Here's the the biggest and the best USN diesel submarine not another sub was ever designed or finished this big after she was launched in 1956.
USS Salmon SS-573(Sailfish class of two built as SSR)
She was my first boat when I was 19 for two years back in 64 and 65
The way the story goes the USS Sailfish SS-572 was 350' long, but the USS Salmon measured out at 350' plus 6" to be the biggest of the two.
USS Sailfish SS-572
Of course the best came in 65 when Admiral Nitmiz himself awarded us the crew and officers and men of the USS Salmon the 5th Gold E award for battle efficency.
It all boils down to what Japan could've done, but wasn't able to do ... due to supply restrictions, bad commands, indesive behavior, etc.
I never had any doubt in my mind that we would have done our job well if there had of been a war to fight.
The mid sixties in the USN was exciting, because we didn't know where we were going. We just knew we had to get there.