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IMMEDIATE / /
To: ComSubPac
From: LCDR Ethan
Edwards
Date: January 2, 1942
Subject: Patrol Report, (March 02 – Patrol # 1)
Remarks: 1st
War patrol U.S.S. Plunger SS-179
Sub: U.S.S.
Plunger Class:
P
Hull Damage: (0%) System
Damage: (0%)
Crew: Green Status:
Operational
Total Patrol Time: Repair
Time: 0 Days
Fuel Used: N/A Realism
Rating: 100%
Ships Sunk: 5 Tonnage:
46,370 / (15,441)
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo
Recons: 0
Weather: Sea:
Patrol Mileage: N/A
Ordnance Remaining: 0 – Torpedo’s, 6 - Deck Gun
Rounds
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4). 20 Dec 1941 Standard Merchant 10,860 SUNK
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5). 23 Dec 1941
Standard Merchant 11,330 SUNK
Totals: 46,370 Raw / 15,441 Adjusted
Damage Sustained: None
Aircraft Encountered: None
Commander’s comments:
On December 17, spotted three unescorted Troop Transports
and maneuvered into a firing position ahead of the convoy. We set up on the
leading ship and set out torpedo depth to 28 feet, 12 feet deeper than the
draft for the target. At 800 yards we fired two fish and the torpedoes seemed
to run under the target. We set the next two for 22 feet ( 26 less 4 for
contact hit ) and fired at 550 yards. Both were seen to run under target
without detonating. Turned the Plunger for a stern setup and set the torpedo
for 18 feet and fired at 600 yards. Both ran under target again with the same
outcome, no detonation! Since the Troop transports are without guns we decided
to surface and proceeded to sink all three with the deck gun.
On December 20, spotted a small convoy of two Standard Merchants and two
DD escorts. Maneuvered into a firing position and decided to set the torpedoes
for 15 feet, 11 feet less than the draft of the targets. At 700 yards fired all
forward tubes resulting in 2 hits and 2 duds. As the target passed us on the
Port side we set up the stern tubes and fired both resulting in 1 hit and 1
Premature explosion and sinking the target. We dove to 300 feet to avoid the
ASW attack and moved off in the opposite direction loosing the DD's after about
two hours.
December 23, spotted a small convoy of two standard merchantmen
unescorted. At 600 yards fired all four forward tubes set at 15 feet again
resulting in 3 hits and 1 dud, sinking the target.
With all torpedoes expended and only 6 rounds left for the deck gun
decided to head for home. Torpedo performance was very POOR of the 16 torpedoes
fired we had 6 hits, 6 misses (under runs) 3 duds and 1 premature. I hope the
torpedoes we receive for the next patrol are better than the last.
CO USS Plunger
/ SENDS /