Inside USS Torsk, last US submarine to sink enemy ship until Iran War

April 18, 2026 - 22:17

The USS Torsk, a Tench-class submarine now permanently docked as a museum ship in Baltimore's Inner Harbor, holds a unique and enduring record in U.S. naval history. For over seven decades, it was recognized as the last American submarine to have sunk an enemy vessel in combat, a distinction that stood until very recent naval engagements.

That record was set in the final days of World War II. While patrolling the Sea of Japan in August 1945, the Torsk engaged two Japanese coastal defense vessels. Using its deck guns and torpedoes, it successfully sank both targets. These actions occurred just days before Japan's formal surrender, making the Torsk's combat victories among the last of the war.

This historical milestone remained unchallenged for 77 years. The long span without a submarine-launched sinking highlighted a period dominated by aircraft carrier groups and surface warfare. The record finally fell during Operation Epic Fury, a modern naval conflict where a contemporary U.S. submarine achieved a successful engagement. This recent event underscores the evolving nature of undersea warfare while cementing the Torsk's place in a very specific chapter of military history. Today, visitors can tour the meticulously preserved vessel, gaining a tangible connection to both its wartime service and its long-held place in the annals of the silent service.