[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 Update w patch patch (unleased of as yet)
100 difficult, cams off, contacts on for this patrol.

USS Skate SS-305
War Patrol Report
War Patrol Two
6 December 1943-16 January 1944


A. Prologue

Returned from patrol to Pearl Harbor Submarine Base, T.H. on 11 November 1943. During refit period, a new SJ-1 Surface Search Radar with PPI display installed. Eighteen MK 14-3A, and six MK 23-2 torpedoes were loaded aboard on 5 December. Refit completed and ready for sea 6 December 1943.


B. Narrative


6 December

0900 Departed Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. for patrol area North of Truk in the Japan-Truk sea lanes, via Johnston Island.

1330 Trim Dive.

7 December

0755 Remembrance ceremony for second anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor.

0810 Ceremony concluded.

1000 Gunnery and dive drills.

1230 Drills concluded.


8 December

1300 Arrived Johnston Island, docked at tender to top off fuel.

1800 Departed Johnston Island for patrol area.


9 December

En route patrol area.

10 December

En route patrol area.


11 December

En route patrol area.


12 December

En route patrol area.



13 December

En route patrol area.



14 December

En route patrol area.



15 December

En route patrol area.



16 December

0000 Entered patrol area.

1900 SJ contact 042 14 NM. Contact is convoy. Tracking until night fall for attack.

2150 General Quarters-Torpedo-Surface.

2249 TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1 Fired Tubes 1,2,3 at two AK. Withheld further due to apparent course change after firing.

2250:10 Torpedo impact !

2250:15 Torpedo impact !

2250:35 Torpedo impact ! (on second AK in column)

2254 Two Chidori type escorts are pursuing. Engines into overload. Speed 21 knots.

2304 Escorts turned back to guard convoy. Believe lost contact with SKATE in the dark.

2351 attempting to move in to finish off damaged AK's. Chidori suddenly seemed to spot SKATE and came rushing in. Chidori may have radar.

17 December

0001 Chidori broke off pursuit.

0033 Closing on pip lagging behind, near motionless, believe is damaged AK.

0042 Destroyer (possibly Fubuki Class) spotted! Closing at high speed range 5000 yards 0 AOB. DD possibly has radar.

0044 DD closing at 3500 yards high speed. Dive! Emergency 450 ft! . Rigged for depth charge and silent running.

0102 Pinging.

0104 Splashes.

0105 DC explosions.

0111 Depth-550 ft.

0157 Periscope depth. Spotted damaged AK bearing 025. Closing to attack.

0201 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 1(a) Fired Tube#3 at damaged AK identified as MOMOYAMA MARU class 4037 tons

0202 Torpedo impact!

0203 Vessel is sinking. Lifeboats spotted. Surfaced, set course to catch up with convoy.

0205 MOMOYAMA MARU 4037 tons sunk at 9-38 N 150-14 E

0222 Convoy changed course to 180 degrees. Skies cleared with some moonlight. Seas remained choppy.

0225 Spotted damaged AK bearing 312 8000 yards.

0237 Swung around to bring stern tubes to bear on target.

0243 DD and Chidori suddenly began to rush in at high speed, apparently detected SKATE at 5000 yards. Pursued as SKATE sped away.

0246 DD 3000 yards. Dive ! Rigged for depth charge and silent running

0253 Enemy passed above. No pinging or depth charge.

0254 Boat depth-550 ft.

0308 DC explosions in distance.

0309 Secured General Quarters

0444 Radar Depth. SJ contacts convoy at bearing 247 9 NM. Secured Silent Running. Surfaced.

0459 Closing lone pip lagging behind, likely the damage AK.

0504 Pip is DD, avoided.

0513 Spotted damaged AK. General Quarters-Torpedo-Surface. Closing on target. Moonlight diminished.

0532 Crossing stern of target at 6000 yards, to track up the port to fire from opposite, unguard side.

0602 Stern brought about for firing.

0605 All stern tubes readied for firing.

0614 TORPEDO ATTACK No. 1(b) Fired tubes 7,8,

0615 Torpedo impact! Large fires and explosions.

0616 Chidori cutting through convoy to investigate explosions. SKATE speeding away 21 knots.

0616:41 Torpedo missed !

0622 BIYO MARU 5425 tons sunk at 9-37 N 150-22 E.

0628 Secured General Quarters. Dawn approaching, racing ahead for at dawn.

1541 SJ contact 025 14 NM. Convoy evaded detection all day but on modified search plan, located. Current position astern of convoy, racing ahead for end around.


1739 Ahead of convoy.

1814 General Quarters-Torpedo- Submerged.

1824 Smoke sighted bearing 077.

1829 Submerged for attack.


1939 Port escort appears to left gap in screen while making a sweep, SKATE began closing large AK in lead...KOBAYASHI MARU 9980 tons.

1941 All tubes readied forward.

1944 Akatsuki Class DD bearing 118 coming up to rejoin at high speed.

1946 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2 Fired tubes 3,4,5,6

1946:35 Torpedo #4(Tube#6) erratic! Circle run! SOUNDED COLLISION! Ordered depth of 100 ft, EMERGENCY!.


1948:05 Torpedo impact !

1948:10 Torpedo impact !

1948:15 Torpedo impact!

1948:30 SKATE at 100 ft. Torpedo circling above. Pinging from DD , no doubt given visual cue as to SKATES location.

1950 Torpedo reached end of run and motor stopped. Ordered 450 ft depth. Rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1953:11Large explosion and noises of ship breaking up.

1954:23 Massive explosions from bearing of sinking target.

1956:07 KOBAYSHI MARU 9980 tons sunk 9-37 N 150-22 E.

2000 DC explosions, not close.

2155 Lost contact with enemy.


18 December

0040 Surfaced. Returned to scene of attack, located debris, wreckage, including bodies. Sinking confirmed.

0042 Secured General Quarters. Position fix shows SKATE out of patrol area, and unlikely to make contact and follow up attack on remaining AK before reaches Truk, set course to return.

1112 SD contact 6 NM. Dive!

1900 Surfaced

19 December

Patrol

20 December

Patrol


21 December

0124 SJ contacts bearing 358 13.5 NM Multiple pips, likely convoy. Set course for convoy.

0125 SJ contact bearing 100 13 NM two pips, likely patrol.

0145 General Quarters-Torpedo-Surface.

0201 Large tanker in nearest (port) column is target.

0203 All forward tubes made ready.

0206 Two large tankers in center of column est 10000 and 6000 tons.

0216 TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3 Fired Tubes 1,2,3 at AKEBONO MARU AO and Tubes 4,5,6at NIPPON MARU AO

0218 All torpedoes impacted as aimed. NIPPON MARU exploded in fireball, wrecked. AKEBONO MARU, possibly empty did not exploded, small fire seen amidships.

0226 NIPPON MARU 10000 tons sunk 09-49 N 150-57 E

0418 Ahead of convoy. Turned for stern shot on damaged AO.

0431 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 4 Fired tubes 7,8, at AKEBONO MARU.

0433 Torpedoes impacted. Tanker exploded and began to sink.

0435 AKEBONO MARU sunk 6839 tons at 09-44 N 150-54 E


0450 Secured General Quarters. End around of convoy for dawn attack.


1900 Unable to regain contact with enemy convoy, which is now surely out of SKATE's area. Resumed patrol


22 December

Patrol

23 December

1300 SD contact 11 NM closing. Submerged.

23 December

Patrol


24 December

0501 Received ULTRA. Enemy BB expected to pass through SKATE's area between 0000-0600 25 December. Moved to set up search pattern.

1659 SD contact 12 NM closing. Submerged.

2230 Surfaced. Seas choppy light fog, clouds clear.


25 December

Searched for BB throughout day, no contact.

1249 SD contact 224 10 NM. Submerged.


1900 Surfaced.


26 December

1305 SD contact 9 NM closing. Submerged

1636 Surfaced.

27 December

Patrol


28 December

1202 Two SD contacts 6 NM closing fast. Submerged.

1204 Explosions.

1217 more explosions.

1349 Surfaced

1604 SD contact closing. Submerged

2120 Surfaced


29 December

Patrol


30 December

Patrol


31 December

Patrol


1944

1 January

Patrol


2 January

Patrol


3 January

Patrol



4 January

1856 SJ contacts bearing 357 14 NM. Set course to intercept.

1900 PPI indicated a convoy. Six ships, three escorts.

1907 General Quarters-Torpedo-Submerged.

1912 Smoke sighted bearing 350.

1915 Submerged for attack.

2012 Forward tubes readied for firing.

2019 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5 Fired tubes 3,4. All bow torpedoes expended.

2020:25 Torpedo impact!

2020:30 Torpedo impact! large hole visible above water line amidships after large explosion. Target slowed

2021 Target stopped, listing to port. Pinging from escort 180 closing fast. Rigged for depth charge and silent running. Ordered 450 ft .

2027 Multiple DC explosions astern

2028 Pinging , escort closing fast.

2029 Escort passed above. DC splashes. Boat depth 500 ft.

2030 DC explosions

2031 Close DC explosion.

2058 DC explosions several thousand yards astern. Escorts appear to have lost SKATE.

2221 Periscope depth. SHAJIMA MARU dead in water bearing 154 at 2500 yards.

2222 Radar depth. Lone pip 7000 yards away, stationary. Likely a "sleeper" waiting for SKATE to surface.

2245 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 5 (a) Fired tube #7 to finish off damaged AK.

2245 Torpedo impact!

2253 SHAJIMA MARU 6540 tons sunk 10-0 N 150-57 E. Surfaced, set course for end around.


5 January


0100 TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 6 Fired Tubes 7,8,9,10. All torpedoes expended.

0102 Torpedo impact! All three fish hit target. Target on fire, listing. SKATE dodging gunfire.

0103 MADRAS MARU 3790 tons sunk in less than a minute at 10-09 B 150-59 E.

0130 Secured General Quarters. Set course for Pearl Harbor via Johnston Island.

6 January

En route Pearl Harbor

7 January

En route Pearl Harbor


8 January

En route Pearl Harbor

9 January

En route Pearl Harbor

10 January

En route Pearl Harbor

11 January

En route Pearl Harbor


12 January

1500-1900 Refueled at Johnston Island.

13 January

En route Pearl Harbor


14 January

En route Pearl Harbor


15 January

En route Pearl Harbor


!6 January

1400 Arrived Pearl Harbor Submarine Base, T.H.. Terminated patrol.


C. Weather

Weather was overall favorable during this patrol. Heavy seas during the attacks during initial attacks on 17 December did complicate matters at times, but help SKATE escape prolonged depth charge attacks when force to dive.



D. Attack Data

Torpedo Attack Data

Number of Torpedo Attacks: 6
Torpedoes Expended:24
Torpedo Hits:22
Torpedo Misses: 2
Torpedo Malfunctions: 1. Torpedo Attack No. 2 , see torpedo info below.
Ships Sunk: 7
Ships damage: 0
Ships probably sunk: 0


Erratic #1 (at firing)
Error: Circular Run
Type MK 14-3A
Serial No. 88456
Exploder Contact
Serial No. 8856
Speed Setting High
Depth 8 ft
Method Single bearing-Periscope No.2-TDC
Spread 0
Gyro 359 L
Track 8 P
Course 330
Range(from target) 1800 yards
AOB (target) 88 P
Speed(target) 9 knots
Course (target) 101
Remark
Torpedo was final one fired out of three in the attack. Torpedo veered to starboard, then circled back towards SKATE. An emergency descent to 100 feet was made. Torpedo made four passes directly above SKATE during this time. Eventually, torpedo expended it's fuel and sound lost contact, until it's explosion, likely from sinking deep. A definite close call for the boat and crew.

Own Ships Data (at firing)

Depth: 64 feet
Course 095
Speed 2 knots
Action taken Ordered 100 ft depth with high speed and minimum angle to avoid stern protruding and risk being struck by erratic torpedo.





Ships sunk-War Patrol Two

1.
Name MOMOYAMA MARU
Type AK
Tons 4037
Date 17 December 1943
Time 0202
Location 9-38 N 150-14 E

2.
Name BIYO MARU
Type AK
Tons 5425
Date 17 December 1943
Time 0615
Location 9-37 N 150-22 E

3.
Name KOBAYASHI MARU
Type AK
Tons 9980
Date 17 December 1943
Time 1948
Location 9-37 N 150-22 E


4.Name NIPPON MARU
Type AO
Tons 10000
Date 21 December 1943
Time 0218
Location 09-49 N 150-57 E

5.
Name AKEBONO MARU
Type AO
Tons 6839
Date 21 December 1943
Time 0431
Location 09-44 N 150-54 E

6.
Name SHAJIMA MARU
Type AK
Tons 6350
Date 4 January 1944
Time 2250
Location 10-0 N 150-57 E

7.Name MADRAS MARU
Type AK
Tons 3790
Date 5 January 1944
Time 0102
Location 10-09 B 150-59 E


Gunnery Attacks

No gunnery actions occurred on this patrol.



E. Radar


Performance of new SJ-1 Surface Search Radar was excellent. Typical target detection range was twelve nautical miles. The PPI scope is a 'game changer', as it provides awareness of the tactical situation previously desired, but not attainable.

SD radar performance was overall excellent.


Enemy Radar

Believe enemy Akatsuki Class Destroyer encountered on 16/17 December was equipped with surface search radar as it detected during SKATE's attempts to follow up attack on damaged AK, twice. Range SKATE was detected at is unknown but estimated to be 5000-7000 yards.

Do not believe the Chidori type escorts encountered were equipped at radar, but signaled to our presence by the Akatsuki DD.



F. Radio

Radio communications were excellent during the patrol.


G. Sound Gear and Sound Conditions

Sound gear functioned well overall. Sound conditions were excellent throughout patrol area for SKATE.

The enemy seemed to have difficulty tracking SKATE when submerged deep, especially during rough sea conditions, thus rendering counter attacks relatively ineffective.


H. Thermal Layers


Thermal Layers were registered at 100, 192, 230, and 333 feet.


I. Major Defects and Damage

Skate was undamaged during this patrol and suffered no major defects in equipment.


J. Anti-Submarine Countermeasures and Evasion

In patrol area, encountered numerous two vessel patrols, typically of DD or DE type "sweeping" the northern approaches to Truk. Daily air patrols were flown and most days encountered, forcing SKATE to submerge,

Enemy convoys were well escorted compared to those previously encountered, with three or even four escorts.

One nemy DD (Akatsuki Class) on 17 December is believed to have bene equipped with radar detecting, and chasing off SKATE twice, forcing dives as SKATE could not out run the DD on the surface.

Skate came under heavy gunfire from escorts and merchants during night surface attacks, but escaped harm.

Enemy depth charges seemed to be the improved type as explosion seem larger and reach detonation depth quicker after launch, indicating heavier charge with higher sink rate.


Evasion

SKATE's standard evasion procedures worked well on this patrol. Upon evading enemy counter attacks when submerged, boat descended to depth of 450-500 feet initially, rigged for silent running and depth charge.Speed bursts are applied when required, such as when enemy vessel above dropping depth charges.
Five to ten degrees or port or starboard rudder is applied at all times to prevent SKATE from sailing a straight, predictable course and to confuse enemy sound operators. Speed is kept at 2.5-3 knots, less then 100 RPM during silent running, aside from speed bursts when sound is obscured by enemy above and depth charge explosions.

The deep diving capability of the Balao Class Submarine provides an excellent countermeasure to enemy sound and active searches.

Avoided enemy air patrols by diving and surface patrols by diving or speeding away at high surface speed.


K. Tidal Information

Tidal information was as previously reported in the area.



L. Navigational Aids

No navigational aids were encountered in the open ocean patrol area assigned.


M. Mines

No mines were encountered on this patrol.


N. Crew

Crew performance on this patrol was excellent. One Officer and Six men achieved qualification in submarines during this patrol.

Total crew aboard 72
Qualified in Submarines 48 (start of patrol)
Qualified in Submarines at End of patrol 54



Officers and Chief Petty Officers for War Patrol Two

LTCDR Ryan, Irvin T., USN Commanding Officer
LT Hunter, Ronald F. USN Executive Officer
LT(jg) Reeves III, John W.USN Dive/Engingeering Officer
LT(jg) Wilson, Martin X. USN Torpedo/Gunnery Officer
LT(jg) Morris, Walter J. USN Sound Officer
LT(jg) Clancy, Frank E. USN Radar Officer
LT(jg) Wreford Austin USN Communications Officer
LT(jg) Beach, Gerald P. USN Assistant Dive/Engineering Officer
Ens. Dunbar, Thomas J. USNR Commissary Officer/Asstiarant Communications Officer
Ens. Hollister, Barton S.USNR Assistant Radar Officer.


CQM O'Brien, Miles E. USN Chief of the Boat
CQM Ashburton, Samuel J. USN Assistant Navigator
CSoM Wallance, Howard USN
CTM Sunday, Leslie W. USN
CEM Kousalmakis, Nicholas F. USN
CMoMM Adams, Philip C. USN
CMoMM Franz, Edgar O. USN


Those who earned qualification in submarines during this patrol

LT(jg) Beach, Gerald P, USN
SM2c Lewis, Louis A. USN
SoM3c Miller, Eugene S. USNR
RdM3c Rosencrans, Dilbert H. USN
TM3c Molony, Royce L. USN
MoMM3c Walker, Guyford T. USN
MoMM3c Long, Anthony USN












O. Health and Habitability

Conditions were generally pleasant throughout the patrol. The fair weather and seas for most of patrol contributed to this. Meal preparation was excellent, the frozen filet mignon, frozen strawberries, and assorted fruits were a hit. With SKATE at sea during Christmas and New Years Holidays, special meals were prepared. Christmas dinner was Turkey, Ham, dressing, beets, potatoes, and gravy, with strawberry, cherry pie and ice cream. Our southern contingent (including ships cook) prepared inspired black eyed peas for New Years Day, with filet mignon served New Years Eve. Chief Kousamalkis's soda fountain, providing Coca Cola, was a big hit with the crew. All proceeds after costs are directed to ships recreation fund.



P. Miles Steamed-Fuel Consumed

Pearl Harbor to Johnston Island
888 miles 10244 Gallons

Johnston Island to Patrol area
2858 miles 25888 gallons

Patrol Area
5200 miles 48900 gallons

Patrol Area to Johnston Island
2998 miles 29044 gallons

Johnston Island to Pearl Harbor
888 miles 11100 gallons.



Q. Duration

Pearl Harbor to Johnston Island
2 days

Johnston Island to Patrol Area
8 days

Days in Patrol Area
20 days

Patrol Area to Johnston Island
8 days

Johnston Island to Pearl Harbor
10 days

Days submerged 4 days

Total duration of patrol
40 days.


R. Factors in Duration

Fuel 31200 gallons (prior to refueled at Johnston Island)

Torpedoes 0

Food 21 days

Factor in termination of patrol- All torpedoes expended.


S. Remarks

Another busy and successful patrol for SKATE and her crew. The SKATE has proven a fine example of the advtanges the Balao Class submarine provides in the war on enemy shipping. Coupled with improved torpedo performance, a sense of optimism among veteran crewmembers is present.

The night surface attack has proven yet again an excellent method to interdict enemy shipping, especially now with the new SJ-1 radar and PPI scope. A hope for installation of a Radar Warning Receiver is present, since it appears enemy vessels are now coming equipped with surface search radar, such as the Akatsuki DD.

SKATE was disappointed it did not contact the battleship reported to be transiting the area on 25 December. However, with seven ships sunk, including two large valuable tankers, for a total of nearly 50000 tons in enemy shipping, the boat and her crew are satisfied and ready for next patrol.