USS Argonaut

Two submarines of the United States Navy have borne the name USS Argonaut, after a relative of the octopus -- sometimes called the paper nautilus -- which propels itself underwater by expelling a jet of water. The name Argonaut may also have been inspired by the submarine of that name built in 1897 by Simon Lake that was the first submarine to navigate extensively in the open sea. Of course, the name is ultimately derived from the band of heroes in Greek legend who sailed with Jason in the ship Argo to retrieve the Golden Fleece.

The first USS Argonaut (SM-1, SF-7, APS-1, SS-166) was lost during World War II.

The second USS Argonaut (SS-475), a Tench-class submarine, served during World War II and was sold to Canada.