High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Kingfish (SS-234), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the kingfish, a fish found along the Atlantic coast of the United States. Kingfish (SS-234) was laid down on 29 August 1941 by Portsmouth Navy Yard. She was launched 2 March 1942 (sponsored by Mrs. Harry A. Stuart, wife of Rear Admiral Stuart), and commissioned 20 May 1942, with Lieutenant Commander Vernon L.