Circa 1940 USS Trout (Lost Boat) Commissioning Model from Portsmouth Naval Ship Yard

This is a circa 1940 submarine commissioning model for the USS Trout (SS-202). Launched May 21, 1940, the Trout was lost on her 11th and final war patrol, having sunk 23 enemy ships during her first ten patrols.

In February 1944, Trout fueled up at Midway and headed via a great circle route toward the East China Sea: she was never heard from again. Japanese records indicate that one of their convoys was attacked on 29 February, in the patrol area assigned to Trout. The attacking submarine badly damaged one large passenger-cargo ship and sank the 7,126-ton transport Sakito Maru. Possibly one of the convoy's escorts sank the submarine.

On 17 April, Trout was declared presumed lost. Trout received 11 battle stars for World War II service and the Presidential Unit Citation for her second, third, and fifth patrols. Japanese records examined after the war showed that destroyer Asashimo, presumably an escort in the convoy of Sakito Maru, detected a submarine and dropped 19 depth charges. Oil and debris came to the surface and the destroyer dropped a final depth charge on that spot. Trout went down with all 81 hands.

Circa 1940.

Approximately 1-9/16" in height, 7-1/8" in length and 1-7/8" in diameter.

Nickel-plated brass with painted lettering.

Model screwed into base.

This is from a United States Navy collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. TREJX08 LAGEX2/11 SAGE2/12

7 (Very Fine): The model has some small spots of light to medium wear and the deck gun and periscope are missing.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.