Fall River in Bristol County, Massachusetts — The American Northeast (New England)
USS Lionfish
![USS Lionfish Marker [Front plaque] image. Click for full size.](Photos9/978/Photo978611.jpg?105202683900PM "USS Lionfish Marker [Front plaque]. Click for full size.")
Length: 311 feet
A football field is 360 feet.
Displacement: 2,400 tons (Fully submerged)
Maximum Speed: 20.25 knots while surfaced (about 23 mph); 8.75 knots while submerged (about 10 mph)
How many men?
70 enlisted men, 10 officers
Weapons:
(10) 21-inch torpedo tubes
(24) Torpedoes
5-inch/25 caliber deck gun
Bofors 40mm gun
Oerlikon 20mm gun
A new USS Massachusetts
The newest vessel to share the name USS Massachusetts is fast-attack submarine SSN 798. It is armed with both torpedoes and Tomahawk cruise missiles. Powered by a nuclear reactor, it will never have to refuel during its entire life of service.
"The USS Lionfish will carry the sting of her namesake…into the tropical Pacific." -Commssioning party program, October 1944
SS 298
1944-1953
Powerful above and below water
In keeping with US military tradition, WWII submarines were named after species of fish. Heralding the name one of the most dangerous fish in the world's oceans is the USS Lionfish.
At any moment on a submarine, the dive alarm could sound and the crew had seconds to seal the hatches and prepare to submerge deep
this page online
During WWII and even now, service on a submarine is voluntary. Sailors have to pass a variety of tests to earn their "dolphins" insignia, showing that they are qualified to serve on their particular submarine. In WWII, sailors paid a high price for this accomplishment. They saw the highest percentage casualty rate of any branch of the service, almsot 23%. 52 submarines were lost during WWII, a total of over 3,500 men.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical month for this entry is October 1944.
Location. 41° 42.354′ N, 71° 9.801′ W. Marker is in Fall River, Massachusetts, in Bristol County. It can be reached from Water Street west of Davol Street, on the right when
![USS Lionfish Marker [Rear plaque] image. Click for full size.](Photos9/978/Photo978613.jpg?105202684000PM "USS Lionfish Marker [Rear plaque]. Click for full size.")
Regionally, this marker is in the South Coast. It is also in the American Northeast, in New England, and on the Eastern Seaboard. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. (here, next to this marker); USS Massachusetts (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome Aboard! (within shouting distance of this marker); 16-Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Oerlikon 20mm (within shouting distance of this marker); Pearl Harbor Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II (within shouting distance of this marker); Topside (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fall River.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 6, 2026. It was originally submitted on October 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 5, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
