[Bubblehead1980]

USS SEAL SS 183
WAR PATROL REPORT
WAR PATROL TEN
7 November- 28 December 1943




A. PROLOGUE


Returned from NINTH War Patrol to Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 9 October 1943. Underwent standard refit and repair
, with Stern tube #7 replaced with new one due to damage suffered during depth charge attack on previous patrol. Loaded
twenty two of MK 14 3-A torpedoes, fitting with the new firing pins on 4-6 November. Ready for sea 7 November, 1943.



B. NARRATIVE


7 November


1335 Departed Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. for patrol area DUNKERS DERP via Midway.

1530 Trim Dive

1600 Surfaced.



8-10 November

En route Midway. Conducted daily gunnery, dive, emergency, and torpedo fire control drills.


11 November


0935 Docked at submarine tender, Midway Island.


1300 Departed Midway for patrol area DUNKERS DERP, with orders to approach
Bonin and Volcano Islands from the North, making a "sweep" through area prior to arriving
at DUNKERS DERP.


12-13 November

En route patrol area.

14 November


0935 (AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.1) SD contact. Maintained steady range at 14 NM.

0948 Lost SD contact contact.


15-16 November

En route patrol area.


17 November

1019 (AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.2) SD contact. 10 NM steady range.

1025 Lost SD contact.

1148 (AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.3) SD contact at ten miles, closing fast. Submerged to avoid.

1531 Surfaced.


18 November

En route patrol area.


19 November

0900 North of Bonin Islands



20 November


0930 Passed area between Bonin and Volcano Islands


21 November

0000 Entered patrol area DUNKERS DERP.


22-28 November

Patrol in area, no contacts.


29 November


1501 (AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.4) SD contact, range steady at 14 NM.


1510 Lost SD contact.


30 November


Patrol in area, no contacts.


1 December

1917 SJ Contact (SHIP CONTACT NO.1) 18,228 yards bearing 359. Inceased flank speed, course
310 to intercept.

1919 General Quarters-Torpedo.

1921 Two DD Course 157 21 knots. Closed for attack.

1925 As SEAL was preparing to submerged for attack, sound of enemy shell roared over the bridge, landing about 50-75 feet astern
with a large splash. Ordered dive to 250 ft, rigged for depth charge and silent running.

Thermal layer 180 ft at23-17N 146-40E

1935 Pinging heard.


1937 Depth Charge Attack #1 (begin) One DC explosion astern.

2015 Damage Reported. (SEE MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE SECTION)


2049 Explosions close above, boat shaken. Depth 364 ft. Believe likely bombe from aircraft, as neither
DD was close or abov SEAL.


2 December


0201 After twenty minutes of quiet, enemy suddenly began pinging SEAL again, making repeated attacks runs.


0544 Lost sound contact with enemy. Secured General Quarters. Ten hours and seven minutes after depth charge attack began.

0810 SJ contacts bearing 172 9500 yards, stationary. Likely DD listening for SEAL.

0812 Surfaced.


3-4 December

Conducted repairs and patrolled area.


5 December

0300 Received Contact Report of northbound convoy passing through patrol area afternoon 5 December. Set course
to make contact

1401 SJ Contact (SHIP CONTACT NO.2) bearing 345 18200 yards.


1404 Smoke Sighted. Genera Quarters-torpedo.

1446 Targets are two LST type ships leading a larger landing ship identified as SHINSHU MARU. Two DE type escort
ahead and astern.

1510 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1) Fired Tubes 1,2,3,4.

1511 Three of four torpedoes hit target.

1513:45 SHINSHU MARU Landing Craft Transport 7100 tons sunk bow first at 24-07N 143-06E.

1513:55 DE closing, rigged for silent running and depth charge, went to 250 ft.

1515 Depth Charge Attack #2 began.

1905 End Depth Charge Attack #2. Many charges dropped in area, only a few close. Choppy seas and thermal layer
aided in preventing enemy from gaining a solid contact on SEAL.

2330 Periscope depth, enemy escort remains in area 4500 yards astern, returned to 250 ft.


6 December

0100 Surfaced.

1222 (SHIP CONTACT NO.3) SJ contact bearing 018 18,330 yards.

1224 Smoke Sighted bearing 025. Convoy on course 300. Moving ahead for for attack position.

1245 Lost SJ contact. Convoy zigged to NE.

1324 Regained SJ contact bearing 050 16,250 yards.

1806 Convoy zigged towards SEAL. General Quarters-Torpedo.

1813 Submerged for attack.

1859 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.2) Fired tubes 5,6,7,8.

1900 Impacted large AO. Vessel erupted in "tanker fashion" in massive fireball and explosion,
after second torpedo hit. AO's back was broken, keel split amidships. AO AKATSUKI MARU 10,216 tons sunk.

1903 Depth Charge Attack #3 began. No close explosions. Heavy seas helped conceal SEAL.


2230 Lost contact with enemy.

2345 Surfaced.


7 December

1200 Unable to regain contact with convoy, resumed patrol.


8-11 December

Patrol, no contacts.


12 December


1830 (AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.6) SD contact 8 NM. Submerged to avoid.

2020 Surfaced.


13-15 December

Patrol, no contacts.


16 December


0402 (SHIP CONTACT NO.4) SJ contact bearing 323 18,255 yards.Turned course to intercept contact.


0413 General Quarters-Torpedo-Surface.

0422 Contact is large convoy on course 112 8 kts.

0453 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3) Fired tubes 1,2 at large AP, 3,4 at mid sized AK.

0455:10 Torpedoes impacted target #1. Large fires

0455:15 Torpedoes impacted target #2, resulting in large explosion one minutes after impact.

0456 SEAL turned away from convoy, under heavy fire from large AK astern of sinkings. Escorts closing fast.

0457 AK AKAMA MARU 5600 tons (Target#2) sunk at 24-35N 146-23E

0501 AP NIKKIN MARU 5587 tons (Target#1) sunk at 24-35N 146-23E

0530 Secured Genera Quarters. On course for end around and follow up attack at dawn.

0940 General Quarters-Torpedo

1000 Convoy zigged to SE.

1002 Submerged for attack.

1049 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4) Fired tubes 5,6,

1050 Torpedo (Tube#7) hit mid sized AK in bow. Others passed en route to target.

1051 Three torpedo hits in ARISAN MARU.Large fire visible.

1053 Both targets observed down by the bow, sinking. Escorts closing, pinging.

Ordered 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1054 After ordering depth, for unknown reasons, SEAL broached and surfaced to depth of 28 feet before
she was caught. SEAL came under heavy fire from merchants and closing escorts, but no rounds hit.



1055 After seconds that seemed like hours, SEAL was submerged again and on way to 250 feet,
rigged for silent running and depth charge.


1058 Depth Charge Attack #3

A very close depth charge explosion at 1058:24 caused heavy damage in control room and conning tower.
(SEE MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE SECTION)

1059 Busting piping, lines, and leaking hatch, heavy flooding in control room. Minor flooding in conning tower.

1102 Depth control difficult without excessive speed. Trip pump damaged as well. Unable to hold 250 ft depth
SEAL began to "bounce" between 260 and 285 ft.

1122 Leaks stopped in control room, flooding under control. Roughly three foot of water reported, pumps engaged.

1143 Escorts suddenly broke off the depth charge attack, perhaps convinced they had destroyed SEAL.

1144 Fight to pump water, maintain depth continued.

1155 One escort departed area to rejoin convoy at high speed, other remained in area hunting, but did not contact
SEAL.

1400 Water pumped from conning tower and trim pump repaired, depth control restored overall.

1410 Enemy escort estimated 7000 yards astern.

1612 At periscope depth, discovered that neither No. 1 nor No.2 periscopes are operational. Returned to 200 ft depth
until night fall.

2055 Surfaced. Continued on last known course of convoy for follow up night surface attack.

17 December


0030 Engineering Officer informed inspection of boat reveals damage more serious than initially thought.
(SEE MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE) Most serious of which, hull damage in area of control room and conning tower. In addition, both periscopes
were not operational and would take at least twenty four hours each to repair. Torpedo Tubes #1, #3, and #4 were all revealed to be
heavily damaged and not operational. Furthermore, a persistent leak of the main fuel oil tank, first damaged in Depth Charge Attack No.1,
which cost SEAL around estimated ten percent of her fuel oil, was reopened in last attack.

Considering the totality of this damage, decided to terminate war patrol and head for Pearl Harbor via Midway.

18-23 December

En route Midway


24 December

1400 Docked Miday, topped off fuel.

1800 Departed Midway.

25-27 December

En route Pearl Harbor.


28 December

0945 Docked Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, T.H., terminated War Patrol.


C. WEATHER


Weather during transit to and from ranged from ideal yachting weather, with a few scattered squalls.
Weather in the patrol area was overall satisfactory, but a few days of heavy seas and rough squalls.


D. TIDAL INFORMATION

Tides were normal for the area.


E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDES

Distant lights near Haha Jima and Chichi Jima were observed, providing navigational assitance.


F. CONTACTS

Aircraft Contacts

(MILES)
No. DATE TIME LAT. LONG. RNG BRG CRS SPD ALT TYPE HOW REMARK
1. 11/14 0935 28-4N 168-7E 16 -- -- -- -- -- SD 580 NM NE of Wake Island
2. 11/17 1019 28-13N 152-36E 11 -- -- -- -- -- SD 270 NM NNW of Marcus Island
3. 11/17 1148 28-13N 152-17E 10 -- -- -- -- -- SD 277 NM NNW of Marcus Island
4. 11/29 1501 25-4N 146-19E 14 SD SD only.Range steady.
5. 12/2 1420 22-10N 146-20E 13 -- -- -- -- -- SD SD only
6. 12/12 1830 22-42N 143-12E 8 -- -- -- -- -- SD SD only
7. 12/17 1213 24-17N 149-40E 9 -- -- -- -- -- SD SD only
8. 12/18 1057 23-26N 152-49E 11 -- -- -- -- -- SD SD only. 80 NM W of Marcus Island.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ship Contacts

(YARDS)
No. DATE TIME LAT. LONG BRG RNG CRS SPD TYPE HOW REMARK
1. 12/1 1917 23-16N 146-42E 359 18,228 157 13 DD,DD SJ-Vis. Depth Charge Attack No.1
2. 12/5 1401 24-02N 143-0E 345 18,200 002 13 LCT,DD, SJ-Vis. Torpedo Attack No.1
LST,LST,PB
3. 12/6 1222 24-41N 144-23E 018 18,330 300 9 AK,AO,SC SJ-Vis. Torpedo Attack No.2

4. 12/16 0402 24-40N 146-27E 323 18,255 112 8 AK,AP SJ-Vis. Torpedo Attack No.3
SC,PB


G. ATTACK DATA




USS SEAL SS-1843 Torpedo Attack No. 1 War Patrol TEN
Date 5 December 1943 Time 1509 Lat.24-8N Long.143-6E



Description

One PD (Ex-Wakatake Class DD) and a Kamikaze DD escorting two LST type vessels and a large
landing craft transport vessel in single column.


Type Attack

Submerged-Periscope-Day in choppy seas.

Ships Sunk
SHINSU MARU Landing craft transport 7100 tons
24-07N 143-06E

Ships Damaged
None

Ships Probably Sunk
None

Torpedo Attack No.1 Target Data (at firing)

Target#1
SHINSHU MARU Landing Craft Transport Vessel
Course 002
Speed 13 kts
Bearing 009
True Bearing 104
Range 1400 yards
AOB 81 P
Remark
Multiple landing craft visible forward and aft on deck.



Torpedo Attack No.1 Torpedo Fire Control Data

Tube #1
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.102046
Exploder MK 6-5
Serial No.882349
Gyro 351 L
Track 98 P
Course 087
Interval 5 seconds
Method Single Bearing TDC
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit Yes
POI MOT
Erratic No
Remark
---

Tube #2
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.102344
Exploder MK 6-5
Serial No.892131
Gyro 351 L
Track 98 P
Course 087
Interval 5 seconds
Method Single Bearing TDC
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit Yes
POI Bow-Mast
Erratic No
Remark
---



Tube #3
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.112144
Exploder MK 6-5
Serial No.792037
Gyro 351 L
Track 98 P
Course 087
Interval 5 seconds
Method Single Bearing TDC
POA Fore Mast
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit No
POI Bow-Mast
Erratic No
Remark
Missed just forward of bow, target slowed.


Tube #4
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.107383
Exploder MK 6-5
Serial No.702433
Gyro 351 L
Track 98 P
Course 087
Interval 5 seconds
Method Single Bearing TDC
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit Yes
POI Forward-Amidships.
Erratic No
Remark
Hit seemed to be "the ticket", as vessel quickly began to sink by bow after torpedo impact.



Own Ship Data (at firing)

Depth 64 ft
Course 095
Speed 2.5 kts
Angle 2-Down
Seas Choppy-Moderate.


---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



USS SEAL SS-183 Torpedo Attack No. 2 War Patrol TEN
Date 6 December 1943 Time 1859 Lat.25-34N Long.144-29E



Description

Large convoy of AK, AO, three escorts.



Type Attack

Submerged-Day-Periscope in rough seas.


Ships Sunk
AKATSUKI MARU 10304 tons
25-33N 144-30E

Verified by

Observed four torpedoes hit, massive explosion of loaded tanker. Observed vessel split in two amidships, sinking.

Ships Damaged
None

Ships Probably Sunk
None

Torpedo Attack No.2 Target Data (at firing)

Target#1
AO AKATSUKI MARU 10304 tons
Course 328
Speed 10 kts
Bearing 195
True Bearing 095
Range 2100 yards
AOB 55 P
Remark



Torpedo Attack No.2 Torpedo Fire Control Data

Tube #5
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 988312
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No. 633823
Gyro 05 L
Track 115 P
Course 265
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 8ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark



Tube #6
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 913314
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No. 602821
Gyro 05 L
Track 115 P
Course 265
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 8 ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark



Tube #7
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 884591
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No. 133420
Gyro 05 L
Track 115 P
Course 265
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 8 ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark



Tube #8
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 1123121
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.568823
Gyro 05 L
Track 115 P
Course 265
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 8 ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark

Own Ship Data (at firing)

Depth 59 ft
Course 259
Speed 2.5 kts
Angle 2-down
Seas Heavy



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



USS SEAL SS-183 Torpedo Attack No. 3 War Patrol TEN
Date 16 December 1943 Time 0049 Lat.24-35N Long.146-23E



Description

Large Southbound convoy. Seven AK two escorts.


Type Attack
Night Surface-Torpedo


Ships Sunk

AP NIKKIN MARU 5688 tons

AK AKAMA MARU 5600 tons



Verified by
Observed both vessels hit by two torpedoes each and sink.


Ships Damaged
None

Ships Probably Sunk
None

Torpedo Attack No.3 Target Data (at firing)

Target#1
AP NIKKIN MARU 5587 tonbs
Course 112
Speed 8 kts
Bearing 24
True Bearing 217
Range 2550 yards
AOB 76 P
Remark


Target#2
AK AKAMA MARU 5600 tons
Course 112
Speed 8 kts
Bearing 358
True Bearing 191
Range 2000
AOB 104 P
Remark


Torpedo Attack No.3 Torpedo Fire Control Data

(Target #1)

Tube #1
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 234456
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.536781
Gyro 15 L
Track 85 P
Course 208
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----

Tube #2
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 133451
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.736387
Gyro 15 L
Track 85 P
Course 208
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----
----------------------------------------------------
Target#2

Tube #3
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.539923
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.571341
Gyro 347 L
Track 104 P
Course 180
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----

Tube #4
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.531223
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.501339
Gyro 347 L
Track 104 P
Course 180
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10 ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----

Own Ship Data (at firing)


Own Ship Data (at firing)

Depth Surfaced
Course 200
Speed 3 kts
Angle 0-down
Seas Calm

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------



USS SEAL SS-183 Torpedo Attack No. 4 War Patrol TEN
Date 16 December 1943 Time 1048 Lat.24-37N Long.146-23E



Description

Sane as Attack No.3 , minus one AK, one AP.


Type Attack

Submerged-Day-Periscope


Ships Sunk

AK ARISAN MARU 6686 tons
24-21N 146-54E

AK MOMOYAMA MARU 4037 tons
24-41N 146-54E

Verified by

Observed torpedoes hit targets, both sinking by the bow.

Ships Damaged
None

Ships Probably Sunk
None

Torpedo Attack No.4 Target Data (at firing)

Target#1

AK ARISAN MARU 6686 tons
Course 112
Speed 8 kts
Bearing 165
True Bearing 11
Range 2126 yards
AOB 82 S
Remark
---


Torpedo Attack No.4 Torpedo Fire Control Data

(Target #1)

Tube # 5
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.554691
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No. 912349
Gyro 354 R
Track 88 S
Course 200
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----



Tube # 6
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No. 745481
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No. 659843
Gyro 354 R
Track 88 S
Course 200
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----


Tube # 7
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.639129
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.88341
Gyro 354 R
Track 88 S
Course 200
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
Torpedo hit bow of another AK which increased speed to take lead of column.



Tube # 8
Type MK 14 3-A
Serial No.310504
Exploder MK MK 6-5
Serial No.120041
Gyro 354 R
Track 88 S
Course 200
Method Single bearing-TDC
Interval 5 secs
POA MOT
Spread 0
Power High
Depth 10ft
Hit Yes
Erratic No
Remark
----

Own Ship Data (at firing)

Depth 63 ft
Course 201
Speed 2 kts
Angle 1-down
Seas Calm



H. ANTI-SUBMARINE COUNTERMEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS

Enemy ASW measures on this patrol proved effective as caused serious damage to SEAL, but did not prevent the sinking
of six valuable ships.

The Japanese's propensity for ending attacks on submarines too soon benefitted SEAL on this occasion, for it is possible
had the attack continued, SEAL would have been lost. The working theory is the noises made by the damage boat, along with oil and gas leaking to surface convinced
the enemy SEAL had in fact been sunk.

Air and Surface patrols were encountered in area with air patrols encountered near Marcus Island during transit to and from area. Curiously, no aircraft from
Wake Island were encountered.


Evasion was conducted as standard by silent running, depth, course, and speed variations, with speed bursts when enemy passes above or near to drop
depth charges.


I. MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

SEAL suffered serious damage from depth charges ont his patrol. All damage repaired at sea unless otherwise noted.

12/1/1943
Depth Charge Attack No.1

Damaged:
1.Clean Fuel Oil Tank
2.Port Propeller Shaft
3. Aft Batteries
4.Rudder Transmission
5. Dive planes transmission-Bow and Stern
6. Compressor
7. Hydraulic pump
8.No.1 Diesel Engine
9.No.3 Diesel Engine
10.No.1 Electric Motor
11.No.3 Electric Motor
12.Conning tower-upper hatch
13.Flooding in conning tower-minor
14.No.2 (Attack) Periscope


12/16/1943
Depth Charge Attack No.4

Damaged:
1.Hull Damaged amidships near control room frames-Repaired in port.
2.Induction piping and lines in control room
3.Flooding in Control room. 3 ft of water pumped out.
4.Conning tower upper(bridge) hatch-leaking.
5.Flooding in conning tower. 10 inches of water water pumped out.
6.No.1 Periscope
7.No.2 Periscope
8.No.1 torpedo tube- Repaired in port
9.No.2 torpedo tube-Repaired in port
10.No.3 torpedo tube
11.No.4 torpedo tube-Repaired in port
12.Cleak Fuel Oil Tank
13.Trimp Pump
14. Compressor
15.Radio Receiver
16.SD Radar Set
17.WCA Sonar Stack
18.Forward Batteries
19.SJ Radar Antenna
20.SD Radar Antenna
21.No.1 Periscope Head
22.No.2 Periscope Head
23.4 inch 50 cal deck gun
24. Fore, Aft, and Deck 20 MM guns
25.Various piping and air line leaks in all compartments.




J.RADIO

Radio function was satisfactory.


K.THERMAL LAYERS

Thermal layers were encountered at 180, 220, and 244 ft.

L.RADAR

SJ radar performance was satisfactory through the patrol. Average detection range was 18000 yards.

SD radar performance was satisfctory with average detection range at 12 NM.


M. SOUND GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS

Sound conditions in area were typically ideal.

Sound gear functioned well, typically detecting contacts at 10000-12000 yards.


N. MINES

No mines were encountered.


O. Personnel

Crew performance was excellent during a busy and trying patrol, especially in light of serious damage received in two intense
depth charge attacks.


Seventeen men qualified during this patrol.


N. HEALTH AND HABITATABILITY


Health of the crew was overall fine, aside from a tropical type cold that persisted in the waning days of the patrol.

Serious damage to the boat made normal food preperations difficult in first few days after as repairs were conducted but returned to normal.


O. MILES STEAMED-FUEL CONSUMED

MILES GALLONS
Pearl to Midway 1350 15159
Midway to Area 3000 45255
In Area 6000 72450
Area to Midway 3250 41525
Midway to Pearl 1350 17225



P. DURATION
DAYS
Pearl to Midway 4
Midway to Area 12
In Area 28
Area to Midway 13
Midway to Pearl 4


Q. FACTORS IN ENDURANCE


Torpedoes 6
Fuel 42233 gallons
Provisions 26 days
Crew Indefinite


Factor in Termination of Patrol- Heavy damage from depth charge attacks and low fuel state.



S. REMARKS

A successful patrol with six ships sunk, but a price paid in heavy damage. Enemy ASW forces appear to have improved in skill and tenacity
as well as possibly employing more power depth charges, with new exploders. SEAL regrets was unable to expended last six torpedoes on
the convoy due to heavy damage.


The broaching of the SEAL within sight of the enemy, thus providing a visual fix and basis for
the unusually effective counter attack, as attempting to descend to 250 ft to avoid escort counter attack is believe to be have been
caused by damage to trim and ballast tank controls, which at the time was not known. This damage likely occurred in previous depth charge attacks but went undetected
in post attack inspections. This comes after a review of the deck log, which records orders given, and acknowledged for a depth of 250 ft while at periscope depth. The Commanding Officer does not
fault the Diving Officer, men assigned to dive planes, nor crew manning ballast and vent controls.