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Bubblehead1980 · 10-07-21, 11:36 AM

TMO 2.5 Update
100 difficulty, cams on, contacts off.

Prologue

Returned from Fourth War Patrol to Fremantle, Australia on 26 June 1942. Conducted normal refit and repairs. No 2(Attack) Periscope repaired, struck by machine gun fire during patrol.

Due to the untimely death of Chief of the Boat, CTM R. I. Madison (KIA during gun action ), CTM Dudley R. Saunders assumed position as Chief of the Boat. CQM Henry P. Hammond and CTM Titus Lee reported aboard 11 July. Twenty-two MK 14 torpedoes loaded and boat provisioned for patrol between 24 July and 28 July. Ready for sea 28 July.

Narrative

Departed Fremantle at 0745 on2 8 July for South China Sea (Areas B9) off Hainan Island, China. On 30 July stopped overnight at Exmouth Gulf for fuel, remained due to storms and proximity of minefield in zero visibility. Departed Exmouth Gulf at 0800 31 July upon clearing of the foul weather and set course for patrol area via Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea, and Balabac Strait.

On 6 August, while transiting Balabac Strait submerged, periscope lookout spotted smoke on horizon bearing 330 degrees at 1226 hours. Sound soon confirmed many props. Called General Quarters Torpedo and began closing.

Soon contact revealed to be a convoy of six troop transports, escorted by a DD and an Auxiliary Cruiser. Contact Report was sent. Position of convoy7-37 N 116-50 E , Estimated Course and Speed: 082 10 knots.

After a high speed run at 150 feet, Seal was 1400 yards off track of convoy and ready to fired. All bow tubes were made ready to fire at the Aikoku Maru class Aux Cruiser of 14800 tons. At 1303, fired four MK 14 torpedoes, set for 6 feet. Seas were heavy and prevented minimal depth setting.

Torpedo #1 immediately went erratic to port, and then went into a circular run! Emergency depth of 100 feet was ordered as torpedo #4 left the tube. Torpedo #2 prematurely detonated 10 seconds after leaving tube. Torpedoes # 3 and #4 missed, possibly due to deep run or heavy seas. Unable to visually confirm due to emergency descent but torpedoes appeared to track properly .

As Seal was at 90 feet, a massive explosion above, close rocked the boat. This was torpedo #1 which had by this time mad full circle and detonated above the boat at estimated depth of 45-50 feet. The boat was shaken, but undamaged. The enemy destroyer (AKATSUKI CLASS) closed in as Drum wen to 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

The heavy seas made the DD's job difficult as it never truly located Seal. About five depth charges were dropped, none close and the DD soon shuffled off to rejoin convoy. Seal secured from General Quarters and continued transit of the strait, surfacing after dark at 1840.

Throughout the day on 8 August a persistent "MAVIS" patrol aircraft shadowed Seal , forcing repeated dives and surfacing . On the fourth dive at 1500, remained submerged until after dark. Arrived in patrol area on evening of 10 August in ideal weather, but no contacts aside from daily patrol planes.

The next few days were uneventful as Seal patrolled on the surface searching for contacts, sans the 13th and 14th when patrolled submerged close to shallow cost of Southern Hainan Island.

On 15 August, during the morning trim dive at 0733, sound reported prop noises at 345 degrees. Surfaced, and closed at high speed spotting smoke at 0807. At 0815 confirmed had a convoy at 19-12 N 112 32-E off Hainan Island. Convoy course/speed estimated to be 104 degrees 8 knots. Called General Quarters torpedo and closed until submerged at 0840 for attack from port side of convoy. Convoy consisted of five ships...four mid sized AK and one mid sized AO identified as of the AKEBONO MARU Class.A reply to contact report was received to target tankers , as was the plan anyways

At 0853 fired four MK 14 torpedoes from bow tubes 1,2,3,4. Torpedoes # 2 and #3 prematurely detonated about 100 yards from target. Target was alerted and took evasive action, but the remaining torpedoes had tracked properly and appeared were going to impact. Torpedo 1 hit amidships, but failed to detonate-dud. Torpedo #4 's wake was visible as it ran under the stern at the stack of the tanker. The DD(Fubuki Class) was now closing in, running down torpedo tracks . Ordered Seal to 250 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent running.

For the next five hours the destroyer pounded Seal with depth charges . At 1114 a close pattern caused minor flooding in forward torpedo room , as well as leaks in piping and air lines through the boat. After this pattern, the DD appeared to slow close contact as Seal increased depth to 375 feet.

Attempted to surface twice, but due to air cover from Hainan was unable to run on surface during the day After dark surfaced and attempted to locate convoy but had no luck. Disengaged and returned to patrol area.

On the morning of 16 August, sound again made contact during trim dive at bearing 322. Closed target on the surface and soon had a mid sized tanker with a lone Chidori escorting. Went to General Quarters and closed the small convoy, which was on course of 064 at 12 knots.

At 0736 fired three stern torpedoes at SEITO MARU (5186 tons) from 1000 yards. All three torpedoes prematurely detonated. Adjusted and fired another torpedo. This torpedo impacted target but failed to detonate-dud. Alerted, the Chidori closed in dropping depth charges but seemed to never gain solid contact. An hour after it began, the attack was over. Two hours later Seal surfaced and gave chased, tracking via the smoke from 10 NM.

During the end around, convoy changed course at 1100 hours directly for Seal, submerged along track, went to General Quarters and closed for attack. At 1145 fired four bow torpedoes at the tanker. One torpedo prematurely exploded just 15 yards from target, while others tracked properly, observed wakes run under target, more deep runners.

Chidori closed in pinging and delivered a much more persistent and effective counter attack over next few hours. Howeve,r by 1600 Seal was able to elude the Chidori and surfaced, racing ahead for another end around, when lookouts spotted the SEITO MARU steaming NQ, zigging at 8-10 knots. The escort, convinced Seal was still submerged was estimated 5-6 NM behind at the scene of attack..

Closed the temporarily unguarded SEITO MARU at high submerged speed reaching firing position , and fired stern torpedoes at 1813. Three prematurely detonated, but torpedo #4 impacted, causing the tanker to slow and a fire to break out. Turned seal to bring bow tubes to bear and fired the final two bow torpedoes, both of which hit but failed to detonate.(DUDS!) .

Evaluating options and the fact no guns were visible on the tanker, the escort was a minimum 5.5 NM away, ordered Battle Surface.

1818 Seal surfaced with stern pointing at SEITO MARU from 2000 yards, and opened fire with 3 inch and 20 MM guns. The 3 inch gun scored 51 hits (57 rounds fired) and 20 MM scored numerous hits as well setting fire to bridge of tanker.

At 1835, with fires raging and shells still being fired into the waterline, a massive explosion erupted aboard the tanker, leaving it broken in two and on fire. Counted eight y lifeboats in water. At 1844 hours, SEITO MARU 5150 tons sunk at 19 10 N 114 11 E.

Lookouts spotted the Chidori in the dusk sky, racing in fast, no doubt responding to distress call or seeing the fires. Seal was off racing away at 20 knots. Chidori appeared to spot Seal and gave chase , which was concerning since a Chidori could overtake a sub at maximum speed. However, with night quickly approaching, it appeared Chidori lost sight of us in the eastern skyline and slowed at the wreck site, perhaps rescuing survivors .A SD radar contact was made at 1900 but remained steady at 8 NM, did not submerged.
With all torpedoes expended, set course for home via Bashi Channel, East Coast of the Philippines, Molucca-Banda Seas , and Timor Straits . No further enemy contacts were made and Seal arrived at Fremantle on 31 August.

Ships Sunk

Name/Class
SEITO MARU

Type
AO

Tons
5150 tons.

Date/Time
16 August 1942 1844 hours

Location
19-10 N 114-11 E.

Cause

Torpedo/Gunfire

Remarks:

One out of twenty two torpedoes fired functioned properly. To date, the various torpedo maladies have caused Seal to miss sinking an aircraft carrier, a light cruiser, and eleven merchant vessels of 1000 tons or more.

10-07-21, 11:36 AM	#5120
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Seal SS-183 Fifth War Patrol 28 July-31 August 1942 TMO 2.5 Update 100 difficulty, cams on, contacts off. Prologue Returned from Fourth War Patrol to Fremantle, Australia on 26 June 1942. Conducted normal refit and repairs. No 2(Attack) Periscope repaired, struck by machine gun fire during patrol. Due to the untimely death of Chief of the Boat, CTM R. I. Madison (KIA during gun action ), CTM Dudley R. Saunders assumed position as Chief of the Boat. CQM Henry P. Hammond and CTM Titus Lee reported aboard 11 July. Twenty-two MK 14 torpedoes loaded and boat provisioned for patrol between 24 July and 28 July. Ready for sea 28 July. Narrative Departed Fremantle at 0745 on2 8 July for South China Sea (Areas B9) off Hainan Island, China. On 30 July stopped overnight at Exmouth Gulf for fuel, remained due to storms and proximity of minefield in zero visibility. Departed Exmouth Gulf at 0800 31 July upon clearing of the foul weather and set course for patrol area via Celebes Sea, Sulu Sea, and Balabac Strait. On 6 August, while transiting Balabac Strait submerged, periscope lookout spotted smoke on horizon bearing 330 degrees at 1226 hours. Sound soon confirmed many props. Called General Quarters Torpedo and began closing. Soon contact revealed to be a convoy of six troop transports, escorted by a DD and an Auxiliary Cruiser. Contact Report was sent. Position of convoy7-37 N 116-50 E , Estimated Course and Speed: 082 10 knots. After a high speed run at 150 feet, Seal was 1400 yards off track of convoy and ready to fired. All bow tubes were made ready to fire at the Aikoku Maru class Aux Cruiser of 14800 tons. At 1303, fired four MK 14 torpedoes, set for 6 feet. Seas were heavy and prevented minimal depth setting. Torpedo #1 immediately went erratic to port, and then went into a circular run! Emergency depth of 100 feet was ordered as torpedo #4 left the tube. Torpedo #2 prematurely detonated 10 seconds after leaving tube. Torpedoes # 3 and #4 missed, possibly due to deep run or heavy seas. Unable to visually confirm due to emergency descent but torpedoes appeared to track properly . As Seal was at 90 feet, a massive explosion above, close rocked the boat. This was torpedo #1 which had by this time mad full circle and detonated above the boat at estimated depth of 45-50 feet. The boat was shaken, but undamaged. The enemy destroyer (AKATSUKI CLASS) closed in as Drum wen to 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge. The heavy seas made the DD's job difficult as it never truly located Seal. About five depth charges were dropped, none close and the DD soon shuffled off to rejoin convoy. Seal secured from General Quarters and continued transit of the strait, surfacing after dark at 1840. Throughout the day on 8 August a persistent "MAVIS" patrol aircraft shadowed Seal , forcing repeated dives and surfacing . On the fourth dive at 1500, remained submerged until after dark. Arrived in patrol area on evening of 10 August in ideal weather, but no contacts aside from daily patrol planes. The next few days were uneventful as Seal patrolled on the surface searching for contacts, sans the 13th and 14th when patrolled submerged close to shallow cost of Southern Hainan Island. On 15 August, during the morning trim dive at 0733, sound reported prop noises at 345 degrees. Surfaced, and closed at high speed spotting smoke at 0807. At 0815 confirmed had a convoy at 19-12 N 112 32-E off Hainan Island. Convoy course/speed estimated to be 104 degrees 8 knots. Called General Quarters torpedo and closed until submerged at 0840 for attack from port side of convoy. Convoy consisted of five ships...four mid sized AK and one mid sized AO identified as of the AKEBONO MARU Class.A reply to contact report was received to target tankers , as was the plan anyways At 0853 fired four MK 14 torpedoes from bow tubes 1,2,3,4. Torpedoes # 2 and #3 prematurely detonated about 100 yards from target. Target was alerted and took evasive action, but the remaining torpedoes had tracked properly and appeared were going to impact. Torpedo 1 hit amidships, but failed to detonate-dud. Torpedo #4 's wake was visible as it ran under the stern at the stack of the tanker. The DD(Fubuki Class) was now closing in, running down torpedo tracks . Ordered Seal to 250 feet, rigged for depth charge and silent running. For the next five hours the destroyer pounded Seal with depth charges . At 1114 a close pattern caused minor flooding in forward torpedo room , as well as leaks in piping and air lines through the boat. After this pattern, the DD appeared to slow close contact as Seal increased depth to 375 feet. Attempted to surface twice, but due to air cover from Hainan was unable to run on surface during the day After dark surfaced and attempted to locate convoy but had no luck. Disengaged and returned to patrol area. On the morning of 16 August, sound again made contact during trim dive at bearing 322. Closed target on the surface and soon had a mid sized tanker with a lone Chidori escorting. Went to General Quarters and closed the small convoy, which was on course of 064 at 12 knots. At 0736 fired three stern torpedoes at SEITO MARU (5186 tons) from 1000 yards. All three torpedoes prematurely detonated. Adjusted and fired another torpedo. This torpedo impacted target but failed to detonate-dud. Alerted, the Chidori closed in dropping depth charges but seemed to never gain solid contact. An hour after it began, the attack was over. Two hours later Seal surfaced and gave chased, tracking via the smoke from 10 NM. During the end around, convoy changed course at 1100 hours directly for Seal, submerged along track, went to General Quarters and closed for attack. At 1145 fired four bow torpedoes at the tanker. One torpedo prematurely exploded just 15 yards from target, while others tracked properly, observed wakes run under target, more deep runners. Chidori closed in pinging and delivered a much more persistent and effective counter attack over next few hours. Howeve,r by 1600 Seal was able to elude the Chidori and surfaced, racing ahead for another end around, when lookouts spotted the SEITO MARU steaming NQ, zigging at 8-10 knots. The escort, convinced Seal was still submerged was estimated 5-6 NM behind at the scene of attack.. Closed the temporarily unguarded SEITO MARU at high submerged speed reaching firing position , and fired stern torpedoes at 1813. Three prematurely detonated, but torpedo #4 impacted, causing the tanker to slow and a fire to break out. Turned seal to bring bow tubes to bear and fired the final two bow torpedoes, both of which hit but failed to detonate.(DUDS!) . Evaluating options and the fact no guns were visible on the tanker, the escort was a minimum 5.5 NM away, ordered Battle Surface. 1818 Seal surfaced with stern pointing at SEITO MARU from 2000 yards, and opened fire with 3 inch and 20 MM guns. The 3 inch gun scored 51 hits (57 rounds fired) and 20 MM scored numerous hits as well setting fire to bridge of tanker. At 1835, with fires raging and shells still being fired into the waterline, a massive explosion erupted aboard the tanker, leaving it broken in two and on fire. Counted eight y lifeboats in water. At 1844 hours, SEITO MARU 5150 tons sunk at 19 10 N 114 11 E. Lookouts spotted the Chidori in the dusk sky, racing in fast, no doubt responding to distress call or seeing the fires. Seal was off racing away at 20 knots. Chidori appeared to spot Seal and gave chase , which was concerning since a Chidori could overtake a sub at maximum speed. However, with night quickly approaching, it appeared Chidori lost sight of us in the eastern skyline and slowed at the wreck site, perhaps rescuing survivors .A SD radar contact was made at 1900 but remained steady at 8 NM, did not submerged. With all torpedoes expended, set course for home via Bashi Channel, East Coast of the Philippines, Molucca-Banda Seas , and Timor Straits . No further enemy contacts were made and Seal arrived at Fremantle on 31 August. Ships Sunk Name/Class SEITO MARU Type AO Tons 5150 tons. Date/Time 16 August 1942 1844 hours Location 19-10 N 114-11 E. Cause Torpedo/Gunfire Remarks: One out of twenty two torpedoes fired functioned properly. To date, the various torpedo maladies have caused Seal to miss sinking an aircraft carrier, a light cruiser, and eleven merchant vessels of 1000 tons or more.