Successful cruise of St. George's canal

[GoldenRivet]

Just started a new career from 41 onward... had a successful patrol through the St. Georges Canal. thought i would share.

Lots of military traffic cruising at low speed through there, also just about every single merchant in the world that imports into the Island Nation has to pass through some part of that area either from the north or the south.

Patrol Log

22 October 1941

2310 hours [BF21] - encountered 1300 ton canadian C&D class destroyer, torpedoed, broke her back; observed deflagration followed by giant fireball. likely struck the magazine, doubtful that distress call was sent as an explosion of that magnitude likely killed or disabled everyone onboard.

23 October 1941

1245 hours [AM97] - Watch sighted smoke on the horizon, dove. Sound contact with two merchants closing. approximated their course. Identified as 11,700 ton whale factory ship and 4,000 ton small tanker. Whale factory ship observed to be armed. Sent a spread at the whale factory ship, sank slowly, surfaced and chased the tanker, shelled with deck gun, appeared to be S.S. Calamus; dove to evade aircraft and sinking sounds/ explosions heard on tankers last known position.

24 October 1941

1807 hours [AM94] - Sighted slow moving armed trawler, sank same, one torpedo expended. 540 tons estimated

25 October 1941

1153 hours [AM95] - Intercepted a sound contact, Sighted lone 1900 ton tramp steamer moving at high speed, oppeared to be armed. Sank same, one torpedo expended.

26 October 1941

0842 hours [AM68] - sighted 1300 ton Armed Trawler escorting a single 5300 ton Medium cargo ship. Sent salvo at both, torpedos struck targets within seconds of one another. Medium cargo ship cracked in half and sank fast. proceeding north.

2232 hours [AM68] - Sighted Destroyer, fired salvo of two eels, suspect both to have missed as destroyer changed course after some time.

27 October 1941

1312 hours [AM65] - Convoy sighted, low on torpedoes, fired final salvo of 2 steamers at 14,800 ton tanker at long range. direct hits, second shot split her in half, very large fire observed, suspect she was loaded with fuel oil or aviation grade gasoline. now proceeding northwest.

1709 hours [AM65] - Watch sighted mast on horizon on a 290 bearing... appears stationary. closed into periscope visual range, observed to be 11,900 ton modern medium tanker. sitting stationary, appears damaged astern. Aft section low in the water. Surfaced and engaged with deck gun. Large explosion and fire observed after 21 rounds expended at 2200 meter range. Observed sinkings. returning to base by way of atlantic passage - St. Georges deemed to risky given our lack of torpedos.

PATROL RESULTS
CREW LOSSES: 0
SHIPS SUNK: 9
TOTAL PATROL TONAGE: 52,969

[Umfuld]

Very nice!


Inspired by your encounter with a Canadian destroyer I went across the pond to find some great targets. I'll leave St. George's to you.

[GoldenRivet]

not many patrols see some kind of action every day like that.

Beware though, several of the deeper areas of the St. Georges canal are still under 100 meters deep though some abyssal areas can be found. plot your course so that it runs from dark spot to dark spot on the map.

[rb4door]

you're brave - I wont normally venture too far into the canal as its just too shallow for my liking.

Any Destroyer picking you up makes life very painful in that region of the theatre.

[GoldenRivet]

you're very right. i wouldnt venture in there after the turn of 1942... surely not after late 42 early 43.

I did go around in circles with a persistant flower corvette for about 2 and a half hours in 100 meter deep water, i managed to loose him though and i suffered only light damage during the depth charge attacks.

[Jimbuna]

A nice style to report writing....I like

[TarJak]

Fair play to you! I like the report too.

[Brag]

Good patrol report, but shallow water gives me the creeps.

[nikbear]

Have to agree with everybody's sentiments there,well written report and damn good patrol,unkle karl would be proud

[Iron Budokan]

After installing GWX I'm too chicken to venture into shallow water....

[GoldenRivet]

Originally Posted by Iron Budokan

After installing GWX I'm too chicken to venture into shallow water....

St. Georges isnt so bad... its over 180 meters in some areas, you just have to plan your route to pass from deep area to deep area on the map... dont shoot at every escort you come across and things will be fine... when i sank the tanker in that convoy the water was only 120 meters deep IIRC... but i took a long shot at her and turned to escape as soon as the shots left the tubes. the escorts never came close.

as i also mentioned this patrol took place in 1941. as late as i would dare commit to such an undertaking as the St. Georges canal.

play your cards right and you will see action every day there.