High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! USS Tullibee (SS-284), a Gato-class submarine, was the first ship of the United States Navy to be named for the tullibee, a whitefish of central and northern North America. Her keel was laid down on April 1, 1942 at Mare Island, California, by the Mare Island Navy Yard. She was launched on November 11, 1942 sponsored by Mrs. Kenneth C. Hurd; and commissioned on February 15, 1943, Commander Charles F. Brindupke in command.