TMO 2.5 Update
100 difficulty cams and contacts off.
USS Seal SS-183 (Salmon Class)
Patrol Area KITCHEN
April 30, 1943
0009 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2) Fired (stern) Tubes #5, #6, #7, #8.
0010:05 Torpedoes 1,2,4 prematurely detonated approximately same time.
0011:25 Torpedo impacted ! (#3) Lage explosion.
0012 Large fire burning on MIIKE MARU.
0013 SEAL appears undetected, escorts searching opposite side of convoy. Brought bow tubes around for attack.
0015 Large explosion. MIIKE MARU sunk 21-52N 137-37E
0045 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.3) Fired Tubes #1, #2.
0045:40 Torpedo#1 prematurely detonated.
0046:04 Torpedo impact ! AK damaged.Turned away avoiding searchlights and star shells for end around
for follow up attack before convoy exits SEAL's area.
0100 Secured General Quarters. End around.
0200 Lost SJ Contact. Possible malfunction.
0656 Regained SJ contact bearing 339 17250 yards. Pulled ahead for dawn periscope attack.
0825 General Quarters-Torpedo.
0843 Submerged for attack.
0923 All bow tubes readied for firing.
0924 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.5) Fired Tubes #1,#2
0924:55 Torpedo #2 Prematurely detonated.
0925:00 Fired Tube #3
0927:00 Torpedo impact! Large explosion amidships.
0927:09 Torpedo impact-Dud torpedo. Confirmed by sound.
0928 Fired tube#4
0928:44 Torpedo #4 missed ahead.
0929 Target is listing heavily to port, moving slowly.
0930 Escorts closing, ordered 250 ft. Rigged for silent running and depth charge.
0934 Pinging.
0935 Target above. Depth Charge Attack #1 begin.
1010 Very close depth charge explosion forward.
1011 Damage Reported( Major Defects and Damage Section) in forward torpedo room.
Flooding reported in forward torpedo room.
1013 Flooding in forward torpedo room reported under control. Possible hull damage reported forward.
1200 Last depth charge(Depth Charge Attack #1 concluded). Escorts appear to have lost contact with SEAL.
1205 Lost sound contact with enemy.
1315 Secured General Quarters. Maintained Silent Running. SEAL brought to depth 300 ft.
1415 Periscope depth. Spotted damaged AK bearing 105 5.5 NM. Apparently, left behind by convoy. Ordered depth 165 and course to close target.
1610 General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action
1614 Surfaced. Opened fire with 4 inch gun and 20 MM guns from 3900 yards.
1619 Cease fire, vessel sinking and on fire.
1622 KOTO MARU 4466 tons sunk 20-55N 138-14E
1625 Secured General Quarters and set course to return to patrol area, repairing damage en route.
May 1, 1943
0002 Navigator confirms SEAL is back in assigned patrol area.
1002 Submerged to conduct repairs and rest the crew.
2100 Surfaced.
Current Position: 24-10N 136-21E
In four attacks over on the convoy over fourteen hours, SEAL fired fourteen torpedoes, sinking and damaging two other AK. One damage AK was finished off with deck guns. Out of fourteen torpedoes fired, five hit targets and functioned properly. six prematurely exploded and three were 'duds', failed to detonate upon impact. All apparently ran at or close to proper depth setting.
In return, SEAL received 80 depth charges after last attack, which caused moderate to heavy damage, including flooding in forward torpedo room and hull damage.
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