A raid on Rabul.. (very) short story.

SteamWake · 10-16-07, 10:22 AM

July 12, 1942 S-Class boat

We had been ordered by Comsubpac to patrol off / near the solomon islands. We steamed out of Brisbane and spent about a week in transit to our destination.

Aside from the occasional diving drill and quick dives to avoid air contacts the trip was un-eventfull with near perfect weather. We made good time.

When we arrived at our destination the Skipper ordered the engines to full stop. The skipper was experienced and had been in this area before. "A watery desert" he called it. Nothin out here but seaweed and blow fish.

It was rather nice out there floating on a calm sea. Some of the boys got a little swimming in. We all got a laugh out of Fred trying to get up the side of the boat when an emergency dive was called for to avoid an incomming aircraft. But he made it up in plenty of time and all was good. This sugar boat sure can get down in a hurry.

We stayed submerged drifting on the current for a good 4 hours. Playing cards listening to records, just generally shooting the bull.

I awoke the next day when the ship lurched and heaved as the diesels were started and we began to make headway. "Were off to richer hunting grounds" came the announcement over the speakers. 'Rabul' the hushed voices of the wide eyed crew filtered through the boat. The boys dident know wether to be excited or dismayed at this rumor. But there was no denying that they were headed WxSW at a pretty good clip.

We bugged sparky for more solid information, after all he got to see nearly all the correspondence. "I dunno" he said "all I know is we gots us orders to sink enemy shipping, and by god thats were gonna do !". "Its gotta be Rabul" one of the seaman blurted out. "Its the only port in this area". "Aint that place er.. pretty well guarded with (gulp) subchasers and stuff" another seaman asked. The first officer brushed this off with a glib "Ah they will never know what hit em !". The crew nervously agreed if not in a great cheer but more of a resignation to their 'fate'.

The boat pressed foward at nearly 10 knots as the cheif mechanic nervously watched the fuel consumption. It was only two days when we passed the penensula and began to work our way up the gulf. You can almost see Rabul from here the WO quipped confirming the crews suspicions. The word spread through the boat faster than a case of the crabs on shore leave.

--- End chapter one ---

Stay tuned for our next exciting episode "Spot or be spotted"

kikn79 · 10-16-07, 11:41 AM

Good beginning. Looking forward to the next installment.

Chuck

AVGWarhawk · 10-16-07, 11:52 AM

Yeah Steamwake, looking forward to the next installment.

SteamWake · 10-16-07, 12:59 PM

The majority of the crew were in their stupors. It was only a matter of time before you got that way. The droning of the engines the swaying of the boat. Next thing you knew you were staring into space with thoughts of loved ones at home.

Skipper nodded to his XO to open the com. As the com was opened a quick squeal of feed back and some scratches snapped the crew out of thier day dreams. They gathered about the speakers as though they expected a pin up girl to come oozing out of it.

"Now hear this" the skippers voice came through loud and clear. "I am aware of the rumors circulating that were going to 'raid' Rabul. Get this silly notion out of your minds. Were here for one thing only, to seek out and sink enemy shipping". You could almost hear the sighs of releif as the crewmembers sholders dropped a few inches in relaxation. There were a few of course that expressed their dissapointment. They wanted to be heros after all.

"Were going to patrol just outside the harbor in hopes of catching some un-suspecting SOB comming or going" the skipper continued. "Not chasing off on some fools errend". "Stay sharp and be ready for action. I suspect we will be seeing some soon !". The captin smiled and finished "Lets give em hell... that will be all". With a nod the com was closed and a cheer erupted throughout the ship. The crew knew the skipper knows his stuff and had no reason to doubt they would soon have a chance to test there mettle.

"Make turns for 8 knots turn heading 280" skipper ordered as the officers dutifully repeated. "Very well" skipper acknowledged. "Chip" the skipper called his XO by name, "come with me" and motioned towards his bunk.

The captains bunk was not the most private space on the boat but it was the best you could do in the cramped quarters of the S boat.

"Chip" the captain spoke softly in the confines of his bunk, "In spite of what Ive just told the crew if the chance to raid the harbor presents itself we may damn well just do that". "But the pickets sir ?" Chip expressed his concern. "What about them ?" the skipper urged him on. "Well Ive heard there pretty fast and damn good with there ash cans. Iv also heard they are so shallow you cant sink them with torpedoes" chip lamented.

"Pfffff" the captain let out a long sigh leaned back in his chair "of course your right you have heard these things. Dont misunderstand me the enemy is not a thing to be triffled with but there not the 'crack shots' youve been lead to believe. Oh we will be alright as long as we get the jump on them and thats what a sub does best" the skipper smiles reassuringly.

"Ship spotted, long range, bearing 300" came the call down from the bridge. The skipper and the XO's eyes met and they smiled to one another. "Lets kick some ass".

The skipper scrambled topside for a look see of his own. Off on the horizon there it was a composite freighter, un-escorted, low in the water laden with goods meant for the Japaneese army.

"All ahead full left 20 degrees rudder set course" there was a short pause as the skipper roughly guessed the ships apparent heading and speed through the TDC "Set course 275. Ready for dive on my command.

The boat lurched foward as the commands were transmitted down the telegraphs and the boat rolled into the turn. "We's gonna get us some now boys" the seaman were excited and maybe a little bit scared.

Everyone was nervously going about their dutys making sure things were lashed down, lubed up, and green to go. The nervousness soon subsided though after minutes ticked away with nothing but the sound clattering engines and water against the hull to break the silence. Some of the crew began to mutter 'Just anothe friggin drill Id bet".

Right about that time the klaxon rang out twice starteling the crew and the orders to dive were called out. "All shead full, periscope depth come left 10 degrees" oders given crisply by the skipper. "Now the hunt begins" he muttered almost indestincly.

"Up scope" as the skipper assumed his position near the scope as it rose up out of the floor. Skipper leand foward into the periscope rocking his face slowly to get a comfortable fit of the eyecups on the scope. He rotated the scope towards where he expected to see his target. "There she is" 'click' as he flipped in the magnifying optics. A few quick checks and some math in his head the skipper called out. "Single target, Composite freighter, Speed...... slow 6 knots, heading .... 170, Angle on the bow 40"... "Down scope, all ahead flank, come left 10 degrees heading 265, make depth 90 feet" the skipper spat out as he headed to the sonar station.

"We will be lucky to get into position in time, shame its daylight, we will do the best we can" he explained to the XO as he passed his station.

It wasent long before sonar picked up the track of the merchant, same speed, same course. "Good he hasent seen us" mused the captain. "SIR" the sonar operator spoke excitedly, "I have a second contact, same course same speed" he paused a moment wondering if he should be so bold as to say "Could it be a convoy ?" he blurted out. "Easy boy" the captain smiled re-assured him "When we get another 10 contacts we will call it a convoy". "This appears to be just what were looking for. Two easy targets without escorts. Just what the doctor ordered". "Range ?" skipper asked the sonarman. "About 4,000 yards, closing, still at 6 knots". "Grrrrr this is gonna be close" with that the skipper spun on his heels and returned to the attack periscope.

"Take her up to periscope depth cheif, lets have another look shall we. UP SCOPE". Skipper stood near the scope and slapped the handles down even as it rose. His face settled into the eyecups. "Dammit" he shrapley said and pulled away from the scope giving everyone in the con a start. He reached into a back pocket and pulled out a kerchief and proceeded to wipe the condensate from the optics. The crew let out there breath and turned their attention to their tasks.

Rotating the periscope head towards the plotted bearing Skipper could cleary now see two merchants. "Two contacts both merchants, frieighters, loaded up too !" with this the skipper turned to the XO and gestured him to the periscope. "Start your final solutions chip, I want to shoot at the furthest ship first then the closer. Let's try to supprise the hell out of them" skipper advised.

The XO expertly called out range bearing speed and AOB wich were dillegently plotted out on the attack map. He looked nervous the XO did, this was his first time of working a real solution at a real ship in a real war. "Down scope" the XO ordered. He was clearly emulating the skipper, some of the seaman glanced at one another and snickered. XO pretended not to notice but he did nervously fumble and drop his pencil when he approached the charts. It of course rolled accross the deck under some gear. "Dammit" the xo fumed. The seaman at the plot table smiled reached into his pocket and offered the xo a freshly sharpened pencil. XO snatched the pencil from the seamans hand in an indignent manner but turned his attention immediatly to the plot.

"Remember Chip" the captain spoke "I want a simultanious detonation. Dont forget the boats are heavily laden so allow for that in your calculations". "YES SIR" the xo barked. Skipper just shook his head and smiled.

A few moments pass when the xo lifted his focus from the map, checked his watch and called out "Helm 5 degrees starbod, slow to 2/3". The boat shifted when slowing from its frantic pace. A few loose items slid off various surfaces. This drew a sharp glare from the skipper. "Lets be a little more tidy shall we chip ?". Chip blinked he had been so focused on the solution he hadent even noticed the bits rolling about. "Yes sir" the xo replyed.

"We have about 10 minutes run till we are in range sir" the xo stated. "What range" the skip replyed. "Oh sorry sir, 3,000 yards" the xo explained. "A bit far out dont you think" the captain queried. "Well sir it is about the best we can do" said Chip. "Very well XO good luck".

--- end chapter two ---

Next chapter "Sometimes its the simple things"

Thanks for reading hope you enjoy my 'tale'.

bookworm_020 · 10-16-07, 10:03 PM

You bet we're enjoying this

Now bring on the next chapter!

darkfin · 10-17-07, 08:43 AM

Great story Steamwake. Anxious for the next part.

10-16-07, 10:22 AM	#1
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	A raid on Rabul.. (very) short story. July 12, 1942 S-Class boat We had been ordered by Comsubpac to patrol off / near the solomon islands. We steamed out of Brisbane and spent about a week in transit to our destination. Aside from the occasional diving drill and quick dives to avoid air contacts the trip was un-eventfull with near perfect weather. We made good time. When we arrived at our destination the Skipper ordered the engines to full stop. The skipper was experienced and had been in this area before. "A watery desert" he called it. Nothin out here but seaweed and blow fish. It was rather nice out there floating on a calm sea. Some of the boys got a little swimming in. We all got a laugh out of Fred trying to get up the side of the boat when an emergency dive was called for to avoid an incomming aircraft. But he made it up in plenty of time and all was good. This sugar boat sure can get down in a hurry. We stayed submerged drifting on the current for a good 4 hours. Playing cards listening to records, just generally shooting the bull. I awoke the next day when the ship lurched and heaved as the diesels were started and we began to make headway. "Were off to richer hunting grounds" came the announcement over the speakers. 'Rabul' the hushed voices of the wide eyed crew filtered through the boat. The boys dident know wether to be excited or dismayed at this rumor. But there was no denying that they were headed WxSW at a pretty good clip. We bugged sparky for more solid information, after all he got to see nearly all the correspondence. "I dunno" he said "all I know is we gots us orders to sink enemy shipping, and by god thats were gonna do !". "Its gotta be Rabul" one of the seaman blurted out. "Its the only port in this area". "Aint that place er.. pretty well guarded with (gulp) subchasers and stuff" another seaman asked. The first officer brushed this off with a glib "Ah they will never know what hit em !". The crew nervously agreed if not in a great cheer but more of a resignation to their 'fate'. The boat pressed foward at nearly 10 knots as the cheif mechanic nervously watched the fuel consumption. It was only two days when we passed the penensula and began to work our way up the gulf. You can almost see Rabul from here the WO quipped confirming the crews suspicions. The word spread through the boat faster than a case of the crabs on shore leave. --- End chapter one --- Stay tuned for our next exciting episode "Spot or be spotted"

10-16-07, 11:52 AM	#3
AVGWarhawk Lucky Jack Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In a 1954 Buick. Posts: 28,257 Downloads: 90 Uploads: 0	Yeah Steamwake, looking forward to the next installment. __________________ “You're painfully alive in a drugged and dying culture.” ― Richard Yates, Revolutionary Road

10-16-07, 12:59 PM	#4
SteamWake Rear Admiral Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 13,224 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	The majority of the crew were in their stupors. It was only a matter of time before you got that way. The droning of the engines the swaying of the boat. Next thing you knew you were staring into space with thoughts of loved ones at home. Skipper nodded to his XO to open the com. As the com was opened a quick squeal of feed back and some scratches snapped the crew out of thier day dreams. They gathered about the speakers as though they expected a pin up girl to come oozing out of it. "Now hear this" the skippers voice came through loud and clear. "I am aware of the rumors circulating that were going to 'raid' Rabul. Get this silly notion out of your minds. Were here for one thing only, to seek out and sink enemy shipping". You could almost hear the sighs of releif as the crewmembers sholders dropped a few inches in relaxation. There were a few of course that expressed their dissapointment. They wanted to be heros after all. "Were going to patrol just outside the harbor in hopes of catching some un-suspecting SOB comming or going" the skipper continued. "Not chasing off on some fools errend". "Stay sharp and be ready for action. I suspect we will be seeing some soon !". The captin smiled and finished "Lets give em hell... that will be all". With a nod the com was closed and a cheer erupted throughout the ship. The crew knew the skipper knows his stuff and had no reason to doubt they would soon have a chance to test there mettle. "Make turns for 8 knots turn heading 280" skipper ordered as the officers dutifully repeated. "Very well" skipper acknowledged. "Chip" the skipper called his XO by name, "come with me" and motioned towards his bunk. The captains bunk was not the most private space on the boat but it was the best you could do in the cramped quarters of the S boat. "Chip" the captain spoke softly in the confines of his bunk, "In spite of what Ive just told the crew if the chance to raid the harbor presents itself we may damn well just do that". "But the pickets sir ?" Chip expressed his concern. "What about them ?" the skipper urged him on. "Well Ive heard there pretty fast and damn good with there ash cans. Iv also heard they are so shallow you cant sink them with torpedoes" chip lamented. "Pfffff" the captain let out a long sigh leaned back in his chair "of course your right you have heard these things. Dont misunderstand me the enemy is not a thing to be triffled with but there not the 'crack shots' youve been lead to believe. Oh we will be alright as long as we get the jump on them and thats what a sub does best" the skipper smiles reassuringly. "Ship spotted, long range, bearing 300" came the call down from the bridge. The skipper and the XO's eyes met and they smiled to one another. "Lets kick some ass". The skipper scrambled topside for a look see of his own. Off on the horizon there it was a composite freighter, un-escorted, low in the water laden with goods meant for the Japaneese army. "All ahead full left 20 degrees rudder set course" there was a short pause as the skipper roughly guessed the ships apparent heading and speed through the TDC "Set course 275. Ready for dive on my command. The boat lurched foward as the commands were transmitted down the telegraphs and the boat rolled into the turn. "We's gonna get us some now boys" the seaman were excited and maybe a little bit scared. Everyone was nervously going about their dutys making sure things were lashed down, lubed up, and green to go. The nervousness soon subsided though after minutes ticked away with nothing but the sound clattering engines and water against the hull to break the silence. Some of the crew began to mutter 'Just anothe friggin drill Id bet". Right about that time the klaxon rang out twice starteling the crew and the orders to dive were called out. "All shead full, periscope depth come left 10 degrees" oders given crisply by the skipper. "Now the hunt begins" he muttered almost indestincly. "Up scope" as the skipper assumed his position near the scope as it rose up out of the floor. Skipper leand foward into the periscope rocking his face slowly to get a comfortable fit of the eyecups on the scope. He rotated the scope towards where he expected to see his target. "There she is" 'click' as he flipped in the magnifying optics. A few quick checks and some math in his head the skipper called out. "Single target, Composite freighter, Speed...... slow 6 knots, heading .... 170, Angle on the bow 40"... "Down scope, all ahead flank, come left 10 degrees heading 265, make depth 90 feet" the skipper spat out as he headed to the sonar station. "We will be lucky to get into position in time, shame its daylight, we will do the best we can" he explained to the XO as he passed his station. It wasent long before sonar picked up the track of the merchant, same speed, same course. "Good he hasent seen us" mused the captain. "SIR" the sonar operator spoke excitedly, "I have a second contact, same course same speed" he paused a moment wondering if he should be so bold as to say "Could it be a convoy ?" he blurted out. "Easy boy" the captain smiled re-assured him "When we get another 10 contacts we will call it a convoy". "This appears to be just what were looking for. Two easy targets without escorts. Just what the doctor ordered". "Range ?" skipper asked the sonarman. "About 4,000 yards, closing, still at 6 knots". "Grrrrr this is gonna be close" with that the skipper spun on his heels and returned to the attack periscope. "Take her up to periscope depth cheif, lets have another look shall we. UP SCOPE". Skipper stood near the scope and slapped the handles down even as it rose. His face settled into the eyecups. "Dammit" he shrapley said and pulled away from the scope giving everyone in the con a start. He reached into a back pocket and pulled out a kerchief and proceeded to wipe the condensate from the optics. The crew let out there breath and turned their attention to their tasks. Rotating the periscope head towards the plotted bearing Skipper could cleary now see two merchants. "Two contacts both merchants, frieighters, loaded up too !" with this the skipper turned to the XO and gestured him to the periscope. "Start your final solutions chip, I want to shoot at the furthest ship first then the closer. Let's try to supprise the hell out of them" skipper advised. The XO expertly called out range bearing speed and AOB wich were dillegently plotted out on the attack map. He looked nervous the XO did, this was his first time of working a real solution at a real ship in a real war. "Down scope" the XO ordered. He was clearly emulating the skipper, some of the seaman glanced at one another and snickered. XO pretended not to notice but he did nervously fumble and drop his pencil when he approached the charts. It of course rolled accross the deck under some gear. "Dammit" the xo fumed. The seaman at the plot table smiled reached into his pocket and offered the xo a freshly sharpened pencil. XO snatched the pencil from the seamans hand in an indignent manner but turned his attention immediatly to the plot. "Remember Chip" the captain spoke "I want a simultanious detonation. Dont forget the boats are heavily laden so allow for that in your calculations". "YES SIR" the xo barked. Skipper just shook his head and smiled. A few moments pass when the xo lifted his focus from the map, checked his watch and called out "Helm 5 degrees starbod, slow to 2/3". The boat shifted when slowing from its frantic pace. A few loose items slid off various surfaces. This drew a sharp glare from the skipper. "Lets be a little more tidy shall we chip ?". Chip blinked he had been so focused on the solution he hadent even noticed the bits rolling about. "Yes sir" the xo replyed. "We have about 10 minutes run till we are in range sir" the xo stated. "What range" the skip replyed. "Oh sorry sir, 3,000 yards" the xo explained. "A bit far out dont you think" the captain queried. "Well sir it is about the best we can do" said Chip. "Very well XO good luck". --- end chapter two --- Next chapter "Sometimes its the simple things" Thanks for reading hope you enjoy my 'tale'. Last edited by SteamWake; 10-16-07 at 05:39 PM.

10-16-07, 10:03 PM	#5
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	You bet we're enjoying this Now bring on the next chapter! __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

10-16-07, 11:41 AM	#2
kikn79 Medic Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Rockford, IL Posts: 166 Downloads: 5 Uploads: 0	Good beginning. Looking forward to the next installment. Chuck

10-17-07, 08:43 AM	#6
darkfin Loader Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Sneaking up on a carrier Posts: 83 Downloads: 78 Uploads: 0	Great story Steamwake. Anxious for the next part.