[Bubblehead1980]

TMO 2.5 Update BH (forthcoming 2.0 vesion) plus pre-pearl harbor start, improved EAX sound, Subsim Donation Narwhal
100 difficult cams off contacts on


War Patrol Report
First War Patrol
USS Nautilus SS-168
11 December 1941-16 January, 1942



PROLOGUE

Arrived Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, T.H. 5 December from defensive patrol South of Midway Island. At 0803 7 December NAUTILUS went to General Quarters and got underway under emergency conditions during the Japanese attack on the harbor. NAUTILUS was strafed by single enemy fighters (A6M2) and returned fire on multiple enemy aircraft with .50 caliber Anti-Aircraft machine guns. Two enemy aircraft, a B5N torpedo bomber and A6M2 fighter were confirmed shot down by combination of forward and aft Anti-Aircraft guns.

Exited harbor by 0900 and submerged until nightfall after several near misses by enemy bombs. Entered harbor at 0800 8 December. Received orders to prepare for patrol. Twenty Four MK 14 torpedoes loaded, along with provisions for patrol. Ready for sea 10 December.


NARRATIVE


December 10, 1941

0900 Departed Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, T.H. for assigned patrol area off Eniwetok, Marshall Islands.


1300 Trim Dive.

1330 Surface.



December 11, 1941

0630 Trim Dive

0700 Surface

1930 Per operational orders in evening FOX traffic, set course for Wake Island to conduct defensive patrol in response to attempted enemy invasion early 11 December. Course 270, Speed 10.5 knots.


December 12, 1941

0630 Trim Dive

0700 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 13, 1941

0630 Trim Dive

0700 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 14, 1941

0715 Trim Dive

0735 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 15, 1941

0715 Trim Dive

0735 Surface

En route assigned area.



December 16, 1941

0715 Trim Dive

0735 Surface

En route assigned area.



December 17, 1941

0715 Trim Dive

0735 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 18, 1941

0715 Trim Dive

1914 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 19, 1941

0745 Trim Dive

1900 Surface

En route assigned area.


December 20, 1941

0750 Trim Dive

1900 Surface

En route assigned area.

December 21, 1941

0100 Estimated position fifteen nautical miles south of Wake Island.


0600 Wake Island spotted over horizon bearing 090, estimated range eleven miles.


0730 Submerged twenty miles south of Wake Island for patrol.


1001 OOD spotted multiple twin engine bombers (AIRCRAFT CONTACT
NO.1) via No.1 periscope inbound Wake Island.

1012 Large explosions and fires visible/audible from Wake Island.

1014 Observed twin engine bomber(AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.2) smoking
from port engine pass overhead. Aircraft exploded and crashed into
water, no survivors.

1930 Surfaced.


December 22, 1941


0800 Submerged for patrol


1301 South of Wake Island, sound reports distant fast, and heavy prop
noises. Assumed course 170 at 4.5 knots to investigate contacts.


1344 Observed smoke plumes and masts of multiple ships via No.1
periscope at bearing 340.

1345 General Quarters.


1410 Possible invasion force. One CA, two CL, two CVS, four AK/AP, and six
DD on estimated course and speed, 000 at 15 knots. Contact report
sent to COMSUBPAC.

1421 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO.1) Fired tubes 1,2 at Chitose Class CVS, fired
tubes 3,4, at Yubari Class CL.

1423:31 Explosion. Unknown at time, later determined to be premature
detonation.

1423:45 Explosion. Unknown at time, later determined to be premature
detonation.

1424:01 Observed torpedo hit just aft of bow of CVS, following by eruption
of fire, with large smoke plume.

1424:10 Observed premature detonation of torpedo ten yards from Yubari
Class CL.


1426 Destroyer astern 1500 yards, closing fast, pinging. Ordered depth
of 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1428 Depth charge Attack No. 1 began.


1441 NAUTILUS at depth of 250 ft on course 200, two close depth
charge explosions.(See Damage Section)

1458:11 Audible "clang" heard after of conning tower, believed to be
depth charge contacting aft deck.

1458:34 Depth Charge explosion close, below. (See Damage Section)


1844 Last depth charge explosion.


1921 Lost sound contact with enemy.


2200 Periscope depth, all clear. Secured silent running, surfaced.


December 23, 1941


0445 Received reports of enemy landings at Wake Island, closed
island on surface at best speed.


0551 Spotted ships anchored offshore, landing craft deploying on beach.
Two DE type vessels beached to unload troops.

0600 Submerged. General Quarters.


0715 While conducting approach on enemy transport, NAUTILUS
spotted by twin engine floatplane and bombed. Went to 250 ft,
rigged for depth charge and silent running, DD's closing fast.


0731 Began Depth Charge No.2



0801 Several close charges. No damage reported.


1002 End depth charge attack No.2


1930 Surfaced. Received word Wake Island fell to enemy. Conduct
operations in area.


December 24, 1941


0100 Received orders to proceed to assigned area in Marshall Island.

0700 Dive.

0730 Surface.



December 25, 1941


0700 Dive.

0730 Surface.


December 26, 1941

0700 Dive.

0730 Surface.


December 27, 1941

0700 Dive.

0730 Surface.


December 28, 1941

0745 Dive.

1900 Surface.


December 29, 1941

0745 Dive.

1900 Surface.


December 30, 1941

0745 Dive.

1900 Surface.



December 31, 1941

0745 Dive.

1900 Surface.



January 1, 1941

0000 Arrived in patrol area.

0745 Dive.

1900 Surface.


January 2, 1941

0800 Submerged for patrol.

1930 Surface.


January 3, 1941

0800 Submerged for patrol.

1930 Surface.


January 4, 1941


0534 Spotted Chidori Class torpedo boat bearing 011


0634 Submerged for attack.


0640 General Quarters


0711:10 (TORPEDO ATTACK NO. 2) Fired stern tubes (5,6) at target.


0711:15 Torpedo (Tube #5) went into circle run.


0711:31 Large explosion audible. Believe to be premature detonation.


0712 Enemy closing at high speed, went to 200 ft, rigged for depth
charge and silent running.


1311 Depth charge attack ended. Lost contact with enemy.



1930 Surfaced. Due to fuel status, set course for Pearl Harbor.



January 5, 1941

0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.



January 6, 1941

0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.



January 7, 1941

0750 Enemy single engine floatplane spotted bearing 164 estimated range
6 NM. Ordered Dive to 150 ft.

0752 As Nautilus passed 75 feet, two explosions to port and above rocked
the boat, severely. Damage reported (See Damage Section), leveled
off at depth of 100 feet.


1934 Surfaced.



January 8, 1941

0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.


January 9, 1941

0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.


January 10, 1941


0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.


January 11, 1941


0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.


January 12, 1941

0800 Submerged

1930 Surfaced.


January 13, 1941

0800 Dive.

0830 Surfaced.


January 14, 1941


0800 Dive.

0830 Surfaced.


January 15, 1941

0800 Dive.

0830 Surfaced.



January 16, 1941

0800 Dive.

0830 Surfaced.

1135 Arrived Submarine Base Pearl Harbor, T.H. Terminated war patrol.


MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE

Moderate damage was suffered in depth charge attacks, including hull damage discovered upon docking. This damage was likely caused by the close "bouncer" charge, which exploded soon after contacting the aft deck.

Damage sustained, but repaired at sea.

Trim Pump

Hydraulic Pump

No. 1 Diesel Engine

No. 2 Diesel Engine

No. 3 Diesel Engine

No. 4 Diesel Engine

No. 2 Electric Engine

No. 4 Electric Engine

Port Prop Shaft

Flooding-After Torpedo Room, moderate.

Flooding-Control room. Minor.

Stern Batteries

Stern Dive Planes Transmission

Torpedo Tube No. 5

Torpedo Tube No. 6


EPILOGUE

A busy, challenging patrol. Unexpected, and repeated torpedo malfunctions prevented sinking of enemy vessels, in spite of excellent opportunities presented, twice. Most concerning was the circular run, due to the obvious hazard such a malfunction poses. One torpedo did impact as aimed, causing apparent heavy damage to a large seaplane carrier. This may have left the invasion forces without air cover as little air activity was encountered in the area of the invasion.