The USS Cod (SS-224), a Gato-class fleet submarine built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, entered service late in 1943. During World War II. The Cod went on seven war patrols and was credited with sinking 14 enemy ships as well as 26 sampans and junks.
During the sixth war patrol, under command of Commander James A. Adkins, USS Cod was making way on the surface of the East China Sea. At 2200 on April 26, 1945 the Cod made a surface attack on a two-ship convoy. While firing three torpedoes, a third ship was detected. Unfortunately, the torpedoes broached the surface.
The intended target apparently noticing the breached torpedoes, was able to avoid the attack and went after the Cod. Adkins went to flank speed in an attempt to outrun the pursuer however, when the shells started getting close, he took the boat down. The water depth was only 270 feet which left him little room to maneuver. Levelling off at 150 feet, the boat was rigged for silent running in preparation for depth charge attack.
Two antisubmarine vessels teamed up dropping eighteen depth charges at close proximity. All exploded below the Cod. Adkins fired a decoy which failed and the boat endured a further ten depth charges.
At 0031, Adkins took Cod up to periscope depth. The Japanese minesweeper AM-41 was still searching the area for the submarine. Adkins fired three torpedoes from the stern tubes. For the next half hour, explosions and breaking-up noises were heard. The Cod surfaced amongst an oil slick and debris field and picked up a seriously injured survivor. It was the prisoner who provided the identity of Cod's victim.
This artwork depicts USS Cod during the depth charge attack on that eventful evening.
USS Cod is preserved today in excellent condition as a museum ship docked in Cleveland's North Coast Harbor.