USS Barbel ( SS - 580 ) USS " Barbel " ( SS - 580 ) was the lead ship of her class of submarine s in the United States Navy . She was the second Navy ship named for the barbel , a cyprinoid fish , commonly called a minnow or carp . The contract to build " Barbel " was awarded to Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery , Maine on 24 August 1955 and her keel was laid down on 18 May 1956 . She was launched on 19 July 1958 sponsored by Mrs . Bernard L . Austin , and commissioned on 17 January 1959 , with Lieutenant Commander Ord Kimzey , Jr . , in command . 1950s and 1960s . " Barbel " - class submarines were originally designed and built with bow planes . Around 1960 , the " Barbel " had been operating off the coast of the Eastern U . S . while participating in training exercise SLAMEX . Following her first dive of the day to test depth ( 700 feet ) , she ruptured a 5 " line used for cooling equipment which circulated sea water throughout the boat at ambient pressure . An emergency blow was performed and on reaching the surface it was found that she had taken on of water in the engine room . She entered Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and underwent major repairs of all her piping over 2 " . At that time , her bow planes were also converted to fairwater planes . In 1966 " Barbel " accidentally rammed and sank North Vietnam ' s largest freighter while trying to determine what type of war - related cargo it was carrying . Although damaged , " Barbel " was able to remain submerged and return to port for repairs . During the 1950s and 1960s , the early classes of nuclear submarines suffered propulsion plant reliability problems , and occasionally were unable to complete their assigned missions . In 1969 , while deployed in WESPAC , " Barbel " was assigned to fill in on a " special mission " for such a nuclear submarine . It was noted by the control room watch standers at that time that there should be some sort of recognition badge , similar to the recently authorized " Polaris Patrol Pin " , for diesel boats required to fill in for a broken down nuclear submarine . A contest was held to design the badge . ETR3 ( SS ) Leon Figurido ' s winning design was a broadside view of a guppy submarine with SS superimposed on the North Atlantic sail . There were two bare - breasted mermaids facing towards the sail with arms outstretched . Completing the design was a wreath under the boat , with holes for stars , and centered on the wreath were the letters " DBF " standing for " Diesel Boats Forever " . And so was born the DBF pin . 1970s and 1980s . In 1973 " Barbel " ' s weapons gang set a SUBPAC record for successfully shooting 118 torpedoes that year . This included successful salvo firing two Mark 16 - 8 exercise torpedoes , and a successful MK 16 - 8 warshot operational test . In addition the boat performed a zero error Mark 45 torpedo Technical Standardization Inspection conducted by DoD , a Navy Technical Proficiency Inspection , and the torpedomen identified the source of the MK 45 torpedo " flex hose eater problem . " For this record , " Barbel " was awarded the 1973 Battle Efficiency " E " . " Barbel " record for firing torpedoes was around 1978 . She also succeeded in sinking the aircraft carrier during Exercise RIMPAC during that same period . From 19 January 1981 to 22 January , " Barbel " and ( SSG - 574 ) participated in ASWEX 81 - 3U off the coast of the Philippines , an exercise in shallow water ASW . The submarines opposed the transit of the oiler USNS " Navasota " ( T - AO - 106 ) , which was escorted by the destroyer s ( CTF 75 embarked ) and , and frigate s , , , and through the narrow straits . On 1 May 1989 , while operating off Kyūshū , Japan , three submariners were washed overboard by heavy waves . One sailor was rescued ; two drowned . Another report of this event is that Barbel lost control due to heavy seas and insufficient positive buoyancy resulting in unexpectedly submerging with the control room hatch open ; OOD was lost at sea and two others recovered . Due to extensive damage from flooding , decision was made to decommission . Fate . " Barbel " was decommissioned on 4 December 1989 , and stricken from the Naval Vessel Register on 17 January 1990 . The Navy sold " Barbel " to a scrapper who began the process of scrapping her . After the sail , superstructure and induction piping were removed , the scrapper discovered the boat ' s interior was filled with painted - over asbestos insulation . Scrapping ceased at that time while the scrapper decided what to do with " Barbel " . In the mid - 1990s ( ? ) " Barbel " had her sail and superstructure reconstructed out of plywood for a brief role in the movie " Crimson Tide " . Her only scene was departure for patrol . After eight years ( ? ) " Barbel " returned to Navy ownership . She was towed from the berth in San Pedro , California and on 30 January 2001 she was sunk as a target off the California coast in 1 , 972 fathoms ( 3 , 606 m ) .