PROLOGUE
The period from 26 May 1943 to departure on this patrol was spent
undergoing extensive yard overhaul at Mare Island, California. All
outstanding alterations were accomplished. The Major jobs were
welding around rivet heads to make fuel tanks tight, replacement of
all air flasks, installation of new battery elements, and
installation of new type deck tubes.
During the training period at Pearl Harbor the periscope shears were
raised and periscope vibration eliminated. A PPI screen was
installed on the SJ Radar as a temporary measure for the special
mission following.
During the underway periods drills were held in the following:
(a) Torpedo transfer at sea.
(b) Airplane gassing.
(c) Boat handling and rigging.
(d) Fueling another submarine.
(e) Surf boat inflation drill.
(f) Night radar practice.
(g) Z-1 practices; six torpedoes fired.
(h) Long range battle practice.
(i) Spotting practice.
(j) 20 mm machine gun practice.
(k) Rehearsal reconnaissance of Barbers Point beach.
1. NARRATIVE
16 September 1943
1300 VW Underway from Pearl Harbor in accordance with Comsubpac Op.
Ord. 203-43.
1654 VW Made trim dive. Addition of new periscope shears will
require reballasting to put the ship inside the polygon. Used engine
oil will be jettisoned as necessary to maintain satisfactory trim.
Escort dropped 2 indoctrination depth charges. Escort vessel (PC
590) departed after dark.
2020 VW Made radar contact at 5600 yards. Was U.S.S. GREENLING
according to dispatch information.
17 September to 23 September 1943 inc.
Made training dives each morning and evening. Held Control party
drills daily in morning and evening. Fired night battle practice, 6
rounds per gun, on 17 September. Commenced zigzagging at noon 18
September. Noted air leaks on training dives. Pumped 2000 gallons
of used engine oil over the side during the night of 20 September
which improved the variable ballast situation. Crossed the 180th.
Meridian at Latitude 6' 12'' N at 1824 on 21st September 1943 and
changed date to 23rd September at midnight.
24 September 1943
Made dawn dive.
0800 Position due east of TARAWA 117 miles. Air leaks appear to be
fairly well stopped. Tested out all photographic gear. Entered area
at noon (000 Z 24 September 1943). Surfaced at dark and stood in to
TARAWA.
25 September 1943
Moved in on TARAWA and started up east shore line. The only apparent
military installation was a lookout tower on the extreme southeast
end of the island. The planimetric chart furnished this vessel
appears to be in error. Retired to the east and returned to center
of the east shore.
26 September 1943
Commenced at center of east shore and worked around north end of the
island. Fell into current of 2.4 knots setting 190d T at north end
of TARAWA. Ran at the six hour rate to get clear. Navigated by
sextant angles, but because of lack of definite landmarks could not
determine the error of the north point or other chart distortion.
Retired to eastward.
27 September 1943
Worked the southeast and then the south beach not including BITITU.
No new military installations were noted except on BITITU. The
current was small close to the coast; about .5 knots. Discovered
that the chart was rotated 11d and was corrected by rotating it
counter clockwise. A hospital ship was sighted in the lagoon at 0200
Z. She was anchored to the inside roads to the north of the center
of BITITU. She had a large cross form topside abaft the stack and
was similar in build to the MIZUHO MARU. Retired eastward.
28 September 1943
Reworked southeastern part of coast as first day's efforts could be
improved. Retired eastward.
29 September 1943
0330 M Received Comsubpac dispatch 280738 changing orders to include
MAKIN ATOLL and omit OCEAN and NAURU. Dived south of TARAWA and
worked BITITU. Many military installations were observed. Took
photographs from 4000 yards. A fishing vessel and a patrol vessel
were in the lagoon. Currents around southwest corner of BITITU were
rotary and of a strength of about 2.0 knots. At 0750 M sighted a
4-engine patrol plane headed south from BITITU. (Contact #1). At
0845 M sighted a low wing monoplane taking off from BITITU. (Contact
#2). At 1055 M sighted a 4 engine patrol plane headed south from
BITITU. (Contact #3). Went deep for 20 minutes on each contact.
30 September 1943
0045 M Sent dispatch 290730 indicating progress to date.
0330 M Received Comsubpac dispatch 290811 quoting request for
sounding of reef on west side of BITITU. Taking soundings on a reef
within 500 yards of an enemy observation tower was considered to
risky to warrant trial. The time of the low water after dark was
just after surfacing when the battery was low. The particular beach
was covered with guns which have an 18,000 yard range according to
the STEELHEAD's dispatch. A patrol vessel was in the lagoon. The
decision was made that to surface the ship at a time and at a
position close enough to send in a small boat to sound the reef would
be risking the ship to the point of failing in the accomplishment of
the major mission. Decided that close observation of reef by high
periscope exposure would gain a measure of the information desired.
0800 M Commenced reconnaissance of APAMAMA.
0845 M Sighted a single float plane (Contact #4) over the tree line
evidently cruising along shore line. Turned away from the beach and
went deep. Returned at 0930 M and continued. Worked the southeast
point and the two small islands on the south reef. Light was
excellent for picture taking. Retired southward.
1 October 1943
Worked the remaining coast of APAMAMA. Light conditions were still
excellent for picture taking. The chart of this island furnished is
perfect as to shape and detail. The north point however must be
rotated counter clockwise 10d, or rotate the island 10d clockwise.
Retired toward TARAWA.
2 October 1943
During early morning went in to within 4600 yards of BITITU to insure
a good P.P.I. photo and to determine whether the numerous
installations on this island would make a distinctive radar target.
They did not. In every P.P.I. pattern thus far the tree line is seen
and nothing other than that. It is possible that wood is used
extensively in the construction of the towers seen on BITITU. Dived
south of TARAWA in the current and maintained position until time to
pass BITITU at low water. Went in to within 900 yards of the reef
and at 1043 M (2243 Z) took a look with 14 feet of periscope
expos3ed. The long coral spit at the southwest corner of BITITU was
out of the water. The west beach was dry to the reef edge. There
was no surf and the water line on the edge of the beach appeared as a
sharp green-blue edge. The beach was a wi9de gentle slope of sand
from the waters edge to a point which appeared to be the high water
mark. From here up to the grass line it was much greater in slope,
being a definite hump and finally flattened out in what appeared to
be tundra grass and trees. The beach appeared to have a double apron
of barbed wire on it running in north and south lines. One apron was
close to the hump and the other, a much less formidable array, was
about half way between hump and waters edge. After observing beach
swung periscope in high power to take a look at the observation tower
on the southwest corner of BITITU. Came face to face, it appeared to
me, with two excited Japs doing sentry duty in the tower. From their
gestures I gathered it was time to end the observation. Went deep
and retired to southward and then to westward in the current. Set
course for MAKIN.
2200 M Exercised crew at Battle Stations.
3 October 1943
Worked south of KUMA Island. It was impossible to navigate by the
charts. Passed along coast by ranges on palm trees. The Navigator
tried shifting the north point as in previous islands and failed to
get any results. Picture taking light was poor. Got into strong
current rip near the east end of BUTARITARI
Which threw us dangerously into a bight. Pulled clear at the 6 hour
rate. Retired eastward
4 October 1943
From the night's run it was determined that the current has a set
along 310d T; drift 1.6 knots. Attempted to work south from the
northeast end of KUMA Island. The light made picture taking
impossible. Found current divides at northeast end of BUTARITARI
Island and sets northeast along south beach of KUMA Island and
southwest along south beach of BUTARITARI Island. Retired eastward.
5 October 1943
The light was again poor for picture taking. Rain squalls were
numerous. Went in to south coast of BUTARITARI for a look and took a
few pictures. A lookout tower now overlooks the beach where the
Marine Raiders landed in August 1942. There are two clearings
visible from seaward. Both have cross island defenses. Three radio
towers were noted and appear in photographs. The chart is still
impossible. We are navigation by one tangent and a range to the
trees.
1640 M sighted single float seaplane over lagoon. (Contact #5).
Retired southward. The moon is beginning to shorten the working day.
6 October 1943
Decided to attempt working the south coast of BUTARITARI against the
current to get better light. Little headway could be made. Battled
for three hours at on third speed to make good about three quarters
of a mile. At 0910 M sighted two single float seaplanes (Contact
#6). One landed in the lagoon, the other turned toward us. Turned
away and went deep. Came up in a half hour. The current had set us
well out. Decided to work around the tide rips at UKIANGONG Point
and work the west coast west side of the atoll by rotation the north
point 7d counter clockwise. Retired around the island to the
northward.
7 October 1943
Worked the MAKIN MEANG or LITTLE MAKIN GROUP. There was some doubt
as to whether this group is properly part of the MAKIN atoll. The
decision was make to include it. Retired southward.
8 October 1943
We have now been at MAKIN for five days and have had all kinds of
difficulties accomplishing our mission because of bad weather,
adverse currents, and impossible charts. The job we though would be
easiest turns out the toughest. Worked the south beach of KUMA down
to the east end of BUTARITARI. Sighted smoke inside the lagoon. This
could be seen at intervals throughout the day. At 1008 M sighted a
single float seaplane over the lagoon. (Contact #7). Light became
bad at 1030 M./ At 1032 M sighted a single float seaplane over the
lagoon. (Contact #8). Went down south beach of BUTARITARI to attempt
to find a way to accurately navigate this beach tomorrow. No way was
found. Retired to the southeast.
9 October 1043
Early morning light conditions were unusual. The land could be seen
at 20,000 yards. The sea was flat calm with the surface like a blue
mirror. Dived south of northeast end of BUTARITARI Island and
maintained a position to work the south beach running with the
current. At 0709 M sighted a single float seaplane over tree line
(Contact #9). By 0800 M the light was good. The sea was still
absolutely flat. At 1016 M sighted a single float seaplane over tree
line (Contact #10), distance 3000 yards. He turned toward us.
Thought he saw us. Went to 90 feet for 20 minutes. Completed
pctures of this beach at 1150 M. At 1154 M sighted a single float
seaplane *Contact #11) over the lagoon. Retired westward.
10 October 1943
0045 M Sent dispatch 090900 indicating completion of mission.
Patrolled area west of lagoon entrance to get a look inside and to
intercept anything moving in or out. The islands here are reasonably
well charted and may be navigated using the same north point used
between UKIANGONG and FLINK Points, (7d counterclockwise from chart
north).
1402 M Sighted ship. She was a small inter islet tanker, type not
shown in ONI 208J. Attacked. (Attack #1). Missed ahead. A small
escort with fast light screws came in from the southwest at high
speed. He had sound gear and passed close aboard down the starboard
side. Depth charge attack commenced at 1419 M. A total of eight
depth charges and three aerial bombs were dropped in a period of an
hour and twenty-five minutes. The aircraft bomb explosions were
heard at 1510, 1535, and 1543 M. While these were heavy bombs they
were not close. Evaded at deep submergence and retired eastward.
Surfaced and changed course south at 1930 M. Noted for the first
time we had a temperature gradient of about 4d between surface and
300 feet. Was surprised to see temperature return to zero gradient,
same depth, after run of three hours. At 2325 M received orders to
terminate patrol. Changed course to 070d T at full speed to get
clear of the area.
11 October 1943
dived at dawn as we were lonely 25 miles from MAKIN, and remained
submerged all day. 1830 M surfaced and set rhumb line course to
Pearl at full speed.
12 October 1943
Made dawn dive, surfaced at sunrise. Changed zone description to +12
at midnight.
12 October to 17 October 1943
Enroute via rhumb line to Pearl.
0830 Y 13 October 1943 sent required dispatch requesting rendezvous.
Made dawn dives. Had used cloud cover and many rain squalls until 14
October. Strong northeast trades commenced at Latitude 13d N. At
0032 Z 17 October sighted a submarine in Latitude 19d 47' N,
Longitude 181d 24'W. Made report. Saw only the conning tower which
looked like a new type U.S. submarine. 0235 Z 17 October received
Comsubpac dispatch 170155 indicating submarine was enemy. At 0300 Z
sent dispatch evaluating contact. At 0622 VW made rendezvous with
escort and headed for Pearl.
2. WEATHER
The weather in the area was good to excellent conforming to that
stated in Sailing directions. Clouds and rains interfered at MAKIN
with picture taking. The sea was moderate for the most part. For
two days at MAKIN it was perfectly flat and glassy. The weather
during the trip to the area was good. Normal trades were blowing.
The counter equatorial current was noticed between 10d N and 6d N.
Much rain was encountered on the return trip from the area to 13d
North latitude. Northeast trades were blowing from Latitude 10d
North to Pearl.
3. TIDAL INFORMATION
The following facts will be of interest to any vessel subsequently
working in the GILBERT Islands.
There is a very strong current in the region setting to the westward
at 1.5 to 1.8 knots. As the whole Kingsmill Archipelago is a
submerged mountain range of unknown shape, the general westerly set
of the current is deflected in certain places.
At the MAKIN atoll the general set is along 315d T drift 1.8 knots.
This current subsides at the eastern end of BUTARITARI Island. The
set south of BUTARIOTARI Island is 2 knots which follows the contour
of the reef. When this current again joins the general set it
produces tide rips south of UKIANGONG Point. The set south of the
eastern large island follows the reef and sets 070d T. east of MAKIN
the set is northerly as the LITTLE MAKIN GROUP is arranged in that
direction. The drift in this region is 2.0 knots. North of LITTLE
MAKIN are more tide rips. In the region to the westward of MAKIN the
currents are unpredictable. Tide rips are quite pronounced. The
five feet rise and fall of tide which alternately fills and empties
the lagoon mostly through the passes along the west reef introduced
the factor which makes the currents unpredictable. Twenty miles west
of MAKIN the current is back to a normal set of 316d T, drift 1.8
knots.
At the TARAWA Atoll the general set is 270d T, drift 1.6 knots.
Along the east beach the current follows the reef line but is only
about .3 knots 1800 yards off the reef. North of TARAWA the current
sets 290d T at 2.4 knots caused by the combined deflection of TARAWA
and APIANG. The current along the south coast 1800 yards off the
reef is .5 knots and sets westerly parallel to the reef. 3 miles off
the reef the drift is 1.8 knots; set 270d T. On the west side of
TARAWA near BITITU the eddy effect is present plus the tidal current
caused by the filling and emptying of the lagoon. A drift of .5
knots setting 000d T was encountered 3 miles northwest of BITITU.
This western region is considered unpredictable.
At APAMAMA Atoll the general set is 260d T drift 16. Knots. The
current divides at the southeast part of the island and follows the
reef northward and southward. The current 1800 yards off the reef is
.3 knots setting parallel to the reef on the east beach. Along the
north beach the drift reached 2.0 knots. Eddy current exists on the
Northwest beach. The set noted was south at 1.5 knots. Here again
because of the tidal effect of the lagoon the currents have rips and
are not predictable.
4. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
The charts of TARAWA and APAMAMA were very accurate as to shape. The
only error was in the north point. H.O. Charts also have this error.
No statement can be make as their geographical location. They were
located without difficulty. Rotate the north point 11d clockwise on
TARAWA or rotate the island counter clockwise. Rotate APAMAMA 10d
the other way, i.e., the north point counter clockwise or the island
clockwise.
The charts of MAKIN available were the H.O. Chart NO. 119 and a
blueprint chart used in the MAKIN raid in August 1942, with the
following label: Makin, Sortie Army-s, July 23, 1943, prepared by
P.R.I.S.I.C. Based on British Chart of MAKIN and U.S. Marine Corps
notes.
The H.O. Chart was impossible. The blueprint was somewhat better,
but defied close navigation. The western portion of the atoll may be
navigated by rotating the north point 7d counter clockwise. The
chart may be then used for other than close in-shore work.
5. SHIP CONTACTS
Not transcribed.
6. TABULATION OF AIRCRAFT SIGHTED
Not transcribed.
7. FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA
The misses were caused by incorrect speed estimate. The target was
zigzagging and may possibly have slowed for some reason as she was
nearing the lagoon entrance.
The target appeared to be a small tanker of about 1500 tons. Three
torpedoes were fired using a divergent spread, at a range of 2000
yards. Using a target speed of 8 knots, the torpedoes missed ahead.
Actually the target speed was about 5 knots. Target saw the torpedo
wakes and turned toward NAUTILUS and at same time increased speed.
Fired fourth torpedo down throat and missed. Maneuvered to evade
depth charge attack.
8. ENEMY ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES
Depth charges were believed launched from throwers as the explosions
were close together. Aircraft depth bombs were also believed used.
These seemed to detonated shortly after the impact with the water and
much rain was heard after the explosions. The noise sequence leads
to the opinion that they were dropped by aircraft.
9. ENEMY MINING ACTIVITIES
No mines or mining activities were noted.
10. MAJOR DEFECTS
a. Machinery
1. 3 main engine cylinder liners cracked. This is a will known and
chronic design defect.
2. The free wheeling ahead clutch of No. 1 main engine carried away.
Decommissioned engine for 10 hours. Faulty design. Has occurred
before.
b. Hull
1. No. 2 periscope turns hard in its bearings. It has numerous spots
in the field.
2. No. 1 periscope has two spots in the field; one has the appearance
of a ship; the other an airplane.
3. The secondary drain line developed a hole in that section which
runs through the port forward stateroom. It was inaccessible for
repair.
4. The ship will require reballasting; if her mission requires
carrying a full load of torpedoes, t is mandatory that it be done at
once. If not it may be postponed.
11. RADIO
Radio reception was good except for occasional interference. The
radio equipment performed in a satisfactory manner except as follows:
The underwater loop antenna worked for the first test dive in
Pearl Harbor area but on second day of patrol it was found to be
grounded. Resistance to ground read only 80,000 ohms. At end of
patrol resistance was 9,000 ohms. We had no underwater
reception.
12. RADAR
The P.P.I. unit was installed temporarily for this mission. Its
greatest range was 12,000 yards. The radar's operated satisfactorily
whenever required, and except for the short range the P.P.I.
installation was most satisfactory.
13. SOUND CONDITIONS AND DENSITY LAYERS
The sound gear functioned satisfactorily.
Sound conditions here stated apply to the area from the equator to 4d
north latitude between 172d and 174d east longitude.
The temperature gradients were isothermal to 31o feet. On one
occasion in Latitude 3d 34'N, Longitude 172d 40' E the temperature
was 4d cooler at 300 feet but changed back to the ambient temperature
as the ship drew farther from land.
Sound conditions in this area appear to be excellent for echo ranging
or listening. Surf could be heard to 8000 yards. Listening
conditions were better in the morning than in the afternoon.
Subterranean pounding noises similar to those in the Aleutian area
were heard which might be fish, or volcanic. The usual groans,
creaks, and squeals of fish were unusually plentiful. These waters
are apparently full of fish.
No density layers were noted in the area bounded by the equator and
4d North and 174d to 172d East Longitude, from September 23rd to
October 12, 1943.
14. HEALTH AND HABITABILITY
The health of the crew was excellent.
The food was excellent and well prepared.
Living conditions were good. The air-conditioning is adequate for
normal complement except in the conning tower.
There were only two minor accidental injuries.
15. PERSONNEL
The state of training was good. Every opportunity was taken to hod
schools for additional training. Their performance of duty under
combat conditions was excellent.
16. MILES STEAMED
Pearl to area 2100
In area 2250
Area to Pearl 2000
17. FUEL Expended
Pearl to area 36,225 gallons
In area 22,740 gallons
Area to Pearl 37,325 gallons
18. DURATION
Days enroute to area 9
Days in area 18
Days enroute to Pearl 8
Days submerged 18
19. FACTORS OF ENDURANCE
FUEL PROVISIONS TORPEDOES PERSONNEL
50,000 gal. 55 days 24 35 days
20. FACTORS WHICH ENDED PATROL
Limiting factor this patrol: terminated by order of Task Force
Commander
21. REMARKS
The method used in photographing the beaches was to take a group of
pictures at one time. One officer turned the periscope between each
exposure. Another took the pictures. The average time to take a
roll of twelve pictures was a little under two minutes. The time
required could be shortened some by special equipment. The greatest
cause of delay was spray on the lens, vibration, or rolling of the
ship. Unfortunately No. 2 periscope, which was used because of its
larger field, turned with great difficulty and was occasionally
responsible for some delay between exposures.
The camera used was a single lens reflex type using size 120 super XX
film divided into 12 exposures of 2 1/4" x 2 1/4" negative size.
This camera had a 10 cm. F 4.8 Mayer trioplan lens. Shutter speeds
of from 1/25th to 1/50th second were used depending upon the light.
The experimental pictures were taken using a speed graphic camera
with a 4" x 5" cut film negative super XXX. This camera would be
useless for this work as it would reveal vibration etc., as does a
single lens reflex, but showed definitely that a larger negative size
is superior to a small one including the increased grain of super XXX
film over super XX.
If any further periscope reconnaissance missions are to be made it is
suggested that much thought be given to the camera which must be fast
of rewind, and must permit a view of the object to be photographed to
prevent making an exposure while the periscope is fogged, vibrating,
underwater, or not pointed properly due to rolling of the ship.
Enlarging was not satisfactory because of vibration.
Taking pictures of the P.P.I. screen was simplicity itself. The
exposure is as long as the time for one revolution of the antenna.
The persistent feature of the P.P.I. tube is not made use of as the
film is really the persistent part. It is possible that a
non-persistent chemical coating would give better results if a green
electron beam produced more illumination. The normal scope detected
palm trees to 17,000 yards the P.P.I. to only 12,000 yards.
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