http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Irex_(SS-482)
An irex is a fish; I’d never heard of it. I assume a “spinax” is also a fish.
The IRex was originally a Fleet boat like you see on TV. After examining the last German design’s from the end of the way it was the first US sub to be outfitted with the ‘Sail” type conning tower.
When there were off Cuba the sub was sinking by the stern. Electricity went off battery problems, they went down to 800 ft + somehow they were able to blow out the ballast tanks and made it back to the surface. They were in the Panama canal going to the Pacific when the war ended.