U.S.S. SKIPJACK (SS-184) — war patrol report SS-184_SKIPJACK.pdf

— page 85 —
1.5.5. SKIFJ.CK
S-3-C-R-3-T
9. MAJOR DEFECC.

The above state onts mey see: extreme and robid; they
represent my honestopinion and explain why "sure hits" resulted
in misnes on this patrol. I believe that many of the wertine misses
of the cbner suo rines of this squsdron are also explained by the
some discussion. If it can be shown that this explanation is wrong
I shall be the first to soknowledge it.

What we on the suo rine firing line need is a dependable
torpedo; end at least the knowledge of what the fish will or will
not do; when we have this some of t ose Jap ships which "got away"
will start going to the bottom.

-3-

— page 91 —
[HANDWRITTEN: A1638]
[HANDWRITTEN: 992114]
FF6-4/A16-3
[HANDWRITTEN: 7-30]
SUBMARINES, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC
U.S.S. SARGO, Flagship
SECRET
June 5, 1942.
From:
To:
Commander Submarines, SOUTHWEST PACIFIC..
Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Subject:
U.S.S. SKIPJAO", War Patrol Report - April 14 -
June 3, 1942.
Enclosure:
(A) Copy of Subject Report.
1.
The report of U.S.S. SKIPJACK's third War Patrol is
forwarded herewith.
2.
This is an excellent report and contains valuable
information concerning the operating area as well as operational
experience.
3.
The discouragement to an aggressive submarine commander
occasioned by poor torpedo performance is well illustrated. Every
effort is being made by the forces afloat to improve torpedo per-
formance, and the Bureau of Ordnance is being kept informed of the
situation.
4.
The condition of the SKIPJACKS main engines is a
source of grave concern. The maintenance force will determine by
examination whether the ship is capable of making another patrol
or not, prior to returning to the United States ior navy yard
overhaul.
5.
The commanding officer reports that the ships success-
fully attacked are identified as follows:
May 6, similar to RYCYO Maru.
May 8, the larger AK was similer to KOSHIN Maru,
the 7,000 ton AK similer to ARIMASAN Maru.
May 17, transport No. 835 was similar to RAKUYO Meru.
Copy (complete) to:
Čomsouwespacfor
ComsubsPac
-COPY-
C. A. LOCKWOOD,
[STAMP: COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF
FLAG OFFICE
RECEIVED
1942 JUL 26 8 54]
[HANDWRITTEN: 426]
[HANDWRITTEN: 7]