commanding Officer read a letter from the Secretary of the Navy.

  The watch was set.

  The Commissioning Party left the ship.

  The following officers reported aboard for duty:

The Officers and Enlisted men listed above are the USS COBBLER SS-344 Plank Owners.

This information was obtained from The National Archives at College Park, Maryland.

A Special Thank You is extended to them.

Cobbler Reports for Duty.  Cobbler was assigned to the U.S. Atlantic Fleet for duty and spent two months of intensive shakedown training; after which she cruised to Havana, Cuba, for a week.  En route to Staten Island, New York, from Havana, she transited via Key West, Florida, and Savannah, Georgia.  She spent Navy Day of 1945 in the latter port of call.

January 1946 found the Cobbler’s operating base changed to Key West, Florida, where she remained until December 1948, making numerous trips to Guantanamo Bay and Havana, Cuba.  During her operations out of Key West, she weathered four hurricanes.

Conversion to Guppy II.  On December 6, 1948, the Cobbler entered the yards of the Electric Boat Company at Groton, Connecticut, for conversion to a streamlined Guppy II type submarine.  The Guppy conversion included a new streamlined superstructure, a new high capacity battery, and a snorkel system for Greater  Underwater Propulsion Power (Guppy). This conversion                       USS Cobbler – 1945                      was completed  August 17, 1949, and on  the 27^th of the same month the submarine reported to Submarine Squadron SIX at Norfolk, Va., for duty.                                                                                                                              

In July of 1954, she was again modernized by further battery improvements. Following her yard period in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, COBBLER was active in Submarine Squadron Six operations, including a "First" for sailing up the James River  to  Richmond, Virginia for armed forces day. She also participated in the International Naval    Review in June 1957, served with the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean during the winter of 1957-58 and took part in many fleet exercises including Operation Springboard in 1955, 57 and 59. In 1960 COBBLER was     awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for Submarine Squadron Six.

                                      USS Cobbler – 1949

Conversion to Guppy III. In January 1962, Cobbler entered Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she began an extensive conversion to a Guppy III type submarine. This conversion consisted of lengthening the hull by fifteen feet to an overall length of 325 feet to provide room for new electronics installations as well as additional crew’s berthing space.  Upon completion of the conversion in October 1962, Cobbler became a unit of Submarine Squadron TWO in New London, Connecticut.

In October 1963, Cobbler deployed again with the SIXTH Fleet in the Mediterranean, taking part in numerous ASW operations including a combined ASW exercise with units of the French, British, and Turkish navies. During the Mediterranean tour, Cobbler visited Barcelona, Spain;                                                        

Toulon, France; Naples, Italy; Iraklion,Crete; Athens, Greece; Catania, Sicily; Palermo, Sicily; Valleta, Malta; Port Mahon, Menorca; Gibraltar; and Rota, Spain. In Iraklion, Archbishop Eugenios of Crete paid a visit to the Cobbler, and members of Cobbler’s crew painted the interior of a summer camp for orphans sponsored by the Archbishop.  In August Cobbler participated in Fleet Exercise Transex 1-63, an ASW Barrier Exercise. Cobbler visited Bermuda, BWI, on two consecutive weekends in October while conducting sonar calibration operations. An operational visit to Halifax,    Nova Scotia in December was made while  providing services to                                       USS Cobbler – 1963                                   the U.S. Naval Submarine School.

           In early February 1964, Cobbler commenced an extensive at-sea period in the North Atlantic, conducting special operations and making a visit to Holy Loch, Scotland returning to New London in April. In May, Cobbler conducted routine type training, and visited Boston, Massachusetts, where she provided underway training for the Boston Submarine Reserve Division.  In July, Cobbler became the first conventional submarine to pass a Nuclear Weapons Acceptance Inspection. Cobbler left New London in early September to conduct operations for Submarine Development Group TWO. An operational visit to Bermuda was made during this period.        

            During January 1965, Cobbler again participated in Operation Springboard, and upon her return, made preparations for entering Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for routine overhaul there.  Upon completion of the overhaul, Cobbler returned to New London.

            During the first quarter of 1966, Cobbler conducted routine local operations followed by an upkeep period in New London ending in early May.  On 11 May Cobbler departed New London on special operations, returning to New London in July.  After local ops during the remainder of the summer and early fall, Cobbler participated in two submarine ASW exercises for Commander Submarine Development Group TWO and two periods of services to Commander Operational Test and Evaluation Force. During 1966, Cobbler spent a total of 161 full days at sea, 70 days of which were submerged. Twenty-seven exercise torpedoes were fired for training and approximately 750 visitors toured the boat.

            Cobbler deployed to the SIXTH Fleet in January 1967. While in the Mediterranean, Cobbler visited Rota, Ibiza and Cadiz, Spain; Palermo, Brindisi, Naples and Taranto, Italy; Athens, Greece and Valletta, Malta.  Cobbler returned to New London in late April. This was followed by upkeep periods and local operations through August.  On 24 August, Cobbler left for Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a battery renewal. In November, Cobbler participated in in a joint Canadian-US exercise returning to New London. Following the exercise Cobbler visited Halifax, Nova Scotia.  During 1967, Cobbler spent a total of 168 days at sea and traveled approximately 26,000 miles. Fourteen exercise torpedoes were fired for training.

            In February 1968 Cobbler commenced her fourth overhaul at the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard. The overhaul was completed two days prior to the scheduled completion date. After successful sea trials and a trip to Norfolk, Virginia for degaussing, Cobbler returned to New London in early August. The remainder of August and all of September were occupied with extensive training of the crew and grooming of equipment.  On 1 October, Cobbler departed New London for Weapons System Accuracy Trials (WSAT) in the Caribbean. While in the Caribbean, Cobbler conducted an amphibious landing with a unit of the Army’s Special Forces and visited San Juan and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix. Upon returning to the continental United States, Cobbler made a two-day port visit to New York City before returning to New London for upkeep.

            In January 1969, Cobbler headed again to the Caribbean and Operation Springboard where she operated from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visited St Thomas, Virgin Islands. Back in New London, a dependents cruise was held on 27 March. On 31 March, Cobbler departed New London for Operation Quiet Sentinel, a NATO ASW exercise conducted in the Eastern Atlantic. While participating in Quiet Sentinel, all hands were ceremoniously initiated into the “Royal Order of Bluenoses” when Cobbler crossed the Arctic Circle on May 1. Prior to the start of the exercise, Cobbler visited Gosport, England, and following the exercise, Cobbler transited to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, for a port visit.  After returning home, local operations followed and on 7 July, Cobbler departed for the Atlantic Sub-Surface Ocean Areas (SSOAs) and participation in Subaswex 2-69. Upon completion of the exercise, Cobbler made a three day port visit to Bermuda. In September, Cobbler exchanged weapons at Naval Ammunition Depot, Earle, New Jersey, prior to transiting to New York City for a weekend port visit. During the Earle to New York transit, seven nurses, recruited from the third Naval District, were commissioned as Nurse Corps Officers as the ship passed the Statue of Liberty. 

            In early January 1970, Cobbler again reported to the SIXTH Fleet.  During this deployment, Cobbler made port visits to Lisbon, Portugal; Rota, Spain, Catania, Sicily; Valletta, Malta; Patras, Greece;  Taranto, Italy; Athens, Greece; Iraklion, Crete; Naples, Italy; and Palma de Mallorca.  After her return in May, she conducted upkeep and local operations until departing for the U. S. Naval Academy in Annapolis to conduct submarine training for the midshipmen during July.  Cobbler celebrated her 25^th Anniversary in New London on 8 August 1970 with 7,719 dives recorded in her diving log.  Local operations were conducted until late October, when Cobbler participated in Operation Eyebolt.  Later in November, she had an Operational Readiness Inspection while enroute to a port visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia. 

            From January until June 1971, Cobbler again was in the Naval Shipyard in Philadelphia for a regular overhaul. The work package included the removal of two main generators for their six-year overhaul and the overhaul of the four main engine blowers. A new Guppy battery was installed and extensive sonar transducer and hydrophone replacements were made. Cobbler received a habitability package that included a refurbished crew’s berthing area with new lockers, pan bunks, privacy screens, and built in bunk lights. The overhaul was completed two days ahead of schedule.  Operations for the remainder of 1971 involved crew training and grooming of the sensor systems in addition to providing ASW services to other ships and submarines of the Atlantic Fleet.

            The first 6 weeks of 1972 were a pre-deployment upkeep period for Cobbler. In February, Cobbler departed New London for Rota, Spain. During the five month Mediterranean deployment, Cobbler participated in exercises Dawn Patrol, Easy Life and Armada ’72 and visited Augusta Bay, Sicily; Athens, Greece; Soudha Bay, Crete; returning to Athens, Greece; then Izmir, Turkey;  Corfu, Greece; Naples, Italy; Cartagena, Spain and Palma de Mallorca. Cobbler arrived back in New London on 3 July. In August, Cobbler began 18 days of operations with a visit to Annapolis, Maryland. Cobbler participated in NATO exercise Strong Express during September with an operational visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia. Cobbler returned to New London on 22 October and conducted holiday leave and upkeep there from 6-31 December.

            On 9 January 1973, Cobbler departed New London for Roosevelt Roads and Operation Springboard ‘73. A port visit was made to San Juan, Puerto Rico. Cobbler returned to New London on 28 February for an upkeep period the month of March and local operations in April. On 30 May, Cobbler departed New London for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba to provide services to aircraft and destroyers during daily operations out of GTMO. Port visits were made to Port Au Prince, Haiti and to Cap Haitian, Haiti. After a weapons exchange at Naval Ammunition Depot, Earle, New Jersey, Cobbler transited through New York City and Long Island Sound arriving home on 5 July.  In August, Cobbler departed for her final at-sea operations for type-training and a port visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia. In September, Cobbler went to stand-down in preparation for decommissioning and transfer to Turkey.

            Cobbler Decommissioned.  On the 11^th and 12^th of October, Cobbler got underway for demonstration dives and subsequently was accepted for transfer by the Turkish Navy.  During the next several weeks, Turkish Naval personnel were on board readying Cobbler for transfer. On 21 November 1973, Cobbler was decommissioned – the national colors, jack and commissioning pennant were lowered – and Cobbler was transferred to the Government of Turkey and commissioned as the Turkish Naval Ship "Canakkale".

            USS Cobbler (SS 344) was a proud member of the U.S. Navy Submarine Service from August 8, 1945 through November 21, 1973, providing distinguished service to the United States of America for a period of 28 years, 3 months and 13 days.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January to 31 December 1963

After a Holiday leave and upkeep period, COBBLER departed from New London, Connecticut on 8 January 1963 en route to the Mediterranean in company with the USS SEA ROBIN (SS-407) and USS SARDA (AGSS-488). COBBLER arrived in Rota Spain on 22 January after two weeks of extensive type training during the Atlantic crossing. COBBLER chopped to COMSIXTHFLT in Rota and upon completion of turnover departed Rota on 23 January.

As a unit of Task Force Sixty Nine COBBLER took part in numerous ASW exercises including FAIRGAME-63, a combined ASW exercise with units of the French, British, and Turkish navies. During the Mediterranean tour the following port visits were made: Barcelona, Spain 4-8 February; Toulon, France 14-18 February; Naples, Italy 23 February 4March; Iraklion, Crete 11-18 March; Athens, Greece 23-31 March; Catania , Sicily 6-9 April, Palermo, Sicily 11-15 April; Valleta, Malta 20-30 April; Port Mahon, Menorca 4-5 May; Gibraltar, B.C.C. 13-14 May and Rota, Spain 14-16 May. In Iraklion, Crete Archbishop Eugenios of Crete paid a visit to the COBBLER, and during the stay members of COBBLER’S crew painted the interior of a summer camp for orphans sponsored by the Archbishop.

Upon departing Rota on 16 May COBBLER chopped to COMSIXTHFLT and conducted type training operations with the USS SEA ROBIN (SS-407) and the USS SARDA (AGSS-488) enroute to New London, Connecticut. On 28 May COBBLER arrived in New London and commenced a one-month leave and upkeep period.

On 30 July LCDR P. L. FULLINWIDER, USN, relieved CDR R. M. WEIDMAN, Jr., USN, as Commanding Officer of the COBBLER. CDR WEIDMAN having had command of COBBLER since August of 1960.

In August COBBLER participated in Fleet Exercise TRANSEX 1-63 an ASW Barrier Exercise. The COBBLER visited Bermuda, BWI, on two consecutive weekends in October while conducting sonar calibration operations. An operational visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia on 6 and 7, December, was made while providing services to the U.S. Naval Submarine School. COBBLER returned to New London on 13 December and commenced her holiday leave and upkeep period.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January to 31 December 1964

During January, COBBLER conducted submarine operations in the New London area. In early February she commenced an extensive at-sea period in the North Atlantic, making an operational visit to Holy Loch, Scotland and thereafter returned to New London in April. In May, COBBLER conducted routine type training, and visited Boston, Massachusetts where she provided underway training for the Boston Submarine Reserve Division.

On 7 July COBBLER became the first conventional submarine to pass a Nuclear Weapons Acceptance Inspection, thus fulfilling the purpose for her conversion to a Guppy III type submarine.

During July Cobbler also took part in Exercise TEAMWORK WARMUP, acting as the opposing force for ASW GROUP BRAVO.

COBBLER left New London in early September to conduct operations for Submarine Development Group Two. An operational visit to Bermuda was made during this period.

Local operations consisting of services to Submarine School Officer Students followed in October, and an operational visit to Halifax, during type training, was made in early November. COBBLER again provided services to Submarine School Students in late November.

On 20 November Rear Admiral Varela, Chief of Naval Operations of the Argentine Navy, Rear Admiral Arguellas, Argentine Naval Attache and Commanders Suarez, Alvarez and Rosoles, visited COBBLER with Rear Admiral J. A. Tyree, JR., Deputy Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, as part of their tour of the U.S. Naval Submarine Base at New London. On 7 December, COBBLER was visited by Commodore Hassen, Chief of the Naval Staff of the Pakistan Navy.

On 2 December, as a result of the recommendation of the Board of Inspection and Survey, the Chief of Naval Operations accepted COBBLER for unconditional Service.

The Commanding Officer during 1964 was Commander Peter L Fullinwider, USN. Commander Fullinwider received a CINCLANTFLT Commendation in recognition of COBBLER’S outstanding operational performance during a period of 1964.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January to 31 December 1966

On 1 January 1966 COBBLER was in a holiday leave and upkeep period in New London, Connecticut. The upkeep period ended on 21 January and COBBLER then provided services to aircraft from 22 January to 26 January. This was followed by two weeks of type training from 29 January to 10 February.

After a brief upkeep period from 11 to 23 February COBBLER conducted enlisted and officer Submarine School operations from 26 February to 20 April. This was followed by an upkeep period in New London from 21 April to May 10.

On 11 May COBBLER departed New London on special operations, returning to New London on 8 July.

COBBLER spent from 9 July to 7 August in upkeep in New London. This was followed by services to the Naval War College, Newport, R.I. from 7 to 12 August.

From 14 August to 7 September COBBLER conducted operations for enlisted Submarine School students and daily operations in the New London area. On 8 September, COBBLER went into a brief upkeep period in New London until 22 September.

Following the upkeep period, a 9 week period operations began with services to OPTEVFOR from 23 to 27 September. COBBLER next participated in an SUBASWEX for Commander Submarine Development Group Two from 30 September to 10 October. Following the SUBASWEX, COBBLER embarked officer students from Submarine School for a "tactics underway" from 13 to 24 October. This was followed by another SUBASWEX for Commander Submarine Development Group Two from 27 October to 7 November. Cobbler completed the operating period by providing services to OPTEVFOR from 10 to 21 November.

From 22 November until 31 December COBBLER was in an extended leave and upkeep period in New London in preparation for COBBLER’S deployment to the Sixth Fleet in early January 1967.

During 1966, COBBLER spent a total of 161 full days at sea, 70 days of which were submerged. 27 exercise torpedoes were fired for training and approximately 750 persons toured USS COBBLER.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January to 31 December 1967

1 January 1967 found COBBLER in a holiday leave and upkeep preparing for deployment to the Mediterranean. On 3 January COBBLER left for the Mediterranean and operations with the Sixth Fleet.

While in the Mediterranean COBBLER visited the following ports: Rota, Ibiza and Cadiz, Spain; Palermo, Brindisi, Naples and Taranto, Italy; Athens, Greece and Valletta, Malta.

Cobbler returned to New London on 29 April for a month’s upkeep. This was followed by an ACURAD alignment.

From 12 June, CDR. A.H. GILMORE relieved CDR A.B. Anderson as commanding officer of COBBLER. CDR ANDERSON had been Commanding Officer since June 1965.

COBBLER then provided services to Submarine School from 5 July to 16 July. This was followed by a brief upkeep after which COBBLER provided practical experience for SSBN Junior Officers and Submarine School students for the two-week period 24 July to 4 August.

In July COBBLER was awarded the Battle Efficiency "E" for the competitive fiscal year 1967 for Submarine Division TWENTY-ONE.

After another brief upkeep COBBLER worked with aircraft and helicopters providing services to COMNAVAIRLANT from 14 August to 18 August. Then COBBLER provided Submarine School students with practical experiences in diving and surfacing for three days. Immediately afterwards, on 24 August, COBBLER left for Philadelphia Naval Shipyard for a battery renewal.

On 1 November COBBLER returned to New London for a short upkeep. Then on 6 November COBBLER left to participate in CANUS SILEX returning to New London on 22 November. During the exercise COBBLER visited Halifax, Nova Scotia.

From 27 November to 1 December COBBLER provided services to Submarine School. After this COBBLER went into holiday leave and upkeep in New London in preparation for COBBLER’S overhaul in early February 1968.

During 1967 COBBLER spent a total of 168 days at sea and traveled approximately 26,000 miles. Fourteen exercise torpedoes were fired for training and approximately 4,000 persons toured COBBLER.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January 1968 found USS COBBLER (SS 344) in holiday leave and upkeep preparing for the upcoming, regular yard overhaul. On 14 February COBBLER departed New London for the Philadelphia Naval Shipyard where she commenced her overhaul. It was routine overhaul, no significant new equipment was added or system changed. The overhaul was complete two days prior to the scheduled completion date. After a successful sea trials and trip to Norfolk, Virginia for degaussing COBBLER returned to New London on 2 August. The remainder of August and all of September were occupied with extensive training of the crew and grooming of equipment through refresher training, type training, conducting accurate range determination checks of the AN/BQG-4 sonar system and checking the accuracy of the ship’s sensors at the Fleet Operational Accuracy Check Site at Cape Cod, Massachusetts.

On 1 October COBBLER departed New London for the Weapons System Accuracy Trials (WAST) in the Caribbean. In addition to WAST, COBBLER conducted an amphibious landing with a unit of the Army’s Special Forces, an oceanographic survey, type training and provided services for OPTEVFOR. While in the Caribbean COBBLER visited San Juan and Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Upon returning to the continental United States on 6 November, COBBLER made a two-day port visit to New York City before returning to New London for upkeep. From 2 December to 5 December COBBLER provided services for Submarine School Officer’s Tactics Underway, after which she continued upkeep.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

1 January 1969 to 31 December 1969

On 1 January 1969, USS COBBLER was moored at US Naval Submarine Base New London, Groton, Connecticut, enjoying a holiday leave and upkeep period which ended 13 January when the ship departed for the Caribbean and OPERATION SPRINGBOARD. While participating in OPERATION SPRINGBOARD, COBBLER operated from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and visited St Thomas, Virgin Islands.

From 20 February, COBBLER returned to New London for a brief upkeep, which lasted until 23 February. On 24 February, COBBLER proceeded to sea to provide services to units of Submarine Group Two in the Narragansett Bay OPAREAS, returning to New London on 28 February.

A dependents cruise was held on 27 March. On 28 March, during the 1-30 March upkeep, LCDR S.G. Alexander, USN, relieved CDR A.H. Gilmore, USN, as Commanding Officer, USS COBBLER. LCDR Alexander reported to his first command from USS Bang (SS-385) where he served as Executive Officer from December 1967 to January 1969.

On 31 March, COBBLER departed New London in transit to OPERATION QUIET SENTINEL, a NATO ASW exercise conducted in the Eastern Atlantic. While participating on QUIET SENTINEL, all hands were ceremoniously initiated into the Royal Order of Bluenoses when COBBLER crossed the Arctic Circle on May 1.

Upon completion of the 19 day exercise, COBBLER transited to Londonderry, Northern Ireland, for a port visit from 9-12 May. On 13 May COBBLER departed Londonderry, arriving in New London on 23 May, where the ship was moored alongside, in upkeep, until 22 June.

From 23 June until 26 June the ship provided underway services in the Narragansett Bay OPAREAS, returning 26 June for a brief alongside period in New London until 6 July.

COBBLER departed New London 7 July for the Atlantic Sub-Surface Ocean Areas (SSOAs) and participation in SUBASWEX 2-69. Upon completion of the exercise, COBBLER visited Bermuda for three days, before commencing the transit to New London 29 July. While enroute to New London, services were provided to various units of the Atlantic Fleet. On 7 August, Cobbler arrived in New London for an upkeep, which lasted until 1 September.

The ship got underway on 2 September to provide services to USS NARWHAL (SSN-671) and USS JACK (SSN-605) in the Narragansett Bay OPAREAS. Upon completion of these services on 5 September, COBBLER exchanged weapons at Naval Ammunition Depot, Earle, New Jersey, prior to transiting to New York City for a weekend port visit. During the Earle to New York transit, seven nurses, recruited from the third Naval District, were commissioned as Nurse Corps Officers aboard, as the ship passed the Statue of Liberty.

On Monday, 8 September, COBBLER departed New York City and returned to the Narragansett Bay OPAREAS to provide underway services until 11 September.

From 12 to 28 September, COBBLER underwent upkeep in New London, during which time special sonar equipment was installed on board, in preparation for participation in OPTEVFOR’S Project D/S 570 held 29 September to 6 October. Also during this upkeep, on 26 September, Commander Submarine Division TWENTY-ONE awarded COBBLER both the Fire Control Excellence and Battle Efficiency awards for 1969.

On 7 October, COBBLER commenced a brief upkeep period, which ended 14 October when the ship got underway for one week of type training in the Narragansett Bay OPAREAS. Following a brief stop in New London on the night of 17 October, COBBLER embarked Reserve Unit 1-8 and got underway for a reserve cruise on 18 October, returning 19 October to commence an upkeep period in New London which lasted until 2 November.

COBBLER departed the Submarine Base 3 November to provide underway services until 6 November. Following the in-port weekend, COBBLER returned to sea for services to COMNAVAIRLANT until 14 November. On 15 November, COBBLER commenced her final upkeep prior to deployment with the U.S. Sixth Fleet. Between 25 November and 15 December, the ship was dry-docked in USS ARD-5, at the Submarine Base.

On 17 December COBBLER departed New London for post-upkeep sea trials. On 19 December, COBBLER returned to New London and began holiday leave and upkeep while moored alongside which lasted the remainder of 1969.

NURSES COMMISSIONED ABOARD USS COBBLER 5 SEPTEMBER 1969

ENS. Kathleen Rourke, NC USNR

ENS. Ellyn Doucette NC USNR

ENS. Ann Fournier NC USNR

ENS. Karen Riedell NC USNR

ENS. Flora Zimmerman NC USNR

ENS. Marilyn Pine NC USNR

ENS. Jean Liljedahl NC USNR

USS Cobbler SS-344 Roster

January 5, 1970 To May1, 1970

Mediterranean Cruise

(Click on icon above to go to the 1970 Cruise page)

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

January 1 1972 to December 31 1972

The first 6 weeks of 1972 were a pre-deployment upkeep period for COBBLER. On 14 February COBBLER departed New London, Connecticut for Rota, Spain. During a five month Mediterranean deployment, which was to follow, COBBLER provided services to Commander Task Force SIXTY- NINE, worked with the Spanish Navy and participated in exercises DAWN PATROL, EASY LIFE and ARMADA ’72.

COBBLER arrived in Rota, Spain on 26 February. Her next port visit was Augusta Bay, Sicily on 7 March. Easter was spent visiting Athens, Greece. Operations then moved COBBLER to Soudha Bay, Crete followed by a stop at Ormus Idhras, and returning to Athens, Greece on 19 April. From Athens COBBLER journeyed to Izmir, Turkey arriving on 25 April. Now moving out of the Mediterranean, COBBLER made port calls at Corfu, Greece; Naples, Italy; Cartagena, Spain and Palma Mallorca. On 20 June COBBLER arrived at Rota, Spain. COBBLER departed for New London on 24 June and arrived on 3 July.

The period from 3 July to 13 August was spent in upkeep at New London. On 14 August COBBLER began 18 days of operations during which a visit to Annapolis, Maryland was conducted. On 28 August COBBLER returned to New London arriving on 1 September. For the next four weeks COBBLER participated in weekly operations with aircraft and surface craft which included taking part in NATO exercise STRONG EXPRESS from 18-27 September. Halifax, Nova Scotia was COBBLER’S next port of call on 5 October. COBBLER returned to New London on 22 October. After another week of operations COBBLER entered an upkeep period from 2-26 November, during which 9 days were spent in dry-dock. On 27 November COBBLER provided 3 days of submarine school training. From 4-6 December COBBLER stood by USS TIGRONE (AGSS-419) for sea trials. COBBLER conducted holiday leave and upkeep in New London from 6-31 December.

USS COBBLER (SS-344)

Ship’s History

The first week of January was a pre-deployment upkeep period for COBBLER. On 9 January, COBBLER departed New London, Connecticut for Roosevelt Roads and Operation SPRINGBOARD 1973. During SPRINGBOARD, COBBLER provided services to aircraft and the forces of the U.S. Atlantic Fleet and NATO countries. COBBLER was also involved in type training with other units of Submarine Squadron TWO. A port visit was made to San Juan, Puerto Rico. COBBLER returned to New London on 28 February for an upkeep period the month of March. During April COBBLER provided services to aircraft operating out of New London in local operating areas. At the beginning of May, COBBLER was underway for several days demonstrating ship’s proficiency for the prospective commanding officer.

On 11 May 1973, change of command ceremonies were held on board, during which time LCDR V.O. YOUNG, USN relieved CDR E.P. ZIMMER, USN as commanding Officer. Under her new Captain, COBBLER completed her upkeep and on 30 May departed New London for Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

While in Guantanamo Bay, COBBLER provided services to aircraft and destroyers during daily operations out of GTMO. COBBLER made two port visits to Haiti, one to Port Au Prince and one to Cap Haitian. COBBLER returned to New London via Earle, New Jersey. After a weapons exchange at Earle, COBBLER transited through New York City and Long Island Sound arriving home on 5 July.

In July COBBLER received the Fire Control "E" for Submarine Squadron TWO for fiscal Year 1973 competition. During July COBBLER remained in New London for an upkeep period. On 8 August COBBLER departed to provide services to aircraft returning to homeport for the weekend of 17 August. The following Monday COBBLER departed for Halifax, Nova Scotia and enroute was involved in type training. After the Halifax port visit COBBLER returned to New London and enroute was again involved in type training.

After an upkeep period at the beginning of September, COBBLER provided services to the USS AMERICA and aircraft until 26 September at which time COBBLER went to stand-down in preparation for strike. COBBLER was underway 11-12 October for demonstration dives and subsequently was accepted for transfer to the Turkish Navy.

COBBLER was in stand-down from 13 October-21 November during which time the Turkish Naval personnel came aboard readying COBBLER for transfer. On 21 November, COBBLER was Decommissioned, Transferred and Commissioned as the Turkish Naval Ship "CANAKKALE"

D.G Saunders

Com. UDU-2