USS Burrfish (SS-312)

USS Burrfish (SS/SSR-312), a Balao-class submarine, was a ship of the United States Navy named for the burrfish, a swellfish of the Atlantic coast. After World War II she was loaned to the Royal Canadian Navy where she served as HMCS Grilse (SS-71) from 1961 until 1969.

Burrfish was launched 18 June 1943 by Portsmouth Navy Yard in Kittery, Maine, sponsored by Miss Jane Elizabeth Davis, daughter of Senator James J. Davis from Pennsylvania, and commissioned 14 September 1943, Commander William B. Perkins, Jr. in command.

Burrfish's war operations extended from 2 February 1944 to 13 May 1945 during which period she completed six war patrols, sinking one 5,894-ton Japanese tanker on 7 May 1944, one 7,500-ton cargo ship on 27 October 1944, and, along with the USS Ronquil, a 200-ton patrol boat on 17 November 1944. Her operating area extended from the Western Caroline Islands to Formosa and the waters south of Japan. During her third war patrol the ship accomplished several special missions, conducting reconnaissance of the beaches of Palau and Yap where landings were planned.

Burrfish arrived at Pearl Harbor from her last war patrol 13 May 1945. On 16 May she was ordered to return to the United States for major overhaul and arrived at Portsmouth Navy Yard on 19 June. On 12 October 1945 she reported to New London, Conn., for inactivation and was placed out of commission in reserve on 10 October 1946.

On 2 November 1948 Burrfish was recommissioned and assigned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for conversion to a radar picket submarine. Her designation was changed to SSR-312 on 27 January 1949 and her conversion was completed in November 1949.

Burrfish returned to duty with the active fleet 7 February 1950 and was assigned to Submarine Squadron 6 at Norfolk. Between February 1950 and June 1956 she completed three tours with the 6th Fleet in the Mediterranean; participated in several major type and inter-type exercises; and operated along the eastern seaboard as a radar picket ship.

On 5 June 1956 Burrfish sailed from Norfolk to New London where she reported for inactivation. She was placed out of commission in reserve 17 December 1956 and laid up in the Atlantic Reserve Fleet.

HMCS Grilse (SS-71)
The submarine was recommissioned on 17 January 1961 as SS-312, decommissioned on 11 May 1961, and loaned to Canada, where she was commissioned in the Royal Canadian Navy as HMCS Grilse (SS-71). She was returned to US Navy custody and struck from the Naval Register, on 19 July 1969. Burrfish was sunk as a target off San Clemente Island, CA., on 19 November 1969.

Awards
Burrfish received five battle stars for her World War II service.