nfitzsimmons
03-18-08, 09:26 AM
08:30
Range to target course intercept 2,000 yds. Lost contact with remaining escort. Targets have reduced speed. Estimate 7 kts.
08:35 Lost contact with second target in port column. Seas increasing. Ordered new depth 55 ft.
08:40
Only three sonar contact, bearing 041. Estimated range to lead target 13,000 yds.
08:45
Conning tower exposed intermittently even at current depth. Periscope frequently awash as well. Visibility very poor.
09:00
Range to target course intercept 1,200 yds. Estimated range to lead target 9,000 yds.
09:10
Reduced speed to 3 kts. Range to target course intercept 600 yds.
09:12
Targets have changed course to west and increased speed.
09:20
New course plotted for convoy, 155. New speed estimated at 10 kts. Have ordered flank speed, no course change. Estimated range to new target course intercept is now 3,900 yds.
09:30
Seas beginning to decrease. Ordered new depth of 38 ft to obtain new radar plot.
09:40
Radar shows only three contacts; sonar confirms all are merchants. Suspect that the typhoon winds and seas have damaged or sunk the remaining ships in the convoy.
09:50
Range to target course intercept now 1,000 yds. Reduced speed to 2 kts. Range to lead target 3,200 yds. Good contact tracking on sonar.
10:00
Targets same course and speed. Seas still decreasing. Visibility still poor, estimate 1,000 yds.
10:05
Lead target visible. Large modern composite freighter. Set torpedo depth to 10 ft for tubes 1-3. Range to target 950 yds. Target has slowed. New speed 7 kts. Ordered new speed 1 kt.
10:07
Range to target 700 yds. AOB 85 degrees. Fired Mark 14’s in tubes 1-3, spread angle 2 degrees.
10:08
Three hits, evenly spaced. All torpedoes exploded. Target burning.
10:10
Tracking second target. Also a large modern composite freighter. Range 1,300 yds, speed 7 kts. AOB 55 degrees port.
10:12
First target burning heavily, bow is under water, screws exposed.
10:13
Range to second target 800 yds, AOB 85 degrees. Fired Mark 14’s in tubes 4-6, same settings.
10:14
Two hits forward, one miss.
Range to target course intercept 2,000 yds. Lost contact with remaining escort. Targets have reduced speed. Estimate 7 kts.
08:35 Lost contact with second target in port column. Seas increasing. Ordered new depth 55 ft.
08:40
Only three sonar contact, bearing 041. Estimated range to lead target 13,000 yds.
08:45
Conning tower exposed intermittently even at current depth. Periscope frequently awash as well. Visibility very poor.
09:00
Range to target course intercept 1,200 yds. Estimated range to lead target 9,000 yds.
09:10
Reduced speed to 3 kts. Range to target course intercept 600 yds.
09:12
Targets have changed course to west and increased speed.
09:20
New course plotted for convoy, 155. New speed estimated at 10 kts. Have ordered flank speed, no course change. Estimated range to new target course intercept is now 3,900 yds.
09:30
Seas beginning to decrease. Ordered new depth of 38 ft to obtain new radar plot.
09:40
Radar shows only three contacts; sonar confirms all are merchants. Suspect that the typhoon winds and seas have damaged or sunk the remaining ships in the convoy.
09:50
Range to target course intercept now 1,000 yds. Reduced speed to 2 kts. Range to lead target 3,200 yds. Good contact tracking on sonar.
10:00
Targets same course and speed. Seas still decreasing. Visibility still poor, estimate 1,000 yds.
10:05
Lead target visible. Large modern composite freighter. Set torpedo depth to 10 ft for tubes 1-3. Range to target 950 yds. Target has slowed. New speed 7 kts. Ordered new speed 1 kt.
10:07
Range to target 700 yds. AOB 85 degrees. Fired Mark 14’s in tubes 1-3, spread angle 2 degrees.
10:08
Three hits, evenly spaced. All torpedoes exploded. Target burning.
10:10
Tracking second target. Also a large modern composite freighter. Range 1,300 yds, speed 7 kts. AOB 55 degrees port.
10:12
First target burning heavily, bow is under water, screws exposed.
10:13
Range to second target 800 yds, AOB 85 degrees. Fired Mark 14’s in tubes 4-6, same settings.
10:14
Two hits forward, one miss.