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United States. 1958. Submarine sighting guide, ONI 31-2A. [United States]: [U.S. G.P.O.].

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Submarine Sighting Guide ONI 31-2A

PDF Version [6.1MB]

Submarine Sighting Guide Cover

June 1958

SUBMARINE SIGHTING GUIDE

 

ONI 31-2A                                                                                                                                                               DECLASSIFIED

Submarine Sighting Guide page 1, Letter of Promulgation

DEPARTMENTOF THE NAVY
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
OFFICE OF NAVAL INTELLIGENCE
WASHINGTON 25, D. C.

Refer to:
ON131-2A
June 1958

LETTER OF PROMULGATION

1. ONI 31-2A, SUBMARINE SIGHTING GUIDE, is an UNCLASSIFIED Nonregistered Publication. This publication contains information as of 30 June 1958, and is effective upon receipt. This Publication cancels and supersedes ONI 31-2, all copies of which are to be destroyed in accordance with article 0623 of the Department of the Navy Security Manual for Classified Information.

2. The purpose of this publication is to provide all interested commands with an intelligence reference guide and an aid to watch officers and interrogators. This publication, although Unclassified, shall be limited to Official Use Only.

3. Requests for this publication may be submitted in accordance with OPNAV INSTRUCTION5604.5 of 3 September 1957. Other than U. S. Naval Activities may submit requests through appropriate inter-agency channels. Copies of this publication held in excess of requirements may be returned to the Forms and Publications Supply Depot, Naval Supply Center, Norfolk or Oakland, (Marked "For Stock"), with a copy of the letter of transmittal to CNO (OP-923M 1).

[Signature]
C. M. BERTHOLF
Captain, U. S. Navy
Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence
Intelligence Production Division

---1---

Submarine Sighting Guide page 2, Distrubution List

DISTRIBUTION LIST ONI 31-2A

SNDL PART I
21(LANT(10), PAC (2), NELM(1)) (COMMANDERS IN CHIEF)
22 (I EACH EXCEPT 2 FOR SIXTH & SEVENTH)(FLEET COMMANDERS)
23 (CONAD(I), JAPAN(5), PHIL(5), TAIWAN (1) ONLY) (NAVAL FORCE COMMANDERS)
23A(ASDEFORlANT & MIDEASTFOR ONLY) (SPECIAL FORCE COMMANDERS)
24A(PAC(5) ONLY, B(lANT(2), PAC(5 ), C(CRUlANT(5), DESlANT(2), .
CRUDESPAC(2), E(lANT(5), PAC(2 ), F(2), G, H(PAC ONLY), J, TYPE COMMANDERS)
26A(PAC ONLY), B(lANT(2), PAC(I», D(PAC ONLY), E(BJU ONLY),
F(OPDEVFORlANT  & SURASDEVDET ONLY), H(lANT ONLY), N(lCREEK(3), CORONADO(I», O(GMGRU ONLY), P(lANT ONLY), EE(lANT ONLY), (SPECIAL COMMANDS, GROUPS & UNITS) .
27C (SEA FRONTIER COMMANDERS)
28A(2), B, C, D, EI, F, G, H, J, K (LANT ONLY), (FLOTILLA, SQUADRON, &
DIVISION COMMANDERS - SHIPS)
29B(5), D(5), E(5), F(5), G (LANT (5), PAC (25)), H (5), M(LANT(3), PAC(1)), N(lANT~3)' PAC(I ~), 0 3), P(lANT(3~~ PAC(I », Q(lANT(3), PAC(I », R(lANT 3), PAC(I ), SLANT ONLY), U\lANT ONLY), V(lANT ONLY), W lANT ONLY, X(lANT ONLY), (WARSHIP TYPE SHIPS) .
30A(2), B, C (PAC ONLY), D (3), (MINECRAFT TYPE SHIPS)
31A(LANT (1), PAC (2), B, B 1 (LANT (1), PAC (2)), C1 (LANT (1), PAC (2)), D (LANT ONLY), G (LANT ONLY), J (LANT (1), PAC (2)), L, M, (AMPHIBIOUS TYPE SHIPS)
32A, B, C, D, F (LANT ONLY), J, K, L, M, NI, P, R, S, T, U, W, X, Y(LANT ONLY), DD (LANT ONLY), EE(LANT ONLY), GG, HH (LANT(1), PAC(10)), JJ, LL, (AUXILIARY TYPE SHIPS)
33A (LANT ONLY), (PATROL TYPE CRAFT)
36A (LANT ONLY), (SERVICE CRAFT)
42A (LANT (5), PAC (1)), B, D (LANT (5) ONLY), E (LANT ONLY), H (PAC ONLY), I (HATWING ONE (5), HATWING Two (1), All OTHERS 1 EACH LESS PAC HATU), J, JI, K, KI (LANT ONLY), L, Ll (LANT ONLY), N (LANT (IB), PAC (15)), Q, R (LANT ONLY), S (LANT ONLY), T (LANT ONLY), U (LANT ONLY), V (I EACH EXCEPT ZP (9)), X (LANT (1), PAC (5)), Y, AA, BB (LANT (2), PAC (15)), CC (LANT VW (18), PAC VW (18), LANT VAW (1) ONLY), DD (LANT (2), PAC (25)), EE, (NAVAL AVIATION)
45V, (FLEET MARINE FORCE - GROUND)
46A (LANT (1), PAC (10)), B (LANT (1), PAC (10)), C (LANT ONLY), CI (PAC ONLY), D (PAC (2) ONLY), D1 (PAC (2) ONLY, E (PAC (2) ONLY), H, PI (LANT ONLY), P2 (LANT ONLY), Z, (FLEET MARINE FORCE-AVIATION)
COMSEADEFCOM (US)
COMICEDEFOR (5)
CINCPAC
CINCNElM REPGER (3)
FAIRINTDET (OCEANA) (5)

SNDL PART II
AI (SO-3 ONLY) (SECRETARY AND EXECUTIVE ASSISTANTS)
A2A (ONR ONLY) (INDEPENDENT OFFICES)
A5 (3 TO PERS  & SHIPS ONLY) (BUREAUS)
A6 (A02 ONLY) (HEADQUAR1ERS U.S. MARINE CORPS)
B3 (AFSC ONLY)(COLLEGES)
F2 (2) (NAVAL DISTRICT  & RIVER COMMAND COMDTS)
F22 (2) (DIPLOMATIC DUTY INTELLIGENCE)
F28 (2)(INTELLIGENCE OFFICERS NAVAL DISTRICTS)
F48 (BREMERHAVEN ONLY) (SECURITY GROUP HEADQUARTERS ACTIVITIES)
GIA (AIR STATION)
GIB (AIR STATION AUXILIARY)
GID (AIR FACILITY BUAER)
G3A (2)(AIR TRAINING COMMAND)
G3B (AIR ADVANCED TRAINING COMMAND)
G3C (25) (AIR BASIC TRAINING COMMAND)
G3D (10) (AIR RESERVE TRAINING COMMAND)
G3[illegible] (AIR TECH TRAINING COMMAND)
G4A (AIR OFFICAL WEAPONS FACILITY)
G5D (AIR TECH TRAINING CENTER)
G7B (AIR TECH TRAINING UNIT)
G7C (AIR RESERVE TRAINING UNIT)
G8A (PHOTOGRAPHIC CENTER)
G8B (55) (PHOTO INTERPRETATION CENTER)
G8H (ARGENTIA & BERMUDA ONLY) (STATIONS BUAER)
G8M (PTLY ONLY) (NAVAL ACTIVITIES)
G8W (2) (AIR DEVELOPMENT UNIT)
G8Y (FLEET INTELLIGENCE CENTER)
G9A (SCOL PREFLIGHT)
G14 (MARINE CORPS AIR STATION)
G16 (5)(MARINE AIR RESERVE TRAINING COMMAND)
G21 (201) ONLY, (FLEET AIR SERVICE SQUADRON SPECIAL)
J3 (DAM NECK ONLY) (AIR DEFENSE TRAINING CENTER)
JI2 (LANT ONLY) (FLEET TRAINING CENTER)
J60 (2) (SCOL ACADEMY)
J73 (SCOL FLEET SONAR)
J79 (110)(SCOL INTELLIGENCE)
J81 (SCOL MINE WARFARE)
J84 (2)(SCOL POSTGRADUATE)
J88 (SCOL SUBMARINE)
J95 (2)(SCOL WAR COLLEGE)
JI06 (LANT FLEET ASW TACTICAL SCOL)
L7 (NEL ONLY) (LABORATORY - BUSHIPS )
L24 (ITALY ONLY) (NAVAL ACTIVITIES)
R20 (2) (MARINE CORPS SCOLS)
JIG (3)
USNLO GIBRALTAR
ANO SOIEGO
NAVSECGRUDETELM (3)
NAVSECGRUDETPAC (3)
ADIO (AI R) (2)
CHNAVSEC CGSC

OTHER AGENCIES AND DEPARTMENTS
CIA(40)
ACSI USAF (350)
ACSI DA (10)
USCG (220)

OPNAV
OP-91
OP-29
OP-31 (5)
OP-33 (5)
OP-40
OP-52 (3)
OP-55 (5)
OP-56 IF (30)
OP-60
OP-922 - 92B - 92B I D
OP-922B 4
OP-922F I C
OP-922F I E
OP-922F I W
OP-922GB I
OP-922H I
OP-922H2
OP-922H3D(80)
OP-922H4
OP-922N
OP-922NI (5)
OP-922N4 (10)
OP-922V
OP-922Y I (8)
OP-922Y2
OP-923T
OP-922H3F - 923M5

--2--

Page 3 - United States submarines
Page 3 - United States submarines

(Left Column)
1. SSN SEAWOLF 338' ;
2. SSN NAUTILUS (Silhouette shows NAUTILUS with snorkel and periscopes raised.) 320';
3. SSN SKATE CLASS 261';
4. TANG CLASS - 1st variation (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 268' ;

(Right Column)
5. TANG CLASS - 2nd variation 268' ;
6. TANG CLASS - 3rd variation 268' ;
7. TANG CLASS - 4th variation (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised) 268' ;
8. "GUPPY" - 1st variation (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 306' ;
9. "GUPPY" 2nd variation (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 306'

Page 4 - United States submarines continued
Page 4 - United States submarines continued

(Left Column)

10. "GUPPY" - 3rd variation 306';
11. "GUPPY" - 4th variation 306';
12. "GUPPY" - 5th variation 306';
13. "GUPPY" - 6th variation  306';
14. "GUPPY" - 7th variation 306' ;
15. "FLEET-TYPE SNORKEL" - 1st variation 312' ;
16. "FLEET-TYPE SNORKEL"· 2nd variation (Some may mount deck gun aft of conning tower.) 312' ;

(Right Column)
17. "FLEET· TYPE" GATO CLASS - 1st variation (Deck gun arrangement varies and may be completely removed.) 312' ;
18. "FLEET.TYPE" GATO CLASS - 2nd variation 312' ;
19. "FLEET-TYPE" BALAO CLASS (Silhouette shows deck gun variation.) 312' ;
20. "FLEET-TYPE" BALAO CLASS - with all guns removed 312' ;
21. SSG (Guided Missile) - 1st variation 312'

Page 5 - United States submarines continued
Page 5 - United States submarines continued

(Left Column)
22. SSG (Guided Missile) - 2nd variation 312';
23. SSG GRA YBACK CLASS (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 319';
24. AP(SS) - Transport submarine 312';
25. SSR (Radar Picket) - 1st variation 312';
26. SSR (Radar Picket) - 2ncl variation 312';

(Right Column)
27. SSR (Radar Picket) - 3rd variation 341';
28. SSR (Radar Picket) - 4th variation 350';
29. AO(SS) - Tanker Submarine 312';
30. SSK TYPE II CONVERSION (Anti-Sub.) 312'

Page 6 - United States submarines continued, Great Britain
Page 6 - United States submarines continued, Great Britain

(Left Column)
31. SSK 1 CLASS (Anti-Sub.) 196';
32. SST I CLASS (Inset shows periscopes and snorkel raised.) 130';
33. AGSS ALBACORE (Inset shows periscopes raised.) 203';
GREAT BRITAIN
34. PORPOISE CLASS (Inset shows bow variation.) 295';

(Right Column)
35. "A" CLASS - (STREAMLINED) 282';
36. "A" CLASS - 1st variation (Silhouette at left shows AMPHION with periscopes raised, silhouette at right shows snorkel raised.) 282';
37. "A" CLASS,- 2nd variation 282';
38. "T-CONVERSION" - 1st variation (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 285'

Page 7 - Great Britain continued
Page 7 - Great Britain continued

(Left Column)
39. "T-CONVERSION" - 2nd variation 285';
40. TABARO - As reconstructed 296';
41. TIRELESS (Silhouette shows TALENT with deck gun, otherwise similar to TIRELESS.) 274';
42. TRITON CLASS (Inset shows conning tower variation, silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 214';
43. "1940 S” CLASS (Inset shows conning tower) variation, silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raise.) 217';

(Right Column)
44. "1940 S" CLASS - As modified for target and training duties (Silhouettes show minor appearance variations.) 217';
45. SERAPH - As reconstructed 217';
46. SCOTSMAN - As reconstructed 217';
47. EXPLORER CLASS (Inset shows bow-planes lowered, silhouette shows periscopes raised.) 225'

Page 8 - USSR
Page 8 - USSR

(Left Column)
48. "K-I" CLASS (Inset shows bow variation) 320';
49. "Z" CLASS - 1st variation (Deck gun may be removed.) 290';
50. "Z" CLASS - 2nd variation 290';
51. "P" CLASS 287'; 52. "D" CLASS 282';

(Right Column)
53. "L-III" CLASS - 1st variation 266';
54. "L-III" CLASS - 2nd variation 266';
55. "L-II" CLASS - 1st variation 266';
56. “L-II” CLASS - 2nd variation 266';
57. "L-I" CLASS (Inset shows conning tower variation.) 256'

Page 9 - USSR continued
Page 9 - USSR continued

(Left Column)
58. "S-l" CLASS 255';
59. German "TYPE XXI” CLASS (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 252';
60. German "TYPE IX-C" CLASS (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 252';
61. “W” CLASS – 1st variation (Insets show conning tower variations; deck guns, once mounted just aft of conning tower, have been removed.) 240';

(Right Column)
62. "W" CLASS - 2nd variation 240';
63. German "TYPE VII-C" CLASS (Snorkel operates in similar manner to that of "TYPE IX-C".) 221';
64. Italian TRITONE CLASS 207';
65. Italian ACCIAIO CLASS 197';
66. "Q" CLASS (Insets show conning tower variations.) 165'

Page 10 - USSR continued
Page 10 - USSR continued

(Left Column)
67. Estonian LEMBIT OLASS 195';
68. "SHCH IV" CLASS 200';
69. "SHCH IIIa" CLASS 192';
70. "SHCH III" CLASS 192';
71. "SHCH IIa" CLASS 192';
71. "SHCH II” CLASS (Inset shows conning tower variation.) 192';
73. "SHCH '" CLASS 187';

(Right Column)
74. "M-V" CLASS (Some may have deck gun removed.) 175';
75. "M-IV" CLASS 146';
76. "M-Hl" CLASS 146';
71. "M-U" CLASS 174';
78. "M-I" CLASS 124';
79. German "TYPE XXIII" CLASS (Inset shows RDF loop and periscope raised.) 114'

Page 11 - Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China (Communist), Denmark, Egypt
Page 11 - Argentina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, China (Communist), Denmark, Egypt

(Left Column)
ARGENTINA;
80. SAL TA CLASS 227';
BRAZIL;
81. U. S. GATO CLASS 312’;
82. Italian PERLA CLASS (May have bow net cutters removed.) 198';
BULGARIA - Refer to USSR section;
CHILE;
83. British "0" CLASS 275';

(Right Column)
CHINA, COMMUNIST;
84. Soviet "W" CLASS 240';
85. Soviet' 'S-1" CLASS 255';
86. Soviet "M-V" CLASS 175';
87. British UNITY CLASS 205';
88. DELFIN EN CLASS - PROVISIONAL DRAWING 167';
EGYPT;
89. Soviet "W" CLASS 240'

Page 12 - Egypt continued, France
Page 12 - Egypt continued, France

(Left Column)
90. Soviet "M-Y" CLASS 175';
FRANCE
91. NARYAL CLASS - 1st variation 256';
92. NARY AL CLASS - 2nd variation 256';
93. ROLAND MORILLOT (German "TYPE XXI" CLASS modified.) 252';
94. BOUAN (German "TYPE IX-C" modified.) 252';
95. BLAISON (German "TYPE IX-8" modified.) 252';

(Right Column)
96. L' AURORE CLASS - 1st variation 241';
97. L'AURORE CLASS - 2nd variation 241';
98. L' AURORE CLASS - 3rd variation 241';
99. L'AURORE CLASS - 4th variation (Silhouette shows minor bow variation.) 241';
100. German "TYPE VII-C" modified.) 221'

Page 13 - France continued, Germany (West), Greece, Italy
Page 13 - France continued, Germany (West), Greece, Italy

(Left Column)
101. SIRENE (British "1940 S" CLASS) 217';
102. British "1940 S" CLASS - As modified for target and training duties. 217';
103. DAPHNE CLASS - PROVISIONAL DRAWING 190';
104. ARETHUSE CLASS 162';
GERMANY, WEST
105. “TYPE XXIII” CLASS - Modified 114';

(Right Column)
GREECE
106. U. S. GATO CLASS - POSEIDON, Inset shows bow of AMFITRITI. (Silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 312';
ITALY;
107. U. S. GATO (SS 212) CLASS - Modernized 308';
108. VORTICE (TRITONE CLASS modified) 207';
109. GIADA (ACCIAIO CLASS modified) 197';
Note: Italy also has the BARIO, a TRITONE CLASS submarine. Appearance is unknown.

Page 14 - Japan, Netherlands, Norway
Page 14 - Japan, Netherlands, Norway

(Left Column)
JAPAN;
110. KUROSHIO (U.S. GATO CLASS) 312';
NETHERLANDS;
111. U. S. BALAO (SS 285) CLASS- Modernized 308'
112. British TRITON CLASS (Inset shows bow variation, silhouette shows snorkel and periscopes raised.) 274';
113. DOLFIJN CLASS· PROVISIONAL DRAWING 240';

(Right Column)
114. 0-21 254’;
115.0.27 (Fitted with German type conning tower.) 254';
NORWAY
116. German "TYPE VII-C" CLASS 221';
117. British UNITY CLASS - Modified 197'

Page 15 - Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain
Page 15 - Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Spain

(Left Column)
PERU
118. TIBURON CLASS 243';
119. "Modified R Boat" CLASS 200';
POLAND
120. SEP (Inset shows AA mount in elevated position.) 275';
121. WILK CLASS 256';
122. Soviet "M-V" CLASS (May have deck gun removed.) 175';

(Right Column)
PORTUGAL
123. British "1940 S" CLASS 217';
RUMANIA
124. MARSUINUL 190';
125. DELFINUL 225';
SPAIN
126. "D-1" CLASS 276';
127. Italian ARCHIMEDE CLASS 231'

Page 16 - Spain continued, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Yugoslavia
Page 16 - Spain continued, Sweden, Thailand, Turkey, Yugoslavia

(Left Column)
128. G-7 (German "TYPE VII-C" CLASS) 221';
SWEDEN;
129. HAJEN CLASS 215';
130. SJOLEJONET CLASS (Silhouette shows periscopes raised.) 204';
131. NACKEN CLASS 204';
132. "U" CLASS 164';
THAILAND;
133. MATCHANU CLASS 167';

(Right Column)
TURKEY;
134. U. S. "FLEET-TYPE SNORKEL" 312';
135. U. S. GATO (SS 212) CLASS – Modernized (Some units carry deck guns; arrangement varies, see silhouette. Inset shows conning tower variation.) 312';
YUGOSLAVIA;
136. SAVA (Silhouette shows periscopes retracted.) 207'

Snorkel Types - Late Addenda, United States
Snorkel Types - Late Addenda, United States

(Upper Page)

SNORKEL TYPES

(Left Column);
I. Telescopic snorkel of U. S. TANG CLASS. Shown in "run-out" position in A and secured in B.;
II. Telescopic snorkel of U.S. "GUPPY" type. Shown "run-out" in C and secured in D.;
III. Telescopic snorkel fitted on U. S. submarines retaining "FLEET-TYPE" conning tower. "Run-out" in E, secured in F.;

(Right Column)
IV. Telescopic snorkel of British "T-CONVERSION" CLASS. "Run-out" in G, secured in H.;
V. Folding snorkel of British "A" CLASS. Shown in upright or operating position in I and secured in J.;
VI. Telescopic snorkel of ex-German "TYPE XXI" CLASS. "Run-out" in K and secured in L.;
VII. Folding snorkel of ex-German "TYPE IX-C" CLASS. Shown in upright position in M and secured in a slot out into the deck in N.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

(Lower Page)

LATE ADDENDA; UNITED STATES;

137. SSN SKIPJACK - PROVISIONAL DRAWING An artist's conception of the SSN -585 SKIPJACK is shown at the right. 252'

[END]

Published: Fri Oct 04 09:22:55 EDT 2019