Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged) - Page 341

Ludwig van Hursh · 09-24-21, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

lol yes, have to be careful, some islands only show up if zoomed in. When I first started running SH 4 way back had it happen and learned. Last time did this was when first started running TMO with the nav map makeover mod, which I believe added some small islands in the Borneo, Singapore, Java Sea areas. I was cruising along at night and time compression dropped . I went to bridge and in darkness could see something, I surmised land so went back emergency, still ran aground but was able to back off thanks to the reduced speed at impact. Little tiny island in the Karimata Straits area.

Thing is this happened more than a few times in WW II to US subs, S-39 comes to mind. Then you have the Darter which run aground on bombay shoals in South China Sea in October 44 while pursuing a damaged heavy cruiser, she was stuck and had to be abandoned, scuttled.

Well S-27 in real life also ran aground though it waited until it was in Alaska to do it, I think when this happened to me it was still December of 41.

Bubblehead1980 · 09-26-21, 12:25 PM

TMO 2.5 with custom mods
100 difficulty cams off, contacts on.

Note: This is the first time in all of my years of running TMO have managed to complete the entire war (well early 1942 when started new construction) until end of war in a Gato, or anything "below" a Balao Class without getting killed. TMO is tough and the boats who can't dive as deep face more of a challenge. I have started in January 1944 in a Gato and survived the war, but never from 42 when the class first becomes available I definitely had some close calls during the 14 patrols of this career, but managed to survive.

For all but the 12th, 13th, and 14th patrols(little to no traffic in those areas nor in the sim at the time, so went elsewhere) , I had orders to the actual areas Drum patrolled.

This also allowed me to test my TMO Update from early in the war until the end, see how things unfold in the campaign, and pretty happy overall.

As many may have read in this thread, I documented all 14 patrols in detailed reports and even began to write them in the style of actual WW II patrol reports utilizing data recorded during the patrol. Minute details of attacks such as Gyro Angles, Torpedo Tracks, Course etc. was gathered from the TDC in the sim. If not aware, can place your cursor over the TDC panel (2D) upper and lower dials, will provide these details. If the PK is activated, will update. Things such as serial numbers etc info not in game were stylized after the actual patrol reports.

With the 3D TDC/Radar mod which is incorporated in TMO, can get a lot of great information by studying the dials as they update the solution. I run most patrols without map contacts, so makes for a challenging but interesting time.

I also, by editing the career track files, "switched" Captains throughout the career at appropriate times and used the names of actual CO's for the Drum at appropriate time periods. This career served as a test bed for a future series of "campaigns" plan to develop, where player plays through a boats career, to the actual patrol areas. Drum will be first, followed by Tang, etc.

War Patrol Report
USS Drum SS-228
War Patrol Fourteen
1 July-19 August 1945

(A) Prologue

Arrived Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from thirteenth war patrol on 30 March 1945.

Sent to Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, for overhaul and refit, including dry docking.

Arrived Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, on April 11, 1945.

The following major refit work was completed on Drum during the refit period following War Patrol Thirteen:

1.)5 inch 25 Caliber Wet Mount Gun added forward and aft. (Aft mount removed before patrol at Submarine Base Pearl Harbor.)

2.) Single 40 MM Bofors Cannon replaced Twin 20 MM Oerlikon on fore AA platform.

3.) SV Radar replaced SD Radar.

4.) Conning tower cut down aft to further reduce silhouette.

6.) No.1 periscope replaced with improved "night" periscope.

7.) JT Listening Gear installed to replace JP-1 Listening Gear.

Executive Officer Lieut. A.N. Callaghan, USN, detached for new construction on 15 April 1945, relieved as Executive Officer by Lieut. A.L. O Leary, USN.

Ens. L.Y. Hammond, USN, promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, effective 1 April 1945.

Ens. M.A. Rossi, USN, and Ens. I.T. Abele, USN, reported aboard 1 May 1945.

CPO. W.S. Braun, USN, replaced CPO B.J. Sanders, USN, as Chief of the Boat (COB), followed Sander's detachment to short duty.

CPO's, B.B Scott, and H.A. Gregory, USN, reported aboard. PO 1/c D.R. Muller promoted to CPO effective 10 April 1945.

In addition to the wardroom and senior enlisted changes, forty crewmembers were detached with forty mostly inexperienced replacements reporting aboard. In addition to training during the refit period, intense drills will be conducted en route to area on new patrol to insure maximum readiness of the crew.

Ready for Sea 1 July 1945.

(B) Narrative

Officers and Chief Petty Officers.

File Number Name Number of War Patrols
78641 Lt. Comdr. F.M. Eddy, USN (CO) 9
919543 Lieut. A.L. O Leary, USN (XO) 11
161064 Lieut. G.P.A. Romano, USN 7
109492 Lieut. (jg) L.Y. Hammond,USNR 5
228826 Ens. N.T. Connaway, USNR 5
831858 Ens. M.A. Rossi, USN 0
190345 Ens. I.T. Abele, USN 0

Service Number Name Number of War Patrols
321 19 14 Braun, W.S., CTM, (COB) USN 12
223 47 64 Ferrall,E.W., CEM, USN 11
328 60 88 Stevens, W.E., CMoMM, USN 7
425 87 91 Gregory, H.A., CMoMM, USN 8
391 21 42 Muller, D.R., CMoMM, USN 7
334 84 19 Scott, B.B., CMoMM, USN 0

1 July

0930 Depart Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor for patrol area via Midway.

1230 Trim Dive.

1250 Surfaced.

2 July

0900 Gunnery Drill. Fired 5 inch, 40 MM, and 20 MM guns.

0930 Emergency Dive Drill. Simulated SD contact closing fast. Dive Time is 38 seconds.

0935 Torpedo Approach and Attack Drill on simulated target.

2300 Submerged for night periscope attack drill.

2350 Surfaced.

3 July

En route to Midway

4 July

En route Midway.

5 July

1030 Docked at Midway Island for refuel.

1302 Refuel complete. Depart Midway Island for patrol area: Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands.

1640 Trim Dive.

1700 Surfaced.

6 July

En route patrol area.

7 July

1730 Storms. Overcast with moderate fog, heavy seas with 10-12 ft waves.Wind speed 15 meters per second, direction 244.

1915 Storms cleared.

8 July

En route patrol area.

9 July

En route patrol area.

10 July

1000 Storms set in. Overcast, heavy wind, rain, seas, and fog. 10-12 ft waves. Wind 15 meters per second direction 002.

1840 Storms cleared.

11 July

En route patrol area.

12 July

0030 Entered Patrol Area.

1740 Submerged for attack.

1741 Sound contact: Warship bearing 299 Long Range. Closing medium speed.

1743 General Quarters- Torpedo.

1800 Spotted Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort Vessel bearing 292, estimated range 6500 yards.

1816 ATTACK NO.1 Fired MK 27 Homing Torpedo.

1821 Torpedo Missed.

1828 Secured General Quarters

2049 Possible props noises 027 degrees very long range.

2245 Surfaced

2251 SJ contact bearing 295 12 NM. 47-55 N 153-4 E

2350 SJ contact is a large iceberg. 48-6 N 153-1 E 10 NM East Matsuwa Island.

13 July

0519 Sighted fishing boats 48-21 N 153-37 E.

0520 General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action.

0529:15 Opened Fire. GUN ACTION NO.1

0529:31 Direct hits caused boat to exploded. Boat destroyed.

0532 Ceased Fire. Three fishing boats sunk. 48-20 N 153-38 E

0540 Secured General Quarters.

1521 SV contact bearing 081 9 NM, closing. Submerged. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.1

1915 Sound reports distant props bearing 131.

1916 Surfaced. Course 299° to investigate.

1922 SJ contacts bearing 341 14 NM 48-54 N 154-25 E PPI indicates convoy.

2131 Convoy rounded west side of Kharimkotan Island, Drum proceeded east of side to cut through the straight between Kharimkotan and Onekotan Islands to head off the convoy.

2211 Regained SJ contact with convoy round Kharimkotan Island. Bearing 316 11 NM. 49-12 N 154-37 E.

2214- General Quarters

2229 Smoke from convoy sighted bearing 260.

14 July

0130 Quarter moon set. Turned to course 195 for night surface attack.

0202 Convoy Sighted. 49-38 N 154-42 E Course 037 Speed 8 knots.

0216 ATTACK NO. 2

0218 All torpedoes impacted targets as aimed. Drum turned away for high speed run to west. Do not believe escorts had a fix on Drum as received no gunfire.

0221 HAKUSIKA MARU 8150 tons sunk at 04-37 N 39-37 N.

0224 TAIHOSAN MARU 1850 tons sunk at 04-37 N 39-37 N.

0240 Secure General Quarters.

0300 SJ contact 314 14 NM 49-55 N 154-38 E

0347 Visual contact on a Chidori Class Torpedo Boat, likely responding to area after alerted to earlier attack. Avoided contact.

1035 Submerged for patrol West of Paramushiru Island.

1044 Sound reports warship closing from bearing 035, medium range. Likely a patrol.

1109 Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort Vessel spotted, bearing 145 4500 yards, closing, fast. Believe Drum has been detected.

1110 Rigged for Silent Running. Rigged for Depth Charge.

1119:10 Depth charge explosions astern, not close.

1119:44 Pinging by enemy.

1122 Escort overhead.

1123:10 Splashes in water.

1123:30 Multiple DC explosions, fairly close. Boat shaken. Drum Depth: 387 ft

1140 Escort several thousand yards astern , hunting. Appears to have lost contact with Drum.

1435 Second warship contact bearing 241 long range. Believe this is another ASW responding to reports of submarine presence.

2000 Surfaced. Ser course to patrol the La Perouse-Paramushiru sea lanes in Sea of Okhotsk.

15 July

Patrol

16 July

Patrol

17 July

Patrol

18 July

Patrol

19 July

Patrol

20 July

0602 SJ Contact bearing 042 14 NM. 49-16 N 144-32 E 10 NM E of Karafuto Island. PPI indicates NNW bound convoy hugging coast.

0746 Submerged for attack.

0750 General Quarters.

0905 Convoy zigged to starboard, ruining set up.

0907 Passed thermal layer at 150 feet.

0909 Escort pinging.

0914 Depth charge explosions astern, not close. Heavy seas preventing accurate tracking of Drum. Drum at 200 ft. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running.

0919 More DC explosions.

1100 Secured General Quarters.

1215 Secured from Silent Running.

1219 Surface for end around on convoy.

1550 General Quarters

1608 Submerged for attack.

1637 Convoy sighted.50-01 N 144-02 E. Course 330 speed 9 knots. Three AK, screen consists one Chidori, one MS, three PC escorts.

1648 ATTACK NO. 3 Fired three MK 18 torpedoes from stern tubes.

1651 Torpedoes impacted bow area in succession. Large fires, ship appears seriously damaged. Type A escort is 1100 yards away bearing 180. Spotted scope just as torpedoes impacted. Escort changed course at high speed for Drum's scope, pinging on short scale. Ordered 350 feet depth, rigged for silent running and depth charge.

1652 at Thermal layer 95 feet. Deployed SBT-1 decoy at 105 feet.

1654:21 Splashes overhead.

1654:32 DC explosions. more pinging. Drum at 330 ft.

1655 More splashes. DC explosions.

1656 Drum at 375 ft.

1700 Many depth charge explosions astern. Escorts may be focused on SBT-1 decoy deployed.

1828 Secured General Quarters.

1835 Begin stern torpedo reload. Forward torpedo room removing MK 18's from Tubes 1,2, 3,4,5 to replace with MK 16 and MK 14 for future night surface attack on convoy. Remained submerged during torpedo reload and swap out due to heavy sea state.

2054 Torpedo reload and swap out completed.

2358 Radar Depth. SJ radar has convoy bearing 210 10 NM.

2359 Surfaced. Sea state improved from heavy to moderate.

21 July

0239 Regained SJ contact. Battery sufficiently charged for submerged attack. Night periscope attack in lieu of surface attack due to moonlight.

0245 General Quarters-Torpedo.

0250 Submerged for attack.

0318 Radar Depth.

0346 ATTACK NO 4. Fired two MK 16 torpedoes.

0347 Both torpedoes impacted target. Pinging began immediately. Drum rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running.

0348 MADRAS MARU 3790 tons sunk at 50-33 N 143-39 E. Ordered depth of 350 feet.

0351 Pinging. Escorts closing.

0353 Depth charge explosions astern. Passed thermal layer 170 feet.

0354 Short scale pinging. Escort closing. SBT-1 decoy deployed

0355 Escort overhead. Splashes audible.

0356 DC explosions.

0358 Escort close bearing 050 pinging short scale.

0359 DC explosion, close. Boat shaken. Drum at 380 feet.

0401 Short scale pinging. Escort c losing from astern Deployed SBT-1 decoy. Drum to 390 feet.

0402 DC explosions astern.

0403 Pinging, short scale.

0405 DC explosions.

0500 Escorts appear to have lost contact with Drum.

0530 Secured General Quarters.

0606 Periscope depth.

0607 Surfaced for end around.

0754 Convoy changed course to NE heading away from Karafuto Island. Believe sea lane establishedtraffice traffic exits La Perouse or ports on Hokkaido, runs along the Karafuto/Sakhalin coast the into the Northern Sea of Okhotsk, possibly into Russian waters to avoid submarine attack. Convoy took heading 025° at 50-57 N 143-46 E.

1046 Regained SJ contact bearing 334 15 NM. 05-20 N 143-55 E.

1104 Smoke sighted 090 estimated 8 NM.

1105 General Quarters-Torpedo

1118 Submerged for attack.

1154 Periscope depth. Convoy at bearing 056. Course 045 speed 8.5 knots. One AK, one Chidori escort leading, one Type A on starboard, one unknown on port. Escort is off on "sweep" permitting Drum to close target.

1159 Pinging. Drum detected. Chidori closing. Turned towards Chidori for down the throat shot.

1202 Attempted to fire MK 18 in tube # 4, torpedo failed to fire (See Damage and Defects Section) . With range now too close to fire ordered emergency dive. Released SBT-1 decoys. Ordered 350 feet.

DC splashes heard as Chidori roared overhead. Rigged for depth charge and silent running.

DC explosions. Boat shaken.

1204 Pinging.

1207 DC explosions. close Boat shaken. Depth: 375 ft

1210 DC explosions, close.

1400 Secured General Quarters.

1508 Surfaced for end around.

2025 Regained SJ contact with convoy 004 12 NM 51-43 N 145-0 E.

22 July

0102 General Quarters-Torpedo. Full moon, opted for submerged night periscope attack.

0133 Submerged for attack.

0153 ATTACK NO. 5 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes.

0154 Torpedo Impact! Amidships.

0155 Torpedo Impact! Forward. Vessel on fire.

0158:31 WATANABE MARU 3600 tons sunk. 52-01 N 145-25 E.

0158:55 PC type escort bearing 120 1000 yards. Ordered dive to 300 ft. Rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge.

0202 DC explosions. close, boat shaken. Damage reported. (See damage section) Drum depth: 340 ft.

0205-0300 Multiple Depth charge attacks from escorts. No damage.

0400 Secured General Quarters.

0730 Submerged.

2200 Surfaced

23 July

Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes.

24 July

0943 Spotted several icebergs. 53-15 N 150 14 E

25 July

Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes.

26 July

Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes.

27 July

Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes.

28 July

Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes.

29 July

0502 Spotted fishing boats bearing 042 5500 yards.

0503 General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action.

0512 GUN ACTION NO. 2. Commenced firing.

0523 Ceased fired. Three fishing boats 200 tons each (estimated) sunk at 49-10 N 154-52 E and 49-10 N 154-53 .

0649 Spotted fishing boats 000 5660 yards. General Quarter Battle Surface Gun Action.

0558 GUN ACTION NO.3 Commenced firing.

0611 Ceased Fire. Three fishing boats sunk by gunfire. 49-14 N 154-57 E

1331 SV contact bearing 089 8.8 NM. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO. 2. Submerged.

1558 Surfaced.

1757 SV contact bearing 301 9 NM. Submerged.

2214 9 NM NNE of Matsuwa.

30 July

0015 Surfaced.

0047 Iceberg spotted 000 5700 yards. 48-12 N 153 07 E. 7 NM NE Matsuwa Island.

0500 Submerged for patrol off Matsuwa Island.

1100 Sound reported distant props bearing 040-050.

1155 Surfaced.

1220 PC arrived in Drum's former location and began searching. Possibly spotted by shore observers.

1232 Surfaced to clear Matsuwa.

1417 SV contact bearing 122 10 NM. Range steady. AIRCRAFT CONTACT #4

1426 SV contact closing. Submerged to avoid.

1549 Surfaced.

1650 Spotted fishing boats bearing 350 range 8000 yards.

1653 General Quarters-Battle Surface- Gun Action.

1700 GUN ACTION NO. 4 Commenced firing.

1710 Ceased fire. Four fishing boats sunk.

1712 Secure General Quarters.

31 July

0108 SJ contact bearing 325 14 NM. 47-5 151-54. PPI indicates convoy hugging coast of Simusir Island.

0125 General Quarters-Torpedo

0133 Submerged for attack.

0224 ATTACK NO. 6 Fired three MK 18 and one MK 27 homing torpedo. from stern tubes.

0227 Three torpedoes impacted lead AK.

0228 Pinging. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. Drum to 300 ft.

0232 Torpedo Impact ! MK 27 homing torpedo hit target. Believe to be the trailing AK.Massive secondary explosions audible as well as sounds of ship sinking.

0233 Pinging. DC explosions near by. Escort closing.

0400 Secure General Quarters.

0600 Periscope/Radar depth. All clear. Secure Silent Running.

0605 Remained submerged for the day at 200 ft. Periscope observations at 0900, 1200, 1600, 2250.

2300 Surfaced.

1 August

2000 Storms. Overcast, heavy seas, precipitation, winds.

2 August

0007 SJ contact on stationary object. Believe to be iceberg. Storms prevent investigation.

0636 Received orders from COMSUBPAC to sweep the southern coast of Hokkaido.

3 August

2200 Patrolling Southern Coast of Hokkaido

4 August

Patrolling Southern coast of Hokkaido, en route back to Okhotsk

5 August

Patrol

6 August

Patrol

2100 Evening FOX mentioned dropping of "Atomic Weapon" on Hiroshima. City reported destroyed.

Set course to patrol Karafuto/Terpeniya Bay.

2136 SJ contacts bearing 004 14 NM. 44-41 N 143 22 E. PPI indicates convoy off coast of Northern Hokkaido.

2140- General Quarters-Torpedo

2203 Submerged for attack.

2235 ATTACK NO. 7 Fired four MK 18 at lead AK.

2236 Pinging. Escort closing bearing 080. Rig for depth charge, silent running.

2238 Thermal layer 136 ft. Torpedoes missed. SBT-1 decoy deployed.

2239 Multiple DC explosions. Drum 268 feet. 12 ft off bottom. Escort appears to have dropped on decoy instead of Drum.

2244 Pinging. Escort closing

2245 DC explosions, close.

2250 DC explosions. Boat shaken.

2251 DC explosions close. Damage reported. See damage section.

2352-2259 Many depth charges astern. Escorts attacking decoys.

7 August

0003 Periscope/radar depth. Lone contact bearing 180 7800 yards.

0004 Surfaced. Escort heard Drum surfacing, closed fast. Drum sped away.

0006 Engines on overload, escort pursuing. 22.5 knots sustained speed, peaked at 23.0 knots.

0010 PPI indicates two other escorts heading for Drums position.

0052-Last reserve torpedo(MK 16) loaded into Tube # 4. Drum has four torpedoes remaining. One aft (Tube 8 MK 18) and three (Tubes 4, MK 16, Tubes 5 and 6 MK 18) bow. remain.

0309 Convoy resumed consist course. Prepared for surface torpedo attack.

0414 ATTACK NO. 7. Fired one MK 16 torpedo (Tube #4)

0416 Torpedo impact!

0419 AKITA MARU 3936 tons sunk at 44-24 N 143-45 E.

0430 Secured General Quarters. Dawn in less than one hour, will attack after breakfast and convoy has chance to settle down.

0743 Submerged for Attack.

0750 General Quarters-Torpedo.

0815 On observation, plot showed convoy would overrun Drum, too close for bow shot. With only one torpedo aft, this was not optimal, then began a turn away to open range, then a turn back for a bow shot. Lead escort came with 1200 yards during this maneuver but Drum was not detected.

0839 ATTACK NO. 9 Fired two MK 18 torpedoes from tubes 5 and 6. All bow torpedoes expended.

0841 Torpedo impacted target, setting off a massive explosion, engulfing the vessel in a fireball. similar to when a tanker is torpedoed. While an AK, possible was loaded with fuel. Second torpedo hit five seconds later, but was redundant.

0842 Pinging. Type C escort closing. Lead escort coming about towards Drum. Lead escort identified as a Otori Class Torpedo Boat. Rigged for depth charge and silent running.

0843 Thermal layer 134 ft.

0845 Escort passed overhead. Many DC explosions Drum at 265 ft. Charges were close but set too shallow it seems.

0847 Sounds confirms target sunk AK torpedoed sunk. WATANABE MARU (?) 3600 tons sunk.

0849 Escort passed overhead. Many DC explosions Boat shaken severely.

0855 SBT-1 Decoy deployed

0856 Escort passed overhead. DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. Damage reported. (See damage section)

0858 Sound has second escort (presumed the Otori) closing fast bearing 130. Two more warship contacts closing at high speed, from long range at bearing 295.

0901 Pinging.

0904 Pinging. Escort closing from 170.

0906 Escort passed overhead. DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. Drum at 380 ft. Damage reported(See Damage Section)

0909 Sound reports two warships closing from north. Likely ASW vessels trying to box in and block Drum's escape to deeper waters.

0911 Escort appears to be attacking decoys. DC explosion astern, distant.

1015 Escorts astern, long range.

1236 Secured General Quarters.

1409 Distant depth charges heard by sound. Escorts still hunting Drum. At periscope depth, secured silent running.

1411 Surfaced.

8 August

Patrolled off Hitokappu Bay. SJ contact was made with ships in the bay, but with one torpedo remaining and low fuel, did not seem prudent to attempt to enter the bay for an attack.

9 August

0030 After thirty nine days on patrol, with one torpedo remaining, and low fuel state, set course for Pearl Harbor via Midway.

1900 Evening Fox mentioned second Atomic Weapon dropped on Nagasaki with similar results to the bombing of Hiroshima.

10 August

En route Midway.

11

En route Midway.

12 August

En route Midway.

13 August.

En Route Midway

14 August

En route Midway

15 August

0200 Received message from COMSUBPAC that Japan has unconditionally surrendered, the war is over.

0700 Docked Midway for refuel.

1100 Departed Midway for Pearl Harbor.

16 August

En route Pearl Harbor.

17 August

En route Pearl Harbor.

18 August

En route Pearl Harbor.

19 August

0834 Docked at Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.

(C) Weather

The weather in the area was normal for the Sea of Okhotsk, and Kuril Islands. A near constant fog and cloud cover was present as well as cold temperatures, arctic squalls, with heavy ice cold seas. However, multiple days and nights were pleasant with calm, almost lake like waters.

(D) Tidal Information

The currents encountered in Sea of Okhotsk, in and around the Kuril Islands group corresponded to those predicted by the pilot charts, current charts, and coast pilots.

(E) No aids were encountered. Icebergs presented a navigational hazard, especially in the straits between various islands.

(F) Air Contacts

AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.1

Date: 13 July 1945

Time: 1521

Position: 49-0 N 154-20 E

Bearing: 081

Range: 9 NM

Altitude: 1000 ft

Course:015°

Speed:120 kts

Visual: No

Radar: SV

Type: Unknown

Own Ship: 115° 10 knots Surfaced.

Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1521.

AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.2

Date: 29 July 1945

Time: 1331

Position: 48-24 N 153-51 E

Bearing: 089

Range: 8.8 NM, closing.

Altitude: 800 ft

Course:135°

Speed:150 kts (estimated)

Visual: No

Radar: SV

Type: Unknown

Own Ship: 220° 10 knots Surfaced.

Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1332

AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.3

Date: 29 July 1945

Time: 1757

Position: 48-14 N 153-27 E

Bearing: 301

Range: 9 NM, closing.

Altitude: 900 ft

Course:340°

Speed:120 kts (estimated)

Visual: No

Radar: SV

Type: Unknown

Own Ship: 260° 10 knots Surfaced.

Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1757.

AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.4

Date: 30 July 1945

Time: 1418

Position: 47-53 N 153-13 E

Bearing: 122

Range: 9 NM. Steady (initially) Began closing 1426 6 NM at time of submergence.

Altitude: 1500 ft

Course:190° (initial) 290° (final)

Speed:120 kts

Visual: No

Radar: SV

Type: Unknown

Own Ship: 295° 10 knots Surfaced.

Remark: Submerged to avoid.

(G) Attack Data

Torpedo Attacks:

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 1, Patrol No. 14

Time: 1816 (I) Date: 12 July 1945 Lat. 47-44 N., Long. 152-53 E.

Description:

Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort vessel on patrol 5 NM off coast Russawa Island.

Ships Sunk:

None.

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:

None.

Target Draft 13.1 feet, Course 215°, Speed 15 knots, Range yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 125°, Depth 63 feet, Angle 43° (at firing)

Type Attack

Daytime Periscope Attack with MK 27 "Cutie" homing torpedo. Torpedo missed.

Torpedo Attack # 1

Tubes Fired #6
Track Angle 101°S
Gyro Angle 9°R
Depth Set 11 ft
Course 155°
Point of Aim MOT
Hit or Miss Miss
Erratic No
Mark Torpedo 27
Serial No. 66451
Exploder 8-3
Serial No. 9992
Actuation Set Contact
Actuation Actual - -
Mark Warhead 27-1
Serial No. 5679
Explosive Torpex
Firing Interval 0
Type Spread 0
Sea Conditions Calm

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 2, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0216 (I) Date: 14 July 1945 Lat. 49-38 N., Long. 154-44 E.

Description:

Small convoy hugging coast of Onekotan Island. One small AK, one large AK, two escorts.

Target #1: HAKUSIKA MARU AK 8150 tons

Target #2: TAIHOSAN MARU AK 1850 tons

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
HAKUSIKA MARU AK 8150 tons 04-37 N 39-37 N 0221

TAIHOSAN MARU AK 1850 tons 04-37 N 39-37 N 0224

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:

Visual observation from bridge.

Target#1 Draft 28.5 feet, Course 215°, Speed 15 knots, Range 3400 yds. (at firing)

Target#2 Draft 12.1 feet, Course 035°, Speed 9 knots, Range 3100 yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 4 knots, Course 131° Depth: Surfaced Angle (at firing) Target #1: 69°P Target #2: 80°S

Type Attack

Night Surface Attack. First firing of new MK 16 torpedoes. HAKUSIKA MARU burned profusely and sunk quickly after three solid hits amidships, the third torpedo was redundant in this case due to the larger warhead of MK 16. TAIHOSAN MARU slowed after first torpedo hit the trailing HAKUSIKA MARU, and was in a port turn when the fourth torpedo slammed into bow area, causing a large fire. One minute after impact, a massive, delayed secondary explosion occurred and the small ship quickly slipped beneath the waves.

Torpedo Attack # 2

Tubes Fired #1 #2 #3 #4
Track Angle 79°P 79°P 79°P 99°P
Gyro Angle 11°L 11°L 11°L 352°L
Depth Set 10 ft. 10 ft 10 ft 5 ft
Course 141° 141° 141° 123°
Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Hit
Point of Impact MOT MOT MOT Forward Mast
Erratic No No No No
Mark Torpedo 16 16 16 16
Serial No. 83401 83402 83403 83404
Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 8-5
Serial No. 10000 9993 9991 9994
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - - - - - -
Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1
Serial No. 9420 9425 9431 9471
Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5 5 2
Type Spread 0 0 0 0
Sea Conditions Calm Calm Calm Calm

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 3, Patrol No. 14

Time: 1648 (I) Date: 20 July 1945 Lat. 50-02 N., Long.144-03 E.

Description:

Convoy of three AK in single column with six escorts (Chidori, Shimushu Type A Escort, four PC) hugging coast of Karafuto Island

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
HAKUSIKA MARU* AK 8150 50-02 N 144-03 E 1658

* Similar to HAKUSIKA MARU likely of same class.

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:
Visual observation of torpedo impacts via periscope. Fires visible along with sudden down angle by bow before Drum forced to go deep to avoid escorts. Sound check confirms of vessel sinking at proper bearing.

Target Draft 28.5 feet, Course 330°, Speed 9 knots, Range 3000 yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 004°, Depth 60 feet, Angle 73° S (at firing)

Type Attack

Daytime Periscope Attack in heavy seas. Speed estimate was slightly fast at 9 knots, should have been set in TDC at 8.5 for MOT impact as aimed. However, the three MK 18 to bow caused serious damage to sink the vessel. A quick but ineffective counter attack by enemy escorts follow, thanks to the heavy sea state and thermal layer. One SBT-1 decoy was deployed but appears escort did not detect it until around 1700.

Torpedo Attack # 3

Tubes Fired #7 #8 #9
Track Angle 87°S 87°S 87°S
Gyro Angle 18°R 18°R 18°R
Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft
Course 61° 61° 61°
Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit
Point of Impact Bow Bow Bow
Erratic No No No
Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1
Serial No. 55892 555666 54580
Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5
Serial No. 9358 10072 9312
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - -
Mark Warhead 18-2 18-2 18-2
Serial No. 2438 2554 9933
Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5 5
Type Spread 0 0 0
Sea Conditions Heavy Heavy Heavy

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 4, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0346 (I) Date: 21 July 1945 Lat. 50-33 N., Long.13-41 E.

Description:

Follow up attack on convoy attacked in ATTACK No. 3 after end around. Two remaining AK in single column with six escorts (Chidori, Shimushu Type A Escort, four PC) hugging coast of Karafuto Island

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
MADRAS MARU AK 3790 50-33 N 143-49 E 0348

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:

Visual observation via periscope of two torpedo hits amidships and astern on target at 0346. Torpedoes caused two large explosions and fires on board, vessel began to list quickly to starboard until sunk at 0348.

Target Draft 25.6 feet, Course 330°, Speed 8.5 knots, Range 1746 yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 250°, Depth 60 feet, Angle 89° S (at firing)

Type Attack

Night periscope attack in moderate seas due to moonlight and phosphorescence providing excellent visual conditions, not optimal for night surface attack. First use of newly installed No.1 "night periscope". In with the moonlight provided decent night time visual of target via periscope. Definite improvement over previous scopes for night attacks.

Torpedo Attack # 4

Tubes Fired #3 #4
Track Angle 100°S 100°S
Gyro Angle 8°R 8°R
Depth Set 10ft 10ft
Course 269° 269°
Point of Aim MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Hit Hit
Point of Impact MOT Aft Mast
Erratic No No
Mark Torpedo 16 16 16 16
Serial No. 83405 83406 83407 83409
Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 8-5
Serial No. 10021 10022 10023 10024
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - - - - - -
Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1
Serial No. 9472 9480 9483 9487
Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5 5 2
Type Spread 0 0 0 0
Sea Conditions Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 5, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0153 (I) Date: 22 July 1945 Lat. 52-02 N., Long. 145-25E.

Description:

Follow up attack on convoy attacked in ATTACK No. 3 and 4 after end around. One remaining AK in single column with three escorts currently, forward, port flank, starboard flank with 1000 yards spacing. Other escorts likely trying to catch up. Convoy departed coastline and is heading NE into open waters of the Sea of Okhotsk towards Kuril Islands.

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
WATANABE MARU AK 3706 52-01 N 145-25E 0157

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:

Visual observation of torpedoes impacting target. Torpedoes impacted as aimed, with two large explosions upon impact. Large fire amidships area visible.

Target Draft 24.0 feet, Course 045°, Speed 8.5 knots, Range 1967 yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 148°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 81° P (at firing)

Type Attack

Submerged, night periscope attack in calm seas.

Torpedo Attack # 5

Tubes Fired #1 #2
Track Angle 92°P 92°P
Gyro Angle 359°L 359°L
Depth Set 10ft 10ft
Course 146° 146°
Point of Aim MOT Fore Mast
Hit or Miss Hit Hit
Point of Impact MOT Forward, under mast.
Erratic No No
Mark Torpedo 14-3 14-3
Serial No. 86641 7453
Mark Exploder 6-3 6-3
Serial No. 6441 4421
Actuation Set Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - -
Mark Warhead 14-3 14-3
Serial No. 5472 11480
Explosive Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5
Type Spread 0 0
Sea Conditions Calm Calm

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 6, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0224 (I) Date: 31 July 1945 Lat.47-0 N., Long.151 -57 E.

Description:

Two ship, four escort convoy hugging coastline.

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
SEIA MARU AK 7590 46-59 N 151-57 E 0229

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
BIYO MARU AK 5425 46-59 151-57E 0232

Damage Determined By:
Visual observation of three torpedo hits in lead AK. Large explosion and fires followed second and third hits. Observed lead AK sink by the stern at 0229. At 0232, while Drum was at 300 ft, MK 27 "Cutie" impacted an enemy vessel. The torpedo impact was audible through the hull and on sound gear. A series of massive secondary explosions occurred just after impact. Based on last bearing of the torpedo and the mid sized AK, believe MK 27 tracked and hit the AK. Judging by the unusually large explosions, ship was carrying volatile cargo such as ammunition.

SEIA MARU
Target Draft 27 feet, Course 065°, Speed 9 kts, Range 2800 yds. (at firing)

BIYO MARU
Target Draft 24 feet, Course 065°, Speed 9 kts, Range 3100 yds. (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 005°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 88° P (at firing) (SEIA MARU) 78° P (BIYO MARU)

Type Attack

Submerged-Night Periscope in choppy seas with three quarters moon and phosphorescence.

Torpedo Attack # 6

Tubes Fired #7 #8 #9 #10
Track Angle 79°S 79°S 79°S 70°S
Gyro Angle 348° 348° 348° 335°
Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft 6ft
Course 329° 329° 329° 329°
Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Hit
Point of Impact MOT MOT MOT Unknown
Erratic No No No No
Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 27
Serial No. 11776 12001 10915 66454
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - - - - - -
Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2 8-2 27-1
Serial No. 8472 8888 9104 1308
Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5 5 0
Type Spread 0 0 0 0
Sea Conditions Choppy Choppy Choppy Choppy

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 7 , Patrol No. 14

Time: 2235 (I) Date: 6 August 1945 Lat. 44-39, Long. 143-16.

Description:

Two ship four escort convoy sailing coast of Northern Hokkaido. Approached from port side of convoy.

Ships Sunk:

Ships Damaged:

None.

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:
None.

Target Draft 24 feet, Course 147°, Speed 9 kts, Range yds. 2800 (at firing)

AKITA MARU 3936 tons.

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 220°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 80° P (at firing)

Type Attack

Submerged periscope attack at dusk. All torpedoes missed, as just a minute after firing, Drum was somehow detected by port flank escort. Alerted, the target changed course.

Torpedo Attack # 7

Tubes Fired #1 #2 #3 #4
Track Angle 90°P 79°P 79°P 79°P
Gyro Angle 0° 0° 0° 0°
Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft 10ft
Course 222° 222° 222° 222°
Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss
Point of Impact - - - - - - - -
Erratic No No No No
Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1
Serial No. 11182 12056 10922 10117
Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - - - - - -
Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2 8-2 8-2
Serial No. 8499 8881 9109 9203
Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5 5 5
Type Spread 0 0 0 0
Sea Conditions Calm Calm Calm Calm

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 8 , Patrol No. 14

Time: 0414 (I) Date: 7 August 1945 Lat. 44-25, Long. 143-45.

Description:

Attack on Two ship four escort convoy sailing coast of Northern Hokkaido after end around. Approached from port side of convoy.

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
AKITA MARU AK 3936 44-24 N 143-45 E 0419

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:
Observed MK 16 torpedo hit amidships of AKITA MARU. A large fire started amidships followed by a delayed secondary explosion 30-40 seconds later. Ship began to settle in the water. Observed target sink at

Target Draft 24 feet, Course 147°, Speed 9 kts, Range: 2556 yards (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 209°, Surfaced, Angle 78° P (at firing)

Type Attack
Night Surface attack in calms seas, light fog, with no moon.

Torpedo Attack # 8

Tubes Fired #1
Track Angle 89°P
Gyro Angle 0°
Depth Set 10ft
Course 210°
Point of Aim MOT
Hit or Miss Hit
Point of Impact MOT
Erratic No
Mark Torpedo 16
Serial No. 83455
Actuation Set Contact
Actuation Actual - -
Mark Warhead 8-2
Serial No. 8769
Explosive Torpex
Firing Interval 0
Type Spread 0
Sea Conditions Calm

U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 9 , Patrol No. 14

Time: 0839 (I) Date: 7 August 1945 Lat. 44-11, Long. 144-14.

Description:

Follow up attack on remaining AK in convoy (ATTACK NO 6 and 7) at dawn. Two MK 18 remain torpedoes forward, one aft.

Ships Sunk:

Name Class Tonnage Location Time
WATANABE MARU (?) AK 3600 44-11 N 144-14 E 0842

Ships Probably Sunk:

None.

Damage Determined By:

Visual observation of both torpedoes impacting target. Impact of first torpedo set off a massive explosion and fireball similar to how tankers exploded when torpedoed. The vessel was left a burning heap, the second torpedo hit was redundant. While not an AO, possible this AK was pulling tanker duty due to the enemy's reportedly having a shortage of tanker vessels.

Target Draft 24 feet, Course 110°, Speed 9 kts, Range: 1939 yards (at firing)

Own Ship Data:

Speed 3 knots, Course 030°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 88° S (at firing)

Type Attack

Submerged periscope attack at dawn in calm seas.

Torpedo Attack # 9

Tubes Fired #1 #2
Track Angle 88°S 88°S
Gyro Angle 14°R 14°R
Depth Set 10ft 10ft
Course 047° 047°
Point of Aim MOT MOT
Hit or Miss Hit Hit
Point of Impact Aft MOT
Erratic No No
Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1
Serial No. 08999 9997
Actuation Set Contact Contact
Actuation Actual - - - -
Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2
Serial No. 8544 8897
Explosive Torpex Torpex
Firing Interval 5 5
Type Spread 0 0
Sea Conditions Calm Calm

(I) Gunnery

Gunnery

Ammunition: Rounds Type

5 inch 25 Caliber Gun: 300 HE

40 MM Bofors 1000 HE

20 MM 6000 HE

U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 1, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0529 (I) Date: 13 July 1945 Lat. 49-11 N ., Long. 154-52 E.

Description:

Dawn gunnery action with on armed fishing boats with 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns.

Target:

Three fishing boats. Estimated 200 tons. Armed with machine guns.

Range:

2000-1500 yards (at firing)

Angle:

40°-80°

Course: 05° (at commencement)

Speed: 5 knots

Own Ship:

130° 5-15 knots

5 inch 40 MM 20 MM

Rounds Expended: 8 49 91

Hits: 6 31 Undetermined

Misses: 2 18 Undetermined

Result:

Ceased fire 0532.Three fishing boats estimated 200 tons each sunk by gunfire. 48-20 N 153-38 E

Vessels exploded quite easily compared to past gun actions. Believe these boats were carrying volatile cargo, not just the catch of the day.

U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 2, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0512 (I) Date: 29 July 1945 Lat. 49-12 N ., Long. 154-55 E.

Description:

Dawn gunnery action. Commenced firing at 0512 on armed fishing boat with Drum's 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns in a broadside attack. Boat 1 exploded after three 5 inch gun hits and six 40 MM hits as well as unknown number of 20 MM hits.

Boat 2 was fired on from 3000 yards as it attempted to evade but was quickly dispatched with four rounds from the 5 inch gun.

Boat 3 was making its best speed in opposite direction but Drum easily overran her, closing to 1100 yards, swinging for broadside attack. 40 MM and 20 MM guns set target blaze, topped off with 3 five inch gun hits.

All three burning hulks remained afloat for a few minutes before finally sinking.Ceased firing 0523. All boats returned machine gun fire during the battle,, with no hits on Drum.

Target:
Three fishing boatsEstimated 200 tons, armed with machine guns.

Range:

2000-1100 yards (at firing)

Angle:

40°-100° 40° at commencement

Course: 030° (at commencement)

Speed: 6 knots (at commencement)

Own Ship:

211° 10 knots (at commencement)

5 inch 40 MM 20 MM

Rounds Expended: 14 32 223

Hits: 10 22 Undetermined

Misses: 4 10 Undetermined

Result:

All three fishing boats sunk. Each is estimated to be 200 tons. All were armed with machine guns which opened fire on Drum.

Boats 1 and 2 sunk at 49-11 N 154-53 E while the final boat sunk at 49-10 N 154-52 E.

U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 3, Patrol No. 14

Time: 0558 (I) Date: 29 July 1945 Lat. 49-14 N ., Long. 154-57 E.

Description:

Less than an hour after GUN ACTION NO. 2, spotted three more fishing boats. Dawn gunnery action. Commenced firing at 0558 on armed fishing boat with Drum's 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns.

Range:

3000-1100 yards (at firing)

Angle:

60°-100° 60° at commencement

Course: 035° (at commencement)

Speed: 5 knots (at commencement)

Own Ship:

205° 10 knots (at commencement)

5 inch 40 MM 20 MM

Rounds Expended: 12 96

Hits: 10 66 Undetermined

Misses: 2 30 Undetermined

Result:

Three fishing boats sunk 200 tons each at 49-14 N ., 154-57 E.

U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 4, Patrol No. 14

Time: 1700 (I) Date: 30 July 1945 Lat.47-56 N , Long. 152-556 E.

Description:

Engaged four armed fishing boats traveling in tight group. All opened fire. First three boats were hit with combo of 5 inch, 40, and 20 MM fire. Fourth boat was at 3500 yards fleeing and ws hit with five rounds of 5 inch ammo.

Range:

3500-1100 yards (at firing)

Angle: 0-70°

Course:150°

Speed: 6 knots

Own Ship:

277° 15 knots

5 inch 40 MM 20 MM

Rounds Expended: 22 101 311

Hits: 12 70 Undetermined

Misses: 10 31 Undetermined

Result:

Sunk four fishing boats-armed. 200 tons each. 47-57 N 152 56 E

(J) Mines

No mines were encountered on this patrol.

(K) Major Defects and Damage.

21 July

Defect-

1.) Torpedo tube door did not open when ordered, would not open. Torpedo was pulled from tube and repaired. Tube functional

22 July 1945 -Systems damaged by depth charge attack.

1.) Trim Pump

2.) Batteries-Aft

3.) Several seawater pipes and high pressure air lines

4.) Torpedo tubes # 4,5,6

5.) SV radar antenna

6.) Compressor

7.) Hydraulic pump

All damage repaired.

6 August 1945- Damage received from depth charge attack.

1.) Stern planes transmission

2.) Port prop shaft

3.) Stern tubes 7, 8, 9, 10.

4.) Rudder transmission

6.) Minor Flooding in Aft Torpedo Room.

7.Batteries-Stern

All damage repaired.

7 August 1945- Damage received by depth charge.

1.) Moderate flooding in aft torpedo room.

2.) Light flooding in crew berthing.

3.) Port prop shaft

4.)Batteries-Bow

5.) Seawater pips and air lines

6.) Trim pump

7.) No.1 Periscope

8.) No. 2 Periscope Head.

9.) 5 inch deck gun.

10.) No. 1 and No. 3 Diesels.

All damage repaired.

(L) Anti-Submarine Measures and Evasion Tactics

No unusual anti-submarine measure were encountered. Enemy ASW was overall mediocre with undetermined and moderately effective counter attacks.

Surface patrols were quite common while air patrols were not. It is likely enemy has moved aircraft to the home islands to repel Allied forces operating off here coast.

Evasion tactics were standard for Drum SBT-1 decoys have proven quite useful, especially with operations typically so close to the coast.

(M) Radio

Radio function was normal.

9090 Kcs Signal started coming in at 1100 GCT with good strength. Started fading at 1400 GCT and came back in with good strength at 1530 GCT. Started fading again at 1900 GCT.
6045 Kcs Signal first starting coming in at 0900 GCT otherwise same as 9090 Kcs.
4515 Kcs At all times jammed too much for use.
16730 Kcs No data available. Were submerged during transmission times on this frequency.

(N) Radar

SJ Radar performed well. Typical detection range was 13-14 NM.

The new SV air search radar performed well and is a great additional providing bearing, altitude, course etc information as opposed to the old SD. Detection range was typically around 10 NM when close to land. In open ocean improved to around 15-16 NM.

(O) Sound Gear and Sound Conditions

Overall, the sound gear operated fine. However, sound conditions in the Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands were overall not great for us or the enemy.

(P) Thermal Layers

Numerous thermal layers were encountered. Depths ranged from 80 ft to 260 feet. These aided great in evading enemy counter attacks.

(Q) Health, Food, and Habitability

The health of the crew during this war patrol was exceedingly good. Only 3 man days were lost, due to one case of gastro-enteritis, acute.

The food was palatable and well prepared. One new cook and one new baker did very good work on their first patrol and as a result the meals were much improved over the preceding few patrols.

The boat was comfortable throughout the patrol, largely thanks to the cooler climate of the assigned area.

(R) Personnel

Following the Thirteenth War Patrol, Drum underwent an overhaul and refit and experienced a high turnover of personnel in the process. Forty experienced men were detached with fort new, largely inexperienced men reporting aboard during the refit period, including two Ensigns who had yet to make a patrol. However, the crew rose to the occasion and performed with excellence.

Number on board 72
Number qualified at start 50
Number qualified at end 57
Number advanced in rating 7
Number first patrol men 25

(S) Miles Steamed-Fuel Used

Pearl Harbor to Midway 1350 Miles 25100 Gallons
Midway to Area 2369 Miles 31467 Gallons
In Area 6998 Miles 44707 Gallons
Area to Midway 2450 Miles 33900 Gallons
Midway to Pearl Harbor 1350 Miles 25892
Total 14517 Miles 161066 Gallons

(T) Duration

Days Enroute to Area 12
Days in Area 28
Days Enroute to Base 13
Days Submerged 11
Total Days of Patrol 53

(U) Factors of Endurance Remaining
Torpedoes 1
Fuel 27300 gallons
Provisions 15 days
Personnel 15 days

Limiting Factor of This Patrol:

Low fuel state and one torpedo remaining in after tubes.

(V Radio and Radar Countermeasures)

APR-1 only detected enemy radio once from a surface vessel and once from an aircraft (Air Contact #2)

Typical countermeasures towards our radios were employed by the enemy.

(V) Remarks

The performance of the new MK 16 torpedo was excellent. One MK 16 packs enough powwer to bring down most mid sized freighters. Two will finish off larger targets with relative ease.

The MK-27 "Cutie" homing torpedo proved effective as it sunk a ship that we chalked up to a miss. However, their slow speed require peculiar firing solutions and makes them practically useless against most escorts.

The new SV Air Search Radar is a tremendous improvement over the SD radar.

Many fishing boats engaged in later part of patrol exploded far more easily than before. Believe enemy used fishing bots to ferry fuel and ammo among the islands.

With the cessation of hostilities, this productive and challenging patrol proved to be the final war patrol of the Drum. Drum conducted a total of fourteen patrols between 1942 and 1945, amassing an outstanding record while experiencing many perils.

Ludwig van Hursh · 09-27-21, 09:49 AM

Ok so as I stated before I have been killed in S-27 more than once though this time was not completely my fault. I started playing SH4 again a few months ago, with more knowledge on how real US subs performed and all that an with more realism settings turned on, not to the extent of Mr Bubblehead of course lol. I play with FotRS installed with limited resources but the color coded updating map contacts and the free camera and easy targeting for torpedoes. Some additional flavor text has been added to the story to make it not seem like so dry I guess.

Loss of S-27
December 29, 1941

With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other US, British, Dutch, etc possessions USS S-27 was dispatched to begin immediate patrols off the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines. Commanding her was recently promoted Lieutenant Commander John Hawkins, who had been preparing to return to the States to take command of a newer Fleet Boat, but this was put on hold so he could be put out to sea at once. The first half of the patrol was of relatively little note, no Japanese ships encountered. When the Japanese invasion force was sighted approaching the Lingayen Gulf, S-27 was rushed from her more southerly station to intercept and sink all it could, but by the time she reached the Gulf it was too late and she encountered only Japanese destroyers on patrol. She managed to sink one but expended four torpedoes in the process, three of them being duds. The next day she encountered a large Japanese task force consisting of two Kongo class battleships as well as heavy cruisers, destroyers, oilers, and other support ships but their speed was too quick to intercept them submerged and the daylight meant a surface attack was out of the question.

With the Battle of the Philippines in full swing S-27 was ordered north to patrol and sink ships off of Formosa. On the 28th of December, S-27 encountered a loan Japanese merchant in the perfect position to intercept, achieving a near text book firing angle she launched a submerged attack with two torpedoes, both of which hit and were not duds, the merchant sank and S-27 proceeded on its patrol. Hawkins ordered the boat to surface just after dusk to charge the batteries and then went to bed rousing just before dawn and took over the conn from his XO Lieutenant Allen. Preparations then began for diving for the day but these were done at a rather leisurely pace, this ultimately would spell doom for the boat. As dawn broke and only minutes from diving a Japanese attack aircraft appeared, no doubt alerted by the sinking of the merchant, and attacked S-27. Hawkins ordered an emergency dive and the helm hard to port into the direction of the aircraft to perhaps throw off its aim. The Japanese pilot was no rookie through and dropped his bomb near perfect on S-27 who had just about got away, her very stern being all that was out of the water.

The bomb exploded in the water on the starboard side a few yards away from the sub, incapacitating the crew and opening up seams in the hull to allow water to pour into the engine compartment. Chief Petty Officer Wilson was the only one not injured and informed the control room of the flooding. Hawkins ordered the boat to hold at its current depth of 80 feet but in the span of a minute too much water had filled the aft compartment and S-27 started going down by the stern. To compound this her electric engines were damaged and the aft dive planes jammed full down. Soon the boat began to dive out of control, with no engines to ascend, Hawkins ordered all ballast be blown as the boat sunk quickly past 150 feet. Finally At about 200 feet the boat slowed and then rose quickly to the surface. But no safety was found there either as the damage was assessed it was found the diesel engines were also damaged but could be fixed.

The crew scrambled to repair the leak and pump out the water which was proceeding successfully if glacially slow. The full account of the damage was the hull leak, damage to the servo for the aft dive plane, both electric motors, both diesel engines, and the air compressor. The deck gun had also suffered some minor shrapnel damage from a second bomb but it was not considered priority. By Noon the water had been pumped out and the leak repaired, work began on the engines, but no sooner had this started than three more Japanese aircraft appeared. Hawkins ordered a shallow dive, not wanting to put too much pressure on the leak repairs, and hope the Japanese hadn't spotted them. In the end though it did not matter as the boat reached periscope depth the patches failed and the engine compartment filled with water quickly and once again the boat sank by the stern and dove rapidly out of control. Not wasting any time on ceremony Hawkins ordered ballast be blown again but nothing happened the boat continued to dive, the crew frantically trying to coax the valves to open but before too long it became impossible as the boat was now nearly vertical and electric lighting was gone. But this didn't stop the crew from trying everything they could to save their boat, ultimately time ran out as the S-27 reached 357 feet the pressure became too great and she imploded taking all on board.

S-27 was declared missing in January 1942 by 1943 she was presumed lost and struck from the Naval Register. 1945 and the end of the War confirmed that all hands had been lost and post war Japanese records confirmed she had been sunk by aircraft, though no one would ever know how close the crew came to making it back.
-----------------------------------------------

So the meta reasons as to why S-27 was lost in my game were that I had to step away from my PC to make some coffee so didn't dive right before dawn like I usually do. And as for the ballast not blowing on the second disasterous dive was because in the hectic moment when I realized it wasn't going to level out I hit the wrong key for Emergency Blow since FotRS changed the key from the default game but at the time I assumed I didn't have enough air to surface. Only after I died was I like "$#!* I hit the wrong key!!!!".

This Silent Hunter death stuck out to me though since unlike my usual ones like running into an island, diving too deep, getting rammed by a destroyer, it probably was close to a lot of real boat losses among all countries who have lost subs.

Hope you enjoyed the story, though tragic, I did reload an earlier save and S-27 went on to have a very successful career and now Captain Hawkins commands the USS Gar.

Bubblehead1980 · 09-27-21, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ludwig van Hursh

Ok so as I stated before I have been killed in S-27 more than once though this time was not completely my fault. I started playing SH4 again a few months ago, with more knowledge on how real US subs performed and all that an with more realism settings turned on, not to the extent of Mr Bubblehead of course lol. I play with FotRS installed with limited resources but the color coded updating map contacts and the free camera and easy targeting for torpedoes. Some additional flavor text has been added to the story to make it not seem like so dry I guess.

Loss of S-27
December 29, 1941

With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other US, British, Dutch, etc possessions USS S-27 was dispatched to begin immediate patrols off the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines. Commanding her was recently promoted Lieutenant Commander John Hawkins, who had been preparing to return to the States to take command of a newer Fleet Boat, but this was put on hold so he could be put out to sea at once. The first half of the patrol was of relatively little note, no Japanese ships encountered. When the Japanese invasion force was sighted approaching the Lingayen Gulf, S-27 was rushed from her more southerly station to intercept and sink all it could, but by the time she reached the Gulf it was too late and she encountered only Japanese destroyers on patrol. She managed to sink one but expended four torpedoes in the process, three of them being duds. The next day she encountered a large Japanese task force consisting of two Kongo class battleships as well as heavy cruisers, destroyers, oilers, and other support ships but their speed was too quick to intercept them submerged and the daylight meant a surface attack was out of the question.

With the Battle of the Philippines in full swing S-27 was ordered north to patrol and sink ships off of Formosa. On the 28th of December, S-27 encountered a loan Japanese merchant in the perfect position to intercept, achieving a near text book firing angle she launched a submerged attack with two torpedoes, both of which hit and were not duds, the merchant sank and S-27 proceeded on its patrol. Hawkins ordered the boat to surface just after dusk to charge the batteries and then went to bed rousing just before dawn and took over the conn from his XO Lieutenant Allen. Preparations then began for diving for the day but these were done at a rather leisurely pace, this ultimately would spell doom for the boat. As dawn broke and only minutes from diving a Japanese attack aircraft appeared, no doubt alerted by the sinking of the merchant, and attacked S-27. Hawkins ordered an emergency dive and the helm hard to port into the direction of the aircraft to perhaps throw off its aim. The Japanese pilot was no rookie through and dropped his bomb near perfect on S-27 who had just about got away, her very stern being all that was out of the water.

The bomb exploded in the water on the starboard side a few yards away from the sub, incapacitating the crew and opening up seams in the hull to allow water to pour into the engine compartment. Chief Petty Officer Wilson was the only one not injured and informed the control room of the flooding. Hawkins ordered the boat to hold at its current depth of 80 feet but in the span of a minute too much water had filled the aft compartment and S-27 started going down by the stern. To compound this her electric engines were damaged and the aft dive planes jammed full down. Soon the boat began to dive out of control, with no engines to ascend, Hawkins ordered all ballast be blown as the boat sunk quickly past 150 feet. Finally At about 200 feet the boat slowed and then rose quickly to the surface. But no safety was found there either as the damage was assessed it was found the diesel engines were also damaged but could be fixed.

The crew scrambled to repair the leak and pump out the water which was proceeding successfully if glacially slow. The full account of the damage was the hull leak, damage to the servo for the aft dive plane, both electric motors, both diesel engines, and the air compressor. The deck gun had also suffered some minor shrapnel damage from a second bomb but it was not considered priority. By Noon the water had been pumped out and the leak repaired, work began on the engines, but no sooner had this started than three more Japanese aircraft appeared. Hawkins ordered a shallow dive, not wanting to put too much pressure on the leak repairs, and hope the Japanese hadn't spotted them. In the end though it did not matter as the boat reached periscope depth the patches failed and the engine compartment filled with water quickly and once again the boat sank by the stern and dove rapidly out of control. Not wasting any time on ceremony Hawkins ordered ballast be blown again but nothing happened the boat continued to dive, the crew frantically trying to coax the valves to open but before too long it became impossible as the boat was now nearly vertical and electric lighting was gone. But this didn't stop the crew from trying everything they could to save their boat, ultimately time ran out as the S-27 reached 357 feet the pressure became too great and she imploded taking all on board.

S-27 was declared missing in January 1942 by 1943 she was presumed lost and struck from the Naval Register. 1945 and the end of the War confirmed that all hands had been lost and post war Japanese records confirmed she had been sunk by aircraft, though no one would ever know how close the crew came to making it back.
-----------------------------------------------

So the meta reasons as to why S-27 was lost in my game were that I had to step away from my PC to make some coffee so didn't dive right before dawn like I usually do. And as for the ballast not blowing on the second disasterous dive was because in the hectic moment when I realized it wasn't going to level out I hit the wrong key for Emergency Blow since FotRS changed the key from the default game but at the time I assumed I didn't have enough air to surface. Only after I died was I like "$#!* I hit the wrong key!!!!".

This Silent Hunter death stuck out to me though since unlike my usual ones like running into an island, diving too deep, getting rammed by a destroyer, it probably was close to a lot of real boat losses among all countries who have lost subs.

Hope you enjoyed the story, though tragic, I did reload an earlier save and S-27 went on to have a very successful career and now Captain Hawkins commands the USS Gar.

Enjoyed the read. Thanks for sharing. What mods are you running or running stock?

Bubblehead1980 · 09-28-21, 02:31 AM

Some screen shots from the Drum's 14th and final war patrol 1 July-August 1945 in the Sea of Okhotsk and Kurile Islands. (war ended while en route to Pearl Harbor from patrol area)

Artic Sunrise

External cam was turned off but used the roaming free cam to "step outside". Shot of the OOD in cold weather gear on the bridge.

Drum shortly after leaving Pearl Harbor in final configuration. 5 inch 25 cal deck gun forward, 40 MM bofors forward, with twin 20 MM conning tower aft and a twin 20 MM on the aft deck. SV radar antenna is visible as well.

Gato ladder in control room is not in historically accurate position(much as possible within the sim)

Icebergs were encountered numerous times.

Icerberg viewed through late war periscope when extended while Drum on the surface.

Kurile Islands

Not from this last patrol but a previous one. Shows the mines than can get you on the surface now and their explosion above surface. Pretty cool.

[url=https://postimages.org/]

Mine as viewed from surface.

Mine exploding. Can be detonated with gunfire from deck gun or 20 MM/40 MM.

BritTorrent · 09-28-21, 04:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Some screen shots from the Drum's 14th and final war patrol 1 July-August 1945 in the Sea of Okhotsk and Kurile Islands. (war ended while en route to Pearl Harbor from patrol area)

Artic Sunrise

External cam was turned off but used the roaming free cam to "step outside". Shot of the OOD in cold weather gear on the bridge.

Drum shortly after leaving Pearl Harbor in final configuration. 5 inch 25 cal deck gun forward, 40 MM bofors forward, with twin 20 MM conning tower aft and a twin 20 MM on the aft deck. SV radar antenna is visible as well.

Gato ladder in control room is not in historically accurate position(much as possible within the sim)

Icebergs were encountered numerous times.

Icerberg viewed through late war periscope when extended while Drum on the surface.

Kurile Islands

Not from this last patrol but a previous one. Shows the mines than can get you on the surface now and their explosion above surface. Pretty cool.

[url=https://postimages.org/]

Mine as viewed from surface.

Mine exploding. Can be detonated with gunfire from deck gun or 20 MM/40 MM.

Are Icebergs and those mines a feature of your new mod? They look great.

Any idea on when you're hoping to release? I've been eagerly awaiting it!

Bubblehead1980 · 09-28-21, 05:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritTorrent

Are Icebergs and those mines a feature of your new mod? They look great.

Any idea on when you're hoping to release? I've been eagerly awaiting it!

Icebergs are native in TMO but rarely seen. I added them to be more of presence in artic areas for immersion , can be navigation hazards as well.

Yes, I increased the mines power so they actually will destroy a submarine if hit them (as would in real life) and they are now a threat on the surface in some areas, which will be explained in the readme. Really adds a whole new element to the sim, danger factor.

I plan to release later today. I am editing the README file now, making a final adjustment to one of the game files that slipped my mind.

I have uploaded the two ship packs required for the update. They are in the ships section of SH 4 downloads here at Subsim.

Glad you are looking forward to it.

Ludwig van Hursh · 09-28-21, 06:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Enjoyed the read. Thanks for sharing. What mods are you running or running stock?

Just Fall of the Rising Sun and the Fleet Boat Interior Mod. Also thanks for enjoying the story.

BritTorrent · 09-28-21, 07:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubblehead1980

Icebergs are native in TMO but rarely seen. I added them to be more of presence in artic areas for immersion , can be navigation hazards as well.

Yes, I increased the mines power so they actually will destroy a submarine if hit them (as would in real life) and they are now a threat on the surface in some areas, which will be explained in the readme. Really adds a whole new element to the sim, danger factor.

I plan to release later today. I am editing the README file now, making a final adjustment to one of the game files that slipped my mind.

I have uploaded the two ship packs required for the update. They are in the ships section of SH 4 downloads here at Subsim.

Glad you are looking forward to it.

Cheers dude, I'll keep an eye out for that.

Do you use OTC with your version of TMO at all?

Bubblehead1980 · 09-28-21, 08:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BritTorrent

Cheers dude, I'll keep an eye out for that.

Do you use OTC with your version of TMO at all?

Thanks, actually compressing it for upload as we speak.

I do not use OTC with my version of TMO, likely not compatible.

I did include my Real Scopes mods though.

Bubblehead1980 · 09-30-21, 09:03 PM

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

Just finished my first "non test" patrol in the TMO 2.5 update. I am pretty happy overall. Quite the challenge.

USS Seal SS-183
War Patrol Report
First War Patrol
14 December 1941- 6 January 1942

(A) Prologue

Arrived Manila from Pearl Harbor Monday 10 November 1941 , 1100 hours. Commenced voyage repairs and liberty for crew, followed by training in preparation for forthcoming order.

After attack on Pearl Harbor, T.H., and invasions of Philippines, Guam, and Malaya, by Empire of Japan, War declared by Congress on Monday 8 December 1941 (Tuesday 9 December local). Orders to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare issued 8 December (local) . Preparations for war patrol commenced immediately with provisioning of boat.

Twenty two MK 14 torpedoes, 180 rounds of 3" 50 Caliber Ammunition, and 1200 rounds 20 MM ammunition, loaded. Survived Cavite Air Raid by enemy on 10 December with no damage. Sea Lion SS-195 damaged beyond repair.

All torpedoes and provisions loaded by 1600 13 December 1941.Ready for sea 14 December 1941.

Crew Roster as of 14 December 1941

Officers

LTCDR K.C Hurd, USN. CO
LT. I.T. Ryan, USN. XO/Navigator
LT. jg B.R.P. Digby, USN Dive Officer
Ens. M.L. Lynch, USN. Torpedo Officer/TDC Operator
Ens. D.B. Thompson USN. Engineering Officer

Chief Petty Officers

CTM R.I. Madison, USN. Chief of the Boat
CMMoMM D.R. Saunders, USN.
CTM S.W. Garcia, USN.
CMoMM V.W Ballantine, USN.
CMoMM D.K. Bush, USN.
CMoMM E.K. Street, USN.

(B) Narrative

Sunday December 14, 1941

0400 Departed Cavite Navy Yard, P.I. for First War Patrol.

0405 Course 240 Speed 11 knots to exit Mania Bay.

0705 Exiting Manila bay, Sighted unidentified US Tambor submarine returning. Bearing 083 range 9000 yards. 14-15 N 120-26 E.

0707 Increased speed to 18 knots to clear area.

0920 Submerged to 100 feet. 4 knots. Course 310.

2100 Surfaced. Recharge batteries.

2340 Night orders: Maintain course 000 standard speed en route patrol area off Cape Bojeador, P.I. Seal passed Cape Boliano during the night. Extra vigilance paid due to enemy activity in Lingayen Gulf and Vigan areas.

Monday December 15, 1941

0615 Trim Dive to 90 feet.

0631 Surfaced. Course 010 15.5 knots en route patrol area.

0730 Submerged to 100 feet. Course 010 3 knots.

1800 Surfaced. Recharge batteries

2340 Night Orders: Maintain course 025 speed 15.5 knots. Expected ETA to assigned area 0145.

Tuesday December 16, 1941

0009 Position 19-3 N 120-27 E. Arrived in patrol area earlier than expected.

0437 Submarine spotted bearing 346 7250 yards. Estimated course/speed 11 knots. Position 19-5 N 120-47 E

0439 General Quarters-Torpedo.

0528 Morning twilight. Submerged for attack. Estimated 8000 yards ahead of submarine.

0543 Contact identified as US Tambor Class submarine. Went to 200 feet, ordered course 000 to open range.

0600 Secured General Quarters.

0700 Lost Sound contact.

1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Conduct box search pattern at 14 knots in Luzon Straits 150 NM west of Balabac Islands.

Wednesday December 17, 1941

0745 Submerged for patrol.

1215 Sound has distant, fast props. Turned to course290 at 5 knots to investigate.

1233 Sound contact bearing 019, closing, medium speed, estimated range 5.5 NM.

1234 Periscope observation: Visual sighting of possible two enemy destroyers bearing 015 9000 yards.

1239 General Quarters-Torpedo.

1330 Secured General Quarters. Unable to close destroyers as turned to NW at high speed.

1809 Surfaced. Recharged batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol of LuzonSstraits at 14 knots.

Thursday December 18, 1941

0755 Submerged for patrol.

1338 AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO. 2 Bearing 047 7000 yards, closing. Ordered 200 ft depth.

1830 Surfaced. Recharged batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol at 14 knots.

Friday December 19, 1941

0759 Submerged for patrol.

1830 Surfaced. Recharge batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Patrol at 14 knots.

Saturday December 20, 1941

0600 Trim Dive.

0630 Surfaced for patrol.

1325 Smoke spotted on horizon bearing 355 estimated range 10 NM. Ordered flank speed to close contact.

1332 Contact is ship. Course 260 Est speed 7 knots.

1340 General Quarters.

1417 Submerged for attack.

1514 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes at target.

1515 Torpedo # 1 initially judged as hit, but now believed to have detonated 5-10 feet from target instead of under the keel as aimed. Torpedo #2 impacted amidships as aimed. Target damaged and listing to starboard.

1634 Surfaced to move ahead of target for follow up.

1802 Received message to shift port to Surabaya, Java from Manila due to air raids.

1830 Secured General Quarters.

2100 Unable to reestablish contact with target in dark. Running down various courses.

2120 Result of attack: AKITA MARU 3900 tons damaged.

2126 Looks spotted unknown vessel bearing 339 range estimated 7600 yards. General Quarters.

2127 Vessel is a destroyer.

2133 Lowered sound heads. Sound check reveals multiple sound contacts.

2134 Convoy Sighted. 19-24 N 118 57 E Estimated Speed/Course 183 degrees. 12 knots.

2234 Submerged for attack in front of convoy. 250 ft depth, silent running to work between two escorts

2253 Periscope depth in what appeared to be large convoy of troopships. Possible landing force. Ship at 090 1100 yards. Moved forward for attack on next column.

2255 All tubes ordered ready.

2321 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes from stern tubes #5 and #6.

2325 Both torpedoes missed.

2337 Fired four MK 14 torpedoes, three hits.

2238 MOMOYAMA MARU 4037 tons sunk at 19-17 N 118-48 E.

Sunday December 21, 1942

0000 Pinging, escort closing.

0002 DC explosion, above.

0020 Lost contact with escort.

0100 Secured General Quarters.

0300 Surfaced. Pursuit course 183 Speed 15.5 knots while recharging batteries.

0530 Turned to course 160. Believe convoy was invasion force heading for Luzon.

0546 Destroyer sighted bearing 000. Convoy is heading 157 9 knots. Appeared bound for Lingayen Gulf.

0912 Visual contact with convoy.

0930 General Quarters-Torpedo

0940 5.5 NM in front of convoy, shell splashes landed 1000 yards off port quarter. Submerged to avoid.

0942 Enemy Destroyer, closing fast 170.

0947 DD identified as Shiratsuyu Class.

0953 Two Subchasers closing as well, fast.

0954 DD pinging.

0958 Fired one MK 14 torpedo "Down the Throat" of DD from 700 yards, ordered 250 ft. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running.

0959 DD overhead. DC splashes.

1000 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken. Damage and injuries (See Damage Section, DC Attack #2) Minor flooding in conning tower.

1003 Conning tower flooding controlled.

1054 Pinging.

1118 Pinging. Escort appears to have steady contact.

1121 DC explosions, close.

1123 Depth 270 ft.

1300 Secured General Quarters. Enemy escorts remain in area covering the convoys withdraw.

1904 Lost contact with escorts.

2137 At periscope depth, discovered neither No.1 nor No.2 periscopes functional, must have been damaged in attack.

2145 Surfaced. Damage control party began work on periscopes. Radio antenna also in need of repair.

2340: Night Orders: Maintain course 340 15.5 knots. Avoid contacts until repairs completed.

Monday December 21, 1941

0301 Repairs completed. Periscopes functional.

0302 Received Flash Traffic Warning of Japanese landings at Lingayen Gulf. Seal ordered to continued patrol of Luzon Straits.

0825 Submerged for patrol.

1555 Aircraft spotted bearing 171 3000 yards. Est altitude 1200 feet. Ordered 200 feet, emergency.

1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol in area at 14 knots.

Tuesday December 22, 1941

0800 Submerged.

1830 Surfaced. Battery recharge.

2316 Lookouts spotted enemy vessel bearing 355 degrees 5800 yards. 20-52 N 119-7 E

2317 General Quarters Torpedo. Targets identified as two destroyers course 334 16 knots.

2318 Submerged for attack.

2324 Stern tubes ready.

2326 DD identified as Kamikaze Class.

2327 ATTACK NO. 3 Fired three MK 14 torpedoes.

2329 Torpedo hitting time passed. Enemy searchlight spotted. Enemy alerted. Torpedoes missed. Sound had torpedoes hitting target, believe passed under target.

2330 Pinging.

2331 Escort closing bearing 100. Ordered 250 ft depth. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running.

2333 Pinging.

2335 DD overhead. Splashes

2336 DC explosions.

2337 Second DD pinging along port side.

2338 DC explosions.

2339 Pinging. Escorts seem to have fix on the Seal.

2342 DD overhead. Splashes.

2343 DC explosions. Ordered 270 ft.

2348 Depth: 275 ft.

2349 DD overhead.

2350 Very close depth charge. Boat shaken.

2352 DD passed overhead. DC explosion

2356 Pinging. One DD ovehread.DD splashes. Boat Depth: 280 ft

2357 DC explosion.

2358 DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken.

Wednesday December 23, 1941

0000 Depth:300 ft. Speed 3 knots Course 120.

0003 Pinging.

0004 DD overhead. Splashes

0005 DC explosions

0008 DC explosions.

0012 Pinging.

0014:34 DD overhead.

0014:51 DC explosions.

0017 DC explosion.

0019 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken.

0021 DC explosions, astern.

0025 DD overhead.

0026 DC explosions.

0039 DD's went quiet, no sound contacts. Likely listening. Boat Depth: 347 feet.

0053 One DD audible on sound, moving away.

0133 Sound reported two contacts moving away, fast. Bearing 200.

0230 Secured General Quarters.

0325 Periscope depth. All clear on visual and sound. Secured Silent Running.

9330 Surfaced. Battery Recharge. Night Orders: Patrol area at 14 knots.

0404 Received Flash Traffic warning of invasion force approaching Lamon Bay, Philippine Islands.

0810 Aircraft spotted bearing 213 6 NM closing fast! DIVE ! emergency depth 200 ft ordered. Position:21-3 N 118-51E

0811 Boat passing 44 feet. Two large explosions from aerial depth charges astern. No damage.

1105 Periscope depth. Submerged Patrol.

1458 Sound has many props, heavy and fast bearing 121 long range. Course to 265 towards contacts.

1503 Surfaced to close contacts.

1508 Aircraft Spotted! (Large four engine flying boat) Bearing 323 5.5 NM Dive, 200 feet emergency!

1510 Explosions overhead.

1600 Surfaced. Course350 to intercept sound contacts.

1709 Enemy Task Force spotted. 21-15 N 118-147 E Estimated Course/Speed 005 degrees 17 knots.

1712 Aircraft spotted ! (Twin engine bomber type) 011 9000 yards closing fast ! . DIVE ! Emergency to depth 200 ft.

Bombs dropped by aircraft, landed astern, 50 yards.

1715 Sound reports warship closing, very high speed, bearing 342 long range. Believe aircraft reported Seal's presence.

1716 Second warship contact closing at high speed bearing 014.

1745 lost warship contacts, sound clear. Unable to surface due to aircraft presence.

1836 Surfaced. Recharged batteries.

1844 Almost out of assigned area. Turned to course 145 degrees.

2135 Spotted two patrolling enemy destroyers. 20-57 N 119-5 E Course 170 speed 16 knots. Avoided patrol.

2203 Proceeding to Lamon Bay, P.I. Reports of enemy invasion forces in area.

2340 Night Orders: Continue course 119 speed 15.5 knots to Bashi Channel en route to Lamon Bay, P.I. area.

Thursday December 24, 1941

0856 Increased speed to 18.5 knots while transiting Bashi Channel area.

0935 Ship spotted ! Bearing 260 degrees 8 NM. 2-0N 121-39 E in Bashi Channel. Estimated course/Speed 270 degrees 7 knots.

0936 General Quarters-Torpedo.

0943 Two destroyers spotted! Bearing 350 5 NM closing fast! Possible escort rendezvousing with merchant spotted at 0935/ Turned to avoid.

0948 AK turned to SW course enabling submerged approach. Submerged for attack.

1030 Periscope depth. DD's did not join the AK, likely a patrol not escort. AK is zigging on course 265.

1034 Observation. Target identified as SEIA MARU 7590 tons.

1047 All bow tubes made ready.

1055 Target spotted scope, turned away. Fired MK 14 torpedo from 800 yards.

1056 Torpedo impacted target. Fired second torpedo from 700 yards astern.

1057 Torpedo impact! Large fire burning on target. Target settling in water.

1058 Sound reported target engines ceased.

1059 Observation reveals target has large deck guns forward and aft, appear to be 4 or 5 inch guns.

1107 Target topside fires extinguished. Target dead in water.

1118 Fired one MK 14.

1119 Torpedo impact amidships. Large explosions.

1120 large topside fires and secondary explosions. Ship sinking by stern

1121 SEIA MARU 7590 tons sunk at 19-58 N 121-33 E.

1122 Sound has warships inbound high speed bearing 110! Likely DD's spotted previously responding to SOS from SEIA MARU.

1125 Depth 150 ft. Secured General Quarters. Course 090 3 knots.

1130 Enemy DD's in area of sinking, dropping depth charges.

1627 Sound contact. Warship Bearing 307 Closing, increasing speed.

1634 Two warships now on sound at 305.

1635 Periscope depth . Two destroyers spotted at 8000 yards.

1645 Destroyers closing at very high speed towards Seal. General Quarters. Rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge. Ordered Depth 250 ft.

1649 Pinging.

1651 DC charges, overhead.

1652 More DC explosions. Damage reported (See Damage Section.) Boat depth. 300 ft

1653 Second DD overhead.

1654 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken.

1656 Depth: 325 ft.

1700 DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken.

1702 DC explosions. Boat shaken

1703 Escort overhead. Splashes.

1704 DC explosions, close.

1712 DC explosions.

1716 DC explosions.

1731 Pattern of DC explosions.

1739 DC explosions, close.

1803 DC explosion, close.

1809 Close DC. Damage (See Damage Section) Heavy Flooding in forward torpedo. Damage Control Party assigned.

1811 Enemy continued DC runs.

1812 Forward torpedo room reports flooding reported under control, but three feet of water in compartment. Repairs continued

1818 Flooding controlled. Leaks completely stopped. Boat is heavy forward, difficult to control depth. Pumping water out.

1845 Forward torpedo reports water pumped out of compartment.

1848 Battery power down to thirty percent.

1900 Escorts pinging.

1097 DC explosion.

1912 DC explosion, close.

2100-2201 Multiple DC attacks by escort. Seal pushed to depth of 390 ft.

2202 Lost contact with enemy vessels, believe they were "sleeping".

2225 Sound reported an enemy vessels moving away, fast.

2317 Periscope depth. All clear. Sound is clear.

2318 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. Secure General Quarters. Battery power was down to fifteen percent.

2350 Maintain course 120 to Lamon Bay at 10 knots. Upon completion of battery recharge, increased speed to 15.5 knots.

Friday December 25 1941

0750 Submerged.

1802 Periscope depth. Dusk. Received Evening Fox Traffic. Hong Kong captured by Japanese, Manila declared open city. Asiatic Fleet operations shift to Surabaya, Java.

1822 Surfaced.

2340 Night Orders: Continued on course 200 at 18.5 knots en route to arrive off Lamon Bay by dawn.

Friday December 26, 1941

0630 Approaching Lamon Bay from the North.

0951 Submerged for reconnoiter of Lamon Bay area.

1149 Sound reports distant fast props bearing 155.

1315 Patrolling destroyer spotted bearing 211 5 NM. Rigged for Silent Running.

1742 two destroyers spotted 120 6000 yards. Identified as Kagero Class and Mutsuki Class. This pair was patrolling Lamon Bay. It is believed the enemy landing force is inside Lopez Bay, which can be reached from Lamon Bay but is too shallow to enter submerged, Both entrances are relatively narrow and guarded by shore defense guns, as well as patrol craft.

1842 Nightfall. Surfaced in Lamon Bay.

2200-2240 Pursued by a patrol craft but able to elude after a prolonged chase.

2256 Exited Lamon Bay.

2340 Night Orders: Continue course for patrol of approaches to Lamon Bay, P.I.

Saturday December 27, 1941

Patrolled East of Lamon Bay

Night Orders: Continue course and speed to arrive off North entrance to Laganoy Gulf, P. I. by dawn to interdict traffic to/from Lamon Bay.

Sunday December 28, 1941

0500 Wind and seas picked up, 6-8 ft waves.

0530 Submerged for patrol. of North entrance of Laganoy Gulf.

0832 Sound reports prop noises bearing 340 long range.

0852 Spotted group of landing craft. General Quarters-Battle Surface Gun Action.

0902 Surfaced.

0903 Commenced firing on lead barge. Barge opened fire with machine guns or auto cannon, no hits on Seal. One solid round on fifth shot hit the landing craft, which caught fire and crew abandoned.

0930 Ceased fire. six Daihatsu Class Landing Craft estimated 9 tons each at 14-03 N 123-53 E.

0935 Secured General Quarters.

1232 Aircraft spotted! Bearing 248 6 NM DIVE! Emergency, 200 ft. 14-38 N 123-65 E

1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain course and speed for arrival off San Bernadino Strait by dawn.

Monday December 29, 1941

0317 Sighted enemy destroyer bearing 5000 yards. Avoided this patrol.

0525 Submerged for patrol off Laganoy Gulf.

1110 Patrolling destroyer spotted bearing 292 5 NM.

1835 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Patrol San Bernadino Strait/Laganoy/Albay Gulf areas.

Tuesday December 30, 1941

0248 Convoy Sighted. 12-54 N 124-11 E in San Bernadino Strait. Estimated Course/Speed 003 degrees 9 knots. One large AP, two DD,

0450 Lost contact with convoy in the dark, appears it turned into Albay Gulf.

0530 Submerged for patrol.

1303 Aircraft Spotted! Bearing 229. 200 ft, emergency.

1830 Surfaced. Recharged Batteries. Heavy seas with Partial clouds, light fog , and heavy wind.

2340 Night Orders Continue course 120 speed 15kts 30-50 NM off coast of Samar.

Wednesday December 31, 1941

0348 Ship spotted 358 degrees 8000 yards. Shadowing until dawn for attack.

0415 Vessel Identified as md sized tanker.

0540 General Quarters-Torpedo

0614 Submerged for Attack.

0642 Target identified as tanker AKEBONO MARU 6839 tons.

0653 Fired three MK 14 torpedoes.

0654 Torpedoes one and two hit target, third missed astern. Massive explosion and fireball, believe tanker was loaded with fuel as was southbound.

0656 AKEBONO MARU 6839 tons sunk 12-07 N 126-18 E 58 NM ENE off Samar, P.I.

0708 Depth 200 feet. Secured General Quarters. Commenced torpedo reload with final reserve torpedo. Two torpedoes left in tubes left, tubes 3 and 4.

1836 Surfaced. Recharged Batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain course 155 degrees at 15.5 knots.

Monday January 1, 1942

1505 Aircraft spotted! (IJN twin engine bombers) Bearing 153 9500 yards closing fast! DIVE ! Emergency, 200 feet. 7-18 N 127-15 E 40 NM E of Mindanao.

1506 Bombs hit water about 100 feet from Seal as she passed 52 feet.

1830 Surfaced. Recharged batteries.

2340 Night Orders: Maintain Course192 degrees 15.5 knots.

Tuesday January 2, 1942

0600 Transiting Celebes "chokepoint" south of Mindanao into Celebes Sea en route new base at Surabaya, Java.

0930 Entered Celebes Sea.

1802 Evening Fox reported Manila captured today.

Night Orders: Maintain course 240 at 15.5 knots en route Surabaya.

Wednesday January 3, 1942

1134 Sighted Dutch flagged freighter 2500 tons. Position 01-47 N 120-9 E Course 020 7 knots.

1807 Overcast, Heavy winds, rain, waves and fog set in. Waves 8-10 feet.

2340 Night orders: Maintain course200 speed 15.5 knots.

Thursday January 4, 1942

1900 Storms cleared. Light chop, partial clouds, light fog.

2340 Night orders: Maintain course 220 speed 15.5 knots.

Friday January 5, 1942

Night Orders: Maintain pattern off Java coast until dawn, then set course to enter port.

Saturday January 6, 1942

1000 Docked Surabaya, Java. Terminated patrol.

(C) Torpedo Attacks

Seal conducted a total of six torpedo attacks, firing twenty of twenty two MK 14 torpedoes aboard., sinking three ships, damaging another.

One gun action utilizing the 3" 50 caliber aft deck gun and 20 MM Oerlikon Cannon sunk five barges, one of which was armed and returned fire.

Ships Sunk by Torpedo Attack

1.

Name: MOMOYAMA MARU
Class:AK
Tonnage: 4,037
Date:20 December 1941
Time:2038
Location:19-17 N 118-48 E. in Luzon Straits.
Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by:
Night Periscope-Submerged Attack. Visual observation through periscope of torpedo impact and sinking of vessel.

Data (at firing)

Range:1000 yards
AOB:85 Port
Gyro:350 Left
Track:355 Port
Course:350
Tubes Fired:1,2,3,4
Torp.Depth:10 feet
POA:MOT, MOT, Fore, Aft
POI:MOT
Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact.
Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2,3 hit, four missed.
Result: Target sunk.

2.

Name: SEIA MARU
Class:AK
Tonnage: 7,590
Date:24 December 1941
Time:1121
Location:19-58 N 121-33 E. in Bashi Channel
Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by:
Day Periscope Submerged Attack. Visual observation of torpedo impacts and sinking of vessel.

Torpedo Data (at firing)
Range:800 yards
AOB:110 Starboard
Gyro:01
Track:02
Course:004
Tubes Fired:1,2,3.
Torp.Depth:10 feet
POA:MOT
POI:MOT
Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact.
Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2,3 hit.
Result: Target sunk.

3.

Name: AKEBONO MARU
Class:AO
Tonnage: 6,839
Date:31 December 1941
Time: 0656
Location: 12-07 N 126-18 E 58 NM ENE off Samar, P.I.
Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by:
Dawn Periscope Submerged Attack. Visual observation of torpedo impacts and sinking of vessel.

Torpedo Data (at firing)
Range:1000 yards
AOB:88 Port
Gyro:02 L
Track:12
Course:014
Tubes Fired:1,2,3
Torp.Depth:20 feet
POA:MOT, Fore, Aft Stack
POI:MOT, Fore
Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact.
Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2, hit, 3 missed astern.
Result: Target sunk.

Ships Damaged by Torpedo Attack

1.

Name: AKITA MARU
Class:AK
Tonnage: 3.900
Date:20 December 1941
Time: 1515
Location: 19-15 N 116-48 E in Luzon Straits
Type of Attack and Damage determined by:
Day Submerged Periscope Attack. Observed torpedo impacts and vessel listing to starboard but underway.

Torpedo Data (at firing)

Range:1100 yards
AOB:87 Port
Gyro:01 Left
Track:08
Course:351
Tubes Fired:1,2,
Torp.Depth:10 feet
POA:MOT, MOT
POI:MOT
Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact.
Hit/Miss: Torpedo #1 detonated prematurely, torpedo #2 impacted target.
Result: Target Damaged.

Remarks on torpedo attacks:

Magnetic influence detonators may need adjusting as several detonated too early. For targets such as Destroyers torpedo depth should be set as shallow as possible to utilize contact exploder as several misses occurred in spite of solid firing solutions.

(D) Gunnery

Seal departed with 150 rounds of 3" 50 Caliber and 1,200 rounds of 20 MM ammunition aboard

One gun attack was made during this patrol.

Date:28 December 1941
Time:0903-0930
Location: 14-03 N 123-53 E off North Entrance to Laganoy Gulf, P.I.

Description of attack:

While patrolling just North of Laganoy Gulf submerged on the morning of 28 December, made sound contact. Upon coming to periscope depth, observed a small convoy of motorized landing craft/barges heading 340 degrees in a single, loose column, likely or a coastal run to Lamon Bay. Seas were choppy but suitable for gunnery.

Closed to 2000 yards submerged and brought the stern about. Observed the lead Daihatsu was armed with what appeared to be machine guns or auto-cannon (20-25 MM) forward and thus designated it as first target. At 0902 blew tanks for a quick "pop" up to the surface, and commenced firing at 0903.

The first round impacted just besides the craft, but as a near miss appeared to damage it. Second round was a direct hit, caused a large explosion, likely detonating the ammunition aboard. A few survivors were seen in the water.

The remaining craft attempted to flew but were overtaken and two more disposed of quickly by the 3 inch gun. The fourth and fifth landing craft were disposed of by the 20 MM cannon, which proved quite effective against these targets.

At 0930 all were sunk, sinking, and ablaze, ceased firing.

Rounds expended:

3 inch:23

20 MM:211

Result:

Sunk six Daihatsu Class Landing Craft Estimated 9 tons each.

(E) Weather

Weather conditions were favorable for majority of the patrol. Most nights were dark with a slight moon. In the waters off the east coast of the Philippine Islands heavy seas and winds were encountered.

(F) Radio

Radio function was excellent, in spite of the antenna being damaged in depth charge attack.

(G) Major Defects and Damage

During the depth charge attack on 24 December 1941, Seal suffered serious damaged from a very close depth charge explosion forward at 1809, while at a depth of 325 feet.
The damage caused flooding forward, which made the boat heavy forward, difficult to control depth and hindering required quiet for the evasion. Loss of control due to heavy, and quick flooding caused the boat at one point reach a depth of 402 feet before control was regained with back emergency power, dive plane manipulation, and slight release of water from tanks.

While leaks were stopped within minutes, the flooding was heavy and took several hours to pump the compartment dry and restore normal control of the boat. This process was not quiet and aided the attackers in continuing to drop close depth charges. While were not at aware until arrived in boat of the hull damage forward, we worked to make sure did not dive deeper than we had due to possible hull weakness caused by the close charge.

The damage control party lead by the Executive Officer and Engineering officer performed in in spectacularr fashion, saving the boat.

Damage suffered in this attack and repair status:

1.Serious hull damage forward (24 percent)-repaired in port.

2.Bulkhead, forward hatch damage.-repaired at sea

3.Serious flooding forward torpedo room-3 1/2 feet water in compartment-pumped out.

4.Torpedo tubes 3, and rendered inoperable-repaired at sea.

5. Forward batteries damaged-repaired at sea.

6. Various water piping and air lines damaged, leaking-repaired.

During the depth charge attack of 21 December, a close charge, perhaps two exploded near the boat and conning tower. Busted valves permitted several inches of water to enter the conning tower, but were quickly stopped by men in the compartment. Later, when at periscope depth, it was discovered both periscopes had been seriously damaged. Inspection upon surfacing found the heads of both No.1 and No.2 were damaged. A damage control team immediately began to repair and had both scopes operational within six hours.

Damage suffered in this attack and repair status:

1. No. 1 Periscope head-repaired at sea.

2. No. 2 Periscope head-repaired at sea.

3. Torpedo Data Computer-repaired at sea.

4. Valves, piping, air lines.-repaired at sea.

5.Flooding in conning tower-pumped out compartment.

6. 20 MM Cannon-repaired at sea.

7. Radio Antenna-repaired at sea.

(H) Anti-Submarine Measures and Evasion Tactics

Enemy anti-submarine efforts were intense in the Luzon Strait areas and effective. Seal was bombed multiple times by four engine flying boat patrol aircraft as well as twin engine land based bombers.

ASW patrols consisting of destroyers were encountered numerous times throughout the area.

The attack by one such patrol on 24 December, responding to the sinking of SEIA MARU, proved to be quite competent and effective.

Enemy utilized team work with passive and active sound gear, preferring to make an approach from the stern and drop patterns "along the spine4" of the submarine. When in pairs, one would make a fast run this way, then another would quickly follow and "cross the T" in front of Seal, laying effective patterns.

Submerged evasion of enemy ASW consisted of running silent at 100 RPM or less, always with five degrees or rudder to port or starboard, in order to prevent Seal from being tracked in one direction, this seemed to confusion. When enemy was heard overhead making a run, speed speed bursts of 6-8 knots were used typically for 30-60 seconds. Seal initially operated at test depth of 250 ft for evasion but several times was forced to 270 0r 275 to get under enemy depth charges. Later depths of 350 ft were found necessary and due to flooding, the boat went to 402 feet momentarily.

300-350 feet seems to be an excellent depth to evade enemy depth charges and sound gear.

(I) Mines

No enemy mines were encountered.

(K) Friendly Forces Contacted

1.

USN Tambor Class Submarine
14 December 1941
0705
14-15 N 120-26 E.
Bearing 083
Range 9000 yards.
Course 100 degrees.
Speed 15 kts
Location: 14-15 N 120-26 E. Outside entrance to Manila Bay.
Exchange Rec Signal: No
Remark: Spotted while departing for patrol.

2.

USN Tambor Class Submarine
16 December 1941
0543
19-5 N 120-47 E
Bearing 083
Range 9000 yards.
Course 265 degrees.
Speed: 12 knots
Location:19-5 N 120-47 E in Luzon Straits, West of Babuyan Islands.
Exchange Rec Signal: No
Remark: Believed was enemy submarine. Tracked, submerged, and approached for dawn periscope attack. On observation at 1200 yards, recognized in the morning light as a USN submarine. Immediately broke off attack and went to 200 ft.

3.

Dutch Flagged Freighter 2500 tons
3 January 1942
1134
19-5 N 120-47 E
Bearing 040
Range 5.5 NM
Course 020 degrees.
Speed: 7 knots
Location:01-47 N 120-9 E n Celebes Sea
Exchange Rec Signal: Yes
Remark: None

(L) Aircraft

Enemy aircraft contacts consisted of large four engine flying patrol boats and twin engine land based bombers, no single engine fighters or bombers were encountered.

Multiple aircraft bombed Seal during the patrol but caused no damaged. (See Narrative)

(M) Health, Habitability, and Crew.

Health and Habitability on this patrol were excellent.The crew conducted themselves in an excellent manner during an active, and trying first war patrol.

Total on Board: 62 Officers and men.

Officers:5
Chief Petty Officers:6
Petty Officers:21
Men:30
Qualified in Submarines: 40

Injuries:

Following crew suffered minor injuries in the forward torpedo room during the depth charge attack of 24 December 1941. All were treated at sea and returned to full duty.

TM1 Bell, H.
TM1 Simmons, L.
TM3 Howard, G.T.
TM3 Jenkins, D.T.
S1 Campbell, T.N.
S2 Lynch, G.
SC1 Anderson, V.R.

(N) Navgiational Aids

Due to blackouts, no nagivational aids were sighted in patrol area or the adjoining islands.

(O) Sound Gear and Conditions

Sound gear, both passive and active functioned properly during this patrol, with optimal conditions for most of the patrol with faint contacts often heard nearly ten miles away.

Enemy appeared to enjoy the same conditions as well.

Thermal layers were present in area and detected between 100 and 300 feet.

(P) Miles Steamed-Fuel Used

Miles Gallons
Cavite to Patrol Area 400 3240
In Patrol Area 6500 31209
Patrol Area to Surabaya 2856 21449

(Q) Duration

Days
Manila to Patrol Area 2
In patrol area 17
Area to Surabaya 5
Days Submerged 18
Total 26

Factor in Termination of Patrol: Fuel, distance to new base from area, battle damage, expenditure of torpedoes.

(R) Patrol Routine

A standard patrol routine was established on this patrol consisting with three sections standing four hours watches as follows:

0400-800
0800-1200
1200-1600
1600-2000
2000-0000

When surfaced, the Officer of the Deck (OOD) stood watch on the bridge, along with port, starboard, and aft look outs. In the control room the Chief of the Watch supervised the men assigned to control room watch at diving controls. When dive alarm is sound, Chief of the Watch initiates the dive with the control room watch until the port and starboard lookouts are able to make their way from the bridge to the control room, where they take over the dive planes, and OOD takes over the dive. Sound station in conning tower is manned by the assigned Sonarman of the watch upon the dive alarm being sounded. The Chief of the Watch then mans the "Christmas Tree" once the OOD has taken over the dive. Once a dive is complete and proper trim made, the OOD will take station in the conning tower and may issue diving commands from there, unless otherwise required. The exception to this is the the second section, in which the Executive Officer is assigned as OOD, a second officer, as assistant Officer of the Deck (AOOD) stands watch in conning tower and drops down to take over the dive upon sounding of the dive alarm.

Transit to and from assigned patrol areas was conducted on the surface at standard speed, submerging as required.

Daily routine in patrol area consisted of a dive to 90 feet, shortly after dawn. Submerged patrolling typically consisted of a climb periscope depth everyone half hour at 50-54 feet with No.2 periscope in conning tower extended, although in some areas observations were longer. Constant passive sound sweeps were conducted, which produced contacts and ultimately sinkings. Surfaced patrolling in area became untenable due to enemy aircraft presence.

Surfacing just after dusk, typically between 1830-1845 hours was the routine for this patrol. Battery recharge was conducted then a increase to standard speed to cover a box search pattern through the night was conducted. This wielded several excellent contacts.

Procedure upon contact with unknown surface vessel was to turn away presenting stern , until situation can be assessed. Contacts with enemy patrols were avoided via this procedure. Exception for this procedure if the tell tale smoke plume of a large merchant spotted, then a matching course and speed were ordered, with initiation of plot.

Upon spotting of an aircraft, procedure for OOD was to order a dive to to 200 feet. If no bombs fell, it appeared the boat was not spotted, a return to periscope depth and surfacing within the hour was procedure.

During torpedo attacks, the Commanding Officer, assisted by the Executive Officer conducted the approach and manning of the periscopes. The Dive Officer manned the dive, with Torpedo Officer on the Torpedo Data Computer. Engineering Officer was in the control room in constant contact with the engine rooms. The Chief of the Boat was in the conning tower during a torpedo attack, assigned to the torpedo fire control panel.

This routine proved effective and useful for this patrol. If two more officers could be added, each watch would have an OOD and AOOD, enhancing the capabilities of the boat and crew.

(S) Remarks

The assigned area of Luzon Straits was the sight of initial patrol. Numerous warnings of invasion at Lamon Bay and Eastern P.I. were received. A status report to COMSUB Asitatic prompted orders to reconnoiter Lamon Bay and San Bernadino Strait areas.

The enemy effectively controls the Luzon Straits with surface and air patrols, aside from US submarines.

While did sink three vessels and damage another, torpedo performance did leave something to be desired with four premature detonations (possibly more) and several suspected of running deeper than set. These issues should be address immediately.

Installation of an SD Air Search Radar is a top priority prior to next patrol as well.

Bubblehead1980 · 10-03-21, 08:17 AM

TMO 2.5 Update BH
100 difficulty, cams on and contacts on (for a change)

USS Seal SS-183 (Salmon Class) .

This was my second patrol in the TMO Update (non testing patrol) plan is to make it through the war in TMO in the Seal. I did so in a Gato finally, going to see how we do in one of the older boats.

Prologue

Returned from first war patrol on 6 January to Surabaya, Java . Serious hull damage (24 percent) suffered from a close depth charge during the severe depth charge attack by two DD in Bashi Channel on 24 December 1941 repaired. Provisioning and all other refit activities completed. Ready for sea 4 February 1942.

(B) Narrative.

Departed Surabaya, Java for patrol on 4 February 1942 at 0930. Exited the north-west channel and headed through the Java Sea, Karimata Strait, and South China sea to assigned Areas A4 and A5 off Manila-Mindoro area. Arrived in patrol area A4 on 9 February at 0600.

The few couple of days followed the routine of diving after dawn and patrolling submerged. Attempted surface patrols failed due to aircraft presence and Seal's lack of ability to procure an SD Air Detection Radar set during refit period in Surabaya.

Surfaced at 1830 on 12 February for battery recharge and patrol. At 2233 lookouts sighted a convoy of three ships and two destroyers bearing 0056 8000 yards at 14-05 N 119-13 E. Estimated Course/Speed 176 degrees 8 knots. Three ships, two DD escorting.

Seal was called to General Quarters-Torpedo and raced ahead for attack. The Convoy changed course to 160 degrees, Seal adjusted and was able to submerged for attack at 2342.

Just after leveling at 80 feet. Sound reported warship closing fast. Soon after, pinging began. Seal was detected and now had no shot, went to 250 ft rigged for silent running and depth charge.

The destroyers were first team, as from 2348-0300 they worked the boat over well with many depth charges. No damage occurred, except for few minor leaks in piping and air lines.

At 0311 Sound lost contact with the destroyers until 0345 when both were heard leaving at high speed. Wary of "sleepers" as Japanese have shown they like to do, Waited until 0500 with precious little night left, to come to periscope depth. At 0505, sweep with scope and sound revealed no presence of enemy. Secured from General Quarters, and surfaced for pursuit course to regain contact.

At 0706 regained visual contact and worked ahead of convoy, which now had two ships and two dd, whereabouts of third vessel unknown. Submerged at 0723 for attack.

At 0743 Fired two Mk 14 torpedoes (Bow Tubes #1 and #2) at lead AK-KANAGA MARU 4923 tons from 1000 yards AOB 88 P. One torpedo missed, second hit amidships.

Just after torpedo impact, spotted a aircraft (MAVIS) about 4000 yards bearing 280 closing fast and in a shallow glide towards Seal. Ordered emergency depth of 200 feet. As passed 131 feet, two large explosions astern, no damage.

The destroyers delivered a repeat performance of their earlier attack, forcing Seal to a depth of 385 feet to get under the numerous depth charges.

A close depth charge explosion at 0827 shook the boat and caused damage to the port prop shaft, aft electric engines and batteries.

Finally around 1230 last depth charge came. Lost contact with destroyers at 1238. At 1500 came to periscope depth, all clear except a smoke puff spotted at 180 distant. Just as was preparing to surface, the MAVIS was spotted at 280 flying low , searching for Seal. Submerged to 200 feet and closed bearing of smoke.

At 1545 came to scope depth to find the KANAGA MARU, dead in the water. Due to aircraft presence, decided to torpedo to finish ship off. instead of using deck gun

Closed to 1500 yards fired torpedo from tube 3. Torpedo prematurely exploded when 10-15 yards from target. Fired torpedo four, which hit target, causing KANAGA MARU 4923 tons to sink at 13-15 N 119-33 E.
Secured from GQ remained submerged at 200 feet until nightfall, surfaced and departed area.

At 1419 hours on Sunday February 15, 1942 , Seal was on the surface patrolling in area A6 in the South China Sea , when lookouts spotted an aircraft (MAVIS) closing fast from bearing 003 at five nautical miles. A dive was ordered, with emergency depth of 200 feet. As Seal passed 134 feet a series of explosions above the boat, aft caused damage in aft torpedo room. All four aft tubes suffered damage, as did rudder transmission Other compartments, including conning tower, and control room suffered piping and air line leaks. All damage was repaired within 24 within hours.

Surfaced at 1850 that evening and sadly, Evening Fox Traffic reported Singapore had fallen to the Japanese.

On Monday February 16th at 1709, sound made contact on a lone merchant. Seal closed for attack, firing two torpedoes at AKITA MARU at 1740 hours. Both torpedoes were observed to track properly but ran below target. Sea state had increased and is possible caused the vessels draft to be higher in the water.Just after observing the miss, a MAVIS flying boat was spotted in the dusk light, Seal went to 200 ft. Avoiding the bombs the fell soon after.

By 2021 Seal was in position for a attack with stern tubes. At 2021:07 fired two MK 14 torpedoes, stern tubes. After firing, torpedo #2 went on erratic run, to port! Circling back at the boat! Emergency Depth 100 ft! Rigged for collision. At 2022 Torpedo #1 impact with target heard while boat was at depth of 91 feet. Sound reported engine noises from target ceased after impact and at 2025, the audible end of run explosion by erratic torpedo was heard.

Seal came to periscope depth to find the target dead in the water at 1900 yards bearing 180. Two more torpedoes were fired, both prematurely detonated ten yards or less from the target. Surfaced the boat into choppy seas for Battle Surface Gun Action to finish off he vessel. The aft 3 inch deck gun commenced firing, the target responded by illuminating Seal with her searchlights and firing machine guns, a few close rounds sprinkled the waters but no hits on Seal. However, Seal scored twenty-one hits out of thirty one rounds fired from the deck gun, leaving the target a flaming wreck, which finally went down. At 2229 , AKITA MARU 3936 tons sunk at position 14-24 N 120 04' E. Secured from General Quarters and set course for Mindoro Strait for patrol in coming days.

On Wednesday February 18, 1942, submerged at dawn in Mindoro Strait. While patrolling submerged, spotted a MAVIS flying boat several times and at 0750 it bombed Seal, as she passed 170 feet. At 0808 sound had a contact and smoke was spotted on the horizon, went to General Quarters Torpedo and closed at Full speed.

Observation at 0818 showed a mid sized merchant identified as BIYO MARU. Plot revealed she would pass further ahead, forcing a longer range shot than was planned. Went to 80 feet and ahead flank to close the range. At scope depth again at 0834 revealed would have to fire at about 4800 yards. Contemplated surfacing to close the range, the MAVIS came into view, forcing Seal to go to 100 feet and quashed that idea. Continued closing at high speed. Finally, at 0848 came to periscope depth and with target at firing point, fired two torpedoes from 4656 yards, both of which tracked properly but prematurely exploded within second of one another when 20-50 yards from target. Target slowed, then sped up and turned to the west showing its stern to the Seal. Unable to surface due to air cover, nor close due to strain on battery power, went to 200 feet and secured from General Quarters.

However, it would not be long before another chance arose as sound made contact at 1003. Seal closed and at periscope depth, had a merchant in sight. Went to General Quarters-Torpedo and closed the target at standard speed (submerged). At 1037, fired three torpedoes from bow tubes at ATSUTASAN MARU 7827 tons at a range of 1100 yards. Torpedo # 1 missed astern, torpedo #2 hit amidships and detonated, damaging the vessel. Torpedo #3 impacted the side, but failed to detonate. The 'dud' torpedo was audible and heard by sound operator. Though damaged, the vessel increased speed and turned to west away from Seal. Surfacing was contemplated, however large guns fore, aft, and on each side were observed, preventing this. Again battery capacity prevented submerged pursuit and air cover prevented surfacing to end around. Lost contact with the merchant at 1100, secured General Quarters. At 1104 sound reported warship contacts closing fast. These were discovered to be a destroyer and a patrol craft, which began sweeping the area of the attack, joined by the MAVIS at 1121.Seal went to 200 ft , silent running, and turned away from the scene.

On Thursday February 19 was a normal day of submerged patrol in southern reaches of Mindoro Strait. with no contacts Surfaced and headed for main section of patrol area. On the evening Fox, the news of the bombing of Darwin in the morning was received. The next few days were uneventful with normal patrol routine and no contacts, aside from daily spotting of MAVIS, EMILY, PETE patrol aircraft, and BETTY as well. On 25 February received word that COMSUBASIATIC was shifting operations to Perth-Fremantle Australia. Foul weather set in that evening with blinding winds and rain, heavy seas, overcast, and fog. Weather did not improve until the following morning.

At 1150 on February 2 smoke plumes were sighted bearing 087. Seal went to General Quarters-Torpedo and closed for attack, submerging at 1152 hours. At 1255 submerged for attack and came to periscope depth at 1321. Observed RYUNN MARU 6538 tons and fired three remaining bow torpedoes at 1331 in heavy seas. All torpedoes tracked properly, but Torpedoes 1 and 3 missed as wakes passed under the target. Torpedo # 2 prematurely detonated 10-15 feet from target. Explosion that close may have damaged the target. With just one torpedo remaining in stern tube #8, turned to bring the tube to bear. A EMILY flying boat was observed at 1341, forcing Seal t 150 feet. No bombs fell. At 1400 Seal was in position and the target was on ideal course. Fired tube eight, the last torpedo which impacted the side of the target, but was another "dud". Air cover and heavy seas prevented immediate followed up with deck gun attack. Surfaced after dark and searched until 0700 following morning trying to reestablish contact, but was unable. With all torpedoes expended, set course for Surbaya via Mindoro Strait, Sulu Sea, Sibutu Pass, Celebes Sea, Makassar Strait to Java Sea at standard speed as had enough fuel to stop and fuel at Surabaya.

As Seal sailed the Celebes Sea word of the Japanese landings on Java was received and could not stop there for fuel. Calculations were done and showed at 14 knots could make Fremantle with small amount of fuel to spare. Course was set for Fremantle via Makassar Strait, Flores Sea, and Lombok Strait.

On Tuesday March 3, 1942 at 0800, in Flores Sea, Seal submerged at 6-58 S116-54 E for the approach to Lombok Strait due to heavy enemy air activity in area. At 0810 at depth of 90 feet, sound sweep revealed the sound of a submerged submarine bearing 090. Seal went to 200 feet, silent running. It is possible this submarine was making an approach on Seal at the time she submerged.

Surfaced at 1900 hundred hours and increased speed to full, entering North end of Lombok Strait at 2204 hours. Due to the moonless night, chose to make the passage on the surface.. Slowed to standard speed to avoid larger wake. At 2326 near center of Lombok Strait, observed two Japanese destroyers, believed to be Fubuki Class, patrolling the strait, at bearing 011 6000 yards. Took immediate action, presenting stern towards contact and and went to General Quarters. However, they did not spot Seal in the dark night. After clearing the contacts, Seal continued on and exited the strait at 0025 hours on 4 March and set course for Fremantle at 14 knots.

Friday March 6, 1942, while cruising on the surface at dusk en route Fremantle off coast of Australia, as Australia PBY Catalina was spotted bearing 267 at 8000 yards. The Catalinas range was steady, it then made an tur and aggressive high speed dive towards Seal. A dive was ordered, emergency depth 200 feet. As Seal passed 111 feet, multiple large explosions went off, mostly above. However, one or two charges were at Seals depth or below and boat was severely shaken. Piping and air lines began to leak profusely. There was minor flooding in the control room, conning tower, and forward torpedo room. No 2. (Attack) periscope was wrecked Trim and Hydraulic pumps also damaged. Inspection upon return to port indicated hull damage was well. (My friend fire mod, incorporated into TMO Update)

On Saturday March 7, 1942, Seal arrived at Fremantle, Australia and docked at 1031 hours, terminating the Second War Patrol.

Ships sunk on this patrol:

Class Name Ton(s) Caused

AK KANAGA MARU 4923 Torpedo

AK AKITA MARU 3936 Torpedo/Gunfire

Ships damaged on this patrol:

Class Name Ton(s) Cause:

AK ATSUTASAN MARU 7827 Torpedo

AK RYUNN MARU 6538 Torpedo

(C) Remarks

A challenging patrol given the air cover and lack of air search radar, with intense depth charge attacks from escorts. Running around without an SD radar can be quite a challenge but adds a certain element things. However, I should be able to get one next refit as it was not available after first patrol (part of the TMO upgrade).

Torpedo malfunctions certainly took their toll with premature explosions, duds, erratic(circular) runs, and depth control issues. Can only imagine how terrible it to try and fight with your primary weapon being defective.

Bubblehead1980 · 10-04-21, 01:43 AM

TMO 2.5 Update BH
100 difficulty with cams/contacts on for this patrol.

USS Seal SS-183
War Patrol Report
Third War Patrol
18 March- April 1942
Areas G6, M!-II in Banda and Ceram Seas.

Prologue

Returned from second war patrol on 7 March and had relatively short refit period. Ready for sea 18 March.

Narrative

Departed Fremantle 0730 18 March for patrol area. Set course along western coast of Australia to to Savu Sea, Straits of Timor to Banda Sea. Entered patrol area in Banda Sea just after midnight on 24 March and submerged for patrol that morning at 0800.

At 0820 hours, sound reported distant, fast, heavy props bearing 192 degrees. Turned Seal towards contacts at standard speed (submerged) and began closing, slowing with periscope observations every 10-15 minutes. Due to contacts speed, decided to surface and close, to avoid draining batteries. At 0854 spotted smoke of merchants, then tall masts of warships Seal had located a task force at 6-19 S 125-30 E Course 002 degrees Speed 13 knots. A contact report was sent and began racing ahead at flank speed maintaining distance of 10 NM tracking visually via smoke plumes.

Submerged at 0915 for attack. Observation revealed 10 smaller troopships, similar to TYOHEI MARU class, with one CA (Takao Class) and two CL (unknown class, possibly Naka) pl screen of at least 8 DD. Planned to fire on CA from 1400 yards. When at 2700 yards a DD moving at very high rate of speed was about to overrun Seal, ordered silent running, rig for depth charge and went to 150 feet, continuing to close as it was unlikely DD was detect Seal at such as high speed. After the DD passed over, came back to scope depth, readied all bow tubes but just then pinging(at time did not know a PETE floatplane was in area, but when went to external view for screenshots moments later, a PETE was flying overhead. i suppose the PETE spotted sub at periscope depth, and alerted the warships below. ) began and target made a hard evasion turn to port, ruining the set up. Desiring not to waste torpedoes, withheld fire, rigged for silent running and depth charge, ordered 250 feet.

A brief, but intense depth charging followed with a few close charges. Seal was forced to 350 feet to evade. After an hour most of the DD's departed area sans two which stayed behind dropping charges, pinging and hunting. Secured General quarters and was not able to surface until dusk. A pursuit through the night did not regain contact with the task force. Submerged for patrol the next day with no contacts. Surfaced at dusk.

At 0156 hours on 26 March, spotted enemy destroyer bearing 357 degrees 7500 yards. Numerous other DD and then a CA, came into view in the night sky, called General Quarters-Torpedo, moved ahead and submerged for attack. 3000 yards off track of target. As began to close, could make out the silhouette of a large, flat deck and island structure of a carrier in the night sky! Immediately began a plot and showed Course 064 Speed 11 knots. Sent contact report of Task Force sighted at 3-07 N 125-30 E in Ceram Sea, Course 064 Speed 11 knots .Went to depth of 100 feet and closed at high speed for 7 minutes, back at scope depth had penetrated the screen and would fire at 1000 yards from the CV. All tubes were readied forward. Upon next observation, noticed the water was lapping the scope as the seas had suddenly grown choppy, then heavy. Also noticed a DD in the screen moved forward and would have to fire early to avoid the torpedoes being intercept by him.

At 0245 fired four MK 14 torpedoes at range of 2000 yards from all four bow tubes . Two were fired at middle of target (MOT) while a 2 degree spread forward and aft of center bearing on the TDC spread dial was used. Torpedoes were set for 18 feet. Did not attempt keel shot in heavy seas. Raised scope at 0246 anticipating torpedo imapact when boom....torpedo one prematurely detonated, perhaps 15-20 feet from the carrier...torpedo two and three folllowed. Alerted, the carrier sped up and made hard turn to port, torpedo 4 just missed the stern, running through the wake. While possible the close proximity of torpedoes when detonated damaged the CV, they were not hits. Pinging began just after last torpedo missed, and Seal wen to 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge. No depth charges ever fell on Seal, just few off in distance. The rough seas ruined sound conditions and shielded the boat. Secured from General Quarters and surfaced at 0500, attempting to regain contact with the CV.

At 0658 that morning, a D3A "Val" dive bomber, presumably from the CV appearing at bearing 340 closing fast. Seal submerged and felt explosions of depth charges as she passed 110 feet, no damage. Further attempts to surface were thwarted through the day by carrier based aircraft, including a pair of Zeros which suddenly appeared and strafed Seal before she would submerge. QM2 S.L. Russell was standing aft lookout when wounded by the gunfire from the Zeros at 1131, but survived.

At 1230 Sound made contact at bearing 030 and at periscope depth, smoke was spotted. General Quarters-Torpedo was called. Soon identified a DD leading two AK. Closed for attack. The lead AK was KANGA MARU and the second in column was the large AK KOBYASHI MARU 9980 tons. DD identified as Yagumo Class. Closed to 1000 yards off track and at 1311 fired three MK 18 torpedoes. First torpedo was observed running below the target, second impacted amidships and set off a massive explosion, toppled masts and setting off repeated secondary explosions. Third torpedo hit but was a "dud". Believe the KOBAYSHI MARU was carrying ammunition and other volatile cargo. Time: 1317 KOBAYASHI MARU sunk 9980 tons sunk at 3-07 S 125-30 E.

The DD closed and turned into him for a "down the throat shot" firing at 580 yards with 0 AOB. Ordered emergency depth of 250 feet after firing. Heard a torpedo explosion but was not a hit as DD kept coming. Torpedo prematurely detonated. DD passed overhead and let a pattern of DC go, which exploded above as Seal passed 120 feet. The DD made consistent contact and attacks for two hours, eventually losing contact with Seal, then going quiet to listen for about 45 minutes, before leaving area at high speed to rejoin its other charge. Surfaced to pursue but aircraft appeared and kept Seal submerged remainder of the day. Surfaced that evening and closed Staring Bay, Celebes. (I did this in hopes of catching Nagumo's force departing for Operation C, the Indian Ocean raid, which was added by my update mod) but while did make sonar contact at distance, was never able to close to visual range.

Following week passed without contact, just daily routine of submerged patrol and nightly surfacing. until 5 April off Ambon, detecting a tanker with heading for the strait between Ambon/Buru Island. at dawn. Submerged and attacked, firing two MK 14 torpedoes at HARUNA MARU, one impacted but was a dud, the other missed due to targets evasive movements. Fired two more torpedoes, both of which were skillfully dodged by the plucky little tanker. As was bringing stern tubes to bear, sound reported warships closing fast. Two patrol boats from Buru were closing in and just as fired stern tubes, the tanker made a hard turn to the east, ruining the shot and all torpedoes missed. . With patrol boats now at 4500 yards, ordered silent running, rig for depth charge and went to 250 feet. Initially the patrol boats had contact and put a few close depth charges on Seal, but after went to 325 feet seemed to lose contact. Seal secured GQ and remained submerged rest of the day.

Following days and weeks Seal found no contacts and endured heavy seas and storms finally clearing on the 14th of April. On 15 April at 0914, while on submerged patrol, 5-30 S 130-0 E in the Banda Sea, a Red Cross Hospital ship was spotted on course 120 degrees 11 knots.

On 18 April at 1442 a ship spotted! Bearing 069 6 NM. 2-36 S 130-22 E in Ceram Sea. General Quarters-Torpedo was called. After pulling ahead for attack , identified target as a large AK of KOBYASHI MARU class. At 1544 fired three MK 14 torpedoes at target. In the heavy seas, all three ran under target, in spite of torpedo depth being set at 10 feet, the minimal in such waves. Fired fourth torpedo, which impacted target, but failed to detonate.

At 1641 with final torpedo loaded into tube 3, fired on target from 700 yards. Torpedo detonated just a few yards from target. A gun action was considered, however the heavy seas and fact the vessel was armed with 4 inch guns forward and aft made a battle surface not favorable for Seal. Secured and went to 200 feet. Surfaced at 1930 hours, set course for Fremantle via Timor Sea. Arrived Fremantle on 26 April at 1700. Terminated patrol.

Ships Sunk:

Name: KOBAYASHI MARU
Class: AK
Tons:9980
Date: 26 March 1942
Time: 1317
Location:3-07 S 125-30 E.
Cause: Torpedo- MK 14- hit amidships.

Remarks:

Tough patrol with a lot of disappointment due to torpedo failures. The miss on the carrier was dejecting, to say the least. Obviously, we know the torpedoes are prone to failure in the mod, but sometimes they do work and was hoping it would be one of those times. Odds are will not encounter another ship of such value in this career (way I designed things), quite a dejecting moment in the sim.

Depth charge attacks were not as intense nor persistent as previous two patrols.

Bubblehead1980 · 10-06-21, 02:14 AM

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

War Patrol Report
USS Seal SS-183
Fourth War Patrol
26 May -26 June 1943
Area B6-South China Sea off Indochina

Departed for patrol on 26 June at 0730 hours and set course for patrol area via Lombok Strait, Makassar Strait, Sulu Sea, Balabac Strait to South China Sea. On

On the evening of 29 May while transiting Lombok Strait on the surface, spotted two enemy destroyers patrolling the center of the strait, evaded at high speed. Exited strait at 2331 and proceeded.

On 5 June at 0700 after exiting Balabac Strait, was forced to dive for an SD radar contact closing at 7 miles.

At 0415 on 6 June 1942, while passing through Area D6 in South China Sea en route to assigned area, lookouts spotted a vessel bearing 330 6000 yards. Immediately turned to shadow until dawn and went to General Quarters-Torpedo. The following action would be one of the most challenging vs an escorted merchant in memory.

At 0526 , submerged for dawn periscope attack. Target identified as KIGAN MARU 7390 tons. Target was on a course of 165 degrees at 9 knots. All stern tubes were readied and fired three MK 14 torpedoes from tubes 5,6, and 7 at 0553. Range 1000 yards, AOB 85 P , 1.5 degree spread on TDC knob. At 0553:35 torpedo (tube 5) prematurely detonated about 20 yards from target. This appeared to alert the target as it slowed and began to turned towards the Seal, caused the other two torpedoes to just barely miss ahead and aster of target respectively. Just after missing ahead, torpedo(tube 7) prematurely detonated off the starboard bow of target. Final torpedo reached its maximum range and end of run explosions was heard. KIGAN MARU increased speed and turned away preventing an immediate follow up attack. Note: Target was observed to have 4 inch guns for and aft.

At 0555 Surfaced, secured from General Quarters and raced at 10 NM off starboard side of target, tracking by its smoke, visible on horizon. All tubes reloaded. Ahead of target, submerged at 0808 for second attack. Called General Quarters Torpedo once submerged at 0815. At 0906 Seal was ahead of target, target changed course preventing a bow shot, turned off track for another stern shot. and at 0933 fired Tubes 5 and 6 at 1200 yards, as targets broadside exposed during its zig. First torpedo prematurely detonated and second passed right under the target. . The ship turned toward the Seal's periscope and fired forward deck gun and machine guns at scope. Ordered depth of 90 feet, soon the KIGAN MARU's props noises were audible through hull as it passed above.

Secured General Quarters, reloaded tubes and waited for enemy to clear area before surfacing for another end around. At 1403 surfaced into overcast skies, thunder, moderates winds, light but choppy seas and a light fog. Raced along last known course of KIGAN MARU at flank speed and made contact at 1419, spotting whips of smoke on horizon , in spite of the fog.

Submerged the boat in preparation for attack, but contact was not arriving as expecting. Target had changed course. Surfaced and began chasing to get ahead ad at 1442 spotted the KIGAN MARU in the fog at 7200 yards. KIGAN MARU spotted Seal, as opened fire with both deck guns, shells landing in the distance off Drum's stern and port side. Kigan Maru increased speed to 10 knots in opposite direction.

At 1531 SD radar had a contact at 9 NM closing fast. Seal submerged to 150 feet. Surfacing again at 1550, closed target s estimated location at high speed. SD contact was made but range steady, did not dive. The low visibility helped shield Seal from being spotted by the aircraft.

Submerged the boat at 1633 for attack. At 1637 all tubes were readied forward and at 1558 fired Tubes 1,2 at target from 1000 yards, both prematurely detonated shortly after arming. Fired tubes 3,4 as still have favorable set up. Torpedo 3 prematurely detonated, torpedo 4 impacted just of the stack, causing a large explosion. Engine noises on sound ceased. Enemy spotted Seal's scopes and began firing, dropped scope to move into position to finish vessel off with stern tubes. During the turn, passed 300 yards along side the enemy vessel and raised scope, which came under fire from deck guns and machine guns, dropped scope.

At 1721 fired Tube 6 from 900 yards. Torpedo impacted, setting off a large explosion and fire. Target began to sink, water lapping over the decks. At 1737, KIGAN MARU 7390 tons sunk at 8-54 N 113-36 E in South China Sea (Area D5) . Surfaced and continued on to patrol area after an action which lasted from contact to completion, 15 1/2 hours.

The ship most of have been on of the merchants set to "elite" , as it was not the relatively easy prey lone merchants usually are with the radical course and speed changes and sharp eyed look outs.

Some screen shots from the battle. I had the external cam off so options were limited...

Pressing the firing plunger. to finish off the the KIGAN MARU

After sinking the KIGAN MARU, proceeded to patrol area arriving the next evening. With SD radar now equipped and in an open ocean patrol area, opted to patrol surfaced instead of submerging in daylight to increase mobility and chances of sighting. A trim dive was made twice each day and thorough sound sweeps made throughout the day.

At 2100 on 14 June lookouts spotted an enemy destroyer. Went to General Quarters-Torpedo. Soon other ships spotted, had a convoy on course directly to Cam Rahm Bay. Convoy was large, with nine AP (troopships) and three escorts...two destroyers and one torpedo boat, possibly Otori class.

Submerged at 2203 and closed target. Went deep at 2221 to avoid destroyer, which passed overhead at high speed, Seal not detected. When back at periscope depth, was 300 yards off starboard side of the outer column! Convoy track had shifted slightly, ordered back 1/3 to open range for firing. A quick plot showed convoy speed of 13 knots.

At 2241 fired two MK 14 torpedoes (Tubes 1,2,3) at a KITRUIN MARU troopship from 1800 yards and two at a SAKITO MARU troopship at 2300 yards. Torpedo 4 prematurely detonated shortly after arming. Torpedo 1 missed astern of KITRUIN MARU, torpedo 2 hit, but was a dud. Torpedo 4 missed SAKITO MARU as the now alerted convoy slowed, causing torpedo to miss forward.

Escorts soon rushed in and depth charged Seal for the next 6 hours. Several charges came close, causing leaks in piping and air lines, as well as damage to forward batteries. All damage repaired. Surfacing after dawn, recharged batteries then submerged to 200 ft for the day for torpedo reload and crew rest.

Next couple of days saw increased air activity off Cam Rahn Bay, Seal had stirred the hornets nest so to speak and was forced to dive repeatedly. One contact on 15 June was only detected at 5.5 NM and spotted Seal as she submerged. The twin engine bombers (BETTY) put a series of charges along side Seal as she passed 84 feet, causing minor damage with leaks in piping and air lines, minor flooding in control room. All repaired.

During the morning trim dive on 16 June at 0600, sound detected distant prop noises bearing 335 long range. Surfaced into an overcast sky, with a medium fog and light chop to the seas. Obviously this made visual tracking difficult. Closed the bearing at high speed. At 0701, a whisp of smoke was spotted on horizon and General Quarters-Torpedo was called. At 0709 target spotted seal (somehow) and opened fire with deck guns, shells splashes around sea. Turned away, less they get a lucky shot and tracked ahead, submerging for attack at 0747, closing on sound bearing as had no visual contact at the time due to fog.

0752 via periscope, spotted ship emerging from the fog at range of 3870 yards on course 063 zigging at 7 knots. All bow tubes were readied for firing.At 0813 , as target zig presented favorable firing angle, fired bow tubes 1,2,3 from 1000 yards. All three torpedoes wakes were observed running under target, torpedoes set to depth of 10 feet ran deeper than set, it is assumed. Fired a fourth torpedo at 0816, which missed or ran deep.

Brought stern about, readied stern torpedo tubes and fired spread of four after torpedoes set to minimum depth setting. One prematurely detonated just yards from target, second impacted but failed to detonate (dud), two others missed or ran deep. Pulled away for torpedo reload as target disappeared in to the fog.

0956 Surfaced into clear weather as fog had lifted and began pursuit course.

1928 Finally regained contact with merchant and closed, which was difficult as night set in but by 2015 was submerged and had target in sight. Appeared to be the same DAKAR MARU freighter pursued earlier. At 2019 fired final two torpedoes from bow tubes 2 and 3. Both torpedoes missed, likely due to running deep as tracked properly. All torpedoes expended , waited for target to clear and pursued for a night gunnery action but was unable to regain contact. All torpedoes expended, set course for Fremantle.

At 0618 on 18 June as Seal approached Balabac Strait, spotted smoke on the horizon in the dawn light. One AK with one DD escorting exiting the strait course 302 degrees at 8 knots. Position 7-4 N 116-25 E. Contact report sent. Seal turned away from the ships. Suddenly, the destroyer turned towards Seal at high speed and flashes were seen from her forward guns. Splashes landed well ahead of Seal. Destroyer, an older type believed to be Wakatake Class closed and fired several times but could not catch up to Seals 20 knots and never came closer than 6000 yards. Eventually turning back, but she had protected her charge, ran us off. Continued on to Balabac strait and transited without incident.

On 21 June Seal was in Makassar Strait and made its morning trim dive at 0600. At 0605 sound detected distant props. Surfaced and closed to investigate contact. Smoke was spotted on Horizon at 0640. Pulled ahead to close and review target, to decide if gun action possible. Target made repeated course and speed changes making this difficult. Finally at 1026 submerged to close and inspect target, which revealed no large guns mounted, only anti aircraft type auto cannons and machines guns. Called for General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action at 1045 and turned off target track to present Seal's stern and aft mounted deck gun to target. Surfaced at 3000 yards from target an commencing firing at 1050.

The 3 inch gun and 20 MM gun scored numerous hits on the enemy vessel as it turned away and returned fire with its MG and AC.

At 1056, lucky rounds hit the deck gun crew (see casualties below). Immediately a replacement crew took over and Seal pursued at back emergency speed in a stern chased, scoring repeated hits on the target, which caught fire and seemed to lose way. The 3 inch gun continued to hammer the target until the entire ship was ablaze and appeared to be sinking. Ceased fire at 1106. At 1111, ZINBU MARU 5186 tons sunk by gunfire.

The following casualties were a result of machine gun fire from the enemy vessel. All were members of the primary 3 inch gun crew.

Killed in Action:

CTM Rob I. Madison (Chief of the Boat)

Wounded in Action

Ens. Marion L. Lynch - Minor wound-recovered

TM1 Herbert Bell-Seriously wounded, recovered.

TM1 Leigh Simmons-Seriously wounded, recovered.

TM3 Dudley T. Jenkins Seriously wounded-recovered

TM3 Theodore N. Campbell-Minor wound.-recovered.

All KIA WIA received Purple Heart upon return to Fremantle.

Ships Sunk on this patrol:

Name Class Tons Cause
KIGAN MARU AK 7390 Torpedo

ZINBU MARU AK 5186 Gunfire-3 inch and 20 MM

Remarks:

Difficult patrol, relatively short in duration of thirty days due to quick expenditure of torpedoes, with missed opportunities due to repeated torpedo failures. First patrol with SD radar. SD performance was overall satisfactory, although its failure to detect low flying BETTY did lead to Seal being damaged.

Casualties suffered in the gun action are regrettable, future gun attacks will be carried out at longer distances. A larger, more powerful deck is desired as 3 inch appears to be underpowered.

Jimbuna · 10-06-21, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Revus

USS Silversides, 3 Jan 43 to 28 Feb 43. Third War Patrol.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/153G...ew?usp=sharing

Got some pics too, cant upload them. Any tips?

https://postimages.org/

09-26-21, 12:25 PM	#5102
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Drum SS-228 Fourteenth War Patrol (Final, war ended) TMO 2.5 with custom mods 100 difficulty cams off, contacts on. Note: This is the first time in all of my years of running TMO have managed to complete the entire war (well early 1942 when started new construction) until end of war in a Gato, or anything "below" a Balao Class without getting killed. TMO is tough and the boats who can't dive as deep face more of a challenge. I have started in January 1944 in a Gato and survived the war, but never from 42 when the class first becomes available I definitely had some close calls during the 14 patrols of this career, but managed to survive. For all but the 12th, 13th, and 14th patrols(little to no traffic in those areas nor in the sim at the time, so went elsewhere) , I had orders to the actual areas Drum patrolled. This also allowed me to test my TMO Update from early in the war until the end, see how things unfold in the campaign, and pretty happy overall. As many may have read in this thread, I documented all 14 patrols in detailed reports and even began to write them in the style of actual WW II patrol reports utilizing data recorded during the patrol. Minute details of attacks such as Gyro Angles, Torpedo Tracks, Course etc. was gathered from the TDC in the sim. If not aware, can place your cursor over the TDC panel (2D) upper and lower dials, will provide these details. If the PK is activated, will update. Things such as serial numbers etc info not in game were stylized after the actual patrol reports. With the 3D TDC/Radar mod which is incorporated in TMO, can get a lot of great information by studying the dials as they update the solution. I run most patrols without map contacts, so makes for a challenging but interesting time. I also, by editing the career track files, "switched" Captains throughout the career at appropriate times and used the names of actual CO's for the Drum at appropriate time periods. This career served as a test bed for a future series of "campaigns" plan to develop, where player plays through a boats career, to the actual patrol areas. Drum will be first, followed by Tang, etc. War Patrol Report USS Drum SS-228 War Patrol Fourteen 1 July-19 August 1945 (A) Prologue Arrived Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., from thirteenth war patrol on 30 March 1945. Sent to Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, for overhaul and refit, including dry docking. Arrived Hunters Point, San Francisco, California, on April 11, 1945. The following major refit work was completed on Drum during the refit period following War Patrol Thirteen: 1.)5 inch 25 Caliber Wet Mount Gun added forward and aft. (Aft mount removed before patrol at Submarine Base Pearl Harbor.) 2.) Single 40 MM Bofors Cannon replaced Twin 20 MM Oerlikon on fore AA platform. 3.) SV Radar replaced SD Radar. 4.) Conning tower cut down aft to further reduce silhouette. 6.) No.1 periscope replaced with improved "night" periscope. 7.) JT Listening Gear installed to replace JP-1 Listening Gear. Executive Officer Lieut. A.N. Callaghan, USN, detached for new construction on 15 April 1945, relieved as Executive Officer by Lieut. A.L. O Leary, USN. Ens. L.Y. Hammond, USN, promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade, effective 1 April 1945. Ens. M.A. Rossi, USN, and Ens. I.T. Abele, USN, reported aboard 1 May 1945. CPO. W.S. Braun, USN, replaced CPO B.J. Sanders, USN, as Chief of the Boat (COB), followed Sander's detachment to short duty. CPO's, B.B Scott, and H.A. Gregory, USN, reported aboard. PO 1/c D.R. Muller promoted to CPO effective 10 April 1945. In addition to the wardroom and senior enlisted changes, forty crewmembers were detached with forty mostly inexperienced replacements reporting aboard. In addition to training during the refit period, intense drills will be conducted en route to area on new patrol to insure maximum readiness of the crew. Ready for Sea 1 July 1945. (B) Narrative Officers and Chief Petty Officers. File Number Name Number of War Patrols 78641 Lt. Comdr. F.M. Eddy, USN (CO) 9 919543 Lieut. A.L. O Leary, USN (XO) 11 161064 Lieut. G.P.A. Romano, USN 7 109492 Lieut. (jg) L.Y. Hammond,USNR 5 228826 Ens. N.T. Connaway, USNR 5 831858 Ens. M.A. Rossi, USN 0 190345 Ens. I.T. Abele, USN 0 Service Number Name Number of War Patrols 321 19 14 Braun, W.S., CTM, (COB) USN 12 223 47 64 Ferrall,E.W., CEM, USN 11 328 60 88 Stevens, W.E., CMoMM, USN 7 425 87 91 Gregory, H.A., CMoMM, USN 8 391 21 42 Muller, D.R., CMoMM, USN 7 334 84 19 Scott, B.B., CMoMM, USN 0 1 July 0930 Depart Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor for patrol area via Midway. 1230 Trim Dive. 1250 Surfaced. 2 July 0900 Gunnery Drill. Fired 5 inch, 40 MM, and 20 MM guns. 0930 Emergency Dive Drill. Simulated SD contact closing fast. Dive Time is 38 seconds. 0935 Torpedo Approach and Attack Drill on simulated target. 2300 Submerged for night periscope attack drill. 2350 Surfaced. 3 July En route to Midway 4 July En route Midway. 5 July 1030 Docked at Midway Island for refuel. 1302 Refuel complete. Depart Midway Island for patrol area: Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands. 1640 Trim Dive. 1700 Surfaced. 6 July En route patrol area. 7 July 1730 Storms. Overcast with moderate fog, heavy seas with 10-12 ft waves.Wind speed 15 meters per second, direction 244. 1915 Storms cleared. 8 July En route patrol area. 9 July En route patrol area. 10 July 1000 Storms set in. Overcast, heavy wind, rain, seas, and fog. 10-12 ft waves. Wind 15 meters per second direction 002. 1840 Storms cleared. 11 July En route patrol area. 12 July 0030 Entered Patrol Area. 1740 Submerged for attack. 1741 Sound contact: Warship bearing 299 Long Range. Closing medium speed. 1743 General Quarters- Torpedo. 1800 Spotted Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort Vessel bearing 292, estimated range 6500 yards. 1816 ATTACK NO.1 Fired MK 27 Homing Torpedo. 1821 Torpedo Missed. 1828 Secured General Quarters 2049 Possible props noises 027 degrees very long range. 2245 Surfaced 2251 SJ contact bearing 295 12 NM. 47-55 N 153-4 E 2350 SJ contact is a large iceberg. 48-6 N 153-1 E 10 NM East Matsuwa Island. 13 July 0519 Sighted fishing boats 48-21 N 153-37 E. 0520 General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action. 0529:15 Opened Fire. GUN ACTION NO.1 0529:31 Direct hits caused boat to exploded. Boat destroyed. 0532 Ceased Fire. Three fishing boats sunk. 48-20 N 153-38 E 0540 Secured General Quarters. 1521 SV contact bearing 081 9 NM, closing. Submerged. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.1 1915 Sound reports distant props bearing 131. 1916 Surfaced. Course 299° to investigate. 1922 SJ contacts bearing 341 14 NM 48-54 N 154-25 E PPI indicates convoy. 2131 Convoy rounded west side of Kharimkotan Island, Drum proceeded east of side to cut through the straight between Kharimkotan and Onekotan Islands to head off the convoy. 2211 Regained SJ contact with convoy round Kharimkotan Island. Bearing 316 11 NM. 49-12 N 154-37 E. 2214- General Quarters 2229 Smoke from convoy sighted bearing 260. 14 July 0130 Quarter moon set. Turned to course 195 for night surface attack. 0202 Convoy Sighted. 49-38 N 154-42 E Course 037 Speed 8 knots. 0216 ATTACK NO. 2 0218 All torpedoes impacted targets as aimed. Drum turned away for high speed run to west. Do not believe escorts had a fix on Drum as received no gunfire. 0221 HAKUSIKA MARU 8150 tons sunk at 04-37 N 39-37 N. 0224 TAIHOSAN MARU 1850 tons sunk at 04-37 N 39-37 N. 0240 Secure General Quarters. 0300 SJ contact 314 14 NM 49-55 N 154-38 E 0347 Visual contact on a Chidori Class Torpedo Boat, likely responding to area after alerted to earlier attack. Avoided contact. 1035 Submerged for patrol West of Paramushiru Island. 1044 Sound reports warship closing from bearing 035, medium range. Likely a patrol. 1109 Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort Vessel spotted, bearing 145 4500 yards, closing, fast. Believe Drum has been detected. 1110 Rigged for Silent Running. Rigged for Depth Charge. 1119:10 Depth charge explosions astern, not close. 1119:44 Pinging by enemy. 1122 Escort overhead. 1123:10 Splashes in water. 1123:30 Multiple DC explosions, fairly close. Boat shaken. Drum Depth: 387 ft 1140 Escort several thousand yards astern , hunting. Appears to have lost contact with Drum. 1435 Second warship contact bearing 241 long range. Believe this is another ASW responding to reports of submarine presence. 2000 Surfaced. Ser course to patrol the La Perouse-Paramushiru sea lanes in Sea of Okhotsk. 15 July Patrol 16 July Patrol 17 July Patrol 18 July Patrol 19 July Patrol 20 July 0602 SJ Contact bearing 042 14 NM. 49-16 N 144-32 E 10 NM E of Karafuto Island. PPI indicates NNW bound convoy hugging coast. 0746 Submerged for attack. 0750 General Quarters. 0905 Convoy zigged to starboard, ruining set up. 0907 Passed thermal layer at 150 feet. 0909 Escort pinging. 0914 Depth charge explosions astern, not close. Heavy seas preventing accurate tracking of Drum. Drum at 200 ft. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. 0919 More DC explosions. 1100 Secured General Quarters. 1215 Secured from Silent Running. 1219 Surface for end around on convoy. 1550 General Quarters 1608 Submerged for attack. 1637 Convoy sighted.50-01 N 144-02 E. Course 330 speed 9 knots. Three AK, screen consists one Chidori, one MS, three PC escorts. 1648 ATTACK NO. 3 Fired three MK 18 torpedoes from stern tubes. 1651 Torpedoes impacted bow area in succession. Large fires, ship appears seriously damaged. Type A escort is 1100 yards away bearing 180. Spotted scope just as torpedoes impacted. Escort changed course at high speed for Drum's scope, pinging on short scale. Ordered 350 feet depth, rigged for silent running and depth charge. 1652 at Thermal layer 95 feet. Deployed SBT-1 decoy at 105 feet. 1654:21 Splashes overhead. 1654:32 DC explosions. more pinging. Drum at 330 ft. 1655 More splashes. DC explosions. 1656 Drum at 375 ft. 1700 Many depth charge explosions astern. Escorts may be focused on SBT-1 decoy deployed. 1828 Secured General Quarters. 1835 Begin stern torpedo reload. Forward torpedo room removing MK 18's from Tubes 1,2, 3,4,5 to replace with MK 16 and MK 14 for future night surface attack on convoy. Remained submerged during torpedo reload and swap out due to heavy sea state. 2054 Torpedo reload and swap out completed. 2358 Radar Depth. SJ radar has convoy bearing 210 10 NM. 2359 Surfaced. Sea state improved from heavy to moderate. 21 July 0239 Regained SJ contact. Battery sufficiently charged for submerged attack. Night periscope attack in lieu of surface attack due to moonlight. 0245 General Quarters-Torpedo. 0250 Submerged for attack. 0318 Radar Depth. 0346 ATTACK NO 4. Fired two MK 16 torpedoes. 0347 Both torpedoes impacted target. Pinging began immediately. Drum rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. 0348 MADRAS MARU 3790 tons sunk at 50-33 N 143-39 E. Ordered depth of 350 feet. 0351 Pinging. Escorts closing. 0353 Depth charge explosions astern. Passed thermal layer 170 feet. 0354 Short scale pinging. Escort closing. SBT-1 decoy deployed 0355 Escort overhead. Splashes audible. 0356 DC explosions. 0358 Escort close bearing 050 pinging short scale. 0359 DC explosion, close. Boat shaken. Drum at 380 feet. 0401 Short scale pinging. Escort c losing from astern Deployed SBT-1 decoy. Drum to 390 feet. 0402 DC explosions astern. 0403 Pinging, short scale. 0405 DC explosions. 0500 Escorts appear to have lost contact with Drum. 0530 Secured General Quarters. 0606 Periscope depth. 0607 Surfaced for end around. 0754 Convoy changed course to NE heading away from Karafuto Island. Believe sea lane establishedtraffice traffic exits La Perouse or ports on Hokkaido, runs along the Karafuto/Sakhalin coast the into the Northern Sea of Okhotsk, possibly into Russian waters to avoid submarine attack. Convoy took heading 025° at 50-57 N 143-46 E. 1046 Regained SJ contact bearing 334 15 NM. 05-20 N 143-55 E. 1104 Smoke sighted 090 estimated 8 NM. 1105 General Quarters-Torpedo 1118 Submerged for attack. 1154 Periscope depth. Convoy at bearing 056. Course 045 speed 8.5 knots. One AK, one Chidori escort leading, one Type A on starboard, one unknown on port. Escort is off on "sweep" permitting Drum to close target. 1159 Pinging. Drum detected. Chidori closing. Turned towards Chidori for down the throat shot. 1202 Attempted to fire MK 18 in tube # 4, torpedo failed to fire (See Damage and Defects Section) . With range now too close to fire ordered emergency dive. Released SBT-1 decoys. Ordered 350 feet. DC splashes heard as Chidori roared overhead. Rigged for depth charge and silent running. DC explosions. Boat shaken. 1204 Pinging. 1207 DC explosions. close Boat shaken. Depth: 375 ft 1210 DC explosions, close. 1400 Secured General Quarters. 1508 Surfaced for end around. 2025 Regained SJ contact with convoy 004 12 NM 51-43 N 145-0 E. 22 July 0102 General Quarters-Torpedo. Full moon, opted for submerged night periscope attack. 0133 Submerged for attack. 0153 ATTACK NO. 5 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes. 0154 Torpedo Impact! Amidships. 0155 Torpedo Impact! Forward. Vessel on fire. 0158:31 WATANABE MARU 3600 tons sunk. 52-01 N 145-25 E. 0158:55 PC type escort bearing 120 1000 yards. Ordered dive to 300 ft. Rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge. 0202 DC explosions. close, boat shaken. Damage reported. (See damage section) Drum depth: 340 ft. 0205-0300 Multiple Depth charge attacks from escorts. No damage. 0400 Secured General Quarters. 0730 Submerged. 2200 Surfaced 23 July Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes. 24 July 0943 Spotted several icebergs. 53-15 N 150 14 E 25 July Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes. 26 July Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes. 27 July Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes. 28 July Patrolled Northern Sea of Okhotsk along suspected Karafuto-Paramushiru shipping lanes. 29 July 0502 Spotted fishing boats bearing 042 5500 yards. 0503 General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action. 0512 GUN ACTION NO. 2. Commenced firing. 0523 Ceased fired. Three fishing boats 200 tons each (estimated) sunk at 49-10 N 154-52 E and 49-10 N 154-53 . 0649 Spotted fishing boats 000 5660 yards. General Quarter Battle Surface Gun Action. 0558 GUN ACTION NO.3 Commenced firing. 0611 Ceased Fire. Three fishing boats sunk by gunfire. 49-14 N 154-57 E 1331 SV contact bearing 089 8.8 NM. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO. 2. Submerged. 1558 Surfaced. 1757 SV contact bearing 301 9 NM. Submerged. 2214 9 NM NNE of Matsuwa. 30 July 0015 Surfaced. 0047 Iceberg spotted 000 5700 yards. 48-12 N 153 07 E. 7 NM NE Matsuwa Island. 0500 Submerged for patrol off Matsuwa Island. 1100 Sound reported distant props bearing 040-050. 1155 Surfaced. 1220 PC arrived in Drum's former location and began searching. Possibly spotted by shore observers. 1232 Surfaced to clear Matsuwa. 1417 SV contact bearing 122 10 NM. Range steady. AIRCRAFT CONTACT #4 1426 SV contact closing. Submerged to avoid. 1549 Surfaced. 1650 Spotted fishing boats bearing 350 range 8000 yards. 1653 General Quarters-Battle Surface- Gun Action. 1700 GUN ACTION NO. 4 Commenced firing. 1710 Ceased fire. Four fishing boats sunk. 1712 Secure General Quarters. 31 July 0108 SJ contact bearing 325 14 NM. 47-5 151-54. PPI indicates convoy hugging coast of Simusir Island. 0125 General Quarters-Torpedo 0133 Submerged for attack. 0224 ATTACK NO. 6 Fired three MK 18 and one MK 27 homing torpedo. from stern tubes. 0227 Three torpedoes impacted lead AK. 0228 Pinging. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. Drum to 300 ft. 0232 Torpedo Impact ! MK 27 homing torpedo hit target. Believe to be the trailing AK.Massive secondary explosions audible as well as sounds of ship sinking. 0233 Pinging. DC explosions near by. Escort closing. 0400 Secure General Quarters. 0600 Periscope/Radar depth. All clear. Secure Silent Running. 0605 Remained submerged for the day at 200 ft. Periscope observations at 0900, 1200, 1600, 2250. 2300 Surfaced. 1 August 2000 Storms. Overcast, heavy seas, precipitation, winds. 2 August 0007 SJ contact on stationary object. Believe to be iceberg. Storms prevent investigation. 0636 Received orders from COMSUBPAC to sweep the southern coast of Hokkaido. 3 August 2200 Patrolling Southern Coast of Hokkaido 4 August Patrolling Southern coast of Hokkaido, en route back to Okhotsk 5 August Patrol 6 August Patrol 2100 Evening FOX mentioned dropping of "Atomic Weapon" on Hiroshima. City reported destroyed. Set course to patrol Karafuto/Terpeniya Bay. 2136 SJ contacts bearing 004 14 NM. 44-41 N 143 22 E. PPI indicates convoy off coast of Northern Hokkaido. 2140- General Quarters-Torpedo 2203 Submerged for attack. 2235 ATTACK NO. 7 Fired four MK 18 at lead AK. 2236 Pinging. Escort closing bearing 080. Rig for depth charge, silent running. 2238 Thermal layer 136 ft. Torpedoes missed. SBT-1 decoy deployed. 2239 Multiple DC explosions. Drum 268 feet. 12 ft off bottom. Escort appears to have dropped on decoy instead of Drum. 2244 Pinging. Escort closing 2245 DC explosions, close. 2250 DC explosions. Boat shaken. 2251 DC explosions close. Damage reported. See damage section. 2352-2259 Many depth charges astern. Escorts attacking decoys. 7 August 0003 Periscope/radar depth. Lone contact bearing 180 7800 yards. 0004 Surfaced. Escort heard Drum surfacing, closed fast. Drum sped away. 0006 Engines on overload, escort pursuing. 22.5 knots sustained speed, peaked at 23.0 knots. 0010 PPI indicates two other escorts heading for Drums position. 0052-Last reserve torpedo(MK 16) loaded into Tube # 4. Drum has four torpedoes remaining. One aft (Tube 8 MK 18) and three (Tubes 4, MK 16, Tubes 5 and 6 MK 18) bow. remain. 0309 Convoy resumed consist course. Prepared for surface torpedo attack. 0414 ATTACK NO. 7. Fired one MK 16 torpedo (Tube #4) 0416 Torpedo impact! 0419 AKITA MARU 3936 tons sunk at 44-24 N 143-45 E. 0430 Secured General Quarters. Dawn in less than one hour, will attack after breakfast and convoy has chance to settle down. 0743 Submerged for Attack. 0750 General Quarters-Torpedo. 0815 On observation, plot showed convoy would overrun Drum, too close for bow shot. With only one torpedo aft, this was not optimal, then began a turn away to open range, then a turn back for a bow shot. Lead escort came with 1200 yards during this maneuver but Drum was not detected. 0839 ATTACK NO. 9 Fired two MK 18 torpedoes from tubes 5 and 6. All bow torpedoes expended. 0841 Torpedo impacted target, setting off a massive explosion, engulfing the vessel in a fireball. similar to when a tanker is torpedoed. While an AK, possible was loaded with fuel. Second torpedo hit five seconds later, but was redundant. 0842 Pinging. Type C escort closing. Lead escort coming about towards Drum. Lead escort identified as a Otori Class Torpedo Boat. Rigged for depth charge and silent running. 0843 Thermal layer 134 ft. 0845 Escort passed overhead. Many DC explosions Drum at 265 ft. Charges were close but set too shallow it seems. 0847 Sounds confirms target sunk AK torpedoed sunk. WATANABE MARU (?) 3600 tons sunk. 0849 Escort passed overhead. Many DC explosions Boat shaken severely. 0855 SBT-1 Decoy deployed 0856 Escort passed overhead. DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. Damage reported. (See damage section) 0858 Sound has second escort (presumed the Otori) closing fast bearing 130. Two more warship contacts closing at high speed, from long range at bearing 295. 0901 Pinging. 0904 Pinging. Escort closing from 170. 0906 Escort passed overhead. DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. Drum at 380 ft. Damage reported(See Damage Section) 0909 Sound reports two warships closing from north. Likely ASW vessels trying to box in and block Drum's escape to deeper waters. 0911 Escort appears to be attacking decoys. DC explosion astern, distant. 1015 Escorts astern, long range. 1236 Secured General Quarters. 1409 Distant depth charges heard by sound. Escorts still hunting Drum. At periscope depth, secured silent running. 1411 Surfaced. 8 August Patrolled off Hitokappu Bay. SJ contact was made with ships in the bay, but with one torpedo remaining and low fuel, did not seem prudent to attempt to enter the bay for an attack. 9 August 0030 After thirty nine days on patrol, with one torpedo remaining, and low fuel state, set course for Pearl Harbor via Midway. 1900 Evening Fox mentioned second Atomic Weapon dropped on Nagasaki with similar results to the bombing of Hiroshima. 10 August En route Midway. 11 En route Midway. 12 August En route Midway. 13 August. En Route Midway 14 August En route Midway 15 August 0200 Received message from COMSUBPAC that Japan has unconditionally surrendered, the war is over. 0700 Docked Midway for refuel. 1100 Departed Midway for Pearl Harbor. 16 August En route Pearl Harbor. 17 August En route Pearl Harbor. 18 August En route Pearl Harbor. 19 August 0834 Docked at Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. (C) Weather The weather in the area was normal for the Sea of Okhotsk, and Kuril Islands. A near constant fog and cloud cover was present as well as cold temperatures, arctic squalls, with heavy ice cold seas. However, multiple days and nights were pleasant with calm, almost lake like waters. (D) Tidal Information The currents encountered in Sea of Okhotsk, in and around the Kuril Islands group corresponded to those predicted by the pilot charts, current charts, and coast pilots. (E) No aids were encountered. Icebergs presented a navigational hazard, especially in the straits between various islands. (F) Air Contacts AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.1 Date: 13 July 1945 Time: 1521 Position: 49-0 N 154-20 E Bearing: 081 Range: 9 NM Altitude: 1000 ft Course:015° Speed:120 kts Visual: No Radar: SV Type: Unknown Own Ship: 115° 10 knots Surfaced. Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1521. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.2 Date: 29 July 1945 Time: 1331 Position: 48-24 N 153-51 E Bearing: 089 Range: 8.8 NM, closing. Altitude: 800 ft Course:135° Speed:150 kts (estimated) Visual: No Radar: SV Type: Unknown Own Ship: 220° 10 knots Surfaced. Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1332 AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.3 Date: 29 July 1945 Time: 1757 Position: 48-14 N 153-27 E Bearing: 301 Range: 9 NM, closing. Altitude: 900 ft Course:340° Speed:120 kts (estimated) Visual: No Radar: SV Type: Unknown Own Ship: 260° 10 knots Surfaced. Remark: Submerged to avoid at 1757. AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO.4 Date: 30 July 1945 Time: 1418 Position: 47-53 N 153-13 E Bearing: 122 Range: 9 NM. Steady (initially) Began closing 1426 6 NM at time of submergence. Altitude: 1500 ft Course:190° (initial) 290° (final) Speed:120 kts Visual: No Radar: SV Type: Unknown Own Ship: 295° 10 knots Surfaced. Remark: Submerged to avoid. (G) Attack Data Torpedo Attacks: U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 1, Patrol No. 14 Time: 1816 (I) Date: 12 July 1945 Lat. 47-44 N., Long. 152-53 E. Description: Mikura Class Type B Coastal Defense/Escort vessel on patrol 5 NM off coast Russawa Island. Ships Sunk: None. Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: None. Target Draft 13.1 feet, Course 215°, Speed 15 knots, Range yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 125°, Depth 63 feet, Angle 43° (at firing) Type Attack Daytime Periscope Attack with MK 27 "Cutie" homing torpedo. Torpedo missed. Torpedo Attack # 1 Tubes Fired #6 Track Angle 101°S Gyro Angle 9°R Depth Set 11 ft Course 155° Point of Aim MOT Hit or Miss Miss Erratic No Mark Torpedo 27 Serial No. 66451 Exploder 8-3 Serial No. 9992 Actuation Set Contact Actuation Actual - - Mark Warhead 27-1 Serial No. 5679 Explosive Torpex Firing Interval 0 Type Spread 0 Sea Conditions Calm U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 2, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0216 (I) Date: 14 July 1945 Lat. 49-38 N., Long. 154-44 E. Description: Small convoy hugging coast of Onekotan Island. One small AK, one large AK, two escorts. Target #1: HAKUSIKA MARU AK 8150 tons Target #2: TAIHOSAN MARU AK 1850 tons Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time HAKUSIKA MARU AK 8150 tons 04-37 N 39-37 N 0221 TAIHOSAN MARU AK 1850 tons 04-37 N 39-37 N 0224 Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Visual observation from bridge. Target#1 Draft 28.5 feet, Course 215°, Speed 15 knots, Range 3400 yds. (at firing) Target#2 Draft 12.1 feet, Course 035°, Speed 9 knots, Range 3100 yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 4 knots, Course 131° Depth: Surfaced Angle (at firing) Target #1: 69°P Target #2: 80°S Type Attack Night Surface Attack. First firing of new MK 16 torpedoes. HAKUSIKA MARU burned profusely and sunk quickly after three solid hits amidships, the third torpedo was redundant in this case due to the larger warhead of MK 16. TAIHOSAN MARU slowed after first torpedo hit the trailing HAKUSIKA MARU, and was in a port turn when the fourth torpedo slammed into bow area, causing a large fire. One minute after impact, a massive, delayed secondary explosion occurred and the small ship quickly slipped beneath the waves. Torpedo Attack # 2 Tubes Fired #1 #2 #3 #4 Track Angle 79°P 79°P 79°P 99°P Gyro Angle 11°L 11°L 11°L 352°L Depth Set 10 ft. 10 ft 10 ft 5 ft Course 141° 141° 141° 123° Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Hit Point of Impact MOT MOT MOT Forward Mast Erratic No No No No Mark Torpedo 16 16 16 16 Serial No. 83401 83402 83403 83404 Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 8-5 Serial No. 10000 9993 9991 9994 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - - - - - Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 Serial No. 9420 9425 9431 9471 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 5 2 Type Spread 0 0 0 0 Sea Conditions Calm Calm Calm Calm U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 3, Patrol No. 14 Time: 1648 (I) Date: 20 July 1945 Lat. 50-02 N., Long.144-03 E. Description: Convoy of three AK in single column with six escorts (Chidori, Shimushu Type A Escort, four PC) hugging coast of Karafuto Island Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time HAKUSIKA MARU* AK 8150 50-02 N 144-03 E 1658 * Similar to HAKUSIKA MARU likely of same class. Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Visual observation of torpedo impacts via periscope. Fires visible along with sudden down angle by bow before Drum forced to go deep to avoid escorts. Sound check confirms of vessel sinking at proper bearing. Target Draft 28.5 feet, Course 330°, Speed 9 knots, Range 3000 yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 004°, Depth 60 feet, Angle 73° S (at firing) Type Attack Daytime Periscope Attack in heavy seas. Speed estimate was slightly fast at 9 knots, should have been set in TDC at 8.5 for MOT impact as aimed. However, the three MK 18 to bow caused serious damage to sink the vessel. A quick but ineffective counter attack by enemy escorts follow, thanks to the heavy sea state and thermal layer. One SBT-1 decoy was deployed but appears escort did not detect it until around 1700. Torpedo Attack # 3 Tubes Fired #7 #8 #9 Track Angle 87°S 87°S 87°S Gyro Angle 18°R 18°R 18°R Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft Course 61° 61° 61° Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Point of Impact Bow Bow Bow Erratic No No No Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 Serial No. 55892 555666 54580 Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 Serial No. 9358 10072 9312 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - Mark Warhead 18-2 18-2 18-2 Serial No. 2438 2554 9933 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 5 Type Spread 0 0 0 Sea Conditions Heavy Heavy Heavy U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 4, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0346 (I) Date: 21 July 1945 Lat. 50-33 N., Long.13-41 E. Description: Follow up attack on convoy attacked in ATTACK No. 3 after end around. Two remaining AK in single column with six escorts (Chidori, Shimushu Type A Escort, four PC) hugging coast of Karafuto Island Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time MADRAS MARU AK 3790 50-33 N 143-49 E 0348 Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Visual observation via periscope of two torpedo hits amidships and astern on target at 0346. Torpedoes caused two large explosions and fires on board, vessel began to list quickly to starboard until sunk at 0348. Target Draft 25.6 feet, Course 330°, Speed 8.5 knots, Range 1746 yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 250°, Depth 60 feet, Angle 89° S (at firing) Type Attack Night periscope attack in moderate seas due to moonlight and phosphorescence providing excellent visual conditions, not optimal for night surface attack. First use of newly installed No.1 "night periscope". In with the moonlight provided decent night time visual of target via periscope. Definite improvement over previous scopes for night attacks. Torpedo Attack # 4 Tubes Fired #3 #4 Track Angle 100°S 100°S Gyro Angle 8°R 8°R Depth Set 10ft 10ft Course 269° 269° Point of Aim MOT MOT Hit or Miss Hit Hit Point of Impact MOT Aft Mast Erratic No No Mark Torpedo 16 16 16 16 Serial No. 83405 83406 83407 83409 Mark Exploder 8-5 8-5 8-5 8-5 Serial No. 10021 10022 10023 10024 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - - - - - Mark Warhead 16-1 16-1 16-1 16-1 Serial No. 9472 9480 9483 9487 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 5 2 Type Spread 0 0 0 0 Sea Conditions Moderate Moderate Moderate Moderate U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 5, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0153 (I) Date: 22 July 1945 Lat. 52-02 N., Long. 145-25E. Description: Follow up attack on convoy attacked in ATTACK No. 3 and 4 after end around. One remaining AK in single column with three escorts currently, forward, port flank, starboard flank with 1000 yards spacing. Other escorts likely trying to catch up. Convoy departed coastline and is heading NE into open waters of the Sea of Okhotsk towards Kuril Islands. Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time WATANABE MARU AK 3706 52-01 N 145-25E 0157 Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Visual observation of torpedoes impacting target. Torpedoes impacted as aimed, with two large explosions upon impact. Large fire amidships area visible. Target Draft 24.0 feet, Course 045°, Speed 8.5 knots, Range 1967 yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 148°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 81° P (at firing) Type Attack Submerged, night periscope attack in calm seas. Torpedo Attack # 5 Tubes Fired #1 #2 Track Angle 92°P 92°P Gyro Angle 359°L 359°L Depth Set 10ft 10ft Course 146° 146° Point of Aim MOT Fore Mast Hit or Miss Hit Hit Point of Impact MOT Forward, under mast. Erratic No No Mark Torpedo 14-3 14-3 Serial No. 86641 7453 Mark Exploder 6-3 6-3 Serial No. 6441 4421 Actuation Set Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - Mark Warhead 14-3 14-3 Serial No. 5472 11480 Explosive Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 Type Spread 0 0 Sea Conditions Calm Calm U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 6, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0224 (I) Date: 31 July 1945 Lat.47-0 N., Long.151 -57 E. Description: Two ship, four escort convoy hugging coastline. Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time SEIA MARU AK 7590 46-59 N 151-57 E 0229 Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time BIYO MARU AK 5425 46-59 151-57E 0232 Damage Determined By: Visual observation of three torpedo hits in lead AK. Large explosion and fires followed second and third hits. Observed lead AK sink by the stern at 0229. At 0232, while Drum was at 300 ft, MK 27 "Cutie" impacted an enemy vessel. The torpedo impact was audible through the hull and on sound gear. A series of massive secondary explosions occurred just after impact. Based on last bearing of the torpedo and the mid sized AK, believe MK 27 tracked and hit the AK. Judging by the unusually large explosions, ship was carrying volatile cargo such as ammunition. SEIA MARU Target Draft 27 feet, Course 065°, Speed 9 kts, Range 2800 yds. (at firing) BIYO MARU Target Draft 24 feet, Course 065°, Speed 9 kts, Range 3100 yds. (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 005°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 88° P (at firing) (SEIA MARU) 78° P (BIYO MARU) Type Attack Submerged-Night Periscope in choppy seas with three quarters moon and phosphorescence. Torpedo Attack # 6 Tubes Fired #7 #8 #9 #10 Track Angle 79°S 79°S 79°S 70°S Gyro Angle 348° 348° 348° 335° Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft 6ft Course 329° 329° 329° 329° Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT Hit or Miss Hit Hit Hit Hit Point of Impact MOT MOT MOT Unknown Erratic No No No No Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 27 Serial No. 11776 12001 10915 66454 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - - - - - Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2 8-2 27-1 Serial No. 8472 8888 9104 1308 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 5 0 Type Spread 0 0 0 0 Sea Conditions Choppy Choppy Choppy Choppy U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 7 , Patrol No. 14 Time: 2235 (I) Date: 6 August 1945 Lat. 44-39, Long. 143-16. Description: Two ship four escort convoy sailing coast of Northern Hokkaido. Approached from port side of convoy. Ships Sunk: Ships Damaged: None. Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: None. Target Draft 24 feet, Course 147°, Speed 9 kts, Range yds. 2800 (at firing) AKITA MARU 3936 tons. Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 220°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 80° P (at firing) Type Attack Submerged periscope attack at dusk. All torpedoes missed, as just a minute after firing, Drum was somehow detected by port flank escort. Alerted, the target changed course. Torpedo Attack # 7 Tubes Fired #1 #2 #3 #4 Track Angle 90°P 79°P 79°P 79°P Gyro Angle 0° 0° 0° 0° Depth Set 10ft 10ft 10ft 10ft Course 222° 222° 222° 222° Point of Aim MOT MOT MOT MOT Hit or Miss Miss Miss Miss Miss Point of Impact - - - - - - - - Erratic No No No No Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 18-1 18-1 Serial No. 11182 12056 10922 10117 Actuation Set Contact Contact Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - - - - - Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2 8-2 8-2 Serial No. 8499 8881 9109 9203 Explosive Torpex Torpex Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 5 5 Type Spread 0 0 0 0 Sea Conditions Calm Calm Calm Calm U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 8 , Patrol No. 14 Time: 0414 (I) Date: 7 August 1945 Lat. 44-25, Long. 143-45. Description: Attack on Two ship four escort convoy sailing coast of Northern Hokkaido after end around. Approached from port side of convoy. Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time AKITA MARU AK 3936 44-24 N 143-45 E 0419 Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Observed MK 16 torpedo hit amidships of AKITA MARU. A large fire started amidships followed by a delayed secondary explosion 30-40 seconds later. Ship began to settle in the water. Observed target sink at Target Draft 24 feet, Course 147°, Speed 9 kts, Range: 2556 yards (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 209°, Surfaced, Angle 78° P (at firing) Type Attack Night Surface attack in calms seas, light fog, with no moon. Torpedo Attack # 8 Tubes Fired #1 Track Angle 89°P Gyro Angle 0° Depth Set 10ft Course 210° Point of Aim MOT Hit or Miss Hit Point of Impact MOT Erratic No Mark Torpedo 16 Serial No. 83455 Actuation Set Contact Actuation Actual - - Mark Warhead 8-2 Serial No. 8769 Explosive Torpex Firing Interval 0 Type Spread 0 Sea Conditions Calm U.S.S. DRUM, Torpedo Attack No. 9 , Patrol No. 14 Time: 0839 (I) Date: 7 August 1945 Lat. 44-11, Long. 144-14. Description: Follow up attack on remaining AK in convoy (ATTACK NO 6 and 7) at dawn. Two MK 18 remain torpedoes forward, one aft. Ships Sunk: Name Class Tonnage Location Time WATANABE MARU (?) AK 3600 44-11 N 144-14 E 0842 Ships Probably Sunk: None. Damage Determined By: Visual observation of both torpedoes impacting target. Impact of first torpedo set off a massive explosion and fireball similar to how tankers exploded when torpedoed. The vessel was left a burning heap, the second torpedo hit was redundant. While not an AO, possible this AK was pulling tanker duty due to the enemy's reportedly having a shortage of tanker vessels. Target Draft 24 feet, Course 110°, Speed 9 kts, Range: 1939 yards (at firing) Own Ship Data: Speed 3 knots, Course 030°, Depth 64 feet, Angle 88° S (at firing) Type Attack Submerged periscope attack at dawn in calm seas. Torpedo Attack # 9 Tubes Fired #1 #2 Track Angle 88°S 88°S Gyro Angle 14°R 14°R Depth Set 10ft 10ft Course 047° 047° Point of Aim MOT MOT Hit or Miss Hit Hit Point of Impact Aft MOT Erratic No No Mark Torpedo 18-1 18-1 Serial No. 08999 9997 Actuation Set Contact Contact Actuation Actual - - - - Mark Warhead 8-2 8-2 Serial No. 8544 8897 Explosive Torpex Torpex Firing Interval 5 5 Type Spread 0 0 Sea Conditions Calm Calm (I) Gunnery Gunnery Ammunition: Rounds Type 5 inch 25 Caliber Gun: 300 HE 40 MM Bofors 1000 HE 20 MM 6000 HE U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 1, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0529 (I) Date: 13 July 1945 Lat. 49-11 N ., Long. 154-52 E. Description: Dawn gunnery action with on armed fishing boats with 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns. Target: Three fishing boats. Estimated 200 tons. Armed with machine guns. Range: 2000-1500 yards (at firing) Angle: 40°-80° Course: 05° (at commencement) Speed: 5 knots Own Ship: 130° 5-15 knots 5 inch 40 MM 20 MM Rounds Expended: 8 49 91 Hits: 6 31 Undetermined Misses: 2 18 Undetermined Result: Ceased fire 0532.Three fishing boats estimated 200 tons each sunk by gunfire. 48-20 N 153-38 E Vessels exploded quite easily compared to past gun actions. Believe these boats were carrying volatile cargo, not just the catch of the day. U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 2, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0512 (I) Date: 29 July 1945 Lat. 49-12 N ., Long. 154-55 E. Description: Dawn gunnery action. Commenced firing at 0512 on armed fishing boat with Drum's 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns in a broadside attack. Boat 1 exploded after three 5 inch gun hits and six 40 MM hits as well as unknown number of 20 MM hits. Boat 2 was fired on from 3000 yards as it attempted to evade but was quickly dispatched with four rounds from the 5 inch gun. Boat 3 was making its best speed in opposite direction but Drum easily overran her, closing to 1100 yards, swinging for broadside attack. 40 MM and 20 MM guns set target blaze, topped off with 3 five inch gun hits. All three burning hulks remained afloat for a few minutes before finally sinking.Ceased firing 0523. All boats returned machine gun fire during the battle,, with no hits on Drum. Target: Three fishing boatsEstimated 200 tons, armed with machine guns. Range: 2000-1100 yards (at firing) Angle: 40°-100° 40° at commencement Course: 030° (at commencement) Speed: 6 knots (at commencement) Own Ship: 211° 10 knots (at commencement) 5 inch 40 MM 20 MM Rounds Expended: 14 32 223 Hits: 10 22 Undetermined Misses: 4 10 Undetermined Result: All three fishing boats sunk. Each is estimated to be 200 tons. All were armed with machine guns which opened fire on Drum. Boats 1 and 2 sunk at 49-11 N 154-53 E while the final boat sunk at 49-10 N 154-52 E. U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 3, Patrol No. 14 Time: 0558 (I) Date: 29 July 1945 Lat. 49-14 N ., Long. 154-57 E. Description: Less than an hour after GUN ACTION NO. 2, spotted three more fishing boats. Dawn gunnery action. Commenced firing at 0558 on armed fishing boat with Drum's 5 inch, 40 MM and 20 MM guns. Range: 3000-1100 yards (at firing) Angle: 60°-100° 60° at commencement Course: 035° (at commencement) Speed: 5 knots (at commencement) Own Ship: 205° 10 knots (at commencement) 5 inch 40 MM 20 MM Rounds Expended: 12 96 Hits: 10 66 Undetermined Misses: 2 30 Undetermined Result: Three fishing boats sunk 200 tons each at 49-14 N ., 154-57 E. U.S.S. DRUM, Gun Action No. 4, Patrol No. 14 Time: 1700 (I) Date: 30 July 1945 Lat.47-56 N , Long. 152-556 E. Description: Engaged four armed fishing boats traveling in tight group. All opened fire. First three boats were hit with combo of 5 inch, 40, and 20 MM fire. Fourth boat was at 3500 yards fleeing and ws hit with five rounds of 5 inch ammo. Range: 3500-1100 yards (at firing) Angle: 0-70° Course:150° Speed: 6 knots Own Ship: 277° 15 knots 5 inch 40 MM 20 MM Rounds Expended: 22 101 311 Hits: 12 70 Undetermined Misses: 10 31 Undetermined Result: Sunk four fishing boats-armed. 200 tons each. 47-57 N 152 56 E (J) Mines No mines were encountered on this patrol. (K) Major Defects and Damage. 21 July Defect- 1.) Torpedo tube door did not open when ordered, would not open. Torpedo was pulled from tube and repaired. Tube functional 22 July 1945 -Systems damaged by depth charge attack. 1.) Trim Pump 2.) Batteries-Aft 3.) Several seawater pipes and high pressure air lines 4.) Torpedo tubes # 4,5,6 5.) SV radar antenna 6.) Compressor 7.) Hydraulic pump All damage repaired. 6 August 1945- Damage received from depth charge attack. 1.) Stern planes transmission 2.) Port prop shaft 3.) Stern tubes 7, 8, 9, 10. 4.) Rudder transmission 6.) Minor Flooding in Aft Torpedo Room. 7.Batteries-Stern All damage repaired. 7 August 1945- Damage received by depth charge. 1.) Moderate flooding in aft torpedo room. 2.) Light flooding in crew berthing. 3.) Port prop shaft 4.)Batteries-Bow 5.) Seawater pips and air lines 6.) Trim pump 7.) No.1 Periscope 8.) No. 2 Periscope Head. 9.) 5 inch deck gun. 10.) No. 1 and No. 3 Diesels. All damage repaired. (L) Anti-Submarine Measures and Evasion Tactics No unusual anti-submarine measure were encountered. Enemy ASW was overall mediocre with undetermined and moderately effective counter attacks. Surface patrols were quite common while air patrols were not. It is likely enemy has moved aircraft to the home islands to repel Allied forces operating off here coast. Evasion tactics were standard for Drum SBT-1 decoys have proven quite useful, especially with operations typically so close to the coast. (M) Radio Radio function was normal. 9090 Kcs Signal started coming in at 1100 GCT with good strength. Started fading at 1400 GCT and came back in with good strength at 1530 GCT. Started fading again at 1900 GCT. 6045 Kcs Signal first starting coming in at 0900 GCT otherwise same as 9090 Kcs. 4515 Kcs At all times jammed too much for use. 16730 Kcs No data available. Were submerged during transmission times on this frequency. (N) Radar SJ Radar performed well. Typical detection range was 13-14 NM. The new SV air search radar performed well and is a great additional providing bearing, altitude, course etc information as opposed to the old SD. Detection range was typically around 10 NM when close to land. In open ocean improved to around 15-16 NM. (O) Sound Gear and Sound Conditions Overall, the sound gear operated fine. However, sound conditions in the Sea of Okhotsk and Kuril Islands were overall not great for us or the enemy. (P) Thermal Layers Numerous thermal layers were encountered. Depths ranged from 80 ft to 260 feet. These aided great in evading enemy counter attacks. (Q) Health, Food, and Habitability The health of the crew during this war patrol was exceedingly good. Only 3 man days were lost, due to one case of gastro-enteritis, acute. The food was palatable and well prepared. One new cook and one new baker did very good work on their first patrol and as a result the meals were much improved over the preceding few patrols. The boat was comfortable throughout the patrol, largely thanks to the cooler climate of the assigned area. (R) Personnel Following the Thirteenth War Patrol, Drum underwent an overhaul and refit and experienced a high turnover of personnel in the process. Forty experienced men were detached with fort new, largely inexperienced men reporting aboard during the refit period, including two Ensigns who had yet to make a patrol. However, the crew rose to the occasion and performed with excellence. Number on board 72 Number qualified at start 50 Number qualified at end 57 Number advanced in rating 7 Number first patrol men 25 (S) Miles Steamed-Fuel Used Pearl Harbor to Midway 1350 Miles 25100 Gallons Midway to Area 2369 Miles 31467 Gallons In Area 6998 Miles 44707 Gallons Area to Midway 2450 Miles 33900 Gallons Midway to Pearl Harbor 1350 Miles 25892 Total 14517 Miles 161066 Gallons (T) Duration Days Enroute to Area 12 Days in Area 28 Days Enroute to Base 13 Days Submerged 11 Total Days of Patrol 53 (U) Factors of Endurance Remaining Torpedoes 1 Fuel 27300 gallons Provisions 15 days Personnel 15 days Limiting Factor of This Patrol: Low fuel state and one torpedo remaining in after tubes. (V Radio and Radar Countermeasures) APR-1 only detected enemy radio once from a surface vessel and once from an aircraft (Air Contact #2) Typical countermeasures towards our radios were employed by the enemy. (V) Remarks The performance of the new MK 16 torpedo was excellent. One MK 16 packs enough powwer to bring down most mid sized freighters. Two will finish off larger targets with relative ease. The MK-27 "Cutie" homing torpedo proved effective as it sunk a ship that we chalked up to a miss. However, their slow speed require peculiar firing solutions and makes them practically useless against most escorts. The new SV Air Search Radar is a tremendous improvement over the SD radar. Many fishing boats engaged in later part of patrol exploded far more easily than before. Believe enemy used fishing bots to ferry fuel and ammo among the islands. With the cessation of hostilities, this productive and challenging patrol proved to be the final war patrol of the Drum. Drum conducted a total of fourteen patrols between 1942 and 1945, amassing an outstanding record while experiencing many perils. Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 09-28-21 at 01:45 AM.

09-27-21, 09:49 AM	#5103
Ludwig van Hursh A-ganger Join Date: May 2009 Location: North Carolina Posts: 77 Downloads: 65 Uploads: 0	Ok so as I stated before I have been killed in S-27 more than once though this time was not completely my fault. I started playing SH4 again a few months ago, with more knowledge on how real US subs performed and all that an with more realism settings turned on, not to the extent of Mr Bubblehead of course lol. I play with FotRS installed with limited resources but the color coded updating map contacts and the free camera and easy targeting for torpedoes. Some additional flavor text has been added to the story to make it not seem like so dry I guess. Loss of S-27 December 29, 1941 With the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and other US, British, Dutch, etc possessions USS S-27 was dispatched to begin immediate patrols off the western coast of Luzon in the Philippines. Commanding her was recently promoted Lieutenant Commander John Hawkins, who had been preparing to return to the States to take command of a newer Fleet Boat, but this was put on hold so he could be put out to sea at once. The first half of the patrol was of relatively little note, no Japanese ships encountered. When the Japanese invasion force was sighted approaching the Lingayen Gulf, S-27 was rushed from her more southerly station to intercept and sink all it could, but by the time she reached the Gulf it was too late and she encountered only Japanese destroyers on patrol. She managed to sink one but expended four torpedoes in the process, three of them being duds. The next day she encountered a large Japanese task force consisting of two Kongo class battleships as well as heavy cruisers, destroyers, oilers, and other support ships but their speed was too quick to intercept them submerged and the daylight meant a surface attack was out of the question. With the Battle of the Philippines in full swing S-27 was ordered north to patrol and sink ships off of Formosa. On the 28th of December, S-27 encountered a loan Japanese merchant in the perfect position to intercept, achieving a near text book firing angle she launched a submerged attack with two torpedoes, both of which hit and were not duds, the merchant sank and S-27 proceeded on its patrol. Hawkins ordered the boat to surface just after dusk to charge the batteries and then went to bed rousing just before dawn and took over the conn from his XO Lieutenant Allen. Preparations then began for diving for the day but these were done at a rather leisurely pace, this ultimately would spell doom for the boat. As dawn broke and only minutes from diving a Japanese attack aircraft appeared, no doubt alerted by the sinking of the merchant, and attacked S-27. Hawkins ordered an emergency dive and the helm hard to port into the direction of the aircraft to perhaps throw off its aim. The Japanese pilot was no rookie through and dropped his bomb near perfect on S-27 who had just about got away, her very stern being all that was out of the water. The bomb exploded in the water on the starboard side a few yards away from the sub, incapacitating the crew and opening up seams in the hull to allow water to pour into the engine compartment. Chief Petty Officer Wilson was the only one not injured and informed the control room of the flooding. Hawkins ordered the boat to hold at its current depth of 80 feet but in the span of a minute too much water had filled the aft compartment and S-27 started going down by the stern. To compound this her electric engines were damaged and the aft dive planes jammed full down. Soon the boat began to dive out of control, with no engines to ascend, Hawkins ordered all ballast be blown as the boat sunk quickly past 150 feet. Finally At about 200 feet the boat slowed and then rose quickly to the surface. But no safety was found there either as the damage was assessed it was found the diesel engines were also damaged but could be fixed. The crew scrambled to repair the leak and pump out the water which was proceeding successfully if glacially slow. The full account of the damage was the hull leak, damage to the servo for the aft dive plane, both electric motors, both diesel engines, and the air compressor. The deck gun had also suffered some minor shrapnel damage from a second bomb but it was not considered priority. By Noon the water had been pumped out and the leak repaired, work began on the engines, but no sooner had this started than three more Japanese aircraft appeared. Hawkins ordered a shallow dive, not wanting to put too much pressure on the leak repairs, and hope the Japanese hadn't spotted them. In the end though it did not matter as the boat reached periscope depth the patches failed and the engine compartment filled with water quickly and once again the boat sank by the stern and dove rapidly out of control. Not wasting any time on ceremony Hawkins ordered ballast be blown again but nothing happened the boat continued to dive, the crew frantically trying to coax the valves to open but before too long it became impossible as the boat was now nearly vertical and electric lighting was gone. But this didn't stop the crew from trying everything they could to save their boat, ultimately time ran out as the S-27 reached 357 feet the pressure became too great and she imploded taking all on board. S-27 was declared missing in January 1942 by 1943 she was presumed lost and struck from the Naval Register. 1945 and the end of the War confirmed that all hands had been lost and post war Japanese records confirmed she had been sunk by aircraft, though no one would ever know how close the crew came to making it back. ----------------------------------------------- So the meta reasons as to why S-27 was lost in my game were that I had to step away from my PC to make some coffee so didn't dive right before dawn like I usually do. And as for the ballast not blowing on the second disasterous dive was because in the hectic moment when I realized it wasn't going to level out I hit the wrong key for Emergency Blow since FotRS changed the key from the default game but at the time I assumed I didn't have enough air to surface. Only after I died was I like "$#!* I hit the wrong key!!!!". This Silent Hunter death stuck out to me though since unlike my usual ones like running into an island, diving too deep, getting rammed by a destroyer, it probably was close to a lot of real boat losses among all countries who have lost subs. Hope you enjoyed the story, though tragic, I did reload an earlier save and S-27 went on to have a very successful career and now Captain Hawkins commands the USS Gar. __________________ "Damn the torpedoes! Four bells, Captain Drayton, go ahead! Jouett, full speed!" -Rear Admiral David Farragut, Battle of Mobile Bay, Alabama, August 5, 1864

09-28-21, 02:31 AM	#5105
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Drum 14th War Patrol Screenshots Some screen shots from the Drum's 14th and final war patrol 1 July-August 1945 in the Sea of Okhotsk and Kurile Islands. (war ended while en route to Pearl Harbor from patrol area) Artic Sunrise External cam was turned off but used the roaming free cam to "step outside". Shot of the OOD in cold weather gear on the bridge. Drum shortly after leaving Pearl Harbor in final configuration. 5 inch 25 cal deck gun forward, 40 MM bofors forward, with twin 20 MM conning tower aft and a twin 20 MM on the aft deck. SV radar antenna is visible as well. Gato ladder in control room is not in historically accurate position(much as possible within the sim) Icebergs were encountered numerous times. Icerberg viewed through late war periscope when extended while Drum on the surface. Kurile Islands Not from this last patrol but a previous one. Shows the mines than can get you on the surface now and their explosion above surface. Pretty cool. [url=https://postimages.org/] Mine as viewed from surface. Mine exploding. Can be detonated with gunfire from deck gun or 20 MM/40 MM.

09-30-21, 09:03 PM	#5111
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Seal SS-183 First War Patrol TMO 2.5 Update BH 100 difficulty, cams off, contacts on. Just finished my first "non test" patrol in the TMO 2.5 update. I am pretty happy overall. Quite the challenge. USS Seal SS-183 War Patrol Report First War Patrol 14 December 1941- 6 January 1942 (A) Prologue Arrived Manila from Pearl Harbor Monday 10 November 1941 , 1100 hours. Commenced voyage repairs and liberty for crew, followed by training in preparation for forthcoming order. After attack on Pearl Harbor, T.H., and invasions of Philippines, Guam, and Malaya, by Empire of Japan, War declared by Congress on Monday 8 December 1941 (Tuesday 9 December local). Orders to conduct unrestricted submarine warfare issued 8 December (local) . Preparations for war patrol commenced immediately with provisioning of boat. Twenty two MK 14 torpedoes, 180 rounds of 3" 50 Caliber Ammunition, and 1200 rounds 20 MM ammunition, loaded. Survived Cavite Air Raid by enemy on 10 December with no damage. Sea Lion SS-195 damaged beyond repair. All torpedoes and provisions loaded by 1600 13 December 1941.Ready for sea 14 December 1941. Crew Roster as of 14 December 1941 Officers LTCDR K.C Hurd, USN. CO LT. I.T. Ryan, USN. XO/Navigator LT. jg B.R.P. Digby, USN Dive Officer Ens. M.L. Lynch, USN. Torpedo Officer/TDC Operator Ens. D.B. Thompson USN. Engineering Officer Chief Petty Officers CTM R.I. Madison, USN. Chief of the Boat CMMoMM D.R. Saunders, USN. CTM S.W. Garcia, USN. CMoMM V.W Ballantine, USN. CMoMM D.K. Bush, USN. CMoMM E.K. Street, USN. (B) Narrative Sunday December 14, 1941 0400 Departed Cavite Navy Yard, P.I. for First War Patrol. 0405 Course 240 Speed 11 knots to exit Mania Bay. 0705 Exiting Manila bay, Sighted unidentified US Tambor submarine returning. Bearing 083 range 9000 yards. 14-15 N 120-26 E. 0707 Increased speed to 18 knots to clear area. 0920 Submerged to 100 feet. 4 knots. Course 310. 2100 Surfaced. Recharge batteries. 2340 Night orders: Maintain course 000 standard speed en route patrol area off Cape Bojeador, P.I. Seal passed Cape Boliano during the night. Extra vigilance paid due to enemy activity in Lingayen Gulf and Vigan areas. Monday December 15, 1941 0615 Trim Dive to 90 feet. 0631 Surfaced. Course 010 15.5 knots en route patrol area. 0730 Submerged to 100 feet. Course 010 3 knots. 1800 Surfaced. Recharge batteries 2340 Night Orders: Maintain course 025 speed 15.5 knots. Expected ETA to assigned area 0145. Tuesday December 16, 1941 0009 Position 19-3 N 120-27 E. Arrived in patrol area earlier than expected. 0437 Submarine spotted bearing 346 7250 yards. Estimated course/speed 11 knots. Position 19-5 N 120-47 E 0439 General Quarters-Torpedo. 0528 Morning twilight. Submerged for attack. Estimated 8000 yards ahead of submarine. 0543 Contact identified as US Tambor Class submarine. Went to 200 feet, ordered course 000 to open range. 0600 Secured General Quarters. 0700 Lost Sound contact. 1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Conduct box search pattern at 14 knots in Luzon Straits 150 NM west of Balabac Islands. Wednesday December 17, 1941 0745 Submerged for patrol. 1215 Sound has distant, fast props. Turned to course290 at 5 knots to investigate. 1233 Sound contact bearing 019, closing, medium speed, estimated range 5.5 NM. 1234 Periscope observation: Visual sighting of possible two enemy destroyers bearing 015 9000 yards. 1239 General Quarters-Torpedo. 1330 Secured General Quarters. Unable to close destroyers as turned to NW at high speed. 1809 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol of LuzonSstraits at 14 knots. Thursday December 18, 1941 0755 Submerged for patrol. 1338 AIRCRAFT CONTACT NO. 2 Bearing 047 7000 yards, closing. Ordered 200 ft depth. 1830 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol at 14 knots. Friday December 19, 1941 0759 Submerged for patrol. 1830 Surfaced. Recharge batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Patrol at 14 knots. Saturday December 20, 1941 0600 Trim Dive. 0630 Surfaced for patrol. 1325 Smoke spotted on horizon bearing 355 estimated range 10 NM. Ordered flank speed to close contact. 1332 Contact is ship. Course 260 Est speed 7 knots. 1340 General Quarters. 1417 Submerged for attack. 1514 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes at target. 1515 Torpedo # 1 initially judged as hit, but now believed to have detonated 5-10 feet from target instead of under the keel as aimed. Torpedo #2 impacted amidships as aimed. Target damaged and listing to starboard. 1634 Surfaced to move ahead of target for follow up. 1802 Received message to shift port to Surabaya, Java from Manila due to air raids. 1830 Secured General Quarters. 2100 Unable to reestablish contact with target in dark. Running down various courses. 2120 Result of attack: AKITA MARU 3900 tons damaged. 2126 Looks spotted unknown vessel bearing 339 range estimated 7600 yards. General Quarters. 2127 Vessel is a destroyer. 2133 Lowered sound heads. Sound check reveals multiple sound contacts. 2134 Convoy Sighted. 19-24 N 118 57 E Estimated Speed/Course 183 degrees. 12 knots. 2234 Submerged for attack in front of convoy. 250 ft depth, silent running to work between two escorts 2253 Periscope depth in what appeared to be large convoy of troopships. Possible landing force. Ship at 090 1100 yards. Moved forward for attack on next column. 2255 All tubes ordered ready. 2321 Fired two MK 14 torpedoes from stern tubes #5 and #6. 2325 Both torpedoes missed. 2337 Fired four MK 14 torpedoes, three hits. 2238 MOMOYAMA MARU 4037 tons sunk at 19-17 N 118-48 E. Sunday December 21, 1942 0000 Pinging, escort closing. 0002 DC explosion, above. 0020 Lost contact with escort. 0100 Secured General Quarters. 0300 Surfaced. Pursuit course 183 Speed 15.5 knots while recharging batteries. 0530 Turned to course 160. Believe convoy was invasion force heading for Luzon. 0546 Destroyer sighted bearing 000. Convoy is heading 157 9 knots. Appeared bound for Lingayen Gulf. 0912 Visual contact with convoy. 0930 General Quarters-Torpedo 0940 5.5 NM in front of convoy, shell splashes landed 1000 yards off port quarter. Submerged to avoid. 0942 Enemy Destroyer, closing fast 170. 0947 DD identified as Shiratsuyu Class. 0953 Two Subchasers closing as well, fast. 0954 DD pinging. 0958 Fired one MK 14 torpedo "Down the Throat" of DD from 700 yards, ordered 250 ft. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. 0959 DD overhead. DC splashes. 1000 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken. Damage and injuries (See Damage Section, DC Attack #2) Minor flooding in conning tower. 1003 Conning tower flooding controlled. 1054 Pinging. 1118 Pinging. Escort appears to have steady contact. 1121 DC explosions, close. 1123 Depth 270 ft. 1300 Secured General Quarters. Enemy escorts remain in area covering the convoys withdraw. 1904 Lost contact with escorts. 2137 At periscope depth, discovered neither No.1 nor No.2 periscopes functional, must have been damaged in attack. 2145 Surfaced. Damage control party began work on periscopes. Radio antenna also in need of repair. 2340: Night Orders: Maintain course 340 15.5 knots. Avoid contacts until repairs completed. Monday December 21, 1941 0301 Repairs completed. Periscopes functional. 0302 Received Flash Traffic Warning of Japanese landings at Lingayen Gulf. Seal ordered to continued patrol of Luzon Straits. 0825 Submerged for patrol. 1555 Aircraft spotted bearing 171 3000 yards. Est altitude 1200 feet. Ordered 200 feet, emergency. 1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain patrol in area at 14 knots. Tuesday December 22, 1941 0800 Submerged. 1830 Surfaced. Battery recharge. 2316 Lookouts spotted enemy vessel bearing 355 degrees 5800 yards. 20-52 N 119-7 E 2317 General Quarters Torpedo. Targets identified as two destroyers course 334 16 knots. 2318 Submerged for attack. 2324 Stern tubes ready. 2326 DD identified as Kamikaze Class. 2327 ATTACK NO. 3 Fired three MK 14 torpedoes. 2329 Torpedo hitting time passed. Enemy searchlight spotted. Enemy alerted. Torpedoes missed. Sound had torpedoes hitting target, believe passed under target. 2330 Pinging. 2331 Escort closing bearing 100. Ordered 250 ft depth. Rigged for Depth Charge and Silent Running. 2333 Pinging. 2335 DD overhead. Splashes 2336 DC explosions. 2337 Second DD pinging along port side. 2338 DC explosions. 2339 Pinging. Escorts seem to have fix on the Seal. 2342 DD overhead. Splashes. 2343 DC explosions. Ordered 270 ft. 2348 Depth: 275 ft. 2349 DD overhead. 2350 Very close depth charge. Boat shaken. 2352 DD passed overhead. DC explosion 2356 Pinging. One DD ovehread.DD splashes. Boat Depth: 280 ft 2357 DC explosion. 2358 DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. Wednesday December 23, 1941 0000 Depth:300 ft. Speed 3 knots Course 120. 0003 Pinging. 0004 DD overhead. Splashes 0005 DC explosions 0008 DC explosions. 0012 Pinging. 0014:34 DD overhead. 0014:51 DC explosions. 0017 DC explosion. 0019 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken. 0021 DC explosions, astern. 0025 DD overhead. 0026 DC explosions. 0039 DD's went quiet, no sound contacts. Likely listening. Boat Depth: 347 feet. 0053 One DD audible on sound, moving away. 0133 Sound reported two contacts moving away, fast. Bearing 200. 0230 Secured General Quarters. 0325 Periscope depth. All clear on visual and sound. Secured Silent Running. 9330 Surfaced. Battery Recharge. Night Orders: Patrol area at 14 knots. 0404 Received Flash Traffic warning of invasion force approaching Lamon Bay, Philippine Islands. 0810 Aircraft spotted bearing 213 6 NM closing fast! DIVE ! emergency depth 200 ft ordered. Position:21-3 N 118-51E 0811 Boat passing 44 feet. Two large explosions from aerial depth charges astern. No damage. 1105 Periscope depth. Submerged Patrol. 1458 Sound has many props, heavy and fast bearing 121 long range. Course to 265 towards contacts. 1503 Surfaced to close contacts. 1508 Aircraft Spotted! (Large four engine flying boat) Bearing 323 5.5 NM Dive, 200 feet emergency! 1510 Explosions overhead. 1600 Surfaced. Course350 to intercept sound contacts. 1709 Enemy Task Force spotted. 21-15 N 118-147 E Estimated Course/Speed 005 degrees 17 knots. 1712 Aircraft spotted ! (Twin engine bomber type) 011 9000 yards closing fast ! . DIVE ! Emergency to depth 200 ft. Bombs dropped by aircraft, landed astern, 50 yards. 1715 Sound reports warship closing, very high speed, bearing 342 long range. Believe aircraft reported Seal's presence. 1716 Second warship contact closing at high speed bearing 014. 1745 lost warship contacts, sound clear. Unable to surface due to aircraft presence. 1836 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. 1844 Almost out of assigned area. Turned to course 145 degrees. 2135 Spotted two patrolling enemy destroyers. 20-57 N 119-5 E Course 170 speed 16 knots. Avoided patrol. 2203 Proceeding to Lamon Bay, P.I. Reports of enemy invasion forces in area. 2340 Night Orders: Continue course 119 speed 15.5 knots to Bashi Channel en route to Lamon Bay, P.I. area. Thursday December 24, 1941 0856 Increased speed to 18.5 knots while transiting Bashi Channel area. 0935 Ship spotted ! Bearing 260 degrees 8 NM. 2-0N 121-39 E in Bashi Channel. Estimated course/Speed 270 degrees 7 knots. 0936 General Quarters-Torpedo. 0943 Two destroyers spotted! Bearing 350 5 NM closing fast! Possible escort rendezvousing with merchant spotted at 0935/ Turned to avoid. 0948 AK turned to SW course enabling submerged approach. Submerged for attack. 1030 Periscope depth. DD's did not join the AK, likely a patrol not escort. AK is zigging on course 265. 1034 Observation. Target identified as SEIA MARU 7590 tons. 1047 All bow tubes made ready. 1055 Target spotted scope, turned away. Fired MK 14 torpedo from 800 yards. 1056 Torpedo impacted target. Fired second torpedo from 700 yards astern. 1057 Torpedo impact! Large fire burning on target. Target settling in water. 1058 Sound reported target engines ceased. 1059 Observation reveals target has large deck guns forward and aft, appear to be 4 or 5 inch guns. 1107 Target topside fires extinguished. Target dead in water. 1118 Fired one MK 14. 1119 Torpedo impact amidships. Large explosions. 1120 large topside fires and secondary explosions. Ship sinking by stern 1121 SEIA MARU 7590 tons sunk at 19-58 N 121-33 E. 1122 Sound has warships inbound high speed bearing 110! Likely DD's spotted previously responding to SOS from SEIA MARU. 1125 Depth 150 ft. Secured General Quarters. Course 090 3 knots. 1130 Enemy DD's in area of sinking, dropping depth charges. 1627 Sound contact. Warship Bearing 307 Closing, increasing speed. 1634 Two warships now on sound at 305. 1635 Periscope depth . Two destroyers spotted at 8000 yards. 1645 Destroyers closing at very high speed towards Seal. General Quarters. Rigged for Silent Running and Depth Charge. Ordered Depth 250 ft. 1649 Pinging. 1651 DC charges, overhead. 1652 More DC explosions. Damage reported (See Damage Section.) Boat depth. 300 ft 1653 Second DD overhead. 1654 DC explosions, close. Boat shaken. 1656 Depth: 325 ft. 1700 DC explosions. Close. Boat shaken. 1702 DC explosions. Boat shaken 1703 Escort overhead. Splashes. 1704 DC explosions, close. 1712 DC explosions. 1716 DC explosions. 1731 Pattern of DC explosions. 1739 DC explosions, close. 1803 DC explosion, close. 1809 Close DC. Damage (See Damage Section) Heavy Flooding in forward torpedo. Damage Control Party assigned. 1811 Enemy continued DC runs. 1812 Forward torpedo room reports flooding reported under control, but three feet of water in compartment. Repairs continued 1818 Flooding controlled. Leaks completely stopped. Boat is heavy forward, difficult to control depth. Pumping water out. 1845 Forward torpedo reports water pumped out of compartment. 1848 Battery power down to thirty percent. 1900 Escorts pinging. 1097 DC explosion. 1912 DC explosion, close. 2100-2201 Multiple DC attacks by escort. Seal pushed to depth of 390 ft. 2202 Lost contact with enemy vessels, believe they were "sleeping". 2225 Sound reported an enemy vessels moving away, fast. 2317 Periscope depth. All clear. Sound is clear. 2318 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. Secure General Quarters. Battery power was down to fifteen percent. 2350 Maintain course 120 to Lamon Bay at 10 knots. Upon completion of battery recharge, increased speed to 15.5 knots. Friday December 25 1941 0750 Submerged. 1802 Periscope depth. Dusk. Received Evening Fox Traffic. Hong Kong captured by Japanese, Manila declared open city. Asiatic Fleet operations shift to Surabaya, Java. 1822 Surfaced. 2340 Night Orders: Continued on course 200 at 18.5 knots en route to arrive off Lamon Bay by dawn. Friday December 26, 1941 0630 Approaching Lamon Bay from the North. 0951 Submerged for reconnoiter of Lamon Bay area. 1149 Sound reports distant fast props bearing 155. 1315 Patrolling destroyer spotted bearing 211 5 NM. Rigged for Silent Running. 1742 two destroyers spotted 120 6000 yards. Identified as Kagero Class and Mutsuki Class. This pair was patrolling Lamon Bay. It is believed the enemy landing force is inside Lopez Bay, which can be reached from Lamon Bay but is too shallow to enter submerged, Both entrances are relatively narrow and guarded by shore defense guns, as well as patrol craft. 1842 Nightfall. Surfaced in Lamon Bay. 2200-2240 Pursued by a patrol craft but able to elude after a prolonged chase. 2256 Exited Lamon Bay. 2340 Night Orders: Continue course for patrol of approaches to Lamon Bay, P.I. Saturday December 27, 1941 Patrolled East of Lamon Bay Night Orders: Continue course and speed to arrive off North entrance to Laganoy Gulf, P. I. by dawn to interdict traffic to/from Lamon Bay. Sunday December 28, 1941 0500 Wind and seas picked up, 6-8 ft waves. 0530 Submerged for patrol. of North entrance of Laganoy Gulf. 0832 Sound reports prop noises bearing 340 long range. 0852 Spotted group of landing craft. General Quarters-Battle Surface Gun Action. 0902 Surfaced. 0903 Commenced firing on lead barge. Barge opened fire with machine guns or auto cannon, no hits on Seal. One solid round on fifth shot hit the landing craft, which caught fire and crew abandoned. 0930 Ceased fire. six Daihatsu Class Landing Craft estimated 9 tons each at 14-03 N 123-53 E. 0935 Secured General Quarters. 1232 Aircraft spotted! Bearing 248 6 NM DIVE! Emergency, 200 ft. 14-38 N 123-65 E 1830 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain course and speed for arrival off San Bernadino Strait by dawn. Monday December 29, 1941 0317 Sighted enemy destroyer bearing 5000 yards. Avoided this patrol. 0525 Submerged for patrol off Laganoy Gulf. 1110 Patrolling destroyer spotted bearing 292 5 NM. 1835 Surfaced. Recharge Batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Patrol San Bernadino Strait/Laganoy/Albay Gulf areas. Tuesday December 30, 1941 0248 Convoy Sighted. 12-54 N 124-11 E in San Bernadino Strait. Estimated Course/Speed 003 degrees 9 knots. One large AP, two DD, 0450 Lost contact with convoy in the dark, appears it turned into Albay Gulf. 0530 Submerged for patrol. 1303 Aircraft Spotted! Bearing 229. 200 ft, emergency. 1830 Surfaced. Recharged Batteries. Heavy seas with Partial clouds, light fog , and heavy wind. 2340 Night Orders Continue course 120 speed 15kts 30-50 NM off coast of Samar. Wednesday December 31, 1941 0348 Ship spotted 358 degrees 8000 yards. Shadowing until dawn for attack. 0415 Vessel Identified as md sized tanker. 0540 General Quarters-Torpedo 0614 Submerged for Attack. 0642 Target identified as tanker AKEBONO MARU 6839 tons. 0653 Fired three MK 14 torpedoes. 0654 Torpedoes one and two hit target, third missed astern. Massive explosion and fireball, believe tanker was loaded with fuel as was southbound. 0656 AKEBONO MARU 6839 tons sunk 12-07 N 126-18 E 58 NM ENE off Samar, P.I. 0708 Depth 200 feet. Secured General Quarters. Commenced torpedo reload with final reserve torpedo. Two torpedoes left in tubes left, tubes 3 and 4. 1836 Surfaced. Recharged Batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain course 155 degrees at 15.5 knots. Monday January 1, 1942 1505 Aircraft spotted! (IJN twin engine bombers) Bearing 153 9500 yards closing fast! DIVE ! Emergency, 200 feet. 7-18 N 127-15 E 40 NM E of Mindanao. 1506 Bombs hit water about 100 feet from Seal as she passed 52 feet. 1830 Surfaced. Recharged batteries. 2340 Night Orders: Maintain Course192 degrees 15.5 knots. Tuesday January 2, 1942 0600 Transiting Celebes "chokepoint" south of Mindanao into Celebes Sea en route new base at Surabaya, Java. 0930 Entered Celebes Sea. 1802 Evening Fox reported Manila captured today. Night Orders: Maintain course 240 at 15.5 knots en route Surabaya. Wednesday January 3, 1942 1134 Sighted Dutch flagged freighter 2500 tons. Position 01-47 N 120-9 E Course 020 7 knots. 1807 Overcast, Heavy winds, rain, waves and fog set in. Waves 8-10 feet. 2340 Night orders: Maintain course200 speed 15.5 knots. Thursday January 4, 1942 1900 Storms cleared. Light chop, partial clouds, light fog. 2340 Night orders: Maintain course 220 speed 15.5 knots. Friday January 5, 1942 Night Orders: Maintain pattern off Java coast until dawn, then set course to enter port. Saturday January 6, 1942 1000 Docked Surabaya, Java. Terminated patrol. (C) Torpedo Attacks Seal conducted a total of six torpedo attacks, firing twenty of twenty two MK 14 torpedoes aboard., sinking three ships, damaging another. One gun action utilizing the 3" 50 caliber aft deck gun and 20 MM Oerlikon Cannon sunk five barges, one of which was armed and returned fire. Ships Sunk by Torpedo Attack 1. Name: MOMOYAMA MARU Class:AK Tonnage: 4,037 Date:20 December 1941 Time:2038 Location:19-17 N 118-48 E. in Luzon Straits. Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by: Night Periscope-Submerged Attack. Visual observation through periscope of torpedo impact and sinking of vessel. Data (at firing) Range:1000 yards AOB:85 Port Gyro:350 Left Track:355 Port Course:350 Tubes Fired:1,2,3,4 Torp.Depth:10 feet POA:MOT, MOT, Fore, Aft POI:MOT Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact. Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2,3 hit, four missed. Result: Target sunk. 2. Name: SEIA MARU Class:AK Tonnage: 7,590 Date:24 December 1941 Time:1121 Location:19-58 N 121-33 E. in Bashi Channel Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by: Day Periscope Submerged Attack. Visual observation of torpedo impacts and sinking of vessel. Torpedo Data (at firing) Range:800 yards AOB:110 Starboard Gyro:01 Track:02 Course:004 Tubes Fired:1,2,3. Torp.Depth:10 feet POA:MOT POI:MOT Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact. Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2,3 hit. Result: Target sunk. 3. Name: AKEBONO MARU Class:AO Tonnage: 6,839 Date:31 December 1941 Time: 0656 Location: 12-07 N 126-18 E 58 NM ENE off Samar, P.I. Type of Attack and Sinking/Damage determined by: Dawn Periscope Submerged Attack. Visual observation of torpedo impacts and sinking of vessel. Torpedo Data (at firing) Range:1000 yards AOB:88 Port Gyro:02 L Track:12 Course:014 Tubes Fired:1,2,3 Torp.Depth:20 feet POA:MOT, Fore, Aft Stack POI:MOT, Fore Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact. Hit/Miss: Torpedoes 1,2, hit, 3 missed astern. Result: Target sunk. Ships Damaged by Torpedo Attack 1. Name: AKITA MARU Class:AK Tonnage: 3.900 Date:20 December 1941 Time: 1515 Location: 19-15 N 116-48 E in Luzon Straits Type of Attack and Damage determined by: Day Submerged Periscope Attack. Observed torpedo impacts and vessel listing to starboard but underway. Torpedo Data (at firing) Range:1100 yards AOB:87 Port Gyro:01 Left Track:08 Course:351 Tubes Fired:1,2, Torp.Depth:10 feet POA:MOT, MOT POI:MOT Detonator: Magnetic actuated by contact. Hit/Miss: Torpedo #1 detonated prematurely, torpedo #2 impacted target. Result: Target Damaged. Remarks on torpedo attacks: Magnetic influence detonators may need adjusting as several detonated too early. For targets such as Destroyers torpedo depth should be set as shallow as possible to utilize contact exploder as several misses occurred in spite of solid firing solutions. (D) Gunnery Seal departed with 150 rounds of 3" 50 Caliber and 1,200 rounds of 20 MM ammunition aboard One gun attack was made during this patrol. Date:28 December 1941 Time:0903-0930 Location: 14-03 N 123-53 E off North Entrance to Laganoy Gulf, P.I. Description of attack: While patrolling just North of Laganoy Gulf submerged on the morning of 28 December, made sound contact. Upon coming to periscope depth, observed a small convoy of motorized landing craft/barges heading 340 degrees in a single, loose column, likely or a coastal run to Lamon Bay. Seas were choppy but suitable for gunnery. Closed to 2000 yards submerged and brought the stern about. Observed the lead Daihatsu was armed with what appeared to be machine guns or auto-cannon (20-25 MM) forward and thus designated it as first target. At 0902 blew tanks for a quick "pop" up to the surface, and commenced firing at 0903. The first round impacted just besides the craft, but as a near miss appeared to damage it. Second round was a direct hit, caused a large explosion, likely detonating the ammunition aboard. A few survivors were seen in the water. The remaining craft attempted to flew but were overtaken and two more disposed of quickly by the 3 inch gun. The fourth and fifth landing craft were disposed of by the 20 MM cannon, which proved quite effective against these targets. At 0930 all were sunk, sinking, and ablaze, ceased firing. Rounds expended: 3 inch:23 20 MM:211 Result: Sunk six Daihatsu Class Landing Craft Estimated 9 tons each. (E) Weather Weather conditions were favorable for majority of the patrol. Most nights were dark with a slight moon. In the waters off the east coast of the Philippine Islands heavy seas and winds were encountered. (F) Radio Radio function was excellent, in spite of the antenna being damaged in depth charge attack. (G) Major Defects and Damage During the depth charge attack on 24 December 1941, Seal suffered serious damaged from a very close depth charge explosion forward at 1809, while at a depth of 325 feet. The damage caused flooding forward, which made the boat heavy forward, difficult to control depth and hindering required quiet for the evasion. Loss of control due to heavy, and quick flooding caused the boat at one point reach a depth of 402 feet before control was regained with back emergency power, dive plane manipulation, and slight release of water from tanks. While leaks were stopped within minutes, the flooding was heavy and took several hours to pump the compartment dry and restore normal control of the boat. This process was not quiet and aided the attackers in continuing to drop close depth charges. While were not at aware until arrived in boat of the hull damage forward, we worked to make sure did not dive deeper than we had due to possible hull weakness caused by the close charge. The damage control party lead by the Executive Officer and Engineering officer performed in in spectacularr fashion, saving the boat. Damage suffered in this attack and repair status: 1.Serious hull damage forward (24 percent)-repaired in port. 2.Bulkhead, forward hatch damage.-repaired at sea 3.Serious flooding forward torpedo room-3 1/2 feet water in compartment-pumped out. 4.Torpedo tubes 3, and rendered inoperable-repaired at sea. 5. Forward batteries damaged-repaired at sea. 6. Various water piping and air lines damaged, leaking-repaired. During the depth charge attack of 21 December, a close charge, perhaps two exploded near the boat and conning tower. Busted valves permitted several inches of water to enter the conning tower, but were quickly stopped by men in the compartment. Later, when at periscope depth, it was discovered both periscopes had been seriously damaged. Inspection upon surfacing found the heads of both No.1 and No.2 were damaged. A damage control team immediately began to repair and had both scopes operational within six hours. Damage suffered in this attack and repair status: 1. No. 1 Periscope head-repaired at sea. 2. No. 2 Periscope head-repaired at sea. 3. Torpedo Data Computer-repaired at sea. 4. Valves, piping, air lines.-repaired at sea. 5.Flooding in conning tower-pumped out compartment. 6. 20 MM Cannon-repaired at sea. 7. Radio Antenna-repaired at sea. (H) Anti-Submarine Measures and Evasion Tactics Enemy anti-submarine efforts were intense in the Luzon Strait areas and effective. Seal was bombed multiple times by four engine flying boat patrol aircraft as well as twin engine land based bombers. ASW patrols consisting of destroyers were encountered numerous times throughout the area. The attack by one such patrol on 24 December, responding to the sinking of SEIA MARU, proved to be quite competent and effective. Enemy utilized team work with passive and active sound gear, preferring to make an approach from the stern and drop patterns "along the spine4" of the submarine. When in pairs, one would make a fast run this way, then another would quickly follow and "cross the T" in front of Seal, laying effective patterns. Submerged evasion of enemy ASW consisted of running silent at 100 RPM or less, always with five degrees or rudder to port or starboard, in order to prevent Seal from being tracked in one direction, this seemed to confusion. When enemy was heard overhead making a run, speed speed bursts of 6-8 knots were used typically for 30-60 seconds. Seal initially operated at test depth of 250 ft for evasion but several times was forced to 270 0r 275 to get under enemy depth charges. Later depths of 350 ft were found necessary and due to flooding, the boat went to 402 feet momentarily. 300-350 feet seems to be an excellent depth to evade enemy depth charges and sound gear. (I) Mines No enemy mines were encountered. (K) Friendly Forces Contacted 1. USN Tambor Class Submarine 14 December 1941 0705 14-15 N 120-26 E. Bearing 083 Range 9000 yards. Course 100 degrees. Speed 15 kts Location: 14-15 N 120-26 E. Outside entrance to Manila Bay. Exchange Rec Signal: No Remark: Spotted while departing for patrol. 2. USN Tambor Class Submarine 16 December 1941 0543 19-5 N 120-47 E Bearing 083 Range 9000 yards. Course 265 degrees. Speed: 12 knots Location:19-5 N 120-47 E in Luzon Straits, West of Babuyan Islands. Exchange Rec Signal: No Remark: Believed was enemy submarine. Tracked, submerged, and approached for dawn periscope attack. On observation at 1200 yards, recognized in the morning light as a USN submarine. Immediately broke off attack and went to 200 ft. 3. Dutch Flagged Freighter 2500 tons 3 January 1942 1134 19-5 N 120-47 E Bearing 040 Range 5.5 NM Course 020 degrees. Speed: 7 knots Location:01-47 N 120-9 E n Celebes Sea Exchange Rec Signal: Yes Remark: None (L) Aircraft Enemy aircraft contacts consisted of large four engine flying patrol boats and twin engine land based bombers, no single engine fighters or bombers were encountered. Multiple aircraft bombed Seal during the patrol but caused no damaged. (See Narrative) (M) Health, Habitability, and Crew. Health and Habitability on this patrol were excellent.The crew conducted themselves in an excellent manner during an active, and trying first war patrol. Total on Board: 62 Officers and men. Officers:5 Chief Petty Officers:6 Petty Officers:21 Men:30 Qualified in Submarines: 40 Injuries: Following crew suffered minor injuries in the forward torpedo room during the depth charge attack of 24 December 1941. All were treated at sea and returned to full duty. TM1 Bell, H. TM1 Simmons, L. TM3 Howard, G.T. TM3 Jenkins, D.T. S1 Campbell, T.N. S2 Lynch, G. SC1 Anderson, V.R. (N) Navgiational Aids Due to blackouts, no nagivational aids were sighted in patrol area or the adjoining islands. (O) Sound Gear and Conditions Sound gear, both passive and active functioned properly during this patrol, with optimal conditions for most of the patrol with faint contacts often heard nearly ten miles away. Enemy appeared to enjoy the same conditions as well. Thermal layers were present in area and detected between 100 and 300 feet. (P) Miles Steamed-Fuel Used Miles Gallons Cavite to Patrol Area 400 3240 In Patrol Area 6500 31209 Patrol Area to Surabaya 2856 21449 (Q) Duration Days Manila to Patrol Area 2 In patrol area 17 Area to Surabaya 5 Days Submerged 18 Total 26 Factor in Termination of Patrol: Fuel, distance to new base from area, battle damage, expenditure of torpedoes. (R) Patrol Routine A standard patrol routine was established on this patrol consisting with three sections standing four hours watches as follows: 0400-800 0800-1200 1200-1600 1600-2000 2000-0000 When surfaced, the Officer of the Deck (OOD) stood watch on the bridge, along with port, starboard, and aft look outs. In the control room the Chief of the Watch supervised the men assigned to control room watch at diving controls. When dive alarm is sound, Chief of the Watch initiates the dive with the control room watch until the port and starboard lookouts are able to make their way from the bridge to the control room, where they take over the dive planes, and OOD takes over the dive. Sound station in conning tower is manned by the assigned Sonarman of the watch upon the dive alarm being sounded. The Chief of the Watch then mans the "Christmas Tree" once the OOD has taken over the dive. Once a dive is complete and proper trim made, the OOD will take station in the conning tower and may issue diving commands from there, unless otherwise required. The exception to this is the the second section, in which the Executive Officer is assigned as OOD, a second officer, as assistant Officer of the Deck (AOOD) stands watch in conning tower and drops down to take over the dive upon sounding of the dive alarm. Transit to and from assigned patrol areas was conducted on the surface at standard speed, submerging as required. Daily routine in patrol area consisted of a dive to 90 feet, shortly after dawn. Submerged patrolling typically consisted of a climb periscope depth everyone half hour at 50-54 feet with No.2 periscope in conning tower extended, although in some areas observations were longer. Constant passive sound sweeps were conducted, which produced contacts and ultimately sinkings. Surfaced patrolling in area became untenable due to enemy aircraft presence. Surfacing just after dusk, typically between 1830-1845 hours was the routine for this patrol. Battery recharge was conducted then a increase to standard speed to cover a box search pattern through the night was conducted. This wielded several excellent contacts. Procedure upon contact with unknown surface vessel was to turn away presenting stern , until situation can be assessed. Contacts with enemy patrols were avoided via this procedure. Exception for this procedure if the tell tale smoke plume of a large merchant spotted, then a matching course and speed were ordered, with initiation of plot. Upon spotting of an aircraft, procedure for OOD was to order a dive to to 200 feet. If no bombs fell, it appeared the boat was not spotted, a return to periscope depth and surfacing within the hour was procedure. During torpedo attacks, the Commanding Officer, assisted by the Executive Officer conducted the approach and manning of the periscopes. The Dive Officer manned the dive, with Torpedo Officer on the Torpedo Data Computer. Engineering Officer was in the control room in constant contact with the engine rooms. The Chief of the Boat was in the conning tower during a torpedo attack, assigned to the torpedo fire control panel. This routine proved effective and useful for this patrol. If two more officers could be added, each watch would have an OOD and AOOD, enhancing the capabilities of the boat and crew. (S) Remarks The assigned area of Luzon Straits was the sight of initial patrol. Numerous warnings of invasion at Lamon Bay and Eastern P.I. were received. A status report to COMSUB Asitatic prompted orders to reconnoiter Lamon Bay and San Bernadino Strait areas. The enemy effectively controls the Luzon Straits with surface and air patrols, aside from US submarines. While did sink three vessels and damage another, torpedo performance did leave something to be desired with four premature detonations (possibly more) and several suspected of running deeper than set. These issues should be address immediately. Installation of an SD Air Search Radar is a top priority prior to next patrol as well. Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 10-01-21 at 03:56 AM.

10-03-21, 08:17 AM	#5112
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Seal SS-183 Second War Patrol 4 February- 7 March 1942 TMO 2.5 Update BH 100 difficulty, cams on and contacts on (for a change) USS Seal SS-183 (Salmon Class) . This was my second patrol in the TMO Update (non testing patrol) plan is to make it through the war in TMO in the Seal. I did so in a Gato finally, going to see how we do in one of the older boats. Prologue Returned from first war patrol on 6 January to Surabaya, Java . Serious hull damage (24 percent) suffered from a close depth charge during the severe depth charge attack by two DD in Bashi Channel on 24 December 1941 repaired. Provisioning and all other refit activities completed. Ready for sea 4 February 1942. (B) Narrative. Departed Surabaya, Java for patrol on 4 February 1942 at 0930. Exited the north-west channel and headed through the Java Sea, Karimata Strait, and South China sea to assigned Areas A4 and A5 off Manila-Mindoro area. Arrived in patrol area A4 on 9 February at 0600. The few couple of days followed the routine of diving after dawn and patrolling submerged. Attempted surface patrols failed due to aircraft presence and Seal's lack of ability to procure an SD Air Detection Radar set during refit period in Surabaya. Surfaced at 1830 on 12 February for battery recharge and patrol. At 2233 lookouts sighted a convoy of three ships and two destroyers bearing 0056 8000 yards at 14-05 N 119-13 E. Estimated Course/Speed 176 degrees 8 knots. Three ships, two DD escorting. Seal was called to General Quarters-Torpedo and raced ahead for attack. The Convoy changed course to 160 degrees, Seal adjusted and was able to submerged for attack at 2342. Just after leveling at 80 feet. Sound reported warship closing fast. Soon after, pinging began. Seal was detected and now had no shot, went to 250 ft rigged for silent running and depth charge. The destroyers were first team, as from 2348-0300 they worked the boat over well with many depth charges. No damage occurred, except for few minor leaks in piping and air lines. At 0311 Sound lost contact with the destroyers until 0345 when both were heard leaving at high speed. Wary of "sleepers" as Japanese have shown they like to do, Waited until 0500 with precious little night left, to come to periscope depth. At 0505, sweep with scope and sound revealed no presence of enemy. Secured from General Quarters, and surfaced for pursuit course to regain contact. At 0706 regained visual contact and worked ahead of convoy, which now had two ships and two dd, whereabouts of third vessel unknown. Submerged at 0723 for attack. At 0743 Fired two Mk 14 torpedoes (Bow Tubes #1 and #2) at lead AK-KANAGA MARU 4923 tons from 1000 yards AOB 88 P. One torpedo missed, second hit amidships. Just after torpedo impact, spotted a aircraft (MAVIS) about 4000 yards bearing 280 closing fast and in a shallow glide towards Seal. Ordered emergency depth of 200 feet. As passed 131 feet, two large explosions astern, no damage. The destroyers delivered a repeat performance of their earlier attack, forcing Seal to a depth of 385 feet to get under the numerous depth charges. A close depth charge explosion at 0827 shook the boat and caused damage to the port prop shaft, aft electric engines and batteries. Finally around 1230 last depth charge came. Lost contact with destroyers at 1238. At 1500 came to periscope depth, all clear except a smoke puff spotted at 180 distant. Just as was preparing to surface, the MAVIS was spotted at 280 flying low , searching for Seal. Submerged to 200 feet and closed bearing of smoke. At 1545 came to scope depth to find the KANAGA MARU, dead in the water. Due to aircraft presence, decided to torpedo to finish ship off. instead of using deck gun Closed to 1500 yards fired torpedo from tube 3. Torpedo prematurely exploded when 10-15 yards from target. Fired torpedo four, which hit target, causing KANAGA MARU 4923 tons to sink at 13-15 N 119-33 E. Secured from GQ remained submerged at 200 feet until nightfall, surfaced and departed area. At 1419 hours on Sunday February 15, 1942 , Seal was on the surface patrolling in area A6 in the South China Sea , when lookouts spotted an aircraft (MAVIS) closing fast from bearing 003 at five nautical miles. A dive was ordered, with emergency depth of 200 feet. As Seal passed 134 feet a series of explosions above the boat, aft caused damage in aft torpedo room. All four aft tubes suffered damage, as did rudder transmission Other compartments, including conning tower, and control room suffered piping and air line leaks. All damage was repaired within 24 within hours. Surfaced at 1850 that evening and sadly, Evening Fox Traffic reported Singapore had fallen to the Japanese. On Monday February 16th at 1709, sound made contact on a lone merchant. Seal closed for attack, firing two torpedoes at AKITA MARU at 1740 hours. Both torpedoes were observed to track properly but ran below target. Sea state had increased and is possible caused the vessels draft to be higher in the water.Just after observing the miss, a MAVIS flying boat was spotted in the dusk light, Seal went to 200 ft. Avoiding the bombs the fell soon after. By 2021 Seal was in position for a attack with stern tubes. At 2021:07 fired two MK 14 torpedoes, stern tubes. After firing, torpedo #2 went on erratic run, to port! Circling back at the boat! Emergency Depth 100 ft! Rigged for collision. At 2022 Torpedo #1 impact with target heard while boat was at depth of 91 feet. Sound reported engine noises from target ceased after impact and at 2025, the audible end of run explosion by erratic torpedo was heard. Seal came to periscope depth to find the target dead in the water at 1900 yards bearing 180. Two more torpedoes were fired, both prematurely detonated ten yards or less from the target. Surfaced the boat into choppy seas for Battle Surface Gun Action to finish off he vessel. The aft 3 inch deck gun commenced firing, the target responded by illuminating Seal with her searchlights and firing machine guns, a few close rounds sprinkled the waters but no hits on Seal. However, Seal scored twenty-one hits out of thirty one rounds fired from the deck gun, leaving the target a flaming wreck, which finally went down. At 2229 , AKITA MARU 3936 tons sunk at position 14-24 N 120 04' E. Secured from General Quarters and set course for Mindoro Strait for patrol in coming days. On Wednesday February 18, 1942, submerged at dawn in Mindoro Strait. While patrolling submerged, spotted a MAVIS flying boat several times and at 0750 it bombed Seal, as she passed 170 feet. At 0808 sound had a contact and smoke was spotted on the horizon, went to General Quarters Torpedo and closed at Full speed. Observation at 0818 showed a mid sized merchant identified as BIYO MARU. Plot revealed she would pass further ahead, forcing a longer range shot than was planned. Went to 80 feet and ahead flank to close the range. At scope depth again at 0834 revealed would have to fire at about 4800 yards. Contemplated surfacing to close the range, the MAVIS came into view, forcing Seal to go to 100 feet and quashed that idea. Continued closing at high speed. Finally, at 0848 came to periscope depth and with target at firing point, fired two torpedoes from 4656 yards, both of which tracked properly but prematurely exploded within second of one another when 20-50 yards from target. Target slowed, then sped up and turned to the west showing its stern to the Seal. Unable to surface due to air cover, nor close due to strain on battery power, went to 200 feet and secured from General Quarters. However, it would not be long before another chance arose as sound made contact at 1003. Seal closed and at periscope depth, had a merchant in sight. Went to General Quarters-Torpedo and closed the target at standard speed (submerged). At 1037, fired three torpedoes from bow tubes at ATSUTASAN MARU 7827 tons at a range of 1100 yards. Torpedo # 1 missed astern, torpedo #2 hit amidships and detonated, damaging the vessel. Torpedo #3 impacted the side, but failed to detonate. The 'dud' torpedo was audible and heard by sound operator. Though damaged, the vessel increased speed and turned to west away from Seal. Surfacing was contemplated, however large guns fore, aft, and on each side were observed, preventing this. Again battery capacity prevented submerged pursuit and air cover prevented surfacing to end around. Lost contact with the merchant at 1100, secured General Quarters. At 1104 sound reported warship contacts closing fast. These were discovered to be a destroyer and a patrol craft, which began sweeping the area of the attack, joined by the MAVIS at 1121.Seal went to 200 ft , silent running, and turned away from the scene. On Thursday February 19 was a normal day of submerged patrol in southern reaches of Mindoro Strait. with no contacts Surfaced and headed for main section of patrol area. On the evening Fox, the news of the bombing of Darwin in the morning was received. The next few days were uneventful with normal patrol routine and no contacts, aside from daily spotting of MAVIS, EMILY, PETE patrol aircraft, and BETTY as well. On 25 February received word that COMSUBASIATIC was shifting operations to Perth-Fremantle Australia. Foul weather set in that evening with blinding winds and rain, heavy seas, overcast, and fog. Weather did not improve until the following morning. At 1150 on February 2 smoke plumes were sighted bearing 087. Seal went to General Quarters-Torpedo and closed for attack, submerging at 1152 hours. At 1255 submerged for attack and came to periscope depth at 1321. Observed RYUNN MARU 6538 tons and fired three remaining bow torpedoes at 1331 in heavy seas. All torpedoes tracked properly, but Torpedoes 1 and 3 missed as wakes passed under the target. Torpedo # 2 prematurely detonated 10-15 feet from target. Explosion that close may have damaged the target. With just one torpedo remaining in stern tube #8, turned to bring the tube to bear. A EMILY flying boat was observed at 1341, forcing Seal t 150 feet. No bombs fell. At 1400 Seal was in position and the target was on ideal course. Fired tube eight, the last torpedo which impacted the side of the target, but was another "dud". Air cover and heavy seas prevented immediate followed up with deck gun attack. Surfaced after dark and searched until 0700 following morning trying to reestablish contact, but was unable. With all torpedoes expended, set course for Surbaya via Mindoro Strait, Sulu Sea, Sibutu Pass, Celebes Sea, Makassar Strait to Java Sea at standard speed as had enough fuel to stop and fuel at Surabaya. As Seal sailed the Celebes Sea word of the Japanese landings on Java was received and could not stop there for fuel. Calculations were done and showed at 14 knots could make Fremantle with small amount of fuel to spare. Course was set for Fremantle via Makassar Strait, Flores Sea, and Lombok Strait. On Tuesday March 3, 1942 at 0800, in Flores Sea, Seal submerged at 6-58 S116-54 E for the approach to Lombok Strait due to heavy enemy air activity in area. At 0810 at depth of 90 feet, sound sweep revealed the sound of a submerged submarine bearing 090. Seal went to 200 feet, silent running. It is possible this submarine was making an approach on Seal at the time she submerged. Surfaced at 1900 hundred hours and increased speed to full, entering North end of Lombok Strait at 2204 hours. Due to the moonless night, chose to make the passage on the surface.. Slowed to standard speed to avoid larger wake. At 2326 near center of Lombok Strait, observed two Japanese destroyers, believed to be Fubuki Class, patrolling the strait, at bearing 011 6000 yards. Took immediate action, presenting stern towards contact and and went to General Quarters. However, they did not spot Seal in the dark night. After clearing the contacts, Seal continued on and exited the strait at 0025 hours on 4 March and set course for Fremantle at 14 knots. Friday March 6, 1942, while cruising on the surface at dusk en route Fremantle off coast of Australia, as Australia PBY Catalina was spotted bearing 267 at 8000 yards. The Catalinas range was steady, it then made an tur and aggressive high speed dive towards Seal. A dive was ordered, emergency depth 200 feet. As Seal passed 111 feet, multiple large explosions went off, mostly above. However, one or two charges were at Seals depth or below and boat was severely shaken. Piping and air lines began to leak profusely. There was minor flooding in the control room, conning tower, and forward torpedo room. No 2. (Attack) periscope was wrecked Trim and Hydraulic pumps also damaged. Inspection upon return to port indicated hull damage was well. (My friend fire mod, incorporated into TMO Update) On Saturday March 7, 1942, Seal arrived at Fremantle, Australia and docked at 1031 hours, terminating the Second War Patrol. Ships sunk on this patrol: Class Name Ton(s) Caused AK KANAGA MARU 4923 Torpedo AK AKITA MARU 3936 Torpedo/Gunfire Ships damaged on this patrol: Class Name Ton(s) Cause: AK ATSUTASAN MARU 7827 Torpedo AK RYUNN MARU 6538 Torpedo (C) Remarks A challenging patrol given the air cover and lack of air search radar, with intense depth charge attacks from escorts. Running around without an SD radar can be quite a challenge but adds a certain element things. However, I should be able to get one next refit as it was not available after first patrol (part of the TMO upgrade). Torpedo malfunctions certainly took their toll with premature explosions, duds, erratic(circular) runs, and depth control issues. Can only imagine how terrible it to try and fight with your primary weapon being defective.

10-04-21, 01:43 AM	#5113
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Seal SS-183 Third War Patrol-Disappointment TMO 2.5 Update BH 100 difficulty with cams/contacts on for this patrol. USS Seal SS-183 War Patrol Report Third War Patrol 18 March- April 1942 Areas G6, M!-II in Banda and Ceram Seas. Prologue Returned from second war patrol on 7 March and had relatively short refit period. Ready for sea 18 March. Narrative Departed Fremantle 0730 18 March for patrol area. Set course along western coast of Australia to to Savu Sea, Straits of Timor to Banda Sea. Entered patrol area in Banda Sea just after midnight on 24 March and submerged for patrol that morning at 0800. At 0820 hours, sound reported distant, fast, heavy props bearing 192 degrees. Turned Seal towards contacts at standard speed (submerged) and began closing, slowing with periscope observations every 10-15 minutes. Due to contacts speed, decided to surface and close, to avoid draining batteries. At 0854 spotted smoke of merchants, then tall masts of warships Seal had located a task force at 6-19 S 125-30 E Course 002 degrees Speed 13 knots. A contact report was sent and began racing ahead at flank speed maintaining distance of 10 NM tracking visually via smoke plumes. Submerged at 0915 for attack. Observation revealed 10 smaller troopships, similar to TYOHEI MARU class, with one CA (Takao Class) and two CL (unknown class, possibly Naka) pl screen of at least 8 DD. Planned to fire on CA from 1400 yards. When at 2700 yards a DD moving at very high rate of speed was about to overrun Seal, ordered silent running, rig for depth charge and went to 150 feet, continuing to close as it was unlikely DD was detect Seal at such as high speed. After the DD passed over, came back to scope depth, readied all bow tubes but just then pinging(at time did not know a PETE floatplane was in area, but when went to external view for screenshots moments later, a PETE was flying overhead. i suppose the PETE spotted sub at periscope depth, and alerted the warships below. ) began and target made a hard evasion turn to port, ruining the set up. Desiring not to waste torpedoes, withheld fire, rigged for silent running and depth charge, ordered 250 feet. A brief, but intense depth charging followed with a few close charges. Seal was forced to 350 feet to evade. After an hour most of the DD's departed area sans two which stayed behind dropping charges, pinging and hunting. Secured General quarters and was not able to surface until dusk. A pursuit through the night did not regain contact with the task force. Submerged for patrol the next day with no contacts. Surfaced at dusk. At 0156 hours on 26 March, spotted enemy destroyer bearing 357 degrees 7500 yards. Numerous other DD and then a CA, came into view in the night sky, called General Quarters-Torpedo, moved ahead and submerged for attack. 3000 yards off track of target. As began to close, could make out the silhouette of a large, flat deck and island structure of a carrier in the night sky! Immediately began a plot and showed Course 064 Speed 11 knots. Sent contact report of Task Force sighted at 3-07 N 125-30 E in Ceram Sea, Course 064 Speed 11 knots .Went to depth of 100 feet and closed at high speed for 7 minutes, back at scope depth had penetrated the screen and would fire at 1000 yards from the CV. All tubes were readied forward. Upon next observation, noticed the water was lapping the scope as the seas had suddenly grown choppy, then heavy. Also noticed a DD in the screen moved forward and would have to fire early to avoid the torpedoes being intercept by him. At 0245 fired four MK 14 torpedoes at range of 2000 yards from all four bow tubes . Two were fired at middle of target (MOT) while a 2 degree spread forward and aft of center bearing on the TDC spread dial was used. Torpedoes were set for 18 feet. Did not attempt keel shot in heavy seas. Raised scope at 0246 anticipating torpedo imapact when boom....torpedo one prematurely detonated, perhaps 15-20 feet from the carrier...torpedo two and three folllowed. Alerted, the carrier sped up and made hard turn to port, torpedo 4 just missed the stern, running through the wake. While possible the close proximity of torpedoes when detonated damaged the CV, they were not hits. Pinging began just after last torpedo missed, and Seal wen to 250 ft, rigged for silent running and depth charge. No depth charges ever fell on Seal, just few off in distance. The rough seas ruined sound conditions and shielded the boat. Secured from General Quarters and surfaced at 0500, attempting to regain contact with the CV. At 0658 that morning, a D3A "Val" dive bomber, presumably from the CV appearing at bearing 340 closing fast. Seal submerged and felt explosions of depth charges as she passed 110 feet, no damage. Further attempts to surface were thwarted through the day by carrier based aircraft, including a pair of Zeros which suddenly appeared and strafed Seal before she would submerge. QM2 S.L. Russell was standing aft lookout when wounded by the gunfire from the Zeros at 1131, but survived. At 1230 Sound made contact at bearing 030 and at periscope depth, smoke was spotted. General Quarters-Torpedo was called. Soon identified a DD leading two AK. Closed for attack. The lead AK was KANGA MARU and the second in column was the large AK KOBYASHI MARU 9980 tons. DD identified as Yagumo Class. Closed to 1000 yards off track and at 1311 fired three MK 18 torpedoes. First torpedo was observed running below the target, second impacted amidships and set off a massive explosion, toppled masts and setting off repeated secondary explosions. Third torpedo hit but was a "dud". Believe the KOBAYSHI MARU was carrying ammunition and other volatile cargo. Time: 1317 KOBAYASHI MARU sunk 9980 tons sunk at 3-07 S 125-30 E. The DD closed and turned into him for a "down the throat shot" firing at 580 yards with 0 AOB. Ordered emergency depth of 250 feet after firing. Heard a torpedo explosion but was not a hit as DD kept coming. Torpedo prematurely detonated. DD passed overhead and let a pattern of DC go, which exploded above as Seal passed 120 feet. The DD made consistent contact and attacks for two hours, eventually losing contact with Seal, then going quiet to listen for about 45 minutes, before leaving area at high speed to rejoin its other charge. Surfaced to pursue but aircraft appeared and kept Seal submerged remainder of the day. Surfaced that evening and closed Staring Bay, Celebes. (I did this in hopes of catching Nagumo's force departing for Operation C, the Indian Ocean raid, which was added by my update mod) but while did make sonar contact at distance, was never able to close to visual range. Following week passed without contact, just daily routine of submerged patrol and nightly surfacing. until 5 April off Ambon, detecting a tanker with heading for the strait between Ambon/Buru Island. at dawn. Submerged and attacked, firing two MK 14 torpedoes at HARUNA MARU, one impacted but was a dud, the other missed due to targets evasive movements. Fired two more torpedoes, both of which were skillfully dodged by the plucky little tanker. As was bringing stern tubes to bear, sound reported warships closing fast. Two patrol boats from Buru were closing in and just as fired stern tubes, the tanker made a hard turn to the east, ruining the shot and all torpedoes missed. . With patrol boats now at 4500 yards, ordered silent running, rig for depth charge and went to 250 feet. Initially the patrol boats had contact and put a few close depth charges on Seal, but after went to 325 feet seemed to lose contact. Seal secured GQ and remained submerged rest of the day. Following days and weeks Seal found no contacts and endured heavy seas and storms finally clearing on the 14th of April. On 15 April at 0914, while on submerged patrol, 5-30 S 130-0 E in the Banda Sea, a Red Cross Hospital ship was spotted on course 120 degrees 11 knots. On 18 April at 1442 a ship spotted! Bearing 069 6 NM. 2-36 S 130-22 E in Ceram Sea. General Quarters-Torpedo was called. After pulling ahead for attack , identified target as a large AK of KOBYASHI MARU class. At 1544 fired three MK 14 torpedoes at target. In the heavy seas, all three ran under target, in spite of torpedo depth being set at 10 feet, the minimal in such waves. Fired fourth torpedo, which impacted target, but failed to detonate. At 1641 with final torpedo loaded into tube 3, fired on target from 700 yards. Torpedo detonated just a few yards from target. A gun action was considered, however the heavy seas and fact the vessel was armed with 4 inch guns forward and aft made a battle surface not favorable for Seal. Secured and went to 200 feet. Surfaced at 1930 hours, set course for Fremantle via Timor Sea. Arrived Fremantle on 26 April at 1700. Terminated patrol. Ships Sunk: Name: KOBAYASHI MARU Class: AK Tons:9980 Date: 26 March 1942 Time: 1317 Location:3-07 S 125-30 E. Cause: Torpedo- MK 14- hit amidships. Remarks: Tough patrol with a lot of disappointment due to torpedo failures. The miss on the carrier was dejecting, to say the least. Obviously, we know the torpedoes are prone to failure in the mod, but sometimes they do work and was hoping it would be one of those times. Odds are will not encounter another ship of such value in this career (way I designed things), quite a dejecting moment in the sim. Depth charge attacks were not as intense nor persistent as previous two patrols.

10-06-21, 02:14 AM	#5114
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 6,922 Downloads: 550 Uploads: 42	USS Seal SS-183 Fourth War Patrol 26 May-26 June 1942 TMO 2.5 Update 100 difficulty, cams off, contacts off. War Patrol Report USS Seal SS-183 Fourth War Patrol 26 May -26 June 1943 Area B6-South China Sea off Indochina Departed for patrol on 26 June at 0730 hours and set course for patrol area via Lombok Strait, Makassar Strait, Sulu Sea, Balabac Strait to South China Sea. On On the evening of 29 May while transiting Lombok Strait on the surface, spotted two enemy destroyers patrolling the center of the strait, evaded at high speed. Exited strait at 2331 and proceeded. On 5 June at 0700 after exiting Balabac Strait, was forced to dive for an SD radar contact closing at 7 miles. At 0415 on 6 June 1942, while passing through Area D6 in South China Sea en route to assigned area, lookouts spotted a vessel bearing 330 6000 yards. Immediately turned to shadow until dawn and went to General Quarters-Torpedo. The following action would be one of the most challenging vs an escorted merchant in memory. At 0526 , submerged for dawn periscope attack. Target identified as KIGAN MARU 7390 tons. Target was on a course of 165 degrees at 9 knots. All stern tubes were readied and fired three MK 14 torpedoes from tubes 5,6, and 7 at 0553. Range 1000 yards, AOB 85 P , 1.5 degree spread on TDC knob. At 0553:35 torpedo (tube 5) prematurely detonated about 20 yards from target. This appeared to alert the target as it slowed and began to turned towards the Seal, caused the other two torpedoes to just barely miss ahead and aster of target respectively. Just after missing ahead, torpedo(tube 7) prematurely detonated off the starboard bow of target. Final torpedo reached its maximum range and end of run explosions was heard. KIGAN MARU increased speed and turned away preventing an immediate follow up attack. Note: Target was observed to have 4 inch guns for and aft. At 0555 Surfaced, secured from General Quarters and raced at 10 NM off starboard side of target, tracking by its smoke, visible on horizon. All tubes reloaded. Ahead of target, submerged at 0808 for second attack. Called General Quarters Torpedo once submerged at 0815. At 0906 Seal was ahead of target, target changed course preventing a bow shot, turned off track for another stern shot. and at 0933 fired Tubes 5 and 6 at 1200 yards, as targets broadside exposed during its zig. First torpedo prematurely detonated and second passed right under the target. . The ship turned toward the Seal's periscope and fired forward deck gun and machine guns at scope. Ordered depth of 90 feet, soon the KIGAN MARU's props noises were audible through hull as it passed above. Secured General Quarters, reloaded tubes and waited for enemy to clear area before surfacing for another end around. At 1403 surfaced into overcast skies, thunder, moderates winds, light but choppy seas and a light fog. Raced along last known course of KIGAN MARU at flank speed and made contact at 1419, spotting whips of smoke on horizon , in spite of the fog. Submerged the boat in preparation for attack, but contact was not arriving as expecting. Target had changed course. Surfaced and began chasing to get ahead ad at 1442 spotted the KIGAN MARU in the fog at 7200 yards. KIGAN MARU spotted Seal, as opened fire with both deck guns, shells landing in the distance off Drum's stern and port side. Kigan Maru increased speed to 10 knots in opposite direction. At 1531 SD radar had a contact at 9 NM closing fast. Seal submerged to 150 feet. Surfacing again at 1550, closed target s estimated location at high speed. SD contact was made but range steady, did not dive. The low visibility helped shield Seal from being spotted by the aircraft. Submerged the boat at 1633 for attack. At 1637 all tubes were readied forward and at 1558 fired Tubes 1,2 at target from 1000 yards, both prematurely detonated shortly after arming. Fired tubes 3,4 as still have favorable set up. Torpedo 3 prematurely detonated, torpedo 4 impacted just of the stack, causing a large explosion. Engine noises on sound ceased. Enemy spotted Seal's scopes and began firing, dropped scope to move into position to finish vessel off with stern tubes. During the turn, passed 300 yards along side the enemy vessel and raised scope, which came under fire from deck guns and machine guns, dropped scope. At 1721 fired Tube 6 from 900 yards. Torpedo impacted, setting off a large explosion and fire. Target began to sink, water lapping over the decks. At 1737, KIGAN MARU 7390 tons sunk at 8-54 N 113-36 E in South China Sea (Area D5) . Surfaced and continued on to patrol area after an action which lasted from contact to completion, 15 1/2 hours. The ship most of have been on of the merchants set to "elite" , as it was not the relatively easy prey lone merchants usually are with the radical course and speed changes and sharp eyed look outs. Some screen shots from the battle. I had the external cam off so options were limited... Pressing the firing plunger. to finish off the the KIGAN MARU After sinking the KIGAN MARU, proceeded to patrol area arriving the next evening. With SD radar now equipped and in an open ocean patrol area, opted to patrol surfaced instead of submerging in daylight to increase mobility and chances of sighting. A trim dive was made twice each day and thorough sound sweeps made throughout the day. At 2100 on 14 June lookouts spotted an enemy destroyer. Went to General Quarters-Torpedo. Soon other ships spotted, had a convoy on course directly to Cam Rahm Bay. Convoy was large, with nine AP (troopships) and three escorts...two destroyers and one torpedo boat, possibly Otori class. Submerged at 2203 and closed target. Went deep at 2221 to avoid destroyer, which passed overhead at high speed, Seal not detected. When back at periscope depth, was 300 yards off starboard side of the outer column! Convoy track had shifted slightly, ordered back 1/3 to open range for firing. A quick plot showed convoy speed of 13 knots. At 2241 fired two MK 14 torpedoes (Tubes 1,2,3) at a KITRUIN MARU troopship from 1800 yards and two at a SAKITO MARU troopship at 2300 yards. Torpedo 4 prematurely detonated shortly after arming. Torpedo 1 missed astern of KITRUIN MARU, torpedo 2 hit, but was a dud. Torpedo 4 missed SAKITO MARU as the now alerted convoy slowed, causing torpedo to miss forward. Escorts soon rushed in and depth charged Seal for the next 6 hours. Several charges came close, causing leaks in piping and air lines, as well as damage to forward batteries. All damage repaired. Surfacing after dawn, recharged batteries then submerged to 200 ft for the day for torpedo reload and crew rest. Next couple of days saw increased air activity off Cam Rahn Bay, Seal had stirred the hornets nest so to speak and was forced to dive repeatedly. One contact on 15 June was only detected at 5.5 NM and spotted Seal as she submerged. The twin engine bombers (BETTY) put a series of charges along side Seal as she passed 84 feet, causing minor damage with leaks in piping and air lines, minor flooding in control room. All repaired. During the morning trim dive on 16 June at 0600, sound detected distant prop noises bearing 335 long range. Surfaced into an overcast sky, with a medium fog and light chop to the seas. Obviously this made visual tracking difficult. Closed the bearing at high speed. At 0701, a whisp of smoke was spotted on horizon and General Quarters-Torpedo was called. At 0709 target spotted seal (somehow) and opened fire with deck guns, shells splashes around sea. Turned away, less they get a lucky shot and tracked ahead, submerging for attack at 0747, closing on sound bearing as had no visual contact at the time due to fog. 0752 via periscope, spotted ship emerging from the fog at range of 3870 yards on course 063 zigging at 7 knots. All bow tubes were readied for firing.At 0813 , as target zig presented favorable firing angle, fired bow tubes 1,2,3 from 1000 yards. All three torpedoes wakes were observed running under target, torpedoes set to depth of 10 feet ran deeper than set, it is assumed. Fired a fourth torpedo at 0816, which missed or ran deep. Brought stern about, readied stern torpedo tubes and fired spread of four after torpedoes set to minimum depth setting. One prematurely detonated just yards from target, second impacted but failed to detonate (dud), two others missed or ran deep. Pulled away for torpedo reload as target disappeared in to the fog. 0956 Surfaced into clear weather as fog had lifted and began pursuit course. 1928 Finally regained contact with merchant and closed, which was difficult as night set in but by 2015 was submerged and had target in sight. Appeared to be the same DAKAR MARU freighter pursued earlier. At 2019 fired final two torpedoes from bow tubes 2 and 3. Both torpedoes missed, likely due to running deep as tracked properly. All torpedoes expended , waited for target to clear and pursued for a night gunnery action but was unable to regain contact. All torpedoes expended, set course for Fremantle. At 0618 on 18 June as Seal approached Balabac Strait, spotted smoke on the horizon in the dawn light. One AK with one DD escorting exiting the strait course 302 degrees at 8 knots. Position 7-4 N 116-25 E. Contact report sent. Seal turned away from the ships. Suddenly, the destroyer turned towards Seal at high speed and flashes were seen from her forward guns. Splashes landed well ahead of Seal. Destroyer, an older type believed to be Wakatake Class closed and fired several times but could not catch up to Seals 20 knots and never came closer than 6000 yards. Eventually turning back, but she had protected her charge, ran us off. Continued on to Balabac strait and transited without incident. On 21 June Seal was in Makassar Strait and made its morning trim dive at 0600. At 0605 sound detected distant props. Surfaced and closed to investigate contact. Smoke was spotted on Horizon at 0640. Pulled ahead to close and review target, to decide if gun action possible. Target made repeated course and speed changes making this difficult. Finally at 1026 submerged to close and inspect target, which revealed no large guns mounted, only anti aircraft type auto cannons and machines guns. Called for General Quarters-Battle Surface-Gun Action at 1045 and turned off target track to present Seal's stern and aft mounted deck gun to target. Surfaced at 3000 yards from target an commencing firing at 1050. The 3 inch gun and 20 MM gun scored numerous hits on the enemy vessel as it turned away and returned fire with its MG and AC. At 1056, lucky rounds hit the deck gun crew (see casualties below). Immediately a replacement crew took over and Seal pursued at back emergency speed in a stern chased, scoring repeated hits on the target, which caught fire and seemed to lose way. The 3 inch gun continued to hammer the target until the entire ship was ablaze and appeared to be sinking. Ceased fire at 1106. At 1111, ZINBU MARU 5186 tons sunk by gunfire. The following casualties were a result of machine gun fire from the enemy vessel. All were members of the primary 3 inch gun crew. Killed in Action: CTM Rob I. Madison (Chief of the Boat) Wounded in Action Ens. Marion L. Lynch - Minor wound-recovered TM1 Herbert Bell-Seriously wounded, recovered. TM1 Leigh Simmons-Seriously wounded, recovered. TM3 Dudley T. Jenkins Seriously wounded-recovered TM3 Theodore N. Campbell-Minor wound.-recovered. All KIA WIA received Purple Heart upon return to Fremantle. Ships Sunk on this patrol: Name Class Tons Cause KIGAN MARU AK 7390 Torpedo ZINBU MARU AK 5186 Gunfire-3 inch and 20 MM Remarks: Difficult patrol, relatively short in duration of thirty days due to quick expenditure of torpedoes, with missed opportunities due to repeated torpedo failures. First patrol with SD radar. SD performance was overall satisfactory, although its failure to detect low flying BETTY did lead to Seal being damaged. Casualties suffered in the gun action are regrettable, future gun attacks will be carried out at longer distances. A larger, more powerful deck is desired as 3 inch appears to be underpowered.