Well, this sucks.

Bubblehead1980 · 09-25-10, 05:37 PM

TMO 2.0 RSRD Second Patrol of USS Skate(Balao) March 1944.First Patrol from Jan 1944-Feb 1944 in the Truk-Japan shipping lanes netted five large ships down and a Navy Cross upon return.

Second patrol , assigned to recon Mariana Islands in support of upcoming operations.While closing the islands to prepare for submerged approach and dawn photo shoot, radar made contact with a convoy approaching Saipan, most likely from Truk.I decided a night surface attack and then a high speed run to photo Guam, then Saipan last since area would be stirred up.Moved in a perfectly executed night surface attack setup, moonlight and phosporesence was more than wouldve liked but a safe shoot from 3000-3500 yards for most part, esp since convoy was four ships(two mid sized merchants and two small) with one Type A/B coastal defense vessel.I fired two Mark 14s's each for the two medium and two to the closest small merchant at 3400 yards.Due to heavy seas, I did not see a Mark 14(number 2 fired) had made a circle run, this forced me to go ahead emergency and order port full rudder, unfortunately the torpedo nailed my sub aft in a violent explosion, which alerted the targets and their escort, which began a dash towards me firing its deck gun.

My stern quickly filled with water and ship began to take an angle, we had 90 percent hull damage, diesels destroyed, aft batteries destroyed, multiple crew KIA, fuel leaking.as went down tried to level ship outand managed to do so somewhat.The escort was closing in according to sonar but no pinging.As the escort neared, we had splashes, depth charges! Seconds later while at 120 feet nad still sinking...violent close explosions, hull failure, water flooding in, it was all over.

This sucks! I had a good career going here but it happens.

Whats up with no pinging from the Type A/B's no active sonar in March 1944??

09-25-10, 05:37 PM	#1
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,107 Downloads: 605 Uploads: 44	Well, this sucks. TMO 2.0 RSRD Second Patrol of USS Skate(Balao) March 1944.First Patrol from Jan 1944-Feb 1944 in the Truk-Japan shipping lanes netted five large ships down and a Navy Cross upon return. Second patrol , assigned to recon Mariana Islands in support of upcoming operations.While closing the islands to prepare for submerged approach and dawn photo shoot, radar made contact with a convoy approaching Saipan, most likely from Truk.I decided a night surface attack and then a high speed run to photo Guam, then Saipan last since area would be stirred up.Moved in a perfectly executed night surface attack setup, moonlight and phosporesence was more than wouldve liked but a safe shoot from 3000-3500 yards for most part, esp since convoy was four ships(two mid sized merchants and two small) with one Type A/B coastal defense vessel.I fired two Mark 14s's each for the two medium and two to the closest small merchant at 3400 yards.Due to heavy seas, I did not see a Mark 14(number 2 fired) had made a circle run, this forced me to go ahead emergency and order port full rudder, unfortunately the torpedo nailed my sub aft in a violent explosion, which alerted the targets and their escort, which began a dash towards me firing its deck gun. My stern quickly filled with water and ship began to take an angle, we had 90 percent hull damage, diesels destroyed, aft batteries destroyed, multiple crew KIA, fuel leaking.as went down tried to level ship outand managed to do so somewhat.The escort was closing in according to sonar but no pinging.As the escort neared, we had splashes, depth charges! Seconds later while at 120 feet nad still sinking...violent close explosions, hull failure, water flooding in, it was all over. This sucks! I had a good career going here but it happens. Whats up with no pinging from the Type A/B's no active sonar in March 1944??