USS Growler, the rest of the story

[Ducimus]

I'm sure everyone's heard about the USS growler, and Howard W. Gilmore's command of "Taker her down" that would become immortal in US submarine circles.

A quick recap:
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http://www.ducimus.net/sh415/pto/takeherdown_02.jpg
On 7 February USS Growler ( Howard W. Gilmore commanding) stealthily approached a gunboat for a night surface attack. The small fast ship suddenly turned to ram. Unable to avoid the collision, Gilmore ordered left full rudder and all ahead flank, and rammed the enemy amidships at 17 knots.

As machine gun fire raked them at point-blank range, Commander Gilmore ordered the bridge cleared. As the commanding officer, Gilmore was the last to leave the bridge, and was grievously wounded before he could get below. Realizing that he was jeopardizing his boat's escape, he ordered "Take her down!" and shut the hatch, remaining on the bridge while his boat dived.
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Here's the rest of the story of the USS Growler as told through a damage report:
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/WDR/WDR58/WDR58-13.html

Some pictures from this report:
http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/WDR/WDR58/img/WDR58-13-4.jpg

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/rep/WDR/WDR58/img/WDR58-13-5.jpg

[Admiral8Q]

I remember that picture back in school a book in the library when I got "Detention" lol:haha:

[Sledgehammer427]

When I got my 1/72nd scale Gato model, I had a hard time deciding on which boat to make (they didn't provide a full set of numbers, kind of stupid) Then I noticed they had the Growler in there and I applied the proper decals immediately. It's proudly on display, and everyone who even glances at the model gets to hear the story. It's quite a tale, thanks for the link Ducimus!

[Armistead]

Read most of it...Did they sink the ship they rammed...didn't see the info.

[JREX53]

Read most of it...Did they sink the ship they rammed...didn't see the info.

Did you read the following areas of the report:


13-1. On 7 February 1943, while on her fourth war patrol, Growler underwent the unique experience of ramming and possibly sinking a large enemy patrol frigate. Damage to Growler due to the collision and subsequent close quarter enemy machine gun fire was not sufficiently serious to prevent her from making a submerged escape and returning to base in a seaworthy condition. This report is based on the information contained in the references and on interviews with various officers attached to Growler. The Photographs were furnished by Commander Submarine Squadron Eight.

and:

13-12. At 0145, the JK-QC sound gear, which had been temporarily deranged (reason not reported), was placed back in commission. However, no contact could be established with the Japanese patrol vessel. Since the light hull of the enemy ship must have been opened to the sea over a considerable area as a result of being rammed by Growler, it is quite possible that she might either have sunk or become completely immobilized by this time due to progressive flooding.

[Armistead]

That's possibly or maybe, didn't know if Japan stated the ship had actually been lost. I think in the book it wasn't listed as lost, just didn't know if the link had more info...as stated I didn't read the entire link.

[Jan Kyster]

Growler, some images here too: http://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=1343709&postcount=724

...but reason for posting is the book I got in the mail today, "The Last Patrol".

Here's what it says about Growler:

Growler limped back into Brisbane on 17 February. Got a new bow, forward fairwater cutted down with addition of 20mm gun. Deck gun moved forward and another 20mm gun put in its place. Ready for action again 5 May 1943.

For the tenth war patrol Growler was lead submarine in a wolf-pack with Sealion and Pampanito in Formosa Strait. On 12 September the group attacked a convoy and Growler sank the 870 ton frigate Hirado and the 1950-ton destroyer Shikinami. Three days later the subs passed the area of the attack again and they found men clinging to rafts and floating debris, but the voices they heard were english. They were prisoners of war onboard the sunken convoy ships, other subs were called in to assist and 159 allied prisoners were rescued.

On the eleventh patrol Growler was accompanied by Hake and Hardhead, early in the morning of 8 November Growler made contact with a small convoy. Hake and Hardhead both reported that while the attack was taking place, they heard what sounded like a torpedo explosion followed by a number of depth-charges. Whatever they were, Growler was never heard from again and although Japanese records show some anti-submarine activity at that time, no claims were made. Could the torpedo explosion have been yet another circulat run? Nobody will ever know.

Source: The Last Patrol by Harry Holmes. ISBN-1-85310-414-0

[WarlordATF]

That story is a classic, Captain Gilmore is a true hero for putting his boat and crews lives ahead of his own. I can't imagine the courage he had when he gave the order to take her down. Granted, he knew he was wounded pretty bad, but its still a great man who could do that.

Sadly, there are probably many more stories of such bravery that will never be told because the boat didn't make it back. Its heartbreaking to think of how many crews will be on eternal patrol in service to the United States. What makes it even worse is how little is taught of these great men in schools. I didn't learn much of anything about the Silent Service until i became interested in sub sims.

Parents today are always complaining about how the so called role models for children are always screwing up and letting them down. Maybe they should encourage their children to look up to real role models who gave everything (and still do so today!) so they could have the life we have today.

[Rockin Robbins]

A large part of the reason U-Boats are more popular world-wide than fleet boats is the total secrecy that accompanied the US submarine effort and the fact that the stories only came out piecemeal 10 or more years later.

The US Navy made a conscious choice between fame and victory, inspired by the fatal mistakes of Germany.

[Fish40]

quote: Parents today are always complaining about how the so called role models for children are always screwing up and letting them down. Maybe they should encourage their children to look up to real role models who gave everything (and still do so today!) so they could have the life we have today.




I couldn't agree more my friend!:up:

[razark]

Parents today are always complaining about how the so called role models for children are always screwing up and letting them down. Maybe they should encourage their children to look up to real role models who gave everything (and still do so today!) so they could have the life we have today.

But then the parents wouldn't have anyone to blame except themselves when the kids start acting crazy.

Back on topic:
I've seen the pics of the bent bow, but I hadn't seen the holes in the fairwater before. Wow.

[Rockin Robbins]

That was one beat up submarine!

[nikimcbee]

This story was my first interduction to US subs. One of my favorite sub stories.

But on a side note, I read in the Pampanito book, that the Growler story was totally inflated by the Navy. (similar to that US soldier chick that was captured by the Iraqis that went out in blazing glory. Jessica Lynch?)

Basically what the book was saying that Gilmore was killed outright and never said: "take her down." The Navy made that part up. When I get off work, I'll look it up again.
That struck me as funny, because the book just casually mentions it. And I had never heard such a thing or assertion.

:hmmm: