What are the Top Ten Sinkings in WW2 by a Sub?

[Mush Martin]

124 had a good career and that is quite a shot.

do you know of a detailed account I couldnt find
a description of the shot on Uboatnet?

I wonder what the longest sub on ship shot was

assumably Japanese.

[leeclose]

5 mins i reckon 8 to 9000 meteres maybe more wowo what a shot like shooting a small flying insects whotsits off at 500 meters while blindfolded Oh and mush check here mate http://www.hmsdunedin.co.uk/

[CCIP]

Yep, right there on the Dunedin page we have the account!

On the afternoon of the same day, U-124, commanded by Jochen Mohr, was on its way to rendezvous with Python. Near St Paul’s Rocks, 900 miles west of Freetown, just south of the Equator, Mohr sighted Dunedin to his north east sailing a north west course. He therefore hauled out to the west to lie in wait for Dunedin. But Dunedin’s lookout spotted U-124’s periscope around 12.50pm and the Captain changed course to set off in pursuit. But because of U-124’s change of course west, Dunedin was now unwittingly pulling away from U-124. When Mohr surfaced again he saw Dunedin disappearing into the distance, at least 4,000 yards away. He nevertheless fired three torpedoes. Incredibly, from this distance, two were on target even though Dunedin was steaming 17 knots, and was under constant wheel.

The two torpedoes hit within seconds of each other, at around 1326 GMT, the first striking amidships, wrecking the main wireless office, the second further aft, probably near the officers’ quarters. The first hit sent the ship lurching to starboard, the second caused even greater damage dismounting the after 6in gun, and blowing off the starboard screw. Immediately men began to abandon ship, jumping over the side to the Carley floats and any available debris. Dunedin turned on her beam ends and sank in about seventeen minutes. According to U-124’s war diary, Mohr moved in before Dunedin sank and fired a fourth torpedo, but missed.

[Mush Martin]

certainly was a good shot.

I wonder what the Japanese didtance record is.
ill ask on sh4 and see if we can find out.

MM

[scrag]

Here is a copy of the actual report - Archerfish intercepted and sank the CV as it was transfering from Yokosuka to Kure for fitting out. The ship actually sank a bit later as the fires continued to burn and the explosive fumes from the bunker oil had built up in lower spaces - this combined with no water tight doors and a small crew led to the ships utlimate demise.
Also notice that Archerfish thought the ship was a different class and was credited initially with the smaller tonnage.
SS311/A16
Serial (013-44)
CONFIDENTIAL

Subject: U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH(SS311) - REPORT OF FIFTH WAR PATROL
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

(H) ATTACK DATA

U.S.S. ARCHER-FISH TORPEDO ATTACK No. 1 PATROL No. 5

Time: 0317 Date: 11-29-44 Lat. 32 N. Long. 137 E.

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

Description: A task group of one large aircraft carrier and four
destroyers was detected by radar at 24,700 yards. The
sky was overcast with a bright moon undermeath giving
a visibility of about 15,000 yards. Tracking was accomp-
lished on the surface and a submerged attack was on
the carrier, Hayataka or Taiho class "EC".

Ship Sunk: One large aircraft carrier similar to the Hayataka class
tonnage approximately 28,000.

Damage Determined by:
Six torpedoes were fired from the bow nest. The first
hit was heard and observed just inside the carrier's stern.
Second hit was heard and observed about 50 yards forward of
the first. Four more properly timed hits were heard while
we were going to deep submergence to evade the escorts.
Breaking up noises started immediately and continued for
47 minutes. Credit is claimed for a sinking because of the
following items:
(a) Six certain hits (2 observed)
(b) Heavy screws stopped and did not restart.
(c) Loud breaking up noises for 47 minutes.
(d) Escorts gave us slight attention and closed
carrier, probably picking up survivors.

Target draft - 30 feet Course - 198 Speed - 18 Range - 1400

OWN SHIP DATA

Speed - 3.5 Course 092 Depth 65' Angle 1° up

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

Type Attack: This attack was a combined surface and submerged attack
in that the approach phase was made on the surface while
the attack phase was made submerged. During the five
hour tracking period both plot and the TDC were manned
continually, giving excellent results. The data computed
by plot of the enemy's base course was very valuable in
aiding the "end around". The SJ radar was used both for
tracking the target and detection; making a full 360°
sweep on the 8000 yard and 40,000 yard scale once every
three minutes. The "PPI" scope on the radar was used to

-18- Enclosure (A)

[scrag]

I also am posting an account of the attack on the USS WASP by the I-19.
Certain demonstraits that the I boats were very capable of inflicting damage and this is probably one of the better examples for the IJN. Most notorious would have been the sinking of the Cruiser Indianapolis. Of note the use of Type-95 Torps - the fabled "Long Lance" was a Destroyer and Cruiser weapon only - NO IJN Submarines carried 61cm (24 inch) tubes. They carried only 53 CM (21 inch) tubes.
Table Courtesy of

http://www.combinedfleet.com/torps.htm

[yobert]

Sinking of Ark royal must be in top ten?

http://http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/HMS_Ark_Royal_%2891%29

[leeclose]

I would say so but what makes it one of the top ten for you give us your reason why and where and how and etc

[CCIP]

Originally Posted by leeclose

I would say so but what makes it one of the top ten for you give us your reason why and where and how and etc

I say it definitely qualifies! A carrier sunk with just one torpedo, and just 25 miles off Gibraltar at that. Although I think the structural weaknesses of the ship certainly had a role to play there, it was still a superb shot I imagine. And not in the safest waters either...

[leeclose]

I would say literally a 1 in a million shot i mean 1 torp how lucky was that sub skipper wish it would happen in SH3

[Iron Budokan]

I would put the sinking of the Indianapolis in the top ten. While the Japanese submarine didn't get to her before she delivered the Bomb, the horror in the water that ensued after her sinking can never be forgotten....

Definitely one of the "top ten" I'd say....

[azn_132]

Originally Posted by Iron Budokan

I would put the sinking of the Indianapolis in the top ten. While the Japanese submarine didn't get to her before she delivered the Bomb, the horror in the water that ensued after her sinking can never be forgotten....

Definitely one of the "top ten" I'd say....

U mean the Indy's crew gettin eatin by sharks?

[Mush Martin]

its nice to see a little action here while I was gone.

I thought this would be a good thread idea.

agree on archerfish not only for the terrible weather conditions
the shot was made in
but also because archerfish's intercept was a directed intercept
with a small window of opportunity in very poor conditions.

That they were able to even take the shot was an amazing accomplishment
of organizational teamwork. never mind the hit or the immense size and potential value of the target.

Ark royal would be a valid contender Gibralter area is clearly
hostile waters actively patrolled.

Many internal factors contributed to many sinkings.

what about Taiho?

Now this further raises a point most of us so far have
tended to go with size matters.

but what makes a good attack
dash
elan
planning
Persistence
positioning
execution
tactical effect
Strategic effect
efficiency
cost

did I miss any there?

the point is that the mini sub attacks should be under review
as well as attacks on other units even merchies.

in the catagories above the term "Strategic effect" refers to
the type of stuff achieved by say Von Spee's far eastern squadron
in ww1 where the small number of ships effected traffic on the
entire eastern and western pacific and just the single raider
Emden herself affected traffic for the better part of several
months on the entire indian ocean
these effects are all out of proportion of the number of ships
and combat power of von spee's squadron

so the candidate attacks dont have to be about the most tonnage
though the tonnage is a factor.

I like red rammages attacks.
or
howard gilmour
the determination in attack by guys like
Dealey or Morton.

what about Dick Okane he must have something worthy
in his full bag?

never mind that we have British Italian Japanese German American
Dutch and many other possibles.

this thing should scrutinize the validity of the attack.

Priens attack on Royal Oak will Make it for certain
on the above criterion Im sure hell score very high
but where he lands in the voting that follows the
accumulation of this list remains to be seen.



cost

[Mush Martin]

15 September 1942:
At 0950, while running submerged, the sound operator reports a contact with many heavy screws at 12-18S, 164-15E. Kinashi orders I-19 to periscope depth. He makes a sweep with his 'scope but no ships are in sight. 250 miles SE of Guadalcanal. Captain (later Admiral) Forrest P. Sherman's USS WASP and Captain Charles P. Mason's (later Rear Admiral) HORNET (CV-8) are escorting a reinforcement convoy of six transports carrying the 7th Marine Regiment from Espiritu Santo to reinforce Guadalcanal. The carriers are steaming in sight of each other about 8 miles apart. Each carrier forms the nucleus of a task force. Captain George H. Fort's (later Rear Admiral) battleship USS NORTH CAROLINA (BB-55) is with the HORNET task force to the NE of the WASP force. At 1050, Kinashi raises his periscope again. This time he sees a carrier, a heavy cruiser and several destroyers (Rear Admiral Leigh Noyes' Task Force 18) bearing 045T at 9 miles. Kinashi estimates the task force's course at 330 and begins a slow approach. The Americans, zigzagging at 16 knots, change course to WNW. Then at 1120, the target group again changes course -this time to SSE. The WASP makes a slow left turn into the wind to launch and recover her aircraft - and heads toward the I-19. Kinashi estimates that his target is on course 130 degrees making 12 knots. At 1145, from 50 degrees starboard, he fires a spread of six Type 95 oxygen-propelled torpedoes at the enemy carrier from 985 yards. Two or possibly three hit the WASP and start an uncontrollable fire. The HORNET force continues a right turn to a 280 degree base course. Suddenly, an alarm is heard the tactical radio speakers from the USS LANSDOWNE (DD-486) in the WASP's screen "... torpedo headed for formation, course 080!" At 1152, a torpedo from the I-19's salvo hits the NORTH CAROLINA in her port bow abreast of her forward main battery turret.*** The blast holes the side protection below the armor belt and the NORTH CAROLINA takes on a thousand tons of water. She takes on a five-degree list but counter flooding quickly levels her and she makes 25 knots. At 1154, a torpedo hits the destroyer O'BRIEN's (DD-415) port quarter**** and another just misses the HORNET. The I-19 dives to 265 feet under the carrier's wake. The first depth charge explodes six minutes after the last torpedo hit. Soon the depth charges were exploding all around. American destroyers try to surround the I-19 to attack together and finish her off. They rain down 30 depth charges. At noon, the WASP's avgas tanks explode. At 1515, two cruisers and destroyers abandon the WASP and withdraw to the south. At 1520, Captain Sherman orders "Abandon Ship". The carrier is scuttled by five torpedoes from the LANSDOWNE and sinks by the bow at about 2100. The WASP suffers 193 killed and 367 wounded. 25 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk.

[edit] if you look closely at this report the hit on North carolina and the dd were in a different group
than wasp the range isnt given and the times arent quite clear in this acct but it seems to have
been a very long shot and a very good yield. Albeit North Carolina and Obrien were Collateral damage

[CCIP]

Very nice attack - though as far as the sinking itself (the only one that could be credited here), you have to agree: anyone who missed an aircraft carrier with a 6-torpedo spread from 985 yards would probably have to commit seppuku then and there