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Bubblehead1980 · 02-23-22, 02:42 AM

TMO Update BH V.20
Donation Narwhal Mod
100 difficulty
Cams off, Contacts on

WAR PATROL REPORT
USS NAUTILUS SS-168
WAR PATROL FOURTEEN
5 SEPTEMBER-5 OCTOBER 1944

NARRATIVE

5 September

Departed Fremantle, Australia at 0730 for Darwin, Australia to load cargo and passengers for special mission, in company with MINGO SS-261. Orders specified to conduct sighting and fire control drills with MINGO as she transited to Exmouth Gulf to top off prior to going on patrol, where as NAUTILUS would part company and continue on to Darwin.

After clearing the area conducted trim dive, then proceeded maintaining cruising speed of 15.5 knots with MINGO in sight at six nautical miles.

6-7 September

Conducted sighting drills with MINGO throughout night. At 1100 on 6 September, raced ahead of MINGO and and submerged. Conducted torpedo
fire control drill, considered a hit at 1145. Conducted similar drills on 7 September as well.

8 September 0330

MINGO turned to course 088 towards EXMOUTH GULF, signaled us X GOD SPEED X and disappeared into the dark. NAUTILUS continued on to Darwin.

9-11 September

En route Darwin

12 September

1300

Arrived Darwin, began loading cargo and passengers. Unloaded all but six torpedoes (Four MK 14 in bow tubes, two MK 18 on stern tubes). Refueled and provisioned.

13 September

Underway from Darwin at 0700 in according with Secret Operation Order 855-44, special mission to Cebu and Mindanao, Philippines.

14-15 September

En route special mission

16 September

2000 Transited Ambon Strait to avoid having to go west of Buru. Avoided radar equipped patrol vessel at 2051.

17 September

En route special mission

18 September

Near position 3-16 N 122-33 E in Celebes Sea.

0040 APR-1 began detecting radar emissions bearing 073. Lookouts spotted the bow wake of a destroyer bearing 072 5000 yards closing high speed at nearly the same time. A turn away to port was ordered and flank speed raised, with General Quarters called. SJ radar was secured after last sweep, as per procedure sweeps are made every fifteen minutes.

Now on the bridge, I could clearly see a large DD closing. Tubes 5,6, were made ready to fire but before could set a solution, the DD began a zig and opened fire. With shells splashing close, NAUTILUS submerged at 0045, rigged for depth charge, and silent running. A depth of 300 ft was ordered as well.

Pinging was soon heard and a barrage of depth charges followed. At 0055 a close pattern caused heavy damage, most critical of which was flooding in forward torpedo room. Leaks were, quickly stopped, and water in compartment compensated for.

Eventually lost enemy destroyer, remained submerged until 1800, surfaced.
Inspection of boat showed all four bow torpedoes were not operational. Damage Control party was assigned.

19 September

Transited Sibutu Pass West of Tawi Tawi, continued on towards Bohol Sea via Sulu sea

20-21 September

En route to special mission

22 September

0000 Entered Bohol Sea

On evening of 22 approached Libertad, Mindanao and deployed passengers via rubber boat fro 2200-2350.

23 September

0700 Submerged in Bohol Sea. Next special operation schedule for 24 September at Iusian Point, CEBU.

1900 Surfaced

24 September

Throughout day dodged numerous contacts with patrol vessels as approached the narrow area in Cebu Strait.

2130 Surfaced 6 miles off Cebu. Began landing operation at 2200. Deployed rubber boats with cargo and passengers. Embarked eleven evacuees.

25 September

0035 Operation completed. Received message from CTF-72 directing NAUTILUS to proceed to COALARGO BAY, LEYTE to recover friendly intelligence agent. Proceeded North through CEBU STRAIT.

Submerged 0500, dodged a patrol twice through the day. Surfaced at 2000 and at 2040 transited OLANGO CHANNEL, passing into CAMOTES SEA.

26 September

Submerged off BILIRAN and MARIPIP islands. Observed traffic not using BILIRAN STRAIT, as it was likely mined. Traffic used the wider strait between BILIRAN and MARIPIPI islands. Surfaced at 1900 and eased through this strait at 7 knots under cover of darkness, undetected.

Entered in COALARGO BAY, dodging a paddle wheel costal freighter at 2241 and a fishing boat at 2249.

Proceeded to "Spot 1" , arrived on time at 2330, 1500 yards off CABUCGYAN. No security signal was observed and objective was a no show.

27 September

Waited until 0430 when forced to withdraw into deeper waters to submerge for day, with plane to surface and meet at "Spot 2" , then try "Spot 1" again.

Sound of COALARGO BAY revealed max depth of 125 feet. Patrolled at 90 feet for most of the day with periscope observations every thirty minutes.
Numerous fishing boats spotted through the day in addition to a large flying boat flying low, apparently taking off from Leyte area.

1900 Surfaced and proceeded to "Spot 2". Agent failed to show and no security signals were spotted, in spite of waiting until 0430 before withdrawing into bay.

28 September

0500 Submerged in COALARGO BAY.

1850 Surfaced and proceeded to "Spot 1" , agent was again a no show, no security signals observed.

At 2351, SJ contact approaching fast. Contact visually sighted at 2358, identified as ATAMI patrol gunboat.

29 September

Arrived off "Spot 2" , once again, no security signals observed. Two small coastal patrol boats arrived in area. Believing operation compromised, not wanting to get trapped in the shallow waters of the bay, decided to depart area at 0130. Exited the bay area via BLIRANN-MARIPIPI STRAIT 0430.

Planned submerged but overcast and low visibility set in, so remained on surface en route SAN BERNADINO STRAIT to depart for MIOS WOENDI and termination of patrol.

0738 While passing between MASBATE and TAGAPUIN islands, larger shell splashes observed, including one just ten yards to starboard. NAUTILUS, apparently under shore battery fired, . immediately zigged and ordered a dive. No hits were scored, luckily.

1001 Two PC type vessels originating from MASBATE arrived in area and swept for submarines, did not detect NAUTILUS

1900 Surfaced. Approaching SAN BERNADINO STRAIT.

1940 Sighted a fishing trawler, avoided.

1950 APR-1 detected radar emissions ahead, soon two pips rushing towards NAUTILUS. The Trawler, 8000 yards astern began to close at higher rate of speed. Appears we were detected, assistance was radioed for, and were not snared in a trap.

Unable to evade the contacts ahead closing at high speed, turned away but the trawler revealed itself to be armed with a deck gun and searchlight. The searchlight began to sweep our direction at 2001 and the trawler opened fire from 4500 yards. Other contacts astern at 6000 closing fast.

Luckily were in deep waters in approach to narrow pass of the strait and submerged to 300 feet, rigged for silent running and depth charge. Soon what sounded like two DD or DE arrived in area, pinging.

Four successive depth charge attacks pushed NAUTILUS to 355 feet.

30 September

Over next several hours boat was damaged repeatedly but held together under brutal depth charging. Most serious damage was to batteries, leaving at just 30 percent capacity. Sound reported one enemy underway close aboard at 0710. A few pings were heard but no depth charges close to use. Astern of NAUTILUS, some poor fish or marine creature was getting beat up with depth charges.

After hours of no contact, NAUTILUS rose to periscope depth and then SJ radar depth. One pip was astern t just 6000 yards and turned out direction. Back to 350 feet NAUTILUS went and as descended past 260 feet, enemy destroyer roared above and dropped a pattern. Then circled and pinging area before leaving at high speed.

At 1400 , came to periscope depth and then radar depth, no contacts, thankfully, we had escaped. However, battery power was now down to 17 percent and had been under water for over 12 hours. Due to proximity of islands, could not surface until night fall. Eased along, planning to surface at dark, recharge batteries, and transit the strait.

At 1502 while at depth of 150 feet, several large explosions rocked the NAUTILUS, causing damage, mainly leaks in air and water lines. Assuming it was aircraft the spotted us in the clear inner islands waters, submerged to 200 feet. At 1702, at periscope depth, sighted low flying single engine floatplane. One minute later NAUTILUS was bombed again as she passed 100 feet, boat shaken, but no damage. Surfaced after dark and headed for SAN BERNADINO STRAIT. Damaged batteries would not recharge beyond 22 percent.

2300 Ran decks awash to avoid possible lookouts, shore batteries as crossed narrow entrance to the strait between CALINTAAN and CAPUL islands. While in the middle of the narrow, shallow pass, SJ detected four contacts closing from 170. These four pips were a small convoy of one mid sized AK with three PC type escort exiting Capul Pass into the strait heading for ALBAY GULF. NAUTILUS was in no condition to attack, but dispatched a contact report.

1 October

0030 Half way through SAN BERNADINO STRAIT, SJ had two rapidly closing pips bearing 000 24000 yards. blew tanks to fully surfaced, increased speed to flank and avoided what were believed to be our two "friends" (DD's) from the 30th.

0400 Cleared the strait and set course of MIOS WOENDI.

2-5 October

En route to MIOS WOENDI. Batteries restored to just 44 percent capacity. Torpedo Tube No. 1 determined could not be repaired while at sea.

At this time a fuel leak was discovered as our fuel supply dwindled faster than expected but still had enough to make MIOS WOENDI if traveled at 11.5 knots.

5 October

1130 Moored along side tender at MIOS WOENDI. Terminated war patrol.

MARIPIPI ISLAND, PHILIPPINES

USS MINGO SS-261 underway

Smoke of PC near COALARGO BAY

Troops in boat going ashore at Mindanao

Troops on bow of submarine, boarding their rubber boat.

02-23-22, 02:42 AM	#5233
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS NAUTILUS War Patrol FOURTEEN 5 September-5 October 1944. A tale of survival TMO Update BH V.20 Donation Narwhal Mod 100 difficulty Cams off, Contacts on WAR PATROL REPORT USS NAUTILUS SS-168 WAR PATROL FOURTEEN 5 SEPTEMBER-5 OCTOBER 1944 NARRATIVE 5 September Departed Fremantle, Australia at 0730 for Darwin, Australia to load cargo and passengers for special mission, in company with MINGO SS-261. Orders specified to conduct sighting and fire control drills with MINGO as she transited to Exmouth Gulf to top off prior to going on patrol, where as NAUTILUS would part company and continue on to Darwin. After clearing the area conducted trim dive, then proceeded maintaining cruising speed of 15.5 knots with MINGO in sight at six nautical miles. 6-7 September Conducted sighting drills with MINGO throughout night. At 1100 on 6 September, raced ahead of MINGO and and submerged. Conducted torpedo fire control drill, considered a hit at 1145. Conducted similar drills on 7 September as well. 8 September 0330 MINGO turned to course 088 towards EXMOUTH GULF, signaled us X GOD SPEED X and disappeared into the dark. NAUTILUS continued on to Darwin. 9-11 September En route Darwin 12 September 1300 Arrived Darwin, began loading cargo and passengers. Unloaded all but six torpedoes (Four MK 14 in bow tubes, two MK 18 on stern tubes). Refueled and provisioned. 13 September Underway from Darwin at 0700 in according with Secret Operation Order 855-44, special mission to Cebu and Mindanao, Philippines. 14-15 September En route special mission 16 September 2000 Transited Ambon Strait to avoid having to go west of Buru. Avoided radar equipped patrol vessel at 2051. 17 September En route special mission 18 September Near position 3-16 N 122-33 E in Celebes Sea. 0040 APR-1 began detecting radar emissions bearing 073. Lookouts spotted the bow wake of a destroyer bearing 072 5000 yards closing high speed at nearly the same time. A turn away to port was ordered and flank speed raised, with General Quarters called. SJ radar was secured after last sweep, as per procedure sweeps are made every fifteen minutes. Now on the bridge, I could clearly see a large DD closing. Tubes 5,6, were made ready to fire but before could set a solution, the DD began a zig and opened fire. With shells splashing close, NAUTILUS submerged at 0045, rigged for depth charge, and silent running. A depth of 300 ft was ordered as well. Pinging was soon heard and a barrage of depth charges followed. At 0055 a close pattern caused heavy damage, most critical of which was flooding in forward torpedo room. Leaks were, quickly stopped, and water in compartment compensated for. Eventually lost enemy destroyer, remained submerged until 1800, surfaced. Inspection of boat showed all four bow torpedoes were not operational. Damage Control party was assigned. 19 September Transited Sibutu Pass West of Tawi Tawi, continued on towards Bohol Sea via Sulu sea 20-21 September En route to special mission 22 September 0000 Entered Bohol Sea On evening of 22 approached Libertad, Mindanao and deployed passengers via rubber boat fro 2200-2350. 23 September 0700 Submerged in Bohol Sea. Next special operation schedule for 24 September at Iusian Point, CEBU. 1900 Surfaced 24 September Throughout day dodged numerous contacts with patrol vessels as approached the narrow area in Cebu Strait. 2130 Surfaced 6 miles off Cebu. Began landing operation at 2200. Deployed rubber boats with cargo and passengers. Embarked eleven evacuees. 25 September 0035 Operation completed. Received message from CTF-72 directing NAUTILUS to proceed to COALARGO BAY, LEYTE to recover friendly intelligence agent. Proceeded North through CEBU STRAIT. Submerged 0500, dodged a patrol twice through the day. Surfaced at 2000 and at 2040 transited OLANGO CHANNEL, passing into CAMOTES SEA. 26 September Submerged off BILIRAN and MARIPIP islands. Observed traffic not using BILIRAN STRAIT, as it was likely mined. Traffic used the wider strait between BILIRAN and MARIPIPI islands. Surfaced at 1900 and eased through this strait at 7 knots under cover of darkness, undetected. Entered in COALARGO BAY, dodging a paddle wheel costal freighter at 2241 and a fishing boat at 2249. Proceeded to "Spot 1" , arrived on time at 2330, 1500 yards off CABUCGYAN. No security signal was observed and objective was a no show. 27 September Waited until 0430 when forced to withdraw into deeper waters to submerge for day, with plane to surface and meet at "Spot 2" , then try "Spot 1" again. Sound of COALARGO BAY revealed max depth of 125 feet. Patrolled at 90 feet for most of the day with periscope observations every thirty minutes. Numerous fishing boats spotted through the day in addition to a large flying boat flying low, apparently taking off from Leyte area. 1900 Surfaced and proceeded to "Spot 2". Agent failed to show and no security signals were spotted, in spite of waiting until 0430 before withdrawing into bay. 28 September 0500 Submerged in COALARGO BAY. 1850 Surfaced and proceeded to "Spot 1" , agent was again a no show, no security signals observed. At 2351, SJ contact approaching fast. Contact visually sighted at 2358, identified as ATAMI patrol gunboat. 29 September Arrived off "Spot 2" , once again, no security signals observed. Two small coastal patrol boats arrived in area. Believing operation compromised, not wanting to get trapped in the shallow waters of the bay, decided to depart area at 0130. Exited the bay area via BLIRANN-MARIPIPI STRAIT 0430. Planned submerged but overcast and low visibility set in, so remained on surface en route SAN BERNADINO STRAIT to depart for MIOS WOENDI and termination of patrol. 0738 While passing between MASBATE and TAGAPUIN islands, larger shell splashes observed, including one just ten yards to starboard. NAUTILUS, apparently under shore battery fired, . immediately zigged and ordered a dive. No hits were scored, luckily. 1001 Two PC type vessels originating from MASBATE arrived in area and swept for submarines, did not detect NAUTILUS 1900 Surfaced. Approaching SAN BERNADINO STRAIT. 1940 Sighted a fishing trawler, avoided. 1950 APR-1 detected radar emissions ahead, soon two pips rushing towards NAUTILUS. The Trawler, 8000 yards astern began to close at higher rate of speed. Appears we were detected, assistance was radioed for, and were not snared in a trap. Unable to evade the contacts ahead closing at high speed, turned away but the trawler revealed itself to be armed with a deck gun and searchlight. The searchlight began to sweep our direction at 2001 and the trawler opened fire from 4500 yards. Other contacts astern at 6000 closing fast. Luckily were in deep waters in approach to narrow pass of the strait and submerged to 300 feet, rigged for silent running and depth charge. Soon what sounded like two DD or DE arrived in area, pinging. Four successive depth charge attacks pushed NAUTILUS to 355 feet. 30 September Over next several hours boat was damaged repeatedly but held together under brutal depth charging. Most serious damage was to batteries, leaving at just 30 percent capacity. Sound reported one enemy underway close aboard at 0710. A few pings were heard but no depth charges close to use. Astern of NAUTILUS, some poor fish or marine creature was getting beat up with depth charges. After hours of no contact, NAUTILUS rose to periscope depth and then SJ radar depth. One pip was astern t just 6000 yards and turned out direction. Back to 350 feet NAUTILUS went and as descended past 260 feet, enemy destroyer roared above and dropped a pattern. Then circled and pinging area before leaving at high speed. At 1400 , came to periscope depth and then radar depth, no contacts, thankfully, we had escaped. However, battery power was now down to 17 percent and had been under water for over 12 hours. Due to proximity of islands, could not surface until night fall. Eased along, planning to surface at dark, recharge batteries, and transit the strait. At 1502 while at depth of 150 feet, several large explosions rocked the NAUTILUS, causing damage, mainly leaks in air and water lines. Assuming it was aircraft the spotted us in the clear inner islands waters, submerged to 200 feet. At 1702, at periscope depth, sighted low flying single engine floatplane. One minute later NAUTILUS was bombed again as she passed 100 feet, boat shaken, but no damage. Surfaced after dark and headed for SAN BERNADINO STRAIT. Damaged batteries would not recharge beyond 22 percent. 2300 Ran decks awash to avoid possible lookouts, shore batteries as crossed narrow entrance to the strait between CALINTAAN and CAPUL islands. While in the middle of the narrow, shallow pass, SJ detected four contacts closing from 170. These four pips were a small convoy of one mid sized AK with three PC type escort exiting Capul Pass into the strait heading for ALBAY GULF. NAUTILUS was in no condition to attack, but dispatched a contact report. 1 October 0030 Half way through SAN BERNADINO STRAIT, SJ had two rapidly closing pips bearing 000 24000 yards. blew tanks to fully surfaced, increased speed to flank and avoided what were believed to be our two "friends" (DD's) from the 30th. 0400 Cleared the strait and set course of MIOS WOENDI. 2-5 October En route to MIOS WOENDI. Batteries restored to just 44 percent capacity. Torpedo Tube No. 1 determined could not be repaired while at sea. At this time a fuel leak was discovered as our fuel supply dwindled faster than expected but still had enough to make MIOS WOENDI if traveled at 11.5 knots. 5 October 1130 Moored along side tender at MIOS WOENDI. Terminated war patrol. MARIPIPI ISLAND, PHILIPPINES USS MINGO SS-261 underway Smoke of PC near COALARGO BAY Troops in boat going ashore at Mindanao Troops on bow of submarine, boarding their rubber boat. Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 02-23-22 at 02:54 AM.