History

Official History of the USS Volador SS490	Keel laid down in Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, Kittery, ME, 15 JUN 45; Launched: 21 MAY 48; Sponsored by Mrs. Dudley W. Morton; Commissioned: 10 JAN 48 with Cdr Howard A. Thompson in command; Decommissioned and loaned to Italy 18 AUG 72; Returned to U.S. control, struck from the Navy List and sold to Italy 5 DEC 77. For Complete History, Click Here.

They Dared Me to Dive Her Deep	Once the Volador Got off its "Fish" it put on the damnedest under seas rodeo the Pacific ever say. (Courtesy of Steve Madigosky) Read the Article, Click Here

1000th Dive	See More, Click Here

	Picture of USS Sea Devil SS-400 Sunk by torpedo from Volador as a practice target Click Here for More VD Photos (Courtesy of Steve Madigosky)

	Click here for the full story (Courtesy of Steve Madigosky)
SUBMARINERS WHO RESCUED COLLIER'S FAR EAST CORRESPONDENT: The men who swam to the rescue of Charlotte Knight, Far East correspondent of Collier's Magazine, when the helicopter in which she was trying to reach the submarine Volador, crashed into the choppy seas of the Western Pacific, are shown on the deck of the Volador. The men who swam to the rescue of the correspondent and the two-man crew of the helicopter are, left to right, ENC MA. Garner, SN R.N. Norton, CS3 E.S. McMullen and ENZ F .E. Slaton. With the men is LCDR J.G. Hudson, executive officer of the submarine.

	Volador transiting the Lake Washington Locks In the summer of "52" the Volador was part of the show at the Seattle Sea Fair, along with the navy's Blue Angels. We entered Lake Washington through the locks and dove in fresh water for the first time. The VD fired a series of underwater pyrotechnic signals for the crowd. It was a different experience controlling her submerged in fresh water. The boat later spent several weeks operating out of British Columbia with the Canadian Navy in ASW exercises. (Courtesy of Steve Madigosky)

The Volador Rich and/or Famous? Two Volador officers distinguished themselves in later years. Both became Admirals. One of the VD skippers, Eugene Wilkinson, went on to command USS Nautilus SSN571 and sent historical message, "Underway on nuclear power." He later became Chief of Naval Operations. Jim Watkins, who served as a LT on the Volador went on to command USS Snook SSN 592. He later commanded both the 6th & Pacific fleets. Later he was appointed Chief of Naval Operations following which he served as secretary of energy in the first Bush administration. (Courtesy of Steve Madigosky)