The unsinkable tanker

Sailor Steve · 07-19-14, 08:42 PM

From real life: USS Whale (SS-239), second war patrol, January 17, 1943, Lt. Cmdr. John B. Azer.

Fired three torpedoes. Three hits. One hit aft of his stack, the second blew wreckage up through forward hold and the third hit aft. Target started turning toward us. Swung hard right and set up for a stern shot.

Fired single stern shot at range of 600 yards. Hit aft. This was a good hit, stopping the target cold. The target was sinking by the stern, taking considerable port list. Took pictures, firmly convinced this was the graveyard of another Japanese ship. Many of the crew had an opportunity to view the sinking ship through the periscope.

Having worked up to windward to observe target better, was astonished to find the fire under control and the list corrected. Water was being pumped over the side through portable hoses. Fired another torpedo from the stern tube, but this missed. Target was dead in the water, shooting wildly with deck guns.

Crew and passengers abandoned ship, although gun crew remained at posts. Target settled about ten feet overall and then maintained its depth. Closed and fired sixth torpedo from bow tubes. This hit aft of superstructure depth.

Target still floating. Fired seventh torpedo from bow tubes. This hit with terrific concussion, but did not change trim or draft appreciably. Fired eighth torpedo from stern tubes. This was heard to hit, but very little concussion was felt.

Getting dark. Target sinking slowly on an even keel, but still looks salvageable. There was no sign of life aboard, although it was believed gun crews had not yet abandoned ship. Wishing to dispose of it before arrival of planes or rescue ships, fired ninth torpedo. This hit right under stack and the explosion ripped away both sides of vessel about ten feet below the main deck.

Target now settled more rapidly, the main deck being a few feet from wash condition at last observation. This vessel had absorbed seven and possibly eight torpedo hits. The cargo must have been of such nature as to prevent her from sinking more rapidly. Target was identified as the Heiyou Maru, 9,815 tons.

On retiring we found ourselves in the midst of eight boats full of survivors, approximately fifty men to each boat. These men were dressed in both white and blue uniforms. One boat was passed close aboard, and survivors made ready to hit the periscope with their oars.

Von Tonner · 07-20-14, 04:46 AM

Thanks for that Sailor Steve. I love reading true excerpts from submarine patrols. When one does one finds that many issues one has with the game truly happened. Be it a coastal freighter not sinking after one torp to a tanker not sinking after 10. All of these scenarios can occur in the game as they truly happened to real captains during the war - and for me ads a huge realism factor to the game as nothing can be taken as a given.

Pisces · 07-20-14, 05:52 AM

Did you hit the same spot each time? Was the periscope locked at the time of firing? Or did you try to hit different parts on the hull?

Deckgun should have atleast done some flooding if you aimed at different places below the waterline. (in GWX)

banryu79 · 07-21-14, 02:17 AM

Most impressive!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailor Steve

On retiring we found ourselves in the midst of eight boats full of survivors, approximately fifty men to each boat. These men were dressed in both white and blue uniforms. One boat was passed close aboard, and survivors made ready to hit the periscope with their oars.

I want oars hit on the scope from survivors modeled in the game!

maillemaker · 07-21-14, 08:26 AM

Quote:

I want oars hit on the scope from survivors modeled in the game!

I've been tempted to go find the sound file that plays "Help!" for the lifeboats and replace it with, "German scum! Up yours! Screw you!" etc. etc.

Steve

Kaptlt.Endrass · 07-22-14, 12:33 AM

I'm playing GWX Gold with SH3 Commander, nothing else.

The torpedoes were almost all TIIs, with one or two TIs.

Bernard does happen to be on my boat, but as a spare man for repair/flak/deck gun business.

@Pisces: The shots were nearly all consistent with each other in terms of impact location. The first salvo after surfacing, however, was aimed at the fuel bunkers and engine rooms.

07-19-14, 08:42 PM	#1
Sailor Steve Eternal Patrol Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: High in the mountains of Utah Posts: 50,369 Downloads: 745 Uploads: 249	From real life: USS Whale (SS-239), second war patrol, January 17, 1943, Lt. Cmdr. John B. Azer. Fired three torpedoes. Three hits. One hit aft of his stack, the second blew wreckage up through forward hold and the third hit aft. Target started turning toward us. Swung hard right and set up for a stern shot. Fired single stern shot at range of 600 yards. Hit aft. This was a good hit, stopping the target cold. The target was sinking by the stern, taking considerable port list. Took pictures, firmly convinced this was the graveyard of another Japanese ship. Many of the crew had an opportunity to view the sinking ship through the periscope. Having worked up to windward to observe target better, was astonished to find the fire under control and the list corrected. Water was being pumped over the side through portable hoses. Fired another torpedo from the stern tube, but this missed. Target was dead in the water, shooting wildly with deck guns. Crew and passengers abandoned ship, although gun crew remained at posts. Target settled about ten feet overall and then maintained its depth. Closed and fired sixth torpedo from bow tubes. This hit aft of superstructure depth. Target still floating. Fired seventh torpedo from bow tubes. This hit with terrific concussion, but did not change trim or draft appreciably. Fired eighth torpedo from stern tubes. This was heard to hit, but very little concussion was felt. Getting dark. Target sinking slowly on an even keel, but still looks salvageable. There was no sign of life aboard, although it was believed gun crews had not yet abandoned ship. Wishing to dispose of it before arrival of planes or rescue ships, fired ninth torpedo. This hit right under stack and the explosion ripped away both sides of vessel about ten feet below the main deck. Target now settled more rapidly, the main deck being a few feet from wash condition at last observation. This vessel had absorbed seven and possibly eight torpedo hits. The cargo must have been of such nature as to prevent her from sinking more rapidly. Target was identified as the Heiyou Maru, 9,815 tons. On retiring we found ourselves in the midst of eight boats full of survivors, approximately fifty men to each boat. These men were dressed in both white and blue uniforms. One boat was passed close aboard, and survivors made ready to hit the periscope with their oars. __________________ “Never do anything you can't take back.” —Rocky Russo

07-22-14, 12:33 AM	#6
Kaptlt.Endrass Sonar Guy Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: No Longer On A Big Grey Floaty Thing Posts: 395 Downloads: 116 Uploads: 0	I'm playing GWX Gold with SH3 Commander, nothing else. The torpedoes were almost all TIIs, with one or two TIs. Bernard does happen to be on my boat, but as a spare man for repair/flak/deck gun business. @Pisces: The shots were nearly all consistent with each other in terms of impact location. The first salvo after surfacing, however, was aimed at the fuel bunkers and engine rooms. __________________ "That flag and I are twins, born in the same hour from the same womb of destiny. We cannot be parted in life or in death; so long as we float, we shall float together." As much as I dislike it sometimes, I'm a tin can sailor, through and through.

07-20-14, 04:46 AM	#2
Von Tonner Seasoned Skipper Join Date: May 2005 Location: South Africa Posts: 711 Downloads: 44 Uploads: 0	Thanks for that Sailor Steve. I love reading true excerpts from submarine patrols. When one does one finds that many issues one has with the game truly happened. Be it a coastal freighter not sinking after one torp to a tanker not sinking after 10. All of these scenarios can occur in the game as they truly happened to real captains during the war - and for me ads a huge realism factor to the game as nothing can be taken as a given.

07-20-14, 05:52 AM	#3
Pisces Silent Hunter Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: AN9771 Posts: 4,904 Downloads: 304 Uploads: 0	Did you hit the same spot each time? Was the periscope locked at the time of firing? Or did you try to hit different parts on the hull? Deckgun should have atleast done some flooding if you aimed at different places below the waterline. (in GWX)