Stories and Patrol Logs + Screenshots and Videos (merged)

[Crannogman]

Scouting ahead of Adm Scott's blocking force, USS Drum's hydrophone picked up a large force moving down the Slot at speed. They turned North at full speed to intercept, and, in the last reflections of the setting sun, the lookouts were able to make out 2 large seaplane tenders leading a column of destroyers. A quick wireless report was sent, but Henderson called back that it was too late for another sortie. The officers huddled, and decided on an all-tube abeam spread at at long range targetting the tenders. Thus, running a parallel course with convoy, Drum launched 10 fish from 6000 yards and turned Southwest at flank speed. Minutes later, flashes on the horizon and a pillar of darkness blocking out the stars informed the crew of their success. A brief chase ensued, but the Gato's new radar helped it stay out of view of the suspicious but clueless destroyers.
The spotlights and star shells failed to find the escorts' prey; they did, however, reveal the fantail of one tender slipping beneath the waves, while the other listed dead in the water. The tubes were about reloaded, and Scott's cruisers were still hours away; Cmdr Supplies decided to bring his boat around for another run to finish off the tender and her heavy equipment bound for the Japs on Guadalcanal.
But even as Drum was coming about, her hydrophones picked up another line of warships coming down the Slot, this time even faster and en route to collide with Scott near Savo. The earlier, northern squadron had been stalled and stripped of its capital ships; Cmdr Supplies turned west, hunting more dangerous game. Ominous returns appeared on the radar scope, and all crew were called to general quarters as Drum closed on the new force at a combined speed of 50 knots.
Hours had passed since the first torpedoes had struck the Chitose, when Drum's lookouts spotted one, then another, and yet a third pagoda on the forward horizon. She again assumed a parrallel course as the periscope was raised for a peek over the horizon. Not battleships but heavy cruisers led this column, again with destroyers in the rear. Drum set up for another long-range spread, but lady luck was feeling less charitable. Two hits sent one Takao to the bottom, but the other 8 fish were gone without a trace.
These destroyers were more cautious, being fewer in number, but still made it tough for Drum to set up for another shot. A desperate last salvo of her 4 remaining torpedoes went hitless in the ninth, as the Scott's 9 ships approached the Japs' remaining 2.
Drum had been put to bay by the escorts, and was well out of range to join the engagement with her deck gun. Nonetheless, her crew was treated to a fearsome show of fireworks as Scott's ships came alongside the enemy. The outnumbered Takao's made Scott's small fleet pay dearly. Even with theirlisting decks awash and water seeming ready to pour into the turrets, their 8" broadsides wrought fearsome carnage, setting USS Boise alight and sinking all 5 destroyers.
Drum turned for home. 24 torpedoes spent for 30,000 tons of Japanese warships, with another 26,000 tons sunk by Scott's cruisers at a cost of 5 tin cans totalling almost 10,000 tons and a thousand men. It had not been pretty, but the Tokyo Express had suffered a serious derailment.


PS - I guess the Takao's are thrown in (instead of the more historical Furutaka's) so their gun weight can make up for the absence of long lance torpedoes. Still, when these bad boys have a 20-degree list with water lapping at their gunports and are still firing full broadsides, the word "overpowered " comes to mind

[FredMSloniker]

I'm getting things in order to stream myself playing Silent Hunter 4. This should be an educational experience, since, outside of the tutorial, I haven't sunk anything yet.

If you're interested in dropping in and giving me some pointers, it's going to be at my Hitbox channel, starting at 4 PM PST, Sunday the 22nd. The first stream is going to be a shakedown cruise of sorts, heading out of port, making sure the stream works okay, and playing some music.

[FredMSloniker]

December 7, 1941

FROM: Commander Submarine Force, Task Force 3/51/71
Cavite Naval Base, Manila, Philippines

TO: Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker
Commanding Officer, USS S-38 (SS-143)

Your boat and crew have completed training and are now ready for combat operations. Review your enclosed operation order, and make your boat and crew ready for sea.

As a side note, my grandfather, after whom I was named, served in World War II and was a Marine for 20 years. Hopefully I won't embarrass the family name.



Operational Order
December 7, 1941

TO: Fred Sloniker, USS S-38 (SS-143)
DEPART ON: December 8, 1941

Proceed at best speed to Vigan via Lingayen Gulf and conduct combat patrol and reconnaissance. Remain on station for 12 hours in the Lingayen Gulf and within 40nm of its center point. Make daily reports as necessary to TF3

OBJECTIVE:
Recon of Lingayen Gulf

Stream starts 4 PM PST!

[FredMSloniker]

• 1941, December 8, 0800: USS S-38, captained by Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker, sets off from Cavite Naval Base, Manila, Philippines, with orders to survey Lingayen Gulf and Vigan. Boat leaves port at standard speed.
  
• 0819: S-38, now clear of the docks, accelerates to flank speed. Routine exercises confirm seaworthiness.
  
• 2015: S-38 enters patrol zone, 40 nm radius around Lingayen Gulf. Reduces speed to ahead standard.
  
• December 9, 0017: S-38 reaches mouth of Lingayen Gulf, establishes patrol pattern across mouth. LtCdr Sloniker reports ship status and position.
  
  Two news messages received:
  
  Monday, December 8th, 1941, the United States and Great Britain declare war on Japan. President Roosevelt called December 7, quote: a date which will live in infamy.
  
  The casualty list after the attack on Pearl Harbor includes 2,335 servicemen and 68 civilians killed, with a further 1,178 wounded. This includes the 1,104 men aboard the battleship USS Arizona, killed after a bomb penetrated the forward magazine, causing catastrophic explosions.
  
• 0658: Lingayen Gulf patrol is complete. New orders received from COMSUBPAC:
  
  Deploy to position 2430N 12530E by 150nm (215nm SW of Okinawa). Conduct anti-shipping operations along the Japan-Luzon Straits-Singapore shipping lanes for a period of 96hours. Make reports to higher authority as necessary.
  
  S-38 changes course to complete patrol of Vigan, accelerates to flank speed.
  
• 0841: S-38 enters patrol zone, 40 nm radius around Vigan. Reduces speed to ahead standard and establishes patrol pattern around the city at a distance of 20 nm.
  
• 1300: LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report. New orders received from COMSUBPAC:
  
  Deploy to position 29N 12330E by 150nm. Conduct anti-shipping operations in the East China Sea shipping lanes. Make reports to higher authority as necessary.
  
  S-38 continues on patrol.
  
• 2149: LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report. New orders received from COMSUBPAC:
  
  Deploy to position 125nm NNE of Cape Engano, Luzon (2000N 12330E by 100nm) and conduct anti-shipping operations. Remain on station for 72hrs, however if IJN units are detected outside of the Patrol area, proceed at your discretion to intercept and destroy. Make reports to higher authority as necessary.
  
  S-38 continues on patrol.
  
• 2207: Vigan patrol is complete. New orders received from COMSUBPAC:
  
  Proceed to Coastal town of Aparri, remain on station for 12 hours, and within 20nm of the center of the patrol area.
  
  As Aparri is nearest of current objectives, LtCdr Sloniker orders course set and ahead flank. Estimated time to patrol area: 12 hours, 30 minutes.
  
• December 10, 0727: S-38 enters patrol zone, 20 nm around Aparri. Patrol course plotted 15 nm from the city. Speed reduced to ahead standard.
  
• 1031: Large convoy spotted! Immediate dive to periscope depth ordered.

What happens next? Find out on Tuesday, February 24, at 5 PM PST!

[FredMSloniker]

As a reminder, today's stream starts at 5 PM PST. Check it out here!

(Also, let me know if there's a better venue for these posts! I don't want to annoy.)

[FredMSloniker]

• 1941, December 10, 1031: S-38 sights large convoy off the coast of Luzon. Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker orders immediate dive to periscope depth and course change to location of convoy.
  
• 1034: one ship verified through periscope: minesweeper, headed toward S-38. LtCdr Sloniker orders course change to avoid minesweeper.
  
• 1038: two additional minesweepers spotted, also headed toward S-38, as well as a freighter closer to shore. LtCdr Sloniker believes minesweepers are headed toward S-38's pre-dive location. S-38 continues on course.
  
• 1040: minesweeper course corrections suggest they have spotted S-38's periscope. LtCdr Sloniker orders dive to 150 feet, use of sonar to track warships, and course change to place S-38 ahead of convoy based on freighter movements.
  
• 1050: S-38 rigged for silent running.
  
• 1105: based on passive and active sonar signals, LtCdr Sloniker decides convoy is not moving along shore as earlier believed but is making for open sea. S-38 changes course to cut them off.
  
• 1120: S-38 is now believed to be between minesweepers and convoy. LtCdr Sloniker orders direct convoy intercept course.
  
• 1130: Multiple freighter sonar contacts are confirmed. Convoy contains at least four freighters.
  
• 1136: range to nearest freighter is 2640; range to nearest warship is 4310. LtCrd Sloniker orders ship to periscope depth, ahead flank.
  
• 1140: S-38 at periscope depth. 20 ships in convoy in all, including at least three minesweepers, at least two large modern composite freighters, at least one small modern composite freighter, at least one medium modern composite freighter, and at least one subchaser. Nearest ship, large freighter, selected as target.

Pictured: the good kind of 'target rich environment'.

• 1146: Escort ships have spotted S-38. Ordered to surface to improve speed.
  
• 1148: S-38 fires four torpedoes at target large freighter, then performs immediate crash dive.
  
• 1150: Two confirmed hits on target, two duds. The event cam indicates both hits were in the stern of the freighter. S-38 turns bearing 090, rigs for silent running.
  
• 1155: S-38 maneuvers away from convoy. Depth charges are heard, but only one is anywhere near boat, and no damage is done.
  
• 1217: Confirmed kill of Japanese large freighter, 7,170 tons. This happened the moment I reloaded the save. The Real Fleet Boat mod attempts to delay the message that a boat is doomed until it's actually sinking, in order to encourage uncertainty about whether to put another eel in it or not, but I suspect saving and loading broke this. S-38 continues to move away from convoy. Escorts use active sonar without success.
  
• 1324: no sound contacts on sonar.

Shall we surface the boat and have another look around for targets, or will we sit in the deep for a few more hours just to make sure? [s]Find out on Hitbox Wednesday, February 25, at 5 PM PST![/s] Stream over.

[FredMSloniker]

Is there anyone who wants me to continue these invitations? I haven't seen any takers from this forum yet...

[Harvs]

Hi all just a screenshot to share, some of yours are awesome, will have to try more mods to get the game looking great.

[Harvs]

[pdiddy]

Originally Posted by FredMSloniker

Is there anyone who wants me to continue these invitations? I haven't seen any takers from this forum yet...

Fred, probably won't watch the streams but am enjoying the patrol reports and the screenshots.

[FredMSloniker]

In that case, I shall continue! Let me get you caught up.

• 1941, December 10, 1324: Believing they have successfully evaded the convoy's escorts, S-38 first rises to periscope depth, then surfaces. No ships spotted. Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker reports sinking of large modern composite freighter, resumes patrol around Aparri, ahead standard.
  
• 1439: Aircraft spotted. As the S-18 class lacks flak guns, it immediately dives to 150 feet, continuing at flank speed.
  
• 1441: Bomb impact on surface of the water. S-38 continues at flank speed along its patrol route.
  
• 1502: Battery power reported at 50%. S-38 surfaces and proceeds ahead standard.
  
• 1518: S-38 reduces speed to ahead one third to recharge batteries more quickly.
  
• 1640: Aircraft spotted. S-38 crash dives, then reduces speed to ahead one third to conserve batteries.
  
• 1732: Sound of explosion detected. Uncertain origin. LtCdr Sloniker decides to wait one hour before surfacing in case a plane is overhead.
  
• 1743: S-38 surfaces, proceeds ahead one third along patrol route.
  
• 2059: Patrol of Aparri complete. LtCdr Sloniker makes routine radio report and is directed to the southern Formosa patrol area (the closest remaining). S-38 sets course, ahead flank.
  
• December 11, 0209: LtCdr Sloniker, believing S-38 far enough from Aparri to not have to worry about patrols, orders speed reduced to ahead one third to more quickly recharge batteries.
  
• 0651: Aircraft spotted. S-38 crash dives, then reduces speed to ahead one third.
  
• 0654: Bomb impact on surface of the water.
  
• 0837: S-38 ordered to surface.
  
• 2315: Battery recharge complete. S-38 moves to ahead flank.
  
• December 12, 0027: S-38 enters southern Formossa patrol area, begins patrol.
  
• December 13, 0100: Flash traffic received, reporting large Japanese convoy in area of 0370N 11030E and ordering units within striking distance to intercept. S-38 is too far to reach convoy in time and maintains patrol.
  
• 1633: LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report.
  
• December 14, 0244: Patrol complete. LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report, then orders S-38 to patrol zone at 2430N 12530E.
  
• December 15, 0152: S-38 reaches center of patrol zone, begins patrol route.
  
• December 16, 1510: Aircraft spotted. Lookout reports aircraft not headed toward S-38, so S-38 dives to periscope depth to monitor its path. Aircraft does not spot it, so S-38 surfaces once aircraft is out of sight.
  
• December 18, 1224: Patrol complete. LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report, then orders S-38 to patrol zone at 29N 12330E.
  
• December 19, 0848: S-38 reaches patrol zone. Begins anti-shipping operations.
  
• December 19, 0849: S-38 sets up patrol pattern off the coast of China, ahead standard. Patrol is expected to last 96 hours.
  
• December 20, 0102: Op Immediate traffic received:
  
  From: CTF3
  
  To: TF3
  
  EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY SHIFT BASE OF OPERATIONS TO SURABAYA JAVA X
  
  Japanese forces continue to advance on Manila, despite the best efforts of the US and local units. S-38 is now based out of Surabaya and will likely return there at the end of its current objective.
  
• 1252: Merchant ship spotted! Medium modern split freighter, apparently unescorted. S-38 dives to periscope depth.

• December 20, 1252: S-38 sights medium modern split freighter, apparently escorted. S-38 dives to periscope depth and proceeds toward the freighter, ahead flank.
  
• 1254: Freighter is unescorted and unaware of S-38's presence. S-38 plots intercept course.
  
• 1308: Realizing that S-38 cannot match freighter's speed underwater, Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker orders the boat surfaced. If the freighter spots the boat, it will be able to outrun it, but it is already outrunning it, and some chance is better than none.
  
• 1401: S-38 is able to close within 1500 yards of the freighter without being seen. It is now directly to the stern of the freighter and closing slowly.
  
• 1408: S-38 is within 1300 yards. The freighter suddenly begins to turn, indicating that the sub has been spotted. LtCdr Sloniker orders battle stations and tube 1 fired; torpedo misses.
  
• 1410: S-38 fires torpedo 3. It too misses. S-38 is within 1100 yards of freighter; deck gun is manned and begins to fire on the waterline.
  
• 1426: Despite holing the freighter in several places and doing significant damage to the stern of the ship, S-38 continues to be unsuccessful at causing sinking. LtCdr Sloniker orders tube 2 fired; torpedo misses.
  
• 1430: LtCdr Sloniker orders tube 4 fired. Torpedo impacts on stern of freighter. Freighter loses speed and begins to list.
  
• 1435: LtCdr Sloniker, believing the freighter unarmed, orders S-38 to come alongside the freighter and prepare to use the deck gun if torpedo damage proves insufficient.
  
• 1437: Freighter opens fire on S-38. LtCdr Sloniker immediately orders the boat to periscope depth, but a shot from the freighter punctures the control room pressure hull. The damage is unrepairable, and S-38 immediately sinks to the sea floor. S-38 is lost with all hands.

Forget you, game over screen. I have plenty to regret. That was a good clean kill that I botched because I didn't think a little freighter could be any sort of threat to a submarine. Instead, it proved able to kill the sub in a single shot. Live and learn. Or learn and die, as the case may be.

Click for the January 3, 1942 intro video!

January 3, 1942 rolls around, and Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker is hauled out of the drink, hooked up to some jumper cables, and stuffed into the USS Plunger (SS-179), recipient of the most battle stars of any boat in its class. It's a tough legacy to live up to, but hopefully he can manage it.

• January 4, 1942, 0800: USS Plunger departs Surabaya en route to patrol area:
  
  Operational Order
  January 3, 1942
  
  To: Fred Sloniker, USS Plunger (SS-179)
  DEPART ON: January 4, 1942
  
  Proceed to the Molucca Passage Choke Point at the north end of the Molucca Sea via the Banda Sea and conduct combat patrol within 100nm of its center point. Addition direction will be provided via message traffic Make reports as necessary to ABDA Task Force 3
  
  OBJECTIVE:
  Reach Molucca Passage Choke Point
  
  
  
• 0811: USS Plunger, clear of the docks, accelerates to flank speed.
  
• 0958: USS Plunger spots coastal composite freighter. This close to Surabaya, it is almost certainly a friendly ship, but Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker orders an intercept course nonetheless.
  
• 1023: Freighter is confirmed flying British colors. USS Plunger resumes course.
  
• January 7, 0430: Having passed through the Flores Sea and Banda Sea without incident, USS Plunger reaches patrol area. LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report, receives new orders:
  
  From: COMSUBPAC
  To: USS Plunger (SS-179)
  Conduct combat operations for the next 72hrs within 100nm of Molucca Passage. If IJN units detected move into your area report to ABDA Task Force 3 ASAP. If IJN units are detected outside of the Patrol area, proceed at your discretion to intercept and destroy.
  
  USS Plunger begins patrol, ahead standard.
  
• January 10, 0428: Having completed patrol without incident, LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report, receives new orders:
  
  From: COMSUBPAC
  To: USS Plunger (SS-179)
  Proceed at best speed to the Tarakan Island and conduct scouting operation for the next 72hours. Remain within 100nm of the center of the oparea. If IJN units are detected outside of the Patrol area, proceed at your discretion to intercept and destroy.
  
  USS Plunger sets course, ahead flank.
  
• 1721: Diving Officer advises fuel reserve at 50 percent. LtCdr Sloniker orders reduction to ahead standard.
  
• January 11, 0507: USS Plunger reaches patrol area. LtCdr Sloniker makes routine report, then orders the boat to a point 30 nm off the coast of Tarakan Island. He believes that any object of interest in the patrol area must pass through this port.
  
• 1428: Task force sighted! Lieutenant Commander Fred Sloniker reports its position to COMSUBPAC, receiving the following reply:
  
  GOOD FIND X WILL DIRECT FURTHER ASSETS TO INTERCEPT X BREAK CONTACT AND RTB AT YOUR DISCRETION X
  
  Disappointed at being ordered not to attack, LtCdr Sloniker nevertheless orders USS Plunger to dive to 150 feet and sets course away from the task force.
  
• 1657: No sound contacts detected. USS Plunger moves to periscope depth, but rough seas prevent survey of area. LtCdr Sloniker orders sub surfaced; no contacts sighted. Hoping to find a target for his as-yet-unused torpedos, LtCdr Sloniker orders USS Plunger to resume patrol of area.
  
  Although the radio message said to return to base at my discretion, the patrol is still marked incomplete. I decided it'd be best to finish the 72 hours before heading back. Anyway, I want to at least shoot at something!
  
• January 12, 2012: Officer on deck spots Hatsuharu-Shigure destroyer, possibly part of larger task group. LtCdr Sloniker reports its position to COMSUBPAC, receiving the following reply:
  
  Roger your contact report. If fuel and weapons permit, maneuver into position and engage IJN units.
  
  LtCdr Sloniker orders dive to periscope depth and course set to intercept destroyer.

What happens next? Find out Tuesday, March 10, at 5 PM PDT on Hitbox!

[captcrane]

[captcrane]

Hey where did you spot the infamous Ghost Ship

[fireftr18]

Originally Posted by captcrane

pu-u-u-urde-e-e