Story of the USS Grunion SS-216...

[les green01]

they would been figure out how much water to take to cover the loss weight of the fish before they even fire did they take on too much not enough maybe circuliar run maybe there a reason why sonar is telling you fish running hot straight and normal a 3 inch shell not going cause that much disturbance and you got one eye witness account the police will tell you when checking a crime out everyone see's things differnt that why they get several witness version then piece it together then we got to take consideration the damage done when reach crush dept did a crew member make a mistake possible subs are dangerous to begin with that why they repeat things and say things a cerrtian way and why they are cross train we can play armchair commanders all day long but only way we would know be build a time machine go back to that time get on the boat and get back off before death struck let face never going know just a unlucky crew unlucky boat 51 other unlucky boats war is just a matter of luck you lucky you survive unlucky you dont

[On The Bottom]

There were actually two witnesses on the Kano Maru and their accounts are quite similar regarding the attack. I understand what you are saying and agree whole heartedly. However, the problem with history is that it is what it is and we must make the best of what we are given. In the end the captain's sons are correct. If the torpedoes had performed "as advertised" the Grunion would not have been lost. Experience being a factor, O'Kane, on the Tang, had his diving officer assume a bow down attitude before firing from the forward tubes. This is mentioned in his book Clear the Bridge. The Bottom line is that if the Grunion's crew had a properly functioning weapon they and their boat probably would have survived the patrol to fight again.

Thanks Admiral Christie

[les green01]

that the biggest crime sending the boats and men out with faulty weapons navord and i mean everyone in navord should been sent out tie too the fish or line up against the wall and shot or tie face down on a ant hill

[On The Bottom]

The Germans had similar problems with their fish at the beginning of the war. Donitz got it sorted out in short order. The person who was Admiral Christie's counterpart was summarily executed for treason.

[propbeanie]

Originally Posted by les green01

that the biggest crime sending the boats and men out with faulty weapons navord and i mean everyone in navord should been sent out tie too the fish or line up against the wall and shot or tie face down on a ant hill

Originally Posted by On The Bottom

The Germans had similar problems with their fish at the beginning of the war. Donitz got it sorted out in short order. The person who was Admiral Christie's counterpart was summarily executed for treason.

There's the problem with that... he was executed. No one actually responsible was held accountable in Germany nor the US. The problem with the torps when you come down to it, was a failure to test the pistol prior to sending it out to the field. The US shot two land-based Mark 14s at a stationary hulk. One went under, one exploded. Therefore, they claimed it a success. That's what the US went to war with, a 50-50 chance - at best - that the torpedoes would properly detonate. However, they never tested the impact pin, and they never tested the magnetic in any other place in the world. Did anyone in BuOrd understand the earth and its magnetic fields? Apparently not. Who knows how many skippers were removed from submarines 100% because of their torpedoes? From what I've read, probably over half of the ones that were relieved of command. How many people in the US government and the US Department of the Navy were relieved of their jobs? None... Same in Germany, other than they were more harsh apparently with the ONE fellow... It ultimately falls in Das fuhrer's lap...