NOTE: This is a "historic contact" added to TMO Update and is present in V1.0 as well. This convoy is based on convoy HI-81 attacked by SEA LION and other subs beginning 15 November 1944. QUEENFISH sunk the escort carrier/aircraft transport AKITSU MARU. Wiki below, decent summary, mostly accurate)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Convoy_Hi-81
November 15, 1944
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TORPEDO ATTACK NO.4
0205 Received ULTRA regarding large convoy departing Goto Islands 0600 hours.Proceeded to intercept for coordinated attack with QUEENFISH and PICDA.
0825 APR-1 detected radar signals.
0906 APR-1 detected radar signals.
0907 Two SD contacts range 24000 yds steady.
(Aircraft Contact No.7 and 7-A)
0908 Lost both SD contacts.
0954 SD contact 15190 yds closing fast. Two contacts.
Dive! (Aircraft Contact No. 8)
1207 Radar depth. SD contact 15000 yds closing.
(Aircraft Contact No. 9) Ordered 150 ft.
Believed this aerial activity was a sweep by aircraft ahead of a convoy.
Maintained submerged patrol.
1225 Detected submarine ahead estimated 10000 yards, this was
confirmed to be QUEENFISH.
1235 Sound detected many heavy props bearing 003.
Likely convoy closing.
1251 SJ contacts bearing 351 28400 yds.(Ship Contact No.6)
1252 SD contacts 13000 yds closing (Aircraft Contact No.10)
1300 GENERAL QUARTERS-TORPEDO-SUBMERGED
1304 Radar depth. SJ contacts bearing 088 23696 yds closing.
1305 Received contact report from SEA LION regarding convoy.
1306 APR-1 detected multiple radar signals from convoy bearing.
1310 Convoy appears in tight screen with two long columns. Went to 300 ft for high speed run to open
range along convoys projected track. SEA LION expected to attack first from port side, likely pushing convoy towards BARB on starboard side. Convoy has 4-5 AO, several land auxiliary type, possibly troopships/landing craft carriers, with eight escorts.
1326 Periscope depth. Spotted smoke and outlines of ships on horizon ahead bearing 010 estimated range seven miles.
1336 Identified vessel in second column forward as a escort carrier.
1350 Convoy zigged toward BARB. Ordered back 1/3.
1359 Tubes, 1,2,3,4,5,6, made ready to fire. Torpedo depth set to 15 ft.
1403 Periscope observation: Target course 278. Speed 11 knots. AOB 49
Range 4650 yds.
1408 Fired Tubes 1,2,3,4 at AKITSU CVE. Range:
Torpedo Depth: 15 ft
1410 Escort passed just 1400 yards ahead
Maneuvered BARB to keep bow towards for low profile.
1412: Torpedo impact!
20
1412: Tornedo impact! Fired visible amidships and forward.
25
1412: Torpedo impact! Large exposion followed torpedo hit.
31
1412: Torpedo impact! Torpedo hit aft started large fire aft.
36
1415: CVE Akitsu erupted in massive explosion and fireball. Began listing to port.
1415 Pinging, two escorts closing. Ordered 300 ft
Rigged for depth charge and silent running.
1415: Passed thermal layer at 182 feet. Ordered boat level at 190 ft.
41
1416 Enemy above. Many splashed. Ahead flank!
DC explosions', tooth shakers.
1417 Another enemy closing. Ordered 300 ft.
1418 Enemy above. Splashes.
DC explosions, astern, not close.
1422 AKITSU CVE 11800 tons sunk.
33-07N 127-50E
1433 Sound reported torpedoes in water bearing 060.
Believe QUEENFISH fired on convoy.
1434 Torpedo impacts audible on sound.
1435 Several large explosions followed torpedo impacts.
Believe QUEENFISH hit one of the tankers judging by the explosion.
(under depth charge attack so did not want to cheat and go to external camera)
1444 Pinging by multiple escort continued.
1445 Two escorts passed above dropped large patterns.
Many DC explosions, BARB shaken.
1449 Enemy above. Many splashes.
1450 Many DC explosions, close. Boat shaken.
Damage reported.(See Damage and Defects)
Serious leak in forward torpedo room.
Damage control party assigned.
1452 Forward dive planes transmission inoperative.
Dive controls sluggish.
1500 Leaks in forward torpedo room stopped.
Flooding under control.
1504 Pinging resumed.
1507 Escort above. Splashes.
Explosions. Real tooth shakers.
1509 Pinging resumed.
1511 Pinging ceased. Sound reports two warships leaving area high speed.
Likely the third is playing possum, listening for BARB.
BARB depth 350 ft.
1518 Many explosions distant, convoy likely attacked again by QUEENFISH,
perhaps PICUDA.
1607 Sound can heard many explosions distant, bearing 107.
1630 Secured GQ. Maintained silent running.
Course 180. 350 ft.
2000 Secured Silent Running.
2130 Surfaced
2200 Damage Assessment:
Torpedo Tubes No.1,2,3,4,5,6 inoperable. (Three MK 18-1 torpedoes
remained forward)
Damage control party assigned.
Forward Dive planes transmission inoperable
Damage control party assigned.
Compressed Air Reserve Banks damaged beyond repair at sea.
Could only replenish reserve to 90 percent capacity.
All four stern tubes operation with eight torpedoes available.
In spite of damage, BARB could remain on patrol, and did just that.