The Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1917-1946, 1943-03-03
SEA WOLF SINKS
II ENEMY SHIPS
"FearIess Freddie's" Oar.
ing Exploits Described
N. Y. Grew Member
by WILLIAM ID. CLARK
United Press stan Correspondent

United Press stan Correspondent
u. 8, Submarine Base, New Lon
don, Conn.,, March 3,--tUP)--The
exploits OF Fearless Freddie" the
American submarine skipper who
wasn't afraid OF anything" brlght-
oned tho pages Of naval history to-
day and furnished the Japanese ad-
miralty with II reasons for feeling
less confident about debating the
peace terms In tho White House,
The II reasons were Japanese
cruiser, destroyer and three trans
ports sunk, and two. cruisers, two
frOlghtorS, o transport and IN un'
Identified vessel damaged,
All OF these ships are credited u
tho American submarine Sea Wolf
which Com, Frederick d. WNrder
Grafton, W. Va, skippered In q
series Of daring raids In Japanese
infested waters, including four days
In bay lodging depth charges
while sending aS many vessels Il
tho bottom.
Tho story 10 told by John J.
Sherman, 80, Westminster, N. Y, on
electricians mate, first class, who
was o member OF the Sea VOLTS
crew, and himself O veteran OF two
other successful cruises which ran
the Japanese toll up TO 20.
The four days In tho bay, which
cost the JNps two transports and
two freightGrs, stand out In Sher-
mans memory NS four days well
spent.
I'VE had loaded up with plenty
Of 'iiSh' and were given orders 10 20
right into that bay" no related,
I'VE went Into that bay oil right,
and came out the way we went In
Sliding UP near the harbor piers
Sherman said the skipper kept them
informed OF what was going on over
the ships loud-speaker system,
Com. Warder picked UP O big liner
OF about 10000 tons, fanked by de-
stroyers, and observed this Is going
10 DO easy"
I'VE got very close and fred our
torpedoes," said Sherman. "As they
struck the liner the Japs woke up
and realized we were there too,
They started firing wildly, but Ill
ready three torpedoes had hit the
liner.
"'She's going down." the skipper
announced. They're throwing of
provisions, trying 10 save as much
as possible. Motor boats are picking
up survivors. I'm going TO finish him
Oft. Those blankety-blank gunners
ON the liner won't be firing much
longer
80 we fired another torpedo and
the ship blew into fragments"
The next day the Sea Wolf eludcd
destroyers and sank another trans
port, said Sherman, but Japs' planes
came after us. We escaped them,
although by this time the Japs were
plenty burned up. Good thing they
didn't catch us or I'd be pulling a
rickshaw now"
Later the same day, Jap freight
err was sunk. II had a look at this
one. There were huge columns Of
smoke and a lot of Japs running
around on deck. She sank stern
ilrst In a few minutes"
On the fourth day In the bay,
Sherman said the Sea Wolf got a
second freighter and her boilers ex-
ploded and there were flames 800
feet high"
The cruise OF the Sea Wolf that
added Z more ships to the bag Start
ed off with the sighting OF two
cruisers.
1--WE went TO battle stations" re-
counted Sherman. Then the cap
tain told us what was going on.
HE said up perisc0pe. Down
periscope. Full speed ahead. A heavy
cruiser Is up ahead. She is about
10000 tons. Distance about 5000
yards. The lookout In the crows
nest doesn't see us. I'm going to
get this baby.
"'Are you all set down below?
Ease the rudder two degrees left.
Steady as you go. The firing order
will be. : and he indicated the Sc
quence. Then he said: Fire one,
ere two, FIRE three. >
"a tense moment held the subma-
rine. Then the captain spoke again
over the speakers.
"We've hit her. The Japs are
manring their guns. They're firing
In our direction. trying TO hit our
periscope. Now they're jumping over
the side. The ship Is starting TO go
down. About 900 men are swimming
around In the water"
After q pause the captain con-
Ainiind calmly: ashes blown up