U.S.S. CATFISH (SS-339) — war patrol report SS-339_CATFISH.pdf

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START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: 7-108]
[HANDWRITTEN: AR-125-78]
SSCAT [HANDWRITTEN: Fish]

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OPERATOR [SIGNATURE: R. Murchy]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 7-7-78]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[STAMP: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET - START AND END
NDW-NPPSO-5210/1 (6-78)

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[HANDWRITTEN: CATFISH (SS-339)
WWII PATROL FILE
ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED
FOR DECK LOG MARCH 1945 - DECEMBER 1945
CONSULT NATIONAL ARCHIVES WHICH HAS CUSTODY.

J.A. KOONTZ]

— page 3 —
Dictionary of
American Naval
Fighting Ships

VOLUME II • 1963

NAVY DEPARTMENT
OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS
NAVAL HISTORY DIVISION • WASHINGTON

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Catfish
Any of various species having catlike teeth, barbels
around the mouth, including the common bullhead.

(SS-339: dp. 1,526; l. 311'9"; b. 27'3"; dr. 15'3"; s. 20 k.;
cpl. 66; a. 1 5", 10 21" tt.; cl. Gato)

Catfish (SS-339) was launched 19 November 1944 by
Electric Boat Co., Groton, Conn.; sponsored by Mrs.
J. J. Crowley; and commissioned 19 March 1945, Lieu-
tenant Commander W. A. Overton, USNR, in command.

Catfish sailed from New London 4 May 1945 for Pearl
Harbor, arriving 29 June. After training and the instal-
lation of new equipment, she proceeded to Guam for spe-
cial training. On 9 August for her first war
patrol, a special mission to locate a minefield off Kyu-
shu. When the cease-fire order was given 15 August, she
was ordered to the Yellow Sea for surface patrol and
lifeguard duty. She returned to Guam 4 September,
thence to the west coast, arriving at Seattle 29 Sep-
tember.

Based at San Diego, Catfish operated locally on the
west coast and made two cruises to the Far East during
1946-1947, providing services to the 7th Fleet.

Catfish was extensively modernized (August 1948-
May 1949), giving her greater submerged speed and
endurance. She was on another Far Eastern cruise
when war broke out in Korea. In which area she made
a reconnaissance patrol in support of the United Nations
forces. Catfish returned to the "States" 20 October
1950 and was based at San Diego. Since that time the
submarine has carried out training exercises with Naval
Reservists off the west coast, operated with Canadian
forces in joint antisubmarine warfare exercises, and
made several cruises to the Far East. Catfish has con-
tinued this employment through 1963.

Catfish received one battle star for World War II
service.

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[HANDWRITTEN: 1ST COPY]

U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
6 September 1945

SS339/A12-1
Serial: 015
CONFIDENTIAL [STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO.
(2) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-SIX.
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.
Enclosure: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track chart (ComSubsPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the First war patrol of this vessel,
conducted in the waters on East coast of Kyushu during period July 23, 1945
to September 6, 1945 is forwarded herewith. During the period from August
13, 1945 to August 15, 1945, a special mission was carried out which is the
subject of a special report.

[SIGNATURE: W. A. Overton]
W. A. OVERTON

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-09B9C] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/25/72]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

CONFIDENTIAL:
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol, Number One.

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

August 1, 1945:
1200 (L)         Lat. 19° - 54' N. Long. 158° - 43' E. Conducted small
                 arms firing.
1700 (L)         Set ship's clocks to conform to -10 (K) zone time.

August 2, 1945:
1200 (K)         Lat. 18° - 56' N. Long.154° - 33' E. Conducted 40 MM
                 firing at mattress cover for target. Had several friendly
                 plane contacts.

August 3, 1945:
- 1200 (K)       Lat. 18° - 11' N. Long. 150° - 05' E.

August 4, 1945:
1200 (K)         Lat. 17° - 12' N. Long. 144° - 59' E. Friendly planes
                 everywhere.
1715 (K)         Sighted convoy of (6) six ships bearing 144° T., range
                 30,750 yards. Lat. 16° - 17' N. Long. 144° - 56' E.
                 Avoided on surface.
1957 (K)         Radar contact on small ship at 17,000 yards on course
                 000° T., speed 12. Appeared to be submarine. Believe
                 it was U.S.S. SHAD (SS235). Avoided contact.

August 5, 1945:
0500 (K)         Made rendezvous with escort PC 677. Proceeding to Guam.
0830 (K)         Arrived Guam. Moored starboard side to U.S.S. HOLLAND.
1200 (K)         At Guam.

August 5 - 7, 1945:
                 At Guam. Special training and fueling.

August 8, 1945:
1500 (K)         Departed Guam for patrol in accordance with ComSubPac
                 Operation Order 189-45 dated 8 August 1945, in company
                 with DE 606, U.S.S. SPANGLER as escort.

-5-              (ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS 339)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS 339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

1730 (K) Made trim dive.
1830 (K) Released escort and proceeded independently enroute
           patrol area. Almost continuous friendly aircraft con-
           tacts.

August 9, 1945:
0114 (K) Radar contact (ship contact #1) on 2 ship bearing 016°
           T., range 24,000 yards. Lat. 15° - 08' N. Long. 144° -
           30' E. Avoided.
0729 (K) Ship contact (contact #2) at 36,000 yards bearing 276°
           T. in Lat. 16° - 15' N. Long. 144° - 52' E. Contact
           friendly and avoided on surface.
1200 (K) Lat. 17° - 08' N. Long. 144° - 09' E.
1234 (K) Contact on 2 ships (contact #3) at 41,700 yards. Bear-
           ing 352° T. Lat. 17° - 12' N. Long. 144° - 04' E.
           Ships on course 180° T., speed 15. Later identified as
           a CA and a DD. Both friendly.
1550 (K) Ship contact at 26,000 yards (contact #4) bearing 315°
           T. Lat. 17° - 29' N. Long. 143° - 31' E. Contact
           proved to be U.S.S. HAMMERHEAD on course 130° T., speed
           15. Exchanged calls.

August 10, 1945:
           Friendly aircraft contacts are not so numerous as
           previously.
1000 (K) Shifted from local area frequency to SafPlan frequency.
1040 (K) Made trim dive.
1200 (K) Lat. 20° - 37' N. Long. 139° - 58' E.
1600 (K) Loud thrashing noise reported in starboard screw.
           Stopped screw. Backed screw. When started again,
           noise had disappeared. Believe that seaweed or some-
           thing was wrapped around screw. Noise did not re-
           appear.

-6- (ENCLOSURE (A))

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Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.
are very positive contacts for long periods.

2200 (I) No. 3 main engine is ready to try again after much hard
          and excellent work on the part of the engineers and our
          auxiliaryman welder. Engine tested all right and was
          placed back in service.

August 13, 1945:

          (I) Another crack is evident in exhaust elbow of unit No. 3
              of main engine No. 3. Placed engine out of service
              except for emergency use. Will shift an elbow from a
              forward engine, the first day of submerged operations
              (tomorrow).

1035 (I) O.O.D. picked up what was believed to be a torpedo wake
          on port bow. Came hard right and sighted same on port
          bow. Wakes were heavy with thick brown oil and no
          torpedoes could be heard on M.A.T.D. so believe they
          possibly were oil slicks. Sea was very glassy, and no
          contact was made on Sonar gear. Lat. 29° - 30' N.
          Long. 133° - 21' E.

1200 (I) Lat. 29° - 29' N. Long.133° - 05' E.

1651 (I) Port and after lookout sighted object bearing 110° R.,
          300° T. and thought it was a periscope. O.O.D. avoided
          and sighted object. His idea was that it appeared to
          be a tree branch or thin floating can. Had no contact
          on Sound or M.A.T.D. Lat. 29° - 40' N. Long. 132° -
          22.5' E.

          We again had our "mythical" contacts and our usual
          workout. Atmosphere was hazy with patches of fog.

2135 (I) Plane contact on SV at 62,000 yards, bearing 240° T.
          R.C.M. believed radar contact was friendly. At 30,000
          yards the I.F.F. was cut in and we received a
          When V.H.F. was placed in use it went out completely.
          Plane maneuvered to get on our beam and started closing
          fast. At 7,000 yards with bearing still constant and
          no means of communication available -- submerged.

2218 (I) Surfaced and continued to chase "mad hatters" by radar
          and plot. V.H.F. repaired and in use, but results of
          receiver end questionable.

                                  -3- (ENCLOSURE (A))

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Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

August 14, 1945:

0230 (I) We are able to disregard our false contacts now and can
          at least place them in a definite category as birds,
          fish, or other freaks. However at
          Made radar contact at 12,000 yards on what appeared to
          be a submarine. We are near a lifeguard station so
          thought it could be one of our boys. Cut in SJ radar
          and attempted to communicate. No luck. We would ro-
          verse course to close, and contact reversed course. We
          could never close range closer than 8,900 yards. Plot
          began getting courses all over lot and speeds from 22 to
          9 knots. At 4 A.M. decided that we had another "freak"
          so closed our area in order to be in position to start
          mission on time. Contact was definite during entire
          chase, so still don't know what we had. We never did
          see anything from the bridge.

0525 (I) On station. Weather is hazy and visibility poor.
          Submerged and commenced special mission (See special
          report). Exchanged exhaust elbow between No. 2 and No.
          3 main engines.

1200 (I) Lat. 31° - 12' N. Long. 131° - 26' E.

1920 (I) Surfaced.

2003 (I) Ship contact at 020° T., range 20,000 yards. (Contact
          #8). Lat. 31° - 05' N. Long. 131° - 45' E. Tracked
          contact on base course 090° T., speed 12. Believed to
          be another sub and had a beautiful Arma Course Clock
          track. Warmed up SJ radar and challenged contact.
          Exchanged recognition signals and calls with U.S.S.
          SAILFISH (SS381). We tracked him for a while after-
          wards and found he was closing Toi Misaki for a posit.
          From the track we obtained we could almost predict
          the actions of O.O.D. and Navigator for a short time.

August 15, 1945:

THIS IS THE DAY

0507 (I) Submerged for special mission. Weather foggy again.
          May clear. (See special report).

1135 (I) Sighted floating mooring buoy at Lat. 31° - 21' N.

                                  -9-               (ENCLOSURE (A))

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Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

Lat. 30° - 15' N. Long. 132° - 22' E.

1200 (I) Arrived on new station and commenced surface patrol.

1500 (I) Received ComSubPac's Serial 38 (160441). Here we go
1528 (I) again. Looks interesting anyway. During day received
ALNAV 196 so now everyone is talking "points". Looks
like there are a few to be earned yet for most.

1815 (I) Ship contact (No. 10) bearing 275° T., range 25,750
yards. Tracked on base course 090° T., speed 12. Con-
tact was homeward bound ARGONAUT. Closed and exchanged
calls and "pleasantries" and was accused of being a
"secessionist" since we were still "fighting"?. Had a
test on V.H.F. to see how ours was performing.

2336 (I) Ship contact bearing 314° T., range 23,000 yards.
Tracked it on base course 080° T., speed 15. Exchanged
identification with U.S.S. SPIKFISH (SS404). (Contact
#11). Lat. 29° - 12' N. Long. 131° - 12' E.

August 17, 1945:

Have had many friendly plane contacts this date. We
sure have air control now. Still cannot be sure of
results on the V.H.F. We hear planes talking the
situation over, but no one answers our calls.

1200 (I) Lat. 29° - 40' N. Long. 128° - 36' E.

1630 (I) Converted No. 4 F.B. Tank to a main ballast tank.

August 18, 1945:

There are many friendly air patrols in the area now.
The PBM's usually contact us by voice and give us any
dope they have.

1139 (I) Submarine surfaced on parallel course (000° T.) at
6,000 yards. Proved to be the REDFIN on way to an
exchange calls.

1200 (I) Lat. 32° - 16' N. Long. 128° - 42' E.

1403 (I) Sighted floating mine at Lat. 32° - 20' N. Long. 128° -
59.5' E. Sank same with 40 MM and .50 cal.

-11- ENCLOSURE (A))

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C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One:

August 23, 1945:

1200 (I)         Conducting surface patrol as before.
                 Lat. 31° - 56' N. Long. 129° - 32'E.
1600 (I)         Training motor on QB sound head out of commission.
                 Repairs started.

August 24, 1945:

1200 (I)         Conducting surface patrol as before.
                 Lat. 30° - 29' N. Long. 128° - 45' E.
1330 (I)         QB sound head back in commission.

August 25, 1945:

1200 (I)         Surface patrol as before.
                 Lat. 31° - 00' N. Long.128° - 24' E.
1301 (I)         Sighted floating mine at Lat. 31° - 04' N. Long 128° -
                 22.5' E. Sank same with .30 cal. carbine and .50 cal.
                 M.G. fire.
                 Wind and seas picking up. Barometer steady.
1834 (I)         Received ComSubPac's Serial SIX ONE (250723) directing
                 change of area on 28 August.
2010 (I)         Received ComSubPac's Serial SIX TWO (250814) making
                 new division assignment.

August 26, 1945:

                 Surface patrol as before. Wind strong, seas force four.
                 Lat. 31° - 22' N. Long. 129° - 01' E.
1200 (I)         Wind and seas still uncomfortable on all but northerly
                 and southerly headings. Conducting patrol on these
                 headings. Can cover area with radar fairly well and
                 desire to have a little room if heavier weather follows.

                                   -13-         (ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

August 27, 1945:
Surface patrol as before. Wind and sea bout the same.
Believe we are in northern end of storm area.

1200 (I) Lat. 31° - 55' N. Long. 128° - 48' E.
Seas and wind are calming down.

August 28, 1945:
Surface patrol as before. Sea and wind calm again.

1055 (I) Sighted floating mine at 32° - 17' N. Long. 128° - 46' E.
Exploded mine with .50 cal. M.G. fire.

1200 (I) Lat. 32° - 17' N. Long. 128° - 38' E.

1245 (I) Made trim dive.

1338 (I) Sighted submarine bearing 290° T., range 18,000 yards.
Closed and identified as U.S.S. REDFIN (SS272). Ex-
changed calls and information. Put over rubber boat
and made exchange of movies and parts of ALNAV missed.

1613 (I) Received ComSubPac's Serial SEVEN ZERO (280503) direct-
ing termination of this patrol and rendezvous with other
boats of this area.

1800 - 1930 (I) Sending CATFISH's SECOND (280859) to ComSubPac. Delays
caused by other transmissions being made.

Tonight for first time navigational lights were seen.
Ose Saki light on Fukae Shima was observed after sunset.

August 29, 1945:
Surface patrol as before.

0735 (I) Sighted floating mine at 32° - 05' N. 127° - 27' E.
Exploded same with .50 cal. M.G. and .30 cal carbine fire.

1100 (I) Departed area to 2 engine speed to make rendezvous on
time.

-14- (ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)
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Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

1945 (I) Wind and sea increased making a slowing of speed
           mandatory.

2200 (I) Taking green ones over bridge and down hatch. Slowed
           to one engine speed.

September 1, 1945:

0030 (I) No doubt about the presence of a typhoon. Making
           steerage way only.

0800 (I) Sent CATFISH's FOURTH to ComSubPac.

1200 (I) Lat. 20° - 44' N. Long. 127° - 40' E.
           Sea and wind increasing. Barometer reached low of
           29.23 at 1800.

September 2, 1945:

           Still riding out storm. Others are doing all right.
           BLACKFIN is in sight, but not REDFIN. Barometer
           rising slowly.

0930 (I) Radar contact on three ships at 42,000 yards bearing
           140° T. They are running before the storm and tracked
           at 9 knots. Passed clear on course 005° T.

1200 (I) Lat. 20° - 09' N. Long 127° - 42' E. (Doubtful).
           Seas improving. REDFIN sent position and is a few
           miles south of us. Increasing speed slowly.

1500 (I) Seas and winds have calmed enough to permit further
           increase in speed. BLACKFIN on station and REDFIN
           closing.

1730 (I) Going ahead 10.5 knots and everyone back in company.
           Closing joint zone. We were forced to south by storm.

1820 (I) Sent CATFISH's FIFTH to ComSubPac.

2000 (I) Back up to three engine speed making good 13 knots.
           Seas still calming down though.

-16- (ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

September 3, 1945:
    Weather almost back to normal. Will be able to make
    better speed than believed earlier.

0815 (I) Sent CATFISH's SIXTH to ComSubPac requesting new
         rendezvous time.

0837 (I) Radar contact on submarine bearing 158° T., range
         20,000 yards. (U.S.S. CABEZON). Lat. 18° - 39' N.
         Long. 132° - 14' E.

1200 (I) Lat. 18° - 12' N. Long. 133° - 06' E.

1450 (I) Received ComSubPac's 030406 verifying time of
         rendezvous.

September 4, 1945:
    Enroute to Guam.

1200 (I) Lat. 15° - 07' N. Long. 138° - 55' E.

2235 (I) Received ComSubPac's 041233 naming escort (LCI 603)
         for entry to Apra Harbor.

September 5, 1945:
    Enroute to Guam.

0300 (I) Set ship's clocks ahead 1 hour to conform to -10 (K)
         time.

0514 (K) Small radar contact at 090° T., range 27,000 yards.
         Tracked on course 280° T., speed 12. Avoided.

0940 (K) Made rendezvous with escort LCI - 603. Underway for
         Apra Harbor.

1200 (K) Lat. 13° - 27' N. Long. 144° - 23' E.

1355 (K) Moored. Apra Harbor.

-17- ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339).
Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

(I) MINES:

| Contact | Date | Position | Disposition |
|---|---|---|---|
| No. 1 | 18 August | Lat. 32°-20' N. Long.128°-59.5' E. | Sank with gunfire. |
| No. 2 | 23 August | Lat. 31°-23' N. Long. 129°-02' E. | Avoided and lost in dark. |
| No. 3 | 25 August | Lat. 31°-04' N. Long. 128°-22.5' E. | Sank with gunfire. |
| No. 4 | 28 August | Lat. 32°-17' N. Long. 129°-46' E. | Exploded with gunfire. |
| No. 5 | 29 August | Lat. 32°-09' N. Long. 129°-27' E. | Exploded by gunfire. |

(J) ANTISUBMARINE MEASURES AND EVASION TACTICS:

No countermeasures experienced except one aircraft patrol which was
avoided by diving.

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE:

1. Hull and Machinery:

    H.P. Air Compressors - The discharge ring plate valves on first and sec-
    ond stage of No. 2 air compressor were found to be cracked - renewed. The
    third and fourth stage valve springs were renewed on the same compressor.
    Air Conditioning Unit No. 1 - Flexible copper hose coupling on discharge
    side between unit and condenser carried away and was replaced.
    Conning Tower Air Conditioning Unit - This unit became noisy and the out-
    put was negligible. Removed unit, cleaned coils, cleaned and overhauled
    fan and replaced unit. The installation of this unit should be modified
    to allow the removal of fan without complete disassembly of unit and
    cutting of freon lines, as at present.
    Periscopes - No. 1 periscope was repacked at Guam. The control cylinder
    pistons on both scopes were leaking badly on arrival Guam. Also No. 2
    periscope was pumping hydraulic oil every time it was raised. Pearl Har-
    bor had altered control pistons during post-trip repairs. U.S.S. HOLLAND
    removed pistons on No. 2 scope and found that new pistons as installed by
    Pearl Harbor had not been machined. This new type control piston is

-19- (ENCLOSURE (A))

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U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

of a split type. The upper half of both pistons were not machined. The
surfaces were rough and were not round. They had scored the cylinders
very badly. A temporary repair job was accomplished, but a more thorough
overhaul of the control cylinders will have to be accomplished during this
refit. The cause of the trouble was carelessness on part of installing
personnel and anything as important as a periscope on a war patrol should
at least be supervised during any alterations made to it. I do not believe
anyone over a third class fireman would have performed such a job, and
certainly no one was inspecting the work during its accomplishment.

Main Engines - On 28 July, fresh water system on No. 2 main engine
became air bound. Tests on engine lead to the discovery of a cracked
liner on unit No. 14. Liner was renewed. Engine hours - 520. On 12
August, exhaust elbow on unit No. 2 of No. 3 main engine cracked. Fur-
ther inspection also disclosed two broken head studs on this unit.
Broken studs had caused sufficient vibration to result in crack-
ing exhaust elbow. Attempts to repair exhaust elbow were made, but
results were negative, so replaced this elbow with one from No. 2 main
engine. This was done in order to keep No. 3 in commission to build
up hours on the after engines for overhaul purposes. On 13 August,
fresh water system on No. 3 main engine was found to be airbound. Again
a cracked liner was found on unit 14 of engine No. 3. This was the 2nd
liner renewed on unit 14 of engine No. 3 and a total of 6 head studs. It is
desired to replace old head studs with new design at earliest possible
date.

IC Motor Generators - During patrol it was necessary to smooth down slip
rings on all four IC motor generator sets. The slip rings appear to be
too soft or brush rigging of a faulty design. This same trouble had
occurred during early training operations.

2. Ordnance and Gunnery:

5"/25 cal. - The hand operating lever for the breech sheared the taper
pins and elongated hole. This was repaired by a 3/16" hole through hand
operating lever and spindle and using a 5/32" inch pin which was pinned
with a cotter pin. The original installation should be redesigned using
a key and key way the hold operating handle on spindle.

-20- (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 26 —
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

(L) RADIO:

     There were no material casualties to the main radio equipment.

     The "Spot" type antenna system was installed prior to this run. The
whip section worked the best, but immediately after surfacing and during
rainy weather, the water on antenna reduced its efficiency. The position
it was operated in seemed to make little difference.

     The SCR-624 (VHF) transceiver gave considerable trouble. One bad
condenser in the transmitter was found and replaced. The receiver was out
of commission more than half the time. On the trip back the receiver
operated satisfactorily but the transmitter could not be heard at ranges
over 6,000 yards. Reports from boats in company reported fading and much
of the communications had to be relayed.

     No spares are furnished for this equipment. All repairs were made
using replacements from radar spares.

     APR was used as a receiver when the receiver was out of commission.

(M) RADAR:

     SJ-1 - Only minor troubles were experienced. One leaky condenser, in
          precision generator, and one new 5U4G tube had to be replaced.
          This radar was tested daily but had little use during patrol.

     ST - On August 6 during test of ST and SJ, found that there was no
          crystal current in Klystron circuit. Microphonic Klystron was
          replaced with no better results. Resistor R12 was found to be
          open and replaced. Also had to replace RF line and crystal.
          Then normal operation was restored. ST was used for navigation
          submerged in Kyushu area and tested daily when not in use.

-21- (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 28 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

On August 4, routined entire SV system after 1200 hours of oper-
ation. The following system faults were found and corrected:

Fault                                   Cause and Correction

(1) Erratic range step.                 Phase shifting tube V503 had de-
                                        veloped intermittent short. Re-
                                        placed tube with a new 6AC7.

(2) Gain of PPI sweep video             Second and third IF's in range indi-
    would rise and fall                 cator IF strip were microphonic.
    intermittently. Faint               Replaced with new 6AC7's. Fourth
    "range rings" were ob-              IF was oscillating causing "range
    served at intervals of              rings". Replaced with 6AC7.
    15,000 yards.

(3) With sensitivity time               Found high resistance soldered
    control out in, gain                joint between range indicator gain
    could not be suppressed             control potentiometer and the 220
    enough to cut down sea              ohm resistor. Joint was resoldered
    return. Gain beyond                 and normal operation restored.
    suppression period would
    rise abnormally. The
    trouble was intermittent.

BN - Oscillator would not key positively everytime interrogation was
     attempted. Output was weak. Normal keying was restored by
     cleaning contacts on remote keying unit. Normal output was
     restored after replacing 15-E oscillator.

     The only other casualty was loss of transmitter output. This
     was corrected by replacing transmitter oscillator tube. (100
     hours operation).

     The operation of the radar gear left nothing to be desired during
     this patrol. The Commanding Officer feels that this was due
     largely to rigid upkeep and test schedule maintained by Radio
     Technicians, and their knowledge and excellent work.

(N) SONAR GEAR AND SOUND CONDITIONS:

     On 23 August, training motor on QB head began running at high speed.

                                        -23-          (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 29 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339).

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

Head was secured and investigation showed ground in field coil. Motor
was removed and bottom field coil was found to be grounded due to
salt water corrosion. Motor was removed and replaced by lathe motor.

One small ground developed in QC - JK training motor, but this was
corrected by running motor and drying out coils.

MATD -- Only minor trouble as listed below was encountered. This gear was
used continuously for either small object detection or torpedo
detection.

Casualty                                Repairs made

PPI scope - blank                       Replaced high voltage rectifier
                                        tube 2X2 (140 hours).

Train became erratic                    Found selsyn drive bearings on
                                        deflection yoke corroded. Cleaned
                                        bearings and restored normal
                                        operation.

TDM --- This was used two days in conjunction with MATD for small object
detection. Only casualty experienced was a broken micro-switch in
synchro circuit.

Sound conditions in area off southeast coast of Kyushu were excellent.
No targets were encountered however.

(C) DENSITY LAYERS:

The following information was obtained from bilge keel mounted bathy-
thermograph. The shear mounted bathythermograph gave no results as tem-
perature of air and shears was so great that needle was off card until long
periods of time after submerging.

Date            Position                        Gradient

8-13-45         Lat. 30°-15' N.                 3° negative at 150 feet.
                Long. 132°-10' E.

8-14-45         Lat. 31°-14' N.                 All day submerged operating be-
                Long. 132°-10' E.               tween 60 - 95 feet. 1° negative
                                                to 3° negative at 90'. Inversion
                                                temperature changed 12° during day.

-24-            (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 31 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

new boat, due to the time spent at various points during transit from New
London, Connecticut to Pearl Harbor, T.H. This time primarily was to render
service to sound school, etc., but much additional training was obtained.
The performance of duty of all officers and men was highly satisfactory,
and it was a pleasure to have them aboard. Daily school of the boat was
conducted. Although the patrol was of a non combatant nature and
the long awaited day occurred during the patrol, the morale was always of
the best.

(R) MILES STEAMED - FUEL USED:

Pearl Harbor to Guam           3785.1 miles   50,350 gallons
Guam to Area                   1709.5 miles   19,765 gallons
In area                        3311.4 miles   25,820 gallons
Area to Guam                   1932.4 miles   27,815 gallons

(S) DURATION:

Days enroute Pearl Harbor to Guam           12
Days enroute Guam to Area                    6
Days in area                                15
Days enroute to Guam                         6
Days submerged                               2

(T) FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING:

Torpedoes           Fuel           Provisions           Personnel
                                                        Factor
24                  44,316 gal.    30 days              30 days

Limiting factor this patrol - End of World War II and ComSubPac's Serial
SEVENTY (230503).

(U) COMMUNICATIONS, RADAR, AND SONAR COUNTERMEASURES:

Radar Countermeasures:
(1) Intercept of enemy signals:
    In both areas, off Kyushu and area nine, the number of radar signals
    were numerous. The R.C.M. installation on this vessel is non
    directional. It is believed that the 155 M.C. radar contacted

-26-                  (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 32 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

                                                                U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339)

Subject:        U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

                on the night of August 15 was an airborne radar. The 135 M.C. radar
                had been pretty well established as a shore based radar and both
                were alternating tracking us prior to the aircraft contact which
                forced us to submerge on that night. Some of the radars listed
                below may be friendly plane radar. The first group were those that
                complete data were obtained on, and the second group those that
                data was not complete.

Date            Location                Freq.(MCS) PRF   P.W. Pulse Shape   Remarks

8/9/45          Lat. 17°-15' N.         90       60    23   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.144°-01' E.                                                         antenna

8/9/45          Lat. 17°-21' N.         107      60         [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.143°-54' E.                                                         antenna

8/10/45         Lat. 20°-53' N.         68       650   30   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.139°-40' E.                                                         antenna

8/12/45         Lat. 23°-44' N.         175      250   30   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   ---
                Long.139°-17' E.

8/13/45         Lat. 29°-30' N.         75       750   60   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.133°-09' E.                                                         antenna

8/14/45         Lat. 30°-46' N.         155      600   15   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   ---
                Long.132°-00' E.

8/14/45         Lat. 30°-54' N.         98       600   17   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   ---
                Long.131°-51' E.

8/15/45         Lat. 31°-08' N.         135      500   15   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   ---
                Long.132°-00' E.

8/16/45         Lat. 31°-16' N.         98       1000  15   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   ---
                Long.132°-00' E.

8/17/45         Lat. 31°-23' N.         98       700   30   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.129°-37' E.                                                         antenna

8/19/45         Lat. 32°-02' N.         150      750   12   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.128°-44' E.                                                         antenna

8/19/45         Lat. 32°-02' N.         96       600   16   [P.W. Pulse Shape drawing]   Rotating
                Long.128°-44' E.                                                         antenna

                                        -27-                  (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 33 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol Number One.

Subject:

Date | Location | Freq.(MCS) | PRI | P.W. | Pulse Shape | Remarks
-----|||-----|------||
8/19/45 | Lat. 32°-02' N. | 97 | 800 | 35 | [PULSE SHAPE DRAWING] |
        | Long.128°-44' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/10/45 | Lat. 21°-39' N. | 47 | 60 | 20 | --- |
        | Long.139°-31' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/11/45 | Lat. 26°-37' N. | 72 | 800 | 30 | --- |
        | Long.139°-40' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/11/45 | Lat. 26°-58' N. | 2950 | 1600 | 1 | --- |
        | Long.139°-25' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/12/45 | Lat. 28°-44' N. | 175 | 250 | 30 | --- |
        | Long.139°-17' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/13/45 | Lat. 29°-31' N. | 97 | 750 to | 15 | --- | rotating
        | Long.133°-48' E. |    | 800    |      |             | antenna
8/13/45 | Lat. 29°-30' N. | 40 | 60 | 15 | --- | Rotating
        | Long.133°-08' E. |    |     |      |             | antenna
8/13/45 | Lat. 29°-30' N. | 70 | 800 | 60 | --- | Rotating
        | Long.133°-09' E. |    |     |      |             | antenna
8/14/45 | Lat. 30°-54' N. | 135 | 600 | 15 | --- |
        | Long.132°-04' E. |    |     |      |             |
8/15/45 | Lat. 31°-08' N. | 135 | 600 | 15 | --- | Believed
        | Long.132°-00' E. |    |     |      |             | to be air-
        |                   |    |     |      |             | craft

(2) Jamming - None experienced.
(3) Deception - None experienced.
(4) Scope of Photographs, etc. - No data.

Communication Countermeasures:
None encountered.

Sonar Countermeasures:
None encountered.

-28- (ENCLOSURE (A))

— page 35 —
COMMANDER SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE SILLY TWO
F35-362/A16-3(18) Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
Serial (0102) 6 September 1945.

CONFIDENTIAL

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
Report of CATFISH'S
First War Patrol.

From: The Commander Submarine Division THREE SILLY TWO.
To : The Commander in Chief, UNITED STATES FLEET.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-EIGHT.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, U.S. PACIFIC
FLEET.
(3) The Commander in Chief, U.S. PACIFIC FLEET.

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339), Report of War Patrol
Number One.

1. The first war patrol of the U.S.S. CATFISH was
conducted in the waters on the east coast of KYUSHU during the
period, 26 July 1945 to 6 September 1945. Fifteen (15) days
were spent in the area.

2. No enemy ship contacts were made. One possible
enemy aircraft was contacted. On 13 August one possible torpedo
track was seen but was not heard on the sound gear. Four (4)
mines were either sunk or exploded and one was avoided in the
dark.

3. The Administrative Commander Submarine Division
THREE SILLY TWO congratulates the commanding officer, officers,
and crew on the completion of this patrol and their return to
shipshape. Voyage repairs will be made and major defects
corrected. The alteration to install a booster blower
with air condition in the forward battery room should be completed.

[SIGNATURE: D. F. ELLISON]
D. F. ELLISON.

— page 36 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY SIX
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
6 September 1945.

FC5-36/A16-3
Serial: 06S
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339) -
Report of War Patrol
Number One.

From: Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-SIX.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet,
Administration.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339) - Report of War Patrol
Number One.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the
Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO.

2. The Administrative Squadron Commander congratulates
the Commanding Officer, officers and crew upon the completion
of their first patrol.

[SIGNATURE: JESSE L. HULL]
JESSE L. HULL

[STAMP: 10 018]

— page 37 —
FF12-10/A16-3
Serial 0303

SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
9 Soptember 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
CATFISH Roport of
First War Patrol.

[STAMP: EXTRA]
[STAMP: ORIGINAL]
[STAMP: MICRO]
[STAMP: PHOTO-LAB]
[STAMP: OP-16]
[STAMP: RETURN TO F-4253]

NOTE: THIS REPORT WILL BE
DESTROYED PRIOR TO
ENTERING PATROL AREA.

CONSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 903
U.S.S. CATFISH - FIRST WAR PATROL.

From: The Cormander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Cormander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : The Cormander in Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. CATFISH (SS339) - Roport of First War Patrol
(23 July to 6 Soptember 1945).

1. The first war patrol of the CATFISH, under the command of
Licutenant Cormander W. A. Overton, U.S. Naval Reserve was conducted off the
east and west coasts of Kyushu.

2. The patrol was primarily a lifeguard mission following cessa-
tion of hostilities. Two days were spent in a mine survey off the east coast
Kyushu. No mines were found. The exceptional performance of the new SV ra-
dar is noted with satisfaction.

3. Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is not
authorized.

4. Cormander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet congratulates the
Commanding Officer, officers and crew of the CATFISH for the completion of
this patrol, and regrets that the tormination of hostilities did not permit
the CATFISH the opportunity to complete her special mission or fire torpodoes.

C. A. LOCKWOOD, Jr.

DISTRIBUTION:
(Complete Roports)
Cominch | (7) | Connorpac | (1)
CNO | (5) | Consubspac | (3)
Cinclant | (6) | ConsubspacAdCond | (20)
JICPOA | (1) | SUBAD, MI | (2)
AdJICPOA | (1) | ConsubspacSubordCom | (3)
Comservpac | (1) | All Squadron and Div. | (2)
Cinclant | (1) | Cormanders, Pacific | (5)
Consubslant | (1) | ConSubOpTraGrBalboa (Air mail) | (2)
S/M School, US | (8) | Substrainpac | (2)
CO, S/M Base, PH | (1) | All Submarines, Pacific | (1)
Consopac | (1)
Consowospec | (1)
Consubs7thFlt (Fwd Echelon) | (2) | [SIGNATURE: E. J. AUER]
Consubs7thFlt (Rear Echelon) | (2) | Assistant Flag Socretary.

[HANDWRITTEN: 10 018]

— page 38 —
END OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: 7-108] [HANDWRITTEN: AR-125-78]

|||||1.0
|||||1.1
|||||1.25 |||||1.4 |||||1.6

|||||2.8 |||||2.5
|||||3.2 |||||2.2
|||||3.6 |||||2.0
|||||4.0 |||||1.8

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[IMAGE: Department of Defense Seal with text "DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA"]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION