/ / IMMEDIATE / /
To:
ComSubRon 4A
CC:
ComSubPac
From:
CMDR Barney Doyle
Date:
June 20 1943
Subject:
Patrol Report, Cycle 7 (September 2002)
Remarks:
2nd War Patrol. We left port on June 2 and arrived in the our patrol
area on June 9
Sub: U.S.S. Steelhead,
SS-280 Class:
Gato
Hull Damage: None
(0%) System
Damage: None (0%)
Crew: Elite Status:
Operational
Total Patrol Time: 15.8
Days Repair Time: 0
Fuel Used:72,880
Gallons (63%) Realism Rating: 95%
Ships Sunk: 8 Tonnage:
160,999 / 53,613
Warships: 2 for 87,439
tons Merchants:
6 for 73,560 tons
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo
Recons: 1 (Saipan)
Patrol Mileage: 1,132
Nautical Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 - MK 14 Torpedo’s, 95 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Silent Hunter Awards: Navy Cross and Bronze Star with Combat V for Valour)
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4) 10 June 43 11:07 15-49N
x 146-10E Photo Recon of Saipan Completed
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5) 11 June 43 01:00 17-01N
x 146-10E (SSB) Yamato 71,659 SUNK
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6) 12 June 43 04:35 17-05N
x 145-25E (CA) Takao 15,780
SUNK
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7) 12 June 43 11:45 16-28N
x 145-45E Oil Tanker 15,200 SUNK
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Total: 160,999 Raw / 53,613
Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
None
Aircraft Encountered:
8
Commander’s Comments:
RMKS/ 1.
This was a routine patrol for the most part. After sinking the two Troop
Transports and the Oil Tanker we were ordered to Photo Recon the harbour of
Saipan. We requested authorisation from our SubRon CO and were granted it so we
headed for Saipan harbour. As we entered the harbour all we spotted was a
Fubuki Class DD, four patrolling aircraft and a single Sampan. We took the
photos of the port as requested and moved away without being detected.
We spotted a small convoy on June 10 just as it
was starting to get dark. A sharp lookout must have spotted our wake and we
were forced to dive to avoid the seven escorts that came looking for us. After
several hours of running deep below a thermal layer we came up to radar depth
and the soundman reported low/high speed screw sounds close aboard. When we put
the scope up the first thing to come into view was a Super Battleship of the
Yamato class headed right for us. We did a quick set-up and at 700 yards range
fired all tubes forward and watched as all six detonated causing heavy damage
to the SBB. As the SBB went down our starboard side we set-up the aft tube for
a shot. At 600 yards we fired and watched as two of the torpedoes
prematured before getting to the target
but the second two hit and exploded causing more damage. We had to dive deep to
avoid the escorts and did a 180 to try to follow the target. After loosing the
DD’s we went to radar depth and spotted the target almost dead ahead at 14,000
yards range, doing 5.5 knots and headed on a course 280 degrees. We surface and
followed the target closing the range, and after getting to 5,000 yards we
slowed to two-thirds speed and moved in slowly. At 2,200 yards we reduced to
one-third speed and at 2,100 yards we fired a
single torpedo ‘up the kilt’ and watched as the target blew up and
started to sink.
RMKS/ 2.
On June 12 we spotted a CA group and after getting into a firing position we fired at the lead CA sinking it, we had to dive deep to avoid the
escorts and after loosing contact we resumed patrol.
On June 12 at about 11:25 hours we spotted a
large convoy with a light escort. We maneuvered into a good firing position
between the third a fourth row and set-up on the Oil tankers in both columns.
We fired and sunk three oil tankers and after avoiding the escorts we headed
for home.
CO USS Steelhead SS-280
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