Built: Portsmouth, New Hampshire

Keel Laid: 4 December 1944 Launched: 10 April .1945

Sponsor: Mrs. John E. Fogarty

Length: 306' 10" ; Beam: 27 ' 4'

Surface Displacement: 1834 tons

Submerged Displacement 2400 tons

The USS ODAX (SS-484) was commissioned on 11 July 1945 at the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and was assigned to Submarine Squadron FOUR in Key West, Florida, for peacetime operations and training.

In September 1946, as part of the Bureau of Ships post-war investigation of the high speed submarine, the ODAX was selected for conversion to a "GUPPY" (Greater Underwater Propulsion Power) and returned to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard for an extensive overhaul. The ODAX, first of the "GUPPY" submarines, then returned to Key West for an intensive program in the field of research and development. At this time, ODAX was the fastest of U. S. submarines.

From 1952 through 1955, the ship provided services to the Operational Development Force and Fleet Sonar School in Key West and to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. She then participated in Operations "LANTSUBEX ONE" and "EMIGRANT", Fleet Scale Operations designed to investigate the submarine's role in the Navy of the future. During the first three months of 1955, ODAX operated with the Sixth Fleet and Hunter-Killer Group 4 in the Mediterranean Sea.

In the Spring of 1955, ODAX returned to Key West and resumed furnishing services to commands in that area. She then went into overhaul in the Charleston Naval Shipyard, Charleston, South Carolina, where she received new equipment of improved design. She departed the shipyard in December 1956 for operations with the British Fleet. A visit to Ireland highlighted the tour before the ship again set her course for the United States. Subsequent operations included services to the Operational Development Force and Fleet Sonar School, to train submariners in the latest tactics of undersea warfare.

In September 1958, ODAX left for a four month cruise with the U. S. SIXTH FLEET in the Mediterranean. During her deployment, she participated in the NATO exercise "CRESCENT HINGE" and transited the Suez Canal, to take part in Operation "MIDLINK 58" a Baghdad Pact sponsored exercise held in the Arabian Sea.

Another six month overhaul was completed in Charleston Naval Ship- yard in August 1959, and at this time the ship's home port was changed to Charleston, South Carolina. After a Barrier Patrol in early 1960, highlighted by visits to Faslane and Glasgow, Scotland, the ship departed in August 1960 for South America. There ODAX participated in Operation "UNITAS", an exercise conducted in conjunction with naval units of various South American countries. After leaving Charleston, the ship visited Port of Spain, Trinidad, BWI, before transiting the Panama Canal. Once through the canal, ODAX headed south visiting Callao, Peru and Valparaiso, Chile. She then passed through the "Inland Waterway" enroute to Punta Arenas, Chile, in the Straits of Magellan. Steering north, the ODAX visited Montevideo, Uruguay and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil before returning to Charleston in December 1960, to resume local operations.

In March 1961, ODAX participated in "LANTFLEX 61". In this exercise ODAX operated with various surface and air units of the U. S. Atlantic Fleet in coordinated operations and tactical maneuvers. A subsequent exercise, "FISHPLAY VI", provided training with other submarine units in the various aspects of Anti-Submarine Warfare.

In February 1962, ODAX entered Charleston Naval Shipyard for a five month overhaul. Notable improvements completed in the shipyard included the installation of a clamshell type superstructure, streamlining of the conning tower fairwater, and modifications to the ship's electronic installation. Following the overhaul, ODAX conducted training operations in the local Charleston area and also visited Bermuda, BWI, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and Ocho Rios, Jamaica. In the spring of 1964, ODAX made an operational visit to Halifax, Nova Scotia.

In August, 1964, ODAX was once again deployed to South American waters for Operation UNITAS V. This combined operation involved mutual Antisubmarine warfare training with participating South American countries while circumnavigating the continent. Port visits were made in Trinidad, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Panama, Columbia and Venezuela.

ODAX returned to Charleston in December 1964 and in April 1965 commenced overhaul in the Charleston Naval Shipyard. Upon leaving the shipyard in September 1965, ODAX conducted training in the local operating areas and took part in PHIBASWEX 1-65.

In March 1966, ODAX participated in Operation LANDLUBBER, conducted near the island of Bermuda. During this exercise, ODAX operated with submarine, surface, and air units of the US Atlantic Fleet. ODAX then returned to Charleston and operated locally until late July 1966, when she proceeded to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and provided services to the Fleet Training Group for a period of 6 weeks. While in the Carib- bean area, ODAX visited Port Antonio, Jamaica. On returning from Guantanamo Bay, ODAX conducted local operations until November 1966. In November and December of 1966, ODAX participated in the Fleet Exercise, LANTFLEX 2-66.

ODAX entered Charleston Naval Shipyard in December 1966 for interim dry-docking, Upon completion, ODAX operated in the Charleston operation areas and participated in the fleet exercise CLOVEHITCH Ill.

In May 1967, ODAX departed for a Northern European deployment. while in Europe, the ship visited Stavanger, Norway, Cuxhaven, West Germany, Amsterdam, the Netherlands, and Antwerp, Belgium.

Upon her return to Charleston, ODAX was awarded the coveted Battle Efficiency "E" for Fiscal Year 1967. In October and November, ODAX provided services to the Fleet Training Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for a period of 8 weeks. Visits were made to Port Antonio and Montego Bay, Jamaica.

ODAX entered the Charleston Naval Shipyard for overhaul in February 1968 and upon completion in September operated in the Charleston area.

In January 1969 the ODAX participated in Operation SPRINGBOARD, visiting San Juan, P. R. and St. Thomas, VI Upon returning to Charleston, after a visit to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida; the ODAX began preparations for a Mediterranean deployment. March 1969 found the ODAX operating in the Mediterranean Sea making port calls at Rota, Spain; Valetta, Malta; Naples, Italy; Toulon, France and Augusta, Sicily. The ODAX participated in NATO Exercise DAWN PATROL and provided services to Sixth Fleet Carrier Task Force units. Returning in August 1969, the ODAX conducted training operations in the local Charleston areas.

From January to March 1970 the ODAX was again in the Charleston Naval shipyard where she had four new batteries installed. Upon completion of the installation ODAX spent one month in Charleston preparing for deployment to Northern Europe with a US Hunter-Killer ASW Task Force. ODAX departed Charleston in early May for Europe. During this May to October 1970 deployment port visits were made to Lisbon, Portugal; Rota, Spain; Copenhagen, Denmark; Hamburg, Germany; Leith and Holy Lock, Scotland; Cherbourg, France; and Gosport, England. During the five month deployment the ODAX provided numerous services to the Hunter-Killer ASW Task Force and participated in NATO exercises "NIGHT PATROL" and "NORTHERN ,WEDDING."

Upon completion of her Northern European deployment in October 1970, ODAX made a short 2-day stop in Charleston, SC to allow personnel to make vehicle and household goods moving arrangements and the ship then sailed for her reassigned home port of Key West, Florida.

In December 1970, ODAX was officially awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her participation in the ASW operations in Northern Europe. The ship was also awarded her second Battle Efficiency "E" for the 1970 Fiscal Year competition.

During 1971 the ODAX provided extensive services as a sonar target for the Test and Evaluation of the surface ship SQS-26 SONAR system. She also went to New Orleans, LA to participate in "Mardi Gras" activities. In August of that year, after completing SONAR evaluation services, the ship made a six-week deployment to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba for services to US and NATO surface warships undergoing training there. Upon return to Key West in September 1971, the ODAX commenced an extensive upkeep and Interim Dry Docking period which extended through December 1971.

In January 1972, the ODAX underwent an inspection by the Board of Inspection and Survey; the result of

which found that the ship had "No mission limiting deficiencies." This was particularly noteworthy in that the

ODAX at that point was about one year overdue for Regular Overhaul. In February 1972, the ODAX

repeated her performance of the previous year by participating in the "Mardi Gras" activities in New

Orleans, LA.

On 9 March 1972, the ODAX departed Key West for a seven week unsupported deployment to the Eastern Atlantic for participation in NATO Exercise "SOLID OAK." In the course of this deployment the ship made port visits to Lisbon, Portugal and Rota, Spain. Upon her return to the United States on 28 April 1972, the ODAX commenced inactivation and pre-strike procedures. Numerous changes in the disposition status of the ship followed. Inactivation procedures were stopped when Brazil indicated a strong interest in purchasing ODAX for their Navy. A Brazilian crew was sent to Key West to train in ship operations and a transfer date of 30 June was set. However, shortly after the Brazilian crew was certified for operations they were dispatched to New London, CT on short notice to accept delivery of another US submarine. A second Brazilian crew was sent to Key West and finally, after training two complete crews, ODAX was sold to Brazil, decommissioned, transferred and commissioned in the Brazilian Navy as S. RIO de JANEIRO (S-13) in ceremonies at Key West, FL on 8 July 1972.