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From: CMDR Greg Turner III
To:
ComSubPac
Date: 27 June 1943
Subject: Patrol
Report, USS Jack SS-259 (Cycle 7, September 2002)
Remarks: 1st War Patrol, USS Jack,
Date:
27 June, 1943 Patrol
Area: Sulu Sea (SS-5+6)
Sub: USS Jack SS-259 Class:
Gato
Crew: Green
Status: Operational
Total Patrol Time: 18
Days Repair
Time: 1 Day
Fuel Used: 90,654 Gallons (77%) Realism Rating: 95%
Ships Sunk:
6 Tonnage: 45,600 / 15,185
Pilots Saved: 0 Photo Recons: 0
Weather: Mostly Cloudy Seas: Heavy
Patrol Mileage: 1,001 Nautical
Miles
Ordnance Remaining: 0 -
MK 14 Torpedo’s, 95 – Deck Gun Rounds.
(Medals
Awarded –Bronze Star + V)
Date Time Location Ship Type Tonnage
Status
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2)
13 June 43 17:50 10-01N
x 121-46E Large Freighter 5,850 SUNK
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3)
13 June 43 17:54 10-00N
x 121-45E Std Merchant 10,130 SUNK
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4)
13 June 43 19:30 10-05N
x 121-52E Supply 3,030 SUNK
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5)
13 June 43 19:30 10-05N
x 121-52E Large Freighter 4,740 SUNK
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6)
17 June 43 13:06 09-07N
x 120-52E Oil Tanker 14,420 SUNK
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7)
18 June 43 05:05 07-53N
x 121-31E (CVL) RyuJo N/A DAM
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8)
17 June 43 12:06 09-07N
x 120-52E Armed Merchant
N/A DAM
Total: 45,600 Raw /
15,185 Adjusted
Damage Sustained:
1. Crew Quarters Hull - Moderate
2. Aft Battery – Flooded = Chlorine Gas
Aircraft Encountered:
7
Aircraft Shot Down:
Depth Charges:
30
- 40
Commander's
Comments:
RMKS/ 1. Left Pearl Harbor morning
of 2 June 1943 enroute to the Sulu Sea. Estimated travel time is 8.9 days.
RMKS/ 2. 10 June 1943 entered the
Sulu Sea from the south and began patrolling.
RMKS/ 3. 11 June 1943 04:00 picked up
radio traffic for the USS Greenling requesting a Photo Recon of Beluran Harbor.
04:09 SJ Radar reported a contact bearing 248` at 13,500 yds. I set course 285`
to intercept. Radar reported 3 possible escorts out front of possible
Merchants. 04:56 spotted 1-Asashio class DD bearing 313` at 2,800 yds making
12.5 kts. I dove to periscope depth. 04:58 spotted1-Hatsuharu DD on the same
bearing at 2,580 yds. Radar reported 9 sets of high-speed screws and 1 set of
low speed screws. At 05:03 both DD’s turned east, the Hatsuharu DD passed 400
yds down our starboard side then began circling. I eased down to 80 feet to
make sure no collision would occur. At 05:10 I spotted 1-Supply ship bearing
259` at 2,060 yds making 7.6 kts. It passed 200 yds ahead but with the 2 DD’s
right over my position I held my fire. Finally at 05:14 with the range opened
out to 2,180 yds and only a 30% solution I went to 350 feet to let them pass
and then prepared to surface for an end around. 05:23 passed through a
50-degree thermal layer at 300 feet. 05:38 went back to periscope depth and
spotted a mast on a hull down ship bearing 077` at 4,700 yds. Surfaced at 05:58
for a breath of air and spotted a Fubuki class DD at 8,700 yds and went back to
radar depth. With the range opening so fast and so many escorts I elected not
to pursue this well escorted Merchant. With heavy seas our surface speed was
reduced to just under 10 kts. Surfaced at 07:10 to continue patrolling and
received word from my radioman that ComSubPac had sent FLASH traffic telling all commanders to disable
the magnetic exploder and use the contact exploder only. The torpedo crew got
right on it.
RMKS/ 4. Saturday 12 June 1943
17:54 17:54 SJ Radar picked up a contact bearing 211` at 12,730 yds. Moments
later SD Radar picked up an air contact at 17,000 yds. After a few moments SD
Radar reported 4 air contacts instead of one.
I dove to radar depth and at 17:58 headed for 125 feet with the aircraft
passing through 1,200 yds. Arrived back at radar depth at 18:04 and picked up
one air contact at 14,500 yds. A periscope check at 18:06 revealed one IJN
Aircraft Carrier (Unryu) bearing 320` at 9,300 yds making 17.7 kts. Also
spotted one Heavy Cruiser of the Mogami class trailing aft of the Carrier on
its starboard quarter. As the aircraft closed back inside of 4,000 yds I eased
to periscope depth. With the closest range being 6,500 yds I opted for a
high-risk shot. I at 18:24 fired 2 torpedo’s at the CV set at slow speed and at
a depth of 18 feet. Both torpedo’s prematured about 30 seconds after firing. I
headed deep to avoid any possible counter measures. At 275 feet we passed
through a great thermal layer. I leveled out at 350 feet to let the ships clear
the area. 18:57 arrived back at periscope depth and then eased up to radar depth.
SJ Radar reported a single ship at 8,050 yds bearing 177`. No visual was made
and I watched the contact until loosing it at 20:40. Surfaced immediately there
after. I headed north while recharging the batteries.
RMKS/ 5. Sunday 13 June 1943 08:55
made a trim dive and found a great thermal layer at 295 feet.
14:24 SJ Radar reported a contact bearing 239` at 14,260
yds. Made a slight course change to get in intercept position. 15:00 the
lookouts spotted 1 escort at 10,400 yds on the previous bearing. Two minutes
later they also spotted the lead ships of a 2 column Merchant convoy. After
observing for a while they reported the organization of the convoy. The inner
near column was composed of a Large Freighter in the lead followed by a Small
Freighter and trailed by a 2nd Large Freighter. The outer far column
was composed of an Armed Merchant Cruiser in the lead trailed by 2 Oil Tankers
and a Standard Merchant at the rear. Convoy speed was around 3 kts. At 17:00
fired 1 torpedo at the lead Tanker from 2,000 yds = prematured. Fired 1 torpedo
at the second Tanker from 2,000 yds = SUNK. Fired 1 torpedo at the lead
Freighter from 980 yds = Miss, set to deep and ran under the Freighter, missed
the bow of the AMC by less than 10 feet. After the explosion the lead Tanker
turned away and prevented a second shot at it. So at 17:07 fired 2 torpedo’s at
the Standard Merchant from 2,200 yds then dove to avoid the escorts. On the way
down we heard both torpedo’s detonate and a ship started breaking up. 17:40
arrived back at periscope depth and spotted several ships from the convoy. The
Tanker and Armed Merchant were heading 109 degrees. The Standard Merchant was
afire and trailing the Large Freighter heading 250 degree’s. I went after the
damaged Merchant. At 17:49 I fired 1 torpedo at the Large Freighter bearing
013` at 1,600 yds set for 11 feet. It hit in the aft port quarter and blew out
the side of the ship. It rolled over and sank very rapidly. Also fired 1
torpedo at the SM bearing 028` from 1,740 yds and watched this torpedo
premature just short of the target. I turned for a stern shot and the SM
changed course closing the gap on me. At 17:53 I fired a 3rd torpedo
from 1,340 yds and watched as it detonated on target sinking the SM. No
survivors were seen. Surfaced at 8:01 and spotted the DD bearing 260` at 8,800
yds heading south toward the Small Freighter. I went after the Large Freighter
and the Supply. When 6,000 yds ahead of the ships I dove to periscope depth. At
19:29 fired 1 torpedo at the Freighter from 700 yds set at 10 feet. It set the
ship on fire and I fired a 2nd torpedo from 740 yds, which sank the
Freighter. Also fired 1 torpedo at the
Supply from 650 yds (DUD). Fired a 2nd from 600 yds and sank the
Supply ship. With the only remaining contact being a ship 13,000 yds to my
south I secured from Battle Stations and commenced reloading all tubes.
RMKS/ 6. Monday 14 June 1943 00:00
had completed reload and recharge and was ready for action.
00:23 SJ Radar picked up contact bearing 014` at 13,500 yds.
Made visual at 00:51 on 1-Akizuki DD bearing 019` at 5,100 yds and I dove to
periscope depth. No further visuals were made and according to radar the
contact passed ahead at about 4,000 yds. I came left at flank speed but a DD
made contact on me and I dove deep to evade. The DD lost me after I went below
the thermal and I escaped with ease. Surfaced at 01:17 to continue patrolling.
RMKS/ 7. SJ contact bearing 338` at
11,100 yds. Made visual 10 minutes later on 1-Asashio DD bearing 287` at 3,000
yds. Moments later dove to periscope depth and spotted a second DD (Shiratsuyu)
on the way down. Suddenly at 02:57 the DD’s began pinging and I suspect it was
due to my high-speed run to get into position that gave me away. A quick check
revealed 1-Armed Merchant bearing 317` at 3,200 yds. With no good shot I headed
deep to evade and passed below the thermal layer at 275 feet. Sonar picked up 3
sets of high-speed screws astern and the single Merchant. Also reported that
the Merchant had reversed its course. I arrived at periscope depth at 04:00 and
spotted the DD 4,700 yds astern and the Merchant at 6,500 yds. Surfaced at
04:15 and went in pursuit but the contacts were moving to fast and pulled away.
I secured trailing and resumed patrolling.
RMKS/ 8. Wednesday 16
June 1943 00:55 SJ Radar made contact bearing 329` at 13,300 yds. Made visual
at 01:18 on 1-Fuso class Battleship bearing 348` at 7,900 yds. Spotted a Mogami
class CA trailing the Carrier and at 01:45 they both turned to 045` at 4,400
yds out. Surfaced at 01:39 to get ahead but at 01:45 was forced back to
periscope depth as the BB group turned and headed my way. Group consisted of
I-BB, 1-CA and 3-DD’s. 01:53 the DD’s apparently picked up my screw noise
because they began pinging and headed right for my position. I crash dove and
got below the thermal layer at 273 feet. The DD’s dropped several depth charges
but none were close. I evaded with ease and at 03:22 lost sonar contact on the
BB group. I eased up to radar depth and watch the trail DD for some time on the
SJ Radar before loosing contact all together. I secured from Battle Stations
and continued patrolling.
RMKS/ 9. Thursday 17
June 1943 05:51 SD Radar picked up an air contact at 17,000 yds and I dove to
radar depth. SD reported 3 aircraft. Apparently they spotted my scope or wake
or something because they came over and dropped 2 bombs almost on top of the
Jack. It started a moderate leak in the Crew Quarters. At 06:06 word reached me
that the Aft Battery was taking water from the Crew Quarters above. At 06:20 the
call I had been expecting came in that Chlorine Gas had been detected in the
flooding Battery compartment. I immediately headed for periscope depth and had
the torpedo’s set for 3 feet in case a DD was nearby. 06:25 spotted 1 DD
bearing 134` at 5,400 yds making 5.6 kts. I set a course straight away from the
DD at full speed. Eased up to radar depth and the SJ Radar reported 1 very
large blip aft at 19,700 yds and opening out. Must have been a BB or CV due to
its size. Finally at 06:34 the air became so foul it was imperative that I
surface the boat and begin venting. I surfaced and brought all four engines
online at flank speed. The DD spotted us and gave chase at once. 06:36 I was
maxed out at 9.75 kts. The DD was making 13.2 and just closed within 6,000 yds.
06:40 the DD was closing steadily now at 12.6 kts and was at 5,517 yds. By
06:47 it had closed to 5,000 yds. With such rough seas I elected not to even
man the deck gun, it would only place the men at risk at this time. 06:58 the DD’s forward guns opened fire and
I had little choice but to go back down. Several of the shells landed close but
didn’t cause any damage. Once at periscope depth I turned 15 degree’s to port
and set for a stern shot. The DD failed to pickup my course change and
thundered by aft in a perfect firing position. At 07:12 fired 1 torpedo from
500 yds. It failed to explode. I fired a 2nd torpedo from 450 and it
to failed to explode. With the DD turning away to the north I fired a 3rd
and my last torpedo at it from 510 yds only to have it fail to detonate. I
continued south as the DD fled to the north. Even though the torpedo’s failed
to detonate I suspect they did cause considerable confusion and hull damage.
At 07:14 the Crew Quarters were repaired
and I headed deep. By 07:19 the Aft Battery had been pumped dry and no more
Chlorine Gas was detected. Lost sonar contact on the DD at 08:31 and arrived
radar depth at 09:03. The DD was not on the radar so I surfaced at 09:07.
RMKS/ 10. SJ Radar
contact bearing 047` at 13,200 yds and I dove to radar depth. At 11:34 lookouts
spotted 1-Armed Merchant, 1-Tanker and 1-Supply ship along with 8 DD’s bearing
0491 at 4,700 yds. Of the 8DD’s 5 were identified as 1-Fubuki, 1-Yagumo,
1-Shiratsuyu, 1-Akizuki and 1-Kagero. Three of them were not identified. At
12:06 fired 1 torpedo at the Tanker from 2,500 yds. It was a DUD torpedo. Fired
2 torpedo’s at the Armed Merchant set for 18 feet and dove deep. Both torpedo’s were heard to hit the ship.
As I was passing 170 feet active sonar found me. I passed below a thermal layer
at 300 feet and leveled off at 360 feet by 12:11. The escorts lost track of me
while I was below the thermal and at 12:30 we could all hear low speed screws
nearby. I arrived back at periscope depth at 12:36 and spotted the Supply ship
bearing 210` at 2,600 yds opening out. The Tanker was at 207` at 7,300 yds
heading south. All the DD’s were astern searching the area for me and the AMC
was not in sight. With no shot evident I continued southwest to clear the area
when suddenly the Tanker turned southwest. The tanker continued turning and was
heading for me allowing a possible firing solution. A check at 13:02 showed the
Tanker coming right at my position. I turned west to get a quartering
shot. At 13:05 fired 1 torpedo from 500
yds and heard a satisfying detonation and watched the ship sink. I went to 345
feet on a southerly course and cleared the area. Lost sonar contact and came to
radar depth at 14:01. No contacts were made but I remained submerged until
surfacing at 15:00.
RMKS/ 11. Friday 18 June
1943 04:10 SJ Radar made contact bearing 296` at 12,400 yds. At 04:30 lookouts
spotted 2 DD’s (1-Fubuki, 1-Shiratsuyu). I dove to periscope depth on a due
south course. 04:56 spotted 2 Carriers (1-Hiyo, 1-Ryujo) bearing 008`at 5,300
yds making 14.6 kts. I was in the perfect firing position and sat idle waiting
for the CV’s to come to me. At 05:05 I fired my last 3 torpedo’s at the near
CVL (Ryujo) from 1,800 yds set for 18 feet. After firing I headed deep. Of the
3 torpedo’s sound reported the first was a DUD but the other 2 detonated on
target. Active sonar found me passing 130 feet and continued to track me until
I passed below a thermal layer at 270 feet upon which time the escorts lost me.
At 05:09 I leveled off at 360 feet heading 137 degree’s and heard 8 depth
charges explode astern. No damage was incurred. I evaded for a while then
headed back to periscope depth to determine what damage was done to the CVL.
Arriving at periscope depth at 05:54 an aircraft was heard to fly over. My periscope
sweep showed no contacts of any kind. Easing up to radar depth the SJ radar
showed contacts bearing from 170-180` at ranges between 9,000 and 10,000 yds. I
sent off a contact report on the Carriers and then went back to 200 feet to
clear the area and avoid any aircraft.
Surfaced at 07:00 and set a course for Pearl
Harbor.
Torpedo Performance:
Hits = 13
Duds = 6
Premature = 4
Miss = 1
CMDR Greg Turner III
USS Jack, SS-259
ComSubRon 4A
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