USS Croaker (SS/SSK/AGSS/IXSS-246), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the croaker, any of various fishes which make throbbing or drumming noises.
Croaker (SS-246), underway, c. 1944–45.
Image: USS Croaker SSK 246 Badge
Croaker (SSK-246) underway in hunter-killer configuration, c. mid-1950s.
U.S.S. Croaker at the Buffalo and Erie County Naval & Military Park
The Gato class of submarines were built for the United States Navy and launched in 1941–1943. Named after the lead ship of the class, USS Gato, they were the first mass-production U.S. submarine class of World War II.
USS Gato off Mare Island Navy Yard, on 29 November 1944
General Motors Cleveland Model 16-248 diesel engine
Fairbanks-Morse Model 38D8⅛ diesel engine
Periscope photograph of Japanese merchant ship sinking