U.S.S. SPOT (SS-413) — war patrol report SS-413_SPOT.pdf

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START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: H-108-AR-92-76]
[HANDWRITTEN: R#1]

1.0                               2.5
                                  2.8
                                  3.15
                                  3.5
                                  4.0
                                  4.5
                                  5.0
                                  5.6
1.1                               2.2
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1.25          1.4                 1.6

OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: Havens]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 9-3-75]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET, START & END
NAVEXOS 3968

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[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
[HANDWRITTEN: (01)]

U.S.S. SPOT (SS413)
Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.
30 January 1945.

DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: 0109BR] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 6/18/72]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : Official Channels.

Subject: U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of War Patrol Number ONE.

Enclosure: (A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart (For ComSubPac).

1. Enclosure (A) covering the first war patrol of this vessel
in the East China Sea and the Yellow Sea Area during the period December
4, 1944 to January 30, 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: W.S. Post]
W.S. POST, Jr.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 108864]

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CONFIDENTIAL
A. PROLOGUE

U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) was commissioned on 3 August 1944 at Navy Yard, Mare
Island, completed 13 September 1944. Arrived Pearl Harbor, T.H., on 14
November 1944, after a month's training period and nine day's special
availability at San Diego. Voyage repairs were made by Submarine Base,
Pearl Harbor, T.H. Conducted a thirteen day training period at Pearl and
fired six exercise torpedoes. Readiness for sea; 4 December 1944.

Items of special interest installed on board the SPOT are:
(a) Scuro echo sounding equipment.
(b) 38 foot antenna system.
(c) Two 40MM guns, one mounted fwd, one aft, on bridge dock.
(d) Mare Island design stern gland tightening device.
(e) Globe valves in L.P. blow lines.
(f) Sound projector shaft junction box.

B. NARRATIVE

4 December 1944

1327(9½) Underway from Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. in accordance
with ComSubPac Opord 401-44 of 3 December 1944, Task Unit
Designation 17.11.1 in company with USS BALAO, Task Unit Desig-
nation 17.11.3, escorted by PC571, and in temporary company with
USS TINOSA & escort.

1930(9½) Held radar tracking exercise with USS BALAO.

6 December

2110(10½) Transmitted SPOT first to ComSubPac acknowledging change in rend-
ezvous with ICEFISH.

7 December - 9 December

Enroute to Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, in company with USS BALAO, via
rendezvous with USS ICEFISH. Held frequent training dives, track-
ing and communication drills, and gunnery exercises. During this
period, tested MK 18-1 torpedoes in tubes for tightness by flood-
ing to 100 feet. Torpedo # 57128 was found to have flooded its
battery compartment completely. Drained and flushed out battery
compartment with fresh water, removed as much electrolyte from
cells as possible and refilled them with battery water. Crossed
International Date line, dropped December 8, 1944 from the cal-
endar.

1

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CONFIDENTIAL

10 December
1910(-12) Passed mail to USS BALAO by line gun.
2003(-12) Made rendezvous with USS ICEFISH, Task Unit
Designation 17.11.2.

11 December
0630(-12) Passed mail to USS ICEFISH by line gun.

12 December
1904(-11) Transmitted SPOT second to CTG 17.7, info. CTF 17, BALAO and
ICEFISH, giving speed of advance and requesting rendezvous.

13 December - 14 December
Enroute Tanapag Harbor, Saipan in company with USS BALAO and
USS ICEFISH, holding daily drills.

15 December
0629(-10½) Made rendezvous with PC1127.
1000(-10) Moored alongside USS FULTON, Tanapag Harbor, Saipan, undergoing
voyage repairs and refueling. Replaced flooded torpedo.

17 December
1408(-10) Departed Tanapag Harbor, Saipan enroute patrol area, in com-
pany with USS ICEFISH, USS BALAO and escort. USS RAZORBACK proceeded 17.11.2.
1900(-9) Released escort. ICEFISH and BALAO took scouting stations
to course.

18 December: Unless otherwise noted all times are minus nine (-9)
zone time.
1100 Sighted B-29 heading in direction of Saipan (plane contact #1).

19 December
Enroute patrol area. Holding drills and dives.

20 December
0830 Sighted two NELIS searching low over water. (plane contact #2).
Submerged for half hour.

21 December
Proceeded indopondently to enter area.
[HANDWRITTEN: -2-]

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CONFIDENTIAL
CONFIDENTIAL (Cont'd)
21 December (Cont'd)
1515 Sighted single NELL. Submerged for half hour. (plano con-
     tact # 3).
1603 SPA-AFR aircraft radar contact. Grow steadily stronger.
1605 Sighted single NELL. Submerged for remainder of daylight.
     (plano contact # 4).
1930 SPA-AFR aircraft radar contact. Manouvered radically and
     lost contact shortly thereafter. Do not believe we were
     detected.
2140 While approaching pass between Akuseki Jima and Kodakara Shima
     sighted two, possibly three patrol craft. (ship contact # 1).
     Tracked the closest on course 110°, speed 16 kts. This latter
     may have been a friendly submarine. Evaded and proceeded thru
     pass. Detected land-based radar.

22 December
     Proceeding to southwest sector of area.
     Conducted submerged patrol during daylight.
1850 Surfaced.

23 December.
0100 Land-based radar contact. Probably Danjo Gunto.
     Conducted submerged patrol enroute China coast.
1922 Approximately 3/4 hour after surfacing, detected Jap aircraft
     radar with SPA-AFR. Changed course radically until
1935 when he lost us, and we resumed course for the night.

24 December
     Conducted submerged patrol.
1828 Surfaced.
1956 Radar contact, 27,000 yards, went to battle stations and tracked
     target on course 060, speed 15.
2039 Target in sight, turned out to be hospital ship (ship contact
     # 2), properly marked but zigzagging radically.

25 December
     Conducted submerged patrol. Held Christmas Day celebration. Food,
     music and movies were excellent.
1905 Surfaced. During the night, made contact with several sailing
     junks. Upon surfacing, the SJ radar was found to be out of commiss-
     ion. Spont this night without its services while repairs
-3-

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CONFIDENTIAL

25 December (Cont'd)

wore being made.

26 December

Conducted submerged patrol.
1842 Surfaced. At 2000 sighted several sailing junks off Hioshan
Islands and shortly thereafter picked up strong land radar.
Conducted patrol along ten fathom curve between Hioshan
Islands and Kuoshan Islands, then on course 040° to cover
other southern approaches to Yangtze.

27 December
0420 Sighted two patrol boats. Avoided on surface. (ship contact #3)
Conducted submerged patrol to the north of Kuoshan Islands.
1333 Surfaced.

28 December
0636 Made trim dive.
0755 Surfaced. Conducted patrol along Shanghai - Tsingtao shipping
route.
0825 Sighted plane vapor trail on easterly course, very great
altitude. This may have been a B-29. (aircraft contact # 5).
Made visual contact with several junks during the day.
1515 Received message NR 344 from China, contact report of two
transports at 0854 this date. At that time transports were
about 40 miles to westward. At time of receipt of message
transports were two days' chase to southeastward.
1635 Received ComSubPac dispatch paraphrasing China's contact
report.

29 December
0420 Made visual contact with small unidentified craft. Made
preparations for gun attack. Identified craft as fisherman;
did not attack.
0625 Dove to conduct submerged patrol southwest of Saishu To.
(Quelpart I.).
0755 Sighted 6 Zokos, course south. (aircraft contact # 6).
1838 Surfaced. Set course for position north of Saishu To.
1900 SPA-LPR contact, weak. Apparently Saishu To.
2015 Sighted Saishu To, range 90,000 yards.

-4-

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CONFIDENTIAL
29 December (Cont'd)

2110 Land-based search radar contact, SPA-APR, again probably
     Saishu To.
2130 Radar contact - 34,000 yards. Pips resembled those of one
     large ship and escort. Tracking identified contact as land -
     Flower Island and Kaigan Island.

30 December
0615 Dove to conduct submerged patrol north of Saishu To.
1045 Sighted a B-29 (aircraft contact # 7).
1834 Surfaced. Ran between Taro To and Shosui To (Maisonnouve)
     (North of Saishu To) - the rest of the night. Made radar and
     visual contact with several fishing boats.

31 December
0652 Dove to conduct submerged patrol north of Saishu To.
1840 Surfaced. Ran between Soizan To (Chunsan To) and Taro To (North
     of Saishu To) the rest of the night. Made radar and visual
     contact with several fishing boats.
2100 SPA-APR aircraft radar contact. Maneuvered radically and
     lost contact immediately. Apparently we were not detected.

1 January 1945
0500 SPA-APR aircraft radar contact, weak. Lost contact.
0635 Dove to conduct submerged patrol north of Saishu To.
1836 Surfaced. Ran between Soizan To (Chunsan To) and Taro To
     (North of Saishu To), the rest of the night. Made radar and
     visual contact with several fishing boats.

2 January
0310 SPA-APR aircraft radar contact. Maneuvered to avoid, lost him.
0626 Dove to conduct submerged patrol north of Saishu To.
1449 Sighted mast tops, 16,000 yards, apparently patrol craft. (ship
     contact # 4).
1605 Sighted patrol craft (ONI 41-42; MINOR COMBATANTS: Japanese
     PC's) (ship contact # 5). Commenced approach.
1636 Fired three MK 18-1 torpedoes from the bow tubes, depth set -
     four foot; all missed. Our approach and attack were apparently
     undetected as we swung away to evade a possible counter attack
     which did not develop. Decided not to use any more torpedoes
     on this follow.
1837 Surfaced. Ran between Soizan To (Chunsan To) and Taro To
     (North of Saishu To). Made the usual contacts with fishing
     boats.
2250 Sent message to Bennett's Blazers notifying them of our enter-
     ing their area temporarily. No receipt.

-5-

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CONFIDENTIAL
3 January
0000 Departed Saishu Kaikyo and headed to position south of Saishu To
     to conduct surface patrol.
0645 Made trim dive.
0708 Surfaced. Conducted surface patrol to intercept freighters re-
     ported by B-29.
1300 SPA-APR contact, now frequency, showing shipborne characteristics.
     This was quite possibly a convoy, but without a directional
     detector antenna, it was impossible to take positive action.
     Contact was lost about 1730.
1830 Dove to wash out converted fuel main ballast tank and retrim.
1839 Surfaced.
2040 Received message assigning Blazers and Panzers, except BALAO,
     to lifeguard duty during B-29 strike on 6 January.

4 January
0647 Made trim dive.
0758 Surfaced. Conducted surface patrol southwest of Korea.
1254 Sighted floating mine, attempts to sink or detonate mine by
     machine gun fire were unsuccessful.
1330 Sighted a second floating mine.

5 January
0330 Assigned lifeguard station to BALAO due to departure of
     ICEFISH. No receipt.
0352 Radar contact - 34,000 yards. Tracking identified contact as
     land, Hachille Rock.
0651 Made trim dive.
0749 Surfaced. Continued surface patrol.
1945 Sent weather report to China via NPM.
2015 Radar contact 8000 yards. Tracking identified target to be
     small fisherman or junk. Resumed patrol enroute to station
     for air strike scheduled the following day.
2150 Received ComSubPac serial seven six dog readjustment reassign-
     ing Area 12 south of Lat. 31 N to Loughlin's Loopers.

6 January
0625 Made trim dive on station assigned for lifeguard duty.
0640 Surfaced.
1300 Plane contact on SD radar. Dove when it closed to 4 miles with-
     out making IFF reply.
1325 Surfaced. In view of increased activity to the south, and arrival
     of Loughlin's Loopers, decided to conduct surface patrol on
     southern edge of area upon completion of lifeguard duties.
1805 Ordered BALAO commence search for convoy reported by aircraft
2054 and to rendezvous at 0100 tomorrow. No receipt.
     -6-

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CONFIDENTIAL
7 January

0155 Had not made rendezvous, so at
0155 attempted to raise BALAO again. No receipt.
0630 Made trim dive.
0645 Surfaced. Sighted several fishing junks during morning.
1115 Sighted two medium diesel trawlers, 10,000 yards. Manned 1-
     20MM, 2-40MM and 5" gun. Closed range. Observed Jap merchant
     flag painted on pilot house of each; also noted radio antennae,
     (ship contact # 6).
1215 Opened fire with forward guns at 2200 yards, closing; swung to
     bring all guns to bear on nearest trawler.
1230 Nearest trawler on fire, broke in two, and sank. Turned to
     overhaul other trawler who had left scene at 11 knots; closed
     range, opened fire at 2300 yards; swung to bring all guns to
     bear.
1240 Second trawler on fire, capsized, and sank. This was our first
     opportunity to test the effectiveness of our new gun install-
     ation, consisting of a 20MM mount on deck forward, a 40MM gun
     on fwd bridge deck, a 40MM gun on after bridge deck, 5" gun
     aft and 8-50 cal. mg. mounts (the latter not used during this
     attack). The 40MM gun fwd made feasible an offensive surface
     approach presenting a zero target angle to the enemy. Its
     accuracy neutralized and fired the trawlers' topsides to the
     extent where possible return fire was out of the question,
     allowing leisurely maneuvering to bring all guns to bear. All
     40MM fire was murderous; 20MM fire was equally so at ranges
     of less than 1200 yards. 5" fire smashed and broke up the targets
     hulls. We had several misfires on the 5" gun during this attack
     due to a weak firing pin spring. As the attack commenced the
     trawlers were observed to throw over their sterns not rear to
     which barely visible floats were attached, with the intention
     of fouling our screws. It is recommended that in engagements
     of this sort, submarines stay well clear of the stern wakes
     of the vessel(s) under fire.
[HANDWRITTEN: Jivi D]
1449 Made trim dive.
1501 Surfaced.
1955 Attempted to raise BALAO and assign patrol station. No receipt.
2245 Transmitted SPOT third to ComSubPac containing information for
     relay to BALAO.

8 January
0700 Made trim dive.
0718 Surfaced.
1254 Sighted floating mine. Exploded it with 40MM fire.
1748 Sighted floating mine. Sank it with .50 cal mg. fire.

9 January
0934 Made trim dive.
0958 Surfaced.
1335 Sighted floating mine. Sank it with .50 cal. mg. fire.
-7-

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CONFIDENTIAL

10 January
1010 Sighted floating mine. Exploded it with .50 cal. mg. fire.
1109 Sighted floating mine. Exploded it with .50 cal. mg. fire.
1252 Made trim dive.
1307 Surfaced.
1407 Sighted floating mine. Exploded it with .50 cal. mg. fire.
1900 Attempted to raise BALAO info Loopers and Nichols pack
     assigning now rendezvous. No receipt.
2105 Transmitted SPOT fourth to ComSubPac containing orders
     and information for relay to BALAO.

11 January
0800 Requested additional information from the Loopers con-
     cerning radar contact reported.
0902 Received msg. from Comdr. Loughlin giving data requested.
0930 On surface. Sighted MFM through periscope, range 11,000
     yards. Target tracked on course 280, speed 4-5 knots.
     Identified as small coastal steamer. Decided size of tar-
     get and sea conditions (4-5) did not warrant torpedo
     fire.(ship contact # 7).
0948 Notified Loopers and BALAO of contact.
1000 Notified Loopers that we had started attack.
     Manned two 40MM guns and 5" gun. Closed range and opened
     fire with fwd 40MM gun, at 2400 yards, closing. Swung
     to bring all guns to bear. After 20 minutes of continual
     fire, which averaged over 75% hits, the target broke up,
     overturned, and sank at
1020 It was noted that this vessel mounted heavy calibre mach-
     ine guns on the bridge wings. The vessel was identified
     as Hoiyo Maru type (ONI 208-J, revised page 156). Radio
     transmission on 500 kcs was heard during this attack.
1022 Notified Loopers that target was sunk.
1027 Made trim dive.
1052 Surfaced. SJ radar contact, 17,000 yards, closing rapidly,
     identified by sight as NELL (plane contact # 9). Our fast
     thinking TDC operator divided his inputs by ten and tracked
     NELL on course 290, speed 240 knots. This agreed with
     visual estimate that she had not sighted us and would pass
     clear. Continued surface patrol.
1057 Received ComSubPac serial seven zobra concerning possible
     restricted area and requesting information whether enemy
     vessels were avoiding this area.

12 January
     Enroute to rendezvous with BALAO.
     -8-

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CONFIDENTIAL

12 January (Cont'd)
0704 Made trim dive.
0725 Surfaced.
1447 Sighted floating mine. No time to stop for this one.
1600 SEA-AIR contact, apparently shipborne, same characteristics
     as 3 Jan. Lost contact at 1700.
2025 At rendezvous, circling.
2109 SJ radar interference.
2130 Exchanged recognition signals with BALAO via SJ radar.
2200 Received BALAO's report of patrol results.
2230 Completed conversion of # 5FBT to MBT.
2235 Ordered BALAO to join SPOT in attempt to intercept important
     convoy reported by BARB. This contact report had been re-
     ceived from ComSubPac at 2157, well timed for our rendezvous.

13 January
0010 Assigned BALAO rendezvous for January 14.
0015 Notified Loopers of own 0200 Zebra position.
0203 Transmitted SPOT fifth to ComSubPac telling of rendezvous
     with BALAO and joint results to date.
1015 Rendezvoused with BALAO. Assigned BALAO patrol station and
     rendezvous for following day by SJ radar.
1135 Sighted floating mine. Sank it with .50 cal. mg. fire.
1335 Sighted two MFM, 10,000 yds. (ship contact # 8). Identified
     ships as large steel hull trawlers or medium sized mine
     sweeps. They were twins, one having Arabic numeral 38 on the
     stern, the other # 36. At our approach, they hauled down
     signal hoist and changed course. It was noted that each had
     bow machine guns of a heavy caliber. Manned fwd. 40MM, bridge
     .50 cal. mg. and 5" gun (at this time there was only enough
     40MM ammunition left to serve one gun adequately). Closed
     range and opened fire at 1900 yards. Swung ship to bring all
     guns to bear. Nearest ship caught fire. Shifted gun fire to
     second ship.
1355 Second ship sank. Resumed attack on first until all 5" amm-
     unition was expended. It was noted that this ship had a part-
     ially obliterated name on its stern - the letters "IKKI"
     being decipherable. Left second ship on fire, badly smashed,
     holed and stopped.
1416 Made trim dive.
1431 Surfaced. Remaining ship had sunk.
1625 SEA-AIR land-based radar contact. Apparently Hieshan Islands,
     checked with contact of 26 December.

-9-

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CONFIDENTIAL
14 January

0658 Dovo. Ground in valves on HP air manifold.
1004 Surf cod.
1403 Sighted floating mine. Sank it with 20MM fire.
1435 Sighted two trawlors, range 10,000 yards. (ship contact # 9).
     Manned fwd. 40MM, 20MM, and throe .50 cal. machine guns.
     Closed range to 900 yards. Fired challenging shot across
     their bows, hoisted colours. Fired second challenging shot.
     Neither vessel hove to, displayed colours, or made any
     friendly move. At this time a Japanese transmission was
     hoard on 500 kcs. They were smaller than the ones sunk
     on the previous day, but following evidence removed all
     reasonable doubt from the mind of the commanding officer
     as to their Japanese character:
     (1) They were of a distinctive Japanese type.
     (2) They carried designating numbers similar to the large
     steel trawlors or mine sweeps sunk the previous day.
     (3) They were fishing off a part of the Chinese coast
     which has been under Japanese control for seven years.
     (4) Upon our hoisting colours and firing challenging shots
     across their bows, they made no attempt to show their
     friendly nature. The commanding officer's previous
     experience in boarding a Chinese junk had shown the
     Chinese crew eager to demonstrate their friendliness.
     (5) A Japanese transmission was heard on 500 kcs at this
     time.
1525 Opened fire on closer trawlor.
1540 Trawler sank. Commenced overhauling other one who had
     departed hastily.
1550 Opened fire on second trawler. (Our 12 rounds of 40MM
     remaining had been expended by this time).
1559 Trawler sank. It is to be noted that the sinking of these
     trawlers was due mainly to 20MM fire which holed their
     hulls extensively. These trawlors were twins, displaying
     the arabic numerals 19 on one, and 25 on the other.
1640 Sighted floating mine.

15 January

0921 Dovo. Conducted submerged patrol on Shanghai-Tsingtao
     shipping route.
1832 Surfaced.

16 January

0804 Dovo. Conducted submerged patrol off approaches to
     Tsingtao.
1825 Surfaced. Sighted several fishing junks during the
     night.

-10-

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CONFIDENTIAL
17 January
0020 Conducting surface patrol off Shantung Promontory.
0020 SPA-AIR land-based radar contact. Probably from Surveyors Island.
0710 Made trim dive.
0740 Sighted two diesel trawlers. (ship contact # 10).
0940 Surfaced when clear of trawlers.
1007 Sighted four small trawlers. Avoided. (Ship contact # 11).

18 January
0700 Made trim dive.
0728 Surfaced. Conducted surface patrol off Shantung Promontory and approaches to Chefoo and Dairen.
1206 Sighted vapor trail of plane believed to be a B-29 (plane con- tact # 10).
2040 Radar contact, bearing 086°T, 11,000 yards. Target tracked on course 140, speed 2-3 knots. Identified as four masted sail junk of about 600 tons) (ship contact # 12). Fired two bow torpedoes at him, set depth - 2 ft, gyro angle - 0°, sea condition 1. Both torpedoes broached several times and missed. Decided not to waste anymore torpedoes on this follow. This was the nadir of SCOTT's career. Decided to stop beating the bushes and start shaking the trees.

19 January
0046 Radar contact, 8500 yards, bearing 050°T. A single light on this vessel led us to believe he was a small fisherman. As his angle broadened, a string of lighted ports revealed him to be of larger size. At 1300 yards inspection revealed him to be a passenger freighter at least 300' in length. (ship contact # 13).
0118 Swung ship for a stern tube shot, obtained a quick setup and fired four torpedoes at 0131.
0133 First torpedo hit, target blew up and sank. During the reload operations in the after room it was found that torpedo # 56987 was bent to such an extent that it could not be loaded in the tube. This left us with three usable torpedoes aft.
0613 Radar contact, 15,000 yards, bearing 095°T; tracked target on course 049°, speed 7-8 knots (ship contact # 14). Picked up target thru binoculars at 8000 yards - medium tanker in ballast. Commenced surface approach as dawn was breaking.
0658 Fired 6 bow torpedoes, depth set 4 feet, torpedo run 3250 yards. All missed. It is believed that with an injection of 28°F, these torpedoes did not maintain a constant speed for this torpedo run. The torpedo battery compartment temperature was 51°F.
0703 Closed and swung for a stern tube shot.
0703 Fired 3 remaining torpedoes aft.
-11-

— page 14 —
19 January (Cont'd)
0706 First stern torpedo observed to hit. A few seconds later
second torpedo hit. Watched target sink rapidly by the
bow. It disappeared from the radar screen in 80 seconds.
Came about and ran up torpedo track. Sighted large amount
of wreckage and what may have been part of her rigging
and stack. Sound reported hearing her screw still turn-
ing over. Evidence seemed to indicate that her bow was
resting on the bottom and her stern was settling slowly.
Continued surface patrol heading for Chinnampo.
1030 Dove. Conducted submerged patrol off approaches to
Chinnampo.
1830 Surfaced. Set course to clear area.
1930 Transmitted test message to China giving weather.
2000 Transmitted SPOT sixth to ComSubPac giving results to
date.

20 January
Enroute southeast part of area.
0655 Radar contact 150°T, 9,600 yards. Tracked target at 1
to 2 kts on course 020. (ship contact # 15). Made ready
bow tubes, approached on surface.
0715 Target sighted in approaching daylight. MFM, about 800
tons.
0729 First of three bow torpedoes down a condition 3
sea, depth setting 4 feet, torpedo run 2300 yards.
All broached by the tail and missed astern. Assuming
torpedoes had again missed due to excessive run in cold
water, closed for an 1800 yard run and fired two remain-
ing bow torpedoes, one at MOT, one fifty yards ahead of
MOT. These also missed astern. In retrospect - broaching
of torpedoes indicated misses were due this time not to
excessive run in cold water but to wrong depth setting.
Should have used zero feet or six feet. Manned 20MM gun.
Target did not maneuver.
0735 Opened fire on target at 800 yards, closing. Target immed-
iately increased speed and maneuvered radically at 8-10
knots to alternately avoid and ram us. Expended all re-
maining 20MM ammunition (1290 rds) scoring an estimated
90% hits. Topsides was raked and gutted severely, her
stack and boilers punctured profusely. The vessel had
stopped and the crew had apparently struck below decks
as none were observed at this time.
0825 All ammunition expended, stood off and observed vessel -
steam emitting from several places. She did not seem to
be sinking. Decided to board, search, and scuttle her.
0933 Bow alongside target's port quarter. Boarding and demol-
ition party under command of Lieutenant A.H. Clark, Jr.
over our starboard bow to her port quarter.
-12-

— page 15 —
CONFIDENTIAL
20 January (Cont'd)

Rescue party under command of Ensign C.C. Spolts standing
by. Both parties have been previously instructed and go
about their work smartly. All goes well until target takes
sullen list to starboard. Boarding party is ordered back
by electric megaphone. The escaping steam on board the
maru makes this inaudible. We should have cut in the air
to our whistle. As the maru takes a sharper lurch four
members of the boarding party get clear - to the icy water.
Three are left on board as the stern goes under at
0943 and the ship slips under the waves. All three men float
clear. The rescue party does a fine job. A quick count of
heads shows one extra. After picking up our own men we
brought on board the sole Japanese survivor, slightly
wounded. Our magazine had been opened just in time for
him. The boarding party brought back several books and
instruments and the chart on which the maru's position
had been plotted. Extensive radio equipment had been
smashed to bits by gunfire. In the pilot house were several
thousand rounds of .30 cal. mg. ammunition and some loaded
Lewis pans to serve a Lewis gun mounted over the pilot
house.
1055 Made deep dive - 150 feet.
1132 Surfaced.
1437 Converted # 3 FBT to MBT.
1537 Submerged to wash out # 3 MBT.
1558 Surfaced.
1605 Sighted floating mine.
1627 Sighted four floating mines.
1704 Sighted floating mine.

21 January
Enroute Nansei Shoto.
0800 Picked up SJ radar interference - sighted USS TULE (ship
contact # 16) and exchanged signals.
0900 Sighted submarine. Apparently sighted us and dove - (ship
contact # 17) probably US submarine.
0915 Dove when aircraft radar interference saturated the screen,
aircraft never sighted.
1301 Surfaced.
1405 Sighted 2 planes (Betty, aircraft contact # 11) Dove.
1605 Surfaced.
1728 Sighted 1 plane (Betty, aircraft contact # 12). Dove.
1742 Surfaced.
2045 Made passage thru Nansei Shoto south of Akuseki Shima.
Intermittent interference from land-based radar was en-
countered - no patrol boats.

-13-

— page 16 —
CONFIDENTIAL

22 January

0632 Underway enroute Midway.
     Made trim dive.
0730 Surfaced.
1325 Sighted floating mine.

23 January

     Enroute Midway.
0750 Sighted Sofu Gan, 14 miles distant.
0820 Made trim dive.
0845 Surfaced.
1207 Sighted shears of submarine thru high periscope, bear-
     ing 320°T, possibly TINOSA. (ship contact # 18).

24 January

     Enroute Midway.
1302 Made trim dive.
1318 Surfaced.

25 January

     Enroute Midway.
0643 Made a trim dive to 150 feet in condition 6 sea. Boat
     rolled at this depth.
0700 Surfaced - bow plane rigging gear found to be jammed
     and inoperative, in rigged out position. Sea too rough for
     repairs. Proceeded at one engine speed with following
     sea.
1720 Sighted large floating metal buoy or tank, 8 feet in
     diameter X 10 feet in length, ladders attached to
     side. Lat. 29-25 N
               Long. 153-54 E

26 January

     Enroute Midway.

27 January

     Enroute Midway.

28 January

     Enroute Midway.
2345 Transmitted SPOT serial seven to CTF 17 and CTG 17.5
     information CincPac and ComHawSeaFron, requesting
     Midway escort and containing remainder of patrol
     results.

-14-

— page 17 —
CONFIDENTIAL

29 January (Cont'd)

2345 Transmitted SPOT seventh to CTF 17, CTG 17.5 and ComHawSeaFron
     reporting remainder of patrol results and requesting Midway
     escort.

29 January

     Enroute Midway.

0905 Dove. Went to test depth. Conducted routine tests in preparation
     for refit. Boat found to be exceptionally tight. Tested shear
     valve on port antenna at this depth by severing leaking connection.
     Shear valve operated smoothly and hold.

1020 Surfaced.

1302 Received acknowledgment of request for Midway escort and
     rendezvous.

2302 Received dispatch from ComSubPac changing Task Unit Designation.

30 January

     Enroute Midway.

     Crossed 180th meridian.

30 January (west longitude)

1800 Moored alongside USS PELIAS, Midway Island.

-15-

— page 18 —
CONFIDENTIAL

C. WEATHER
No radical difference from the weather described in the sail-
ing directions was noted. Skies were 70 to 80% overcast fifty
to seventy five percent of the time in the central southern
part of the area.
Except where seas were relatively land locked, they averaged
from condition three to five, wind force 3-5.
Visibility near the coast south of 35N was noticeably better,
indicating that the heavy overcast commencing about fifty
miles off the coast was caused by the mixing of the cold
land air currents with the warmer air currents given off by
the sea. North of 35N where the water temperature averaged
about 32°F, visibility was uniformly excellent and the sky
almost cloudless.
For about two hours SPOT passed through thin skim ice off
DAIREN WAN. Air temperature dropped to 22°F in the northern
part of the area with ice subsequently forming on the hull.
Occasional snow squalls were encountered.

D. TIDAL INFORMATION
North of Saishu To the prevailing drift was about one (1)
knot setting to the northwest. Flood tidal currents increased
this drift to as much as 2½ knots, while ebb currents re-
duced the drift to zero. Moon was full during this period.
In the southeastern part of the area KUROSHIO currents were
as described in the sailing directions. In the southwestern
part of the area the current seemed to set northerly, drifting
from 0.2 to 0.5 knots in spite of generally northerly winds
and seas.

E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
Characteristics of the following navigational aids were as
noted under the remarks column.

| NAME OF AID     | LAT.    | LONG.     | REMARKS

— page 19 —
CONFIDENTIAL

E. NAVIGATIONAL AIDS (Cont'd)

NAME OF AID | LAT. | LONG. | REMARKS
Vidoe I. | 30-08 N | 122-46 E | Prominent land-
            |         |           | mark.
Tyaki To | 33-19 N | 126-09 E | Reflects only
            |         |           | good radar echo
            |         |           | on west end of
            |         |           | Saishu To.
Sanchi Ko light | 33-31 N | 126-33 E | Normal.
Gyu To light | 33-29 N | 126-58 E | Normal.
Kyobun To light | 34-00 N | 127-19 E | Normal, dimmed.
Shasti To light | 34-06 N | 126-36 E | Not lit.
Sotsu To light | 34-18 N | 127-08 E | Period 3S, Fl
            |         |           | W.0.5S Eclipse
            |         |           | 2.5S.
Kokusun To light | 34-06 N | 125-06 E | Normal, dimmed.
Chullion To light | 35-54 N | 120-52 E | Period 10S, Fl
            |         |           | W 1.5S eclipse
            |         |           | 8.5S, dimmed.
Shantung Promontory
light. | 37-24 N | 122-42 E | Normal.
Kungtung Tao | 37-34 N | 121-32 E | Lighthouse as
            |         |           | listed.
Gugan light | 38-34 N | 121-38 E | Not lit.
EnTo light | 38-40 N | 122-09 E | Normal.
Dusangan To light | 38-52 N | 121-49 E | Normal.
Kaiyo To light | 34-05 N | 123-08 E | Normal.

Depths were recorded by use of the Socuro Echo Sounding
Equipment (Suzie) every twenty minutes which in the
area to great advantage. Contrary to previous reports,
the charted depths in the area covered by this patrol
proved to be very accurate.

F. SHIP CONTACTS

No. | Time | Lat. | Long. | Type | Init. Range | Crse. Spd. | How. Cont. | Remarks.
1. | 2140(-) | 36-21N | 129-38E | Pat. Boat | 7,000 yds. | 110° 16 kts | R&S | In comp. with
    | 21 Dec. |         |         |           |             |             |         | one or two
    |         |         |         |           |             |             |         | others.
2. | 1956(-) | 29-02N | 124-24E | Hosp. Ship | 27,000 yds. | 060° 15 kts | R | Displayed
    | 24 Dec. |         |         |           |             |             |         | required
    |         |         |         |           |             |             |         | lights.
3. | 0420(-) | 30-10N | 129-28E | 2 Pat. Boats | 7,800 yds. | lying to | R&S |
    | 27 Dec. |         |         |           |             |             |         |
4. | 1449 | 33-50N | 126-50E | Pat. Boat | 16,000 yds. | 090° 5 kts | P | Minor comb-
    | 2 Jan. |         |         |           |             |             |         | atant. (Torp.
    |         |         |         |           |             |             |         | Att.# 1).
5. | 1605 | 33-50N | 126-45E | Jap.PC Pat.Boat | 9,000 yds. | 070° 7 kts | SD | ONI_41-42_
    | 2 Jan. |         |         |           |             |             |         |

-17-

— page 20 —
CONFIDENTIAL

F. SHIP CONTACTS (Cont'd)

No. | Timo | Lat. | Long. | Type | Init. Range | Crso. Speed | How. Cont. | Remarks.
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---
6. | 1115 | 31-35 N | 2 Med. | 10,000 | 060° | Sunk (Gun
   | 7 Jan. | 123-04 E | diosel | yds. | 3 kts. SD | Attack # 1).
   | | | | trawlers
7. | 0930 | 29-48 N | Sml.coast | 11,000 | 280° | Sunk (Gun
   | 11 Jan. | 123-07 E | frghter. | yds. | 4-5 kts. SD | Attack # 2)
   | | | | (ONE 208-J
   | | | | rov.pg.156)
8. | 1335 | 29-40 N | 2 large | 10,000 | 340° | Sunk (gun
   | 13 Jan. | 122-47 E | stool hull | yds. | 3-4 kts. SD | attack # 3)
   | | | | trawlers or
   | | | | mod.mine
   | | | | sweeps.
9. | 1510 | 30-07 N | 2 diosel | 10,000 | laying | Sunk (Gun
   | 14 Jan. | 123-08 E | trawlers | yds. | to | SD Attack # 4).
10. | 0740 | 36-31 N | 2 diosel | 5,000 | 270° | Avoided.
    | 17 Jan. | 122-48 E | trawlers | yds. | 3-4 kts. P |
11. | 1007 | 36-40 N | 4 diosel | 12,000 | 270° | Avoided
    | 17 Jan. | 122-53 E | trawlers | yds. | 3-4 kts. SD |
12. | 2040 | 38-45 N | large 4 | 11,000 | 140° | Missed with
    | 18 Jan. | 122-12 E | masted sail- | yds. | 2-3 kts. R | two torpedoes.
    | | | | ing junk. | | | | (Torp.Attack
    | | | | | | | | # 2).
13. | 0046 | 39-07 N | Unidont. | 8,500 | 112° | Sunk (Torp.
    | 19 Jan. | 122-51 E | coastal | yds. | 5-6 kts. R | Attack #
    | | | | frghter. | | | | 3).
14. | 0603 | 38-55 N | Medium | 15,000 | 049° | Sunk (Torp
    | 19 Jan. | 123-55 E | Tanker | yds. | 7-8 kts. R | Attack # 4)
15. | 0655 | 34-45 N | SMC | 9,600 | 020° | Sunk (Torp
    | 20 Jan. | 124-10 E | 800 tons. | yds. | 1-2 kts. R | Attack # 5-
    | | | | | | | | Gun Attack #
    | | | | | | | | 5).
16. | 0800 | 30-56 N | US. | 15,000 | 340° | USS ATULE
    | 21 Jan. | 128-23 E | S/M | yds. | 15 kts. SD |
17. | 0900 | 30-46 N | US | 14,000 | 340° | S/M dove be-
    | 21 Jan. | 128-32 E | S/M | yds. | 15 kts. SD | fore signals
    | | | | | | | | could be ex-
    | | | | | | | | changed.
18. | 1207 | 29-36 N | | 15,000 | East | Possibly
    | 23 Jan. | 141-05 E | S/M | yds. | early. | SD TINOSA

-18-

— page 21 —
CONFIDENTIAL

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS

Contact Number | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6
Date           | Dec.18 | Dec.20 | Dec. 21 | Dec.21 | Dec.28 | Dec.29
Time (zone)    | 1045(-9) | 0835(-9) | 1515(-9) | 1605(-9) | 0825(-9) | 0755(-9)
Position: Lat. | 17-52N | 25-37N | 39-29N | 29-38N | 32-56N | 33-14N
           Long. | 141-32E | 135-10E | 130-50E | 130-57E | 123-43E | 124-46E
Speed          | 200 | 150 | 150 | 150 | 200 | 250
Course         | 140 | 120 | 140 | 230 | 090 | 180
Trim           | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Por.
Minutes since last
SD search      | -- | | | | |

Number         | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 6
Type           | B-29 | NELL | NELL | NELL | B-29(?) | ZEKE
Probable Mission | Return to | Pat. | Pat. | Pat. | Raid | Scout.
               | base | | | | |
How contacted  | SD | SD | SD | SD | Vap.Trail | P.
Initial range  | 10 mi. | 5 mi. | 8 mi | 6 mi | 6 mi | 5 mi
Elevation angle| 8° | 1½° | 4° | 3° | 6° | 3°
R and RB of plane
when it sighted s/m | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND | ND
Sea(state,Beau.) | 2 | 2-3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3
Sea(rel.direct.) | | | | | |
Visibility(miles)| 8 mi | 6 mi | 7 mi | 7 mi | 8 mi | 8 mi
Clouds (height,ft)| 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | 3500 | 3500
Clouds (%overcast)| 60% | 90% | 75% | 75% | 40% | 75%
Moon(rel bearing)| NO | NO | NO | NO | NO | NO
(angle)        | | | | | |
%Illumination  | | | | | |

Type of s/m camouflage used on this patrol: 9ss

-19-

— page 22 —
CONFIDENTIAL

G. AIRCRAFT CONTACTS
Contact Number | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12
Date | Dec.30 | Jan.6 | Jan.11 | Jan.18 | Jan.21 | Jan.21
Time (zone) | 1045(-9) | 1300(-9) | 1052(-9) | 1206(-9) | 1405(-9) | 1728(-9)
Position: Lat | 33-50N | 32-45N | 29-48N | 37-45N | 30-17N | 30-26N
         Long | 126-45E | 123-00E | 123-07E | 121-58E | 128-47E | 129-01E
Speed | 200 | unk | 240 | 220 | 200 | 200
Course | 060 | unk | 290 | 270 | 245 | 270
Trim | Por. | Sur. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf. | Surf.
Minutes since last
SD search

— page 23 —
CONFIDENTIAL
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS (SHIP CONTACT # 5)
USS SPOT TORPEDO ATTACK # 1 PATROL # 1
TIME: 1605(-9) DATE: JAN. 2, 1945 LAT: 34-08 N
LONG: 126-55 E
DESCRIPTION: 400-600 ton now patrol craft (ONI 41-42 MINOR COMB-
ATANTS) conducting random patrol.

SHIP(S) SUNK: NONE

SHIP(S) DAMAGED: NONE

DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: -

TARGET DRAFT: 5-6 foot. COURSE: 070° SPEED: 7

RANGE AT FIRING: 2600

OWN SHIP DATA

SPEED: 5 COURSE: 345 DEPTH: 64 ft ANGLE: 1°down(at
firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

TYPE ATTACK: Submerged, periscope approach from 8500 yards. Ranging
error of 1000 yards plus, caused torpedoes to miss ahead.

-21-

— page 24 —
INFILL
H. TORPEDO ATTACKS # 1

Tubes fired                               1             2             3
Track angles                              85 starboard track
Gyro angles                               359°40'       1°25'         000°-5'
Depth set                                 4             4             4
Hit or miss                               miss          miss          miss
Erratic (yes or no)                       NO            NO            NO
Mark Torp                                 18-1          18-1          18-1
Serial No.                                54118         57120         56504
Actuation                                               CONTACT
MK. warhead                               18-2          18-2          18-2
Serial No.                                3418          3136          1115
Explosive                                 TPX           TPX           TPX
Firing interval                                         10 sec
Type spread                               0°            1° R          1° L
Sea conditions                                          Condition 2 sea
Overhaul activity                                       Submarine Base, P.H.T.H.
MK. Exploder                              8-5           8-5           8-5
Serial No.                                8530          9098          17182

-22-

— page 25 —
CONFIDENTIAL
II. TORPEDO ATTACKS (SHIP CONTACT # 12)
USS SPOT                                TORPEDO ATTACK # 2
TIME: 2040(-9)                          DATE: 18 JANUARY 1945
                                        PATROL # 1
                                        LAT: 38-45 N
                                        LONG: 122-12 E
DESCRIPTION: 4 masted sailing junk, about 600 tons.
SHIP(S) SUNK:
SHIP(S) DAMAGED:
DAMAGE DETERMINED BY:-----
TARGET DRAFT: 4 foot         COURSE: 140         SPEED: 2-3 kts.
RANGE AT FIRING: 2650 yards.

OWN SHIP DATA
SPEED: 6                     COURSE: 240         DEPTH: SUR         ANGLE: --(at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA
Set depth 2 foot on two bow torpedoes - both observed to broach several
times - both missed astern.

-23-

— page 26 —
CONFIDENTIAL
4. TORPEDO ATTACK # 2

| | | |
|---|---|---|
| Tubes | 5 | 6 |
| Track angle | 80 P | 80 P |
| Gyro angle | 0 | 0 |
| Depth set | 2 | 2 |
| Hit or miss | miss | miss |
| Erratic (yos or no) | yos | yos |
| MK torpedo | 18-1 | 18-1 |
| Ser. No. | 56937 | 57126 |
| MK. exploder | 8-5 | 8-5 |
| Ser. No. | 16863 | 9164 |
| Activation | CONTACT | |
| MK warhead | 18-2 | 18-2 |
| S. r. No. | 1294 | 3572 |
| Explosivo | TPX | TPX |
| Firing intorval | 60 sec. | |
| Type spread | - | - |
| Sea conditions | 1 | 1 |
| Ov rhaul activity | Submarine Baso, P.H.T.H. | |

-24-

— page 27 —
CONFIDENTIAL

II. TORPEDO ATTACK # 3 ( SHIP CONTACT # 13)

USS SPOT
TORPEDO ATTACK # 3
PATROL # 1

TIME: 0118 (-9)
DATE: 19 JANUARY 1945
LAT: 39-07 N
LONG: 122-51 E
DESCRIPTION: Single, unescorted passenger freighter similar
WENCHOW class, 3,113 tons (ONI 208 J revised,
page 64). (EU). Contact made by radar at 8500 yards,
visibility - 6000 yards.

SHIPS(S) SUNK: Same as above.

SHIP(S) DAMAGED: ---

DAMAGED DETERMINED BY: Observed to blow up and sink.

TARGET DRAFT: 8-10 COURSE: 112 SPEED: 5½ kts.

RANGE AT FIRING: 1650 yards.

OWN SHIP DATA

SPEED: 6 COURSE: 232 DEPTH: Surf. ANGLE:--(at firing)

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA.

Fired 4 torpedo salvo from stern tubes - first torpedo hit, target blow up.

-25-

— page 28 —
CONFIDENTIALL

II. TORPEDO ATTACK # 3

            7       8       9       10
Tubos fired
Track anglo 125S    122S    128S    127S
Gyro anglo  5R.     2 R     8 R     7 R
Depth set   4       4       4       4
Hit or miss hit     miss    miss    miss
Erratic     no      no      no      no
MK. torpedo 18-1    18-1    18-1    18-1
Serial No.  57078   57020   56505   56101.
MK exploder 4-6     4-6     4-6     4-6
Serial No.  17077   16900   17355   17233
Activation                  CONTACT
MK warhead  18-1    18-1    18-1    18-1
Serial No.  9296    1247    712     1237
Explosivo   TPX     TPX     TPX     TPX
Firing interval     10 sec  10 sec  10 sec
Type spread 0       1½ R    1½ L    0
Sea conditions 1    1       1       1
Overhaul activity Submarine Baso, P.H.T.H.

[HANDWRITTEN: -26-]

[FADED TYPED TEXT]
Hit or miss
Erratic
MK. torpedo
Serial No.
MK exploder
Serial No.
Activation
MK warhead
Serial No.
Explosivo
Firing interval
Type spread
Sea conditions
Overhaul activity

hit   miss   miss   miss
no    no     no     no
18-1  18-1   18-1   18-1
57078 57020  56505  56101
4-6   4-6    4-6    4-6
17077 16900  17355  17233
      CONTACT
18-1  18-1   18-1   18-1
9296  1247   712    1237
TPX   TPX    TPX    TPX
      10 sec 10 sec 10 sec
0     1½ R   1½ L   0
1     1      1      1

— page 29 —
CONFIDENTIAL
H. TORPEDO ATTACK ( SHIP CONTACT # 14)
USS SPOT
TIME: 0703(-9) DATE: 19 JANUARY 1945

PATROL # 1
LAT: 38-55 N
LONG: 123-55 E

DESCRIPTION: Single, unescorted medium tanker 5000 tons (EU), contact
             made by radar at 15,000 yards, visibility - 8000 yards,
             dawn breaking.

SHIP(S) SUNK: Same as above.
SHIP(S) DAMAGED: ---
DAMAGED DETERMINED BY: Ship observed to sink.

TARGET DRAFT: 10-15 feet COURSE: 310 SPEED: 7 kts.
RANGE AT FIRING: 3000 yards - bow tubes
                 2650 yards - stern tubes.

OWN SHIP DATA
SPEED: 6 COURSE (a) 049 DEPTH: Surf. ANGLE:--(at firing)
                 (b) 230

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA
(a) Fired six bow tubes - range 3000 yards, battery temperature 51°F,
    injection 36°F, all missed; torpedo run at -3100 yards - believed
    to have run slow.
(b) Swung ship and fired 3 stern tubes - range 2600 yards, no change in
    setup. First two hit. Target sank, bow first.

-27-

— page 30 —
CONFIDENTIAL
H. TORPEDO ATTACK # 4

| | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes fired | 72 P | 73 P | 72 P | 76 P | 73 P | 75 P |
| Track angle | 9 R | 8 R | 9 R | 5 R | 8 R | 6 R |
| Gyro angle | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Depth set | miss | miss | miss | miss | miss | miss |
| Hit or miss | [HANDWRITTEN: Believod to havo run slow] | | | | |
| Erratic | | | | | | |
| MK Torp. | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 |
| Serial No. | 57116 | 57093 | 57136 | 57244 | 56073 | 57099 |
| MK. Expldr. | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 8-5 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Serial No. | 17132 | 17350 | 17344 | 16811 | 17296 | 17034 |
| Activation | C NT | C NT | C NT | C NT | C NT | C NT |
| MK Warhead | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 | 13-2 | 18-1 | 13-1 |
| Serial No. | 461 | 1267 | 1298 | 9298 | 1232 | 800 |
| Explosive | TIX | TIX | TIX | TIX | TIX | TIX |
| Firing Int. | | [HANDWRITTEN: 10 seconds between each.] | | | |
| Type spread | 0 | 1 L | 1 R | 2 L | 2 R | 0 |
| Sea conditions | | | | | | |
| Overhaul act. | | | | | | |

Submarine Base, P.H.T.H.

| | 7 | 9 | 10 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes fired | 78 P | 78 P | 80 P |
| Track angle | 2 R | 2 R | 0 |
| Gyro angle | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Depth set | Hit | Hit | miss |
| Hit or miss | no | no | no |
| Erratic | | | |
| MK torpedo | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 |
| Serial No. | 56482 | 56739 | 56474 |
| MK Exploder | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Serial No. | 16737 | 8400 | 8513 |
| Activation | C NT | C NT | C NT |
| MK warhead | 18-1 | 18-1 | 18-1 |
| Serial No. | 846 | 3507 | 3522 |
| Explosive | TIX | TIX | TIX |
| Firing interval | 1 | [HANDWRITTEN: 10 sec] | [HANDWRITTEN: 10 sec] |
| Type spread | 0 | 2 L | 2 R |
| Sea conditions | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| Overhaul activity | Submarine Base, P.H.T.H. | | |

-28-

— page 31 —
SECRET FILE

H. TORPEDO ATTACK ( SHIP CONTACT # 15)
USS SPOT
TIME: 0655(-9)

TORPEDO ATTACK # 5
DATE: 20 JANUARY 1945

PATROL # 1
LAT: 34-45 N
LONG: 124-10 E

DESCRIPTION:
F. Single unescorted steel hull coal burner, MFM,
about 800 tons, mounting a machine gun and carry-
ing extensive antenna system. (EC). Contacted
by radar at 9500 yards, visibility 8000 yards,
dawn broaking.

SHIP(S) SUNK: None. Sunk in Gun Attack # 5
SHIP(S) DAMAGED: --
DAMAGED DETERMINED BY: --
TARGET DRAFT: 8-10 feet COURSE 020 SPEED: 1-2 kts.
RANGE AT FIRING: 2360-1800 yards.

OWN SHIP DATA
SPEED: 6 COURSE: 110 DEPTH: Surf. ANGLE:

FIRE CONTROL AND TORPEDO DATA

In approaching daylight fired three bow torpedoes down a
condition 3 sea, depth setting 4 feet, torpedo run 2300 yards.
All broached by the tail and missed astern. Assuming torpedoes
had again missed due to excessive run in cold water, closed for
an 1300 yards run and fired two remaining bow torpedoes, one at
MOT, one fifty yards ahead of MOT. These also missed astern. In
retrospect - broaching of torpedoes indicated misses were due
this time not to excessive run in cold water but to wrong depth
setting. Should have used zero feet(rejected because of rapidly
increasing daylight) or six feet (rejected because of apparent
shallow draft of target).

-29-

— page 32 —
CONFIDENTIAL
T O R P E D O ATTACK # 5

| | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tubes fired | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 |
| Track angle | 90 P | 90 P | 90 P | 90 P | 90 P |
| Gyro angle | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Depth set | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
| Hit or miss | miss | miss | miss | miss | miss |
| Erratic | yes - all torpedoes broached |
| MK torpedo | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 |
| Serial No. | 57185 | 57009 | 57178 | 56745 | 57117 |
| MK exploder | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 | 4-6 |
| Serial No. | 17243 | 17138 | 17322 | 17050 | 17239 |
| Activation | CONTACT | - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - |
| MK warhead | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 | 13-1 |
| Serial No. | 384 | 868 | 1217 | 65 | 1020 |
| Explosivo | TIX | TIX | TIX | TIX | TIX |
| Firing interval | | 10 sec | 10 sec | 30 sec | 10 sec |
| Type spread | 0 | 1½ L° | 1½ R° | 0 | 1 L° |
| Sea conditions | 3 | | | | |
| Overhaul activity | Submarine Base, P.H.T.H. |

[HANDWRITTEN: -30-]

— page 33 —
CONFIDENTIAL
I. (Cont'd)

USS SPOT                               GUN ATTACK # 1                               PATROL # 1
TIME: 1115(-9)                         DATE: 7 JANUARY 1945 LAT: 31-20 N LONG: 123-04 E

                                       TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

SUNK:         2 diesel trawlers, estimated 100 tons each.

DAMAGED OR PROBABLY SUNK:

DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: Observed to sink.

                                       DETAILS OF ATTACK.

Used: (1) 5"25 cal. gun. Expended 20 rounds, fuzed HC; hits 8
       (2) 40MM guns. Expended 550 rds, HC 30% hits.
       (1) 20MM gun. Expended 420 rds. 40% hits.

       Raked trawlers with 40MM and 20MM from 2400 yds. Closed to 1000 yards
and sank them with 5". One broke in half, one capsized, both sank. Eight
rounds of 5" failed to fire due to weak firing pin spring. 40MM fire
neutralized, smashed, and set fire to topside. 5" fire broke up targets.
Ranged by radar. Spotted by telephone communication between bridge, radar
and sightsotter. There was no return fire by enemy. 20MM raked topside
thoroughly.

USS SPOT                               GUN ATTACK # 2                               PATROL # 1
TIME: 0930(-9)                         DATE: 11 JANUARY 1945 LAT: 29-48 N LONG: 123-05 E

                                       TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

SUNK:         Small coastal freighter, 1224 tons, Hoiryo Maru class (ONI 203-
              J revised, page 156).

DAMAGED OR PROBABLY SUNK:

DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: Observed to sink.

                                       DETAILS OF ACTION

Used: (1) 5"25 cal. gun - expended 28 rds. fuzed, H.C. hits - 22.
       (2) 40MM guns - expended 280 rds. H.C. hits - 75%.

Average range: 1600 yards.
       40MM fire neutralized and smashed topside. 5" fire holed hull, ex-
ploded in machinery spaces and, in general, broke up target. Ranged by
radar. Spotted by telephone communication between radar, bridge and sightsotter.
There was no return fire by enemy.

                                       -31-

— page 34 —
C. I TIAL
H. (Cont'd)

USS SPOT
TIME: 1335(-9)

GUN ATTACK # 3
DATE: 13 JANUARY 1945 LAT: 29-55 N LONG: 123-00 E

PATROL # 1
TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

SUNK: Two large steel hulled trawlers ( or medium mine sweepers)
      350 tons each (EC)

DAMAGED OR PROBABLY SUNK:
DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: First observed to sink. Second observed stopped and
                     on fire from stem to stern at start of trim dive,
                     had disappeared when we surfaced 20 minutes later.

DETAILS OF ACTION
Used: (1) 5" 25 cal. gun - expended 33 rds, hits - 29
      (2) 1 40MM gun - expended 104 rds, 60% hits.
      (3) 1 20MM gun - 70% hits.
      (4) 1 .50 cal. machine gun 50% hits.

Average range: 1100 yards.

40 MM, 20MM, .50 cal. fire neutralized and smashed topside. Each
target carried a heavy machine in the bow but did not return fire. 5" gun
fire holed hull and set fire to targets. Ranged by radar. Spotted by
telephone communication between radar, bridge and sightsotter.

USS SPOT
TIME: 1510(-9)

GUN ATTACK # 4
DATE: 14 JANUARY 1945. LAT: 29-53 N LONG: 123-02 E

PATROL # 1
TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED

SUNK: 2 diesel or gasoline engine trawlers, estimated 35 tons each.(EC)

DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: Observed to sink.

DETAILS OF ATTACK
Used: 1 40MM gun - expended 12 rds. target ammunition - 8 hits.
      1 20MM gun - expended 750 rds. H.C. - 90% hits.
      3 .50 cal. machine guns - expended 800 rds. 50% hits.

Average range 400 yards.

Raked decks with .50 cal., holed hull along water line with 20MM.
Target set afire by .50 cal and 20MM hits before sinking. 20MM fire was
totally responsible for sinking of these vessels.

-32-

— page 35 —
CONFIDENTIAL
H. (Cont'd)
USS SRCT                                        PATROL # 1
TIME: 0735(-9)          DATE: 20 JANUARY 1945. LAT: 34-45 N LONG: 124-10 E

TARGET DATA - DAMAGE INFLICTED
SUNK: 300 ton stool hull coal bunner. (EC)
DAMAGED OR PROBABLY SUNK:
DAMAGE DETERMINED BY: Observed to sink.

DETAILS OF ACTION
Closed range and opened fire at 800 yards, closed to 75 yards. Fired
last 1290 rounds of 20MM(only ammunition left on board) for 95% hits.
Smashed topside, punctured steam lines and boiler and holed hull (not
seriously). Target foundered and sank two hours after attack was completed.

I. MINES
Nineteen drifting mines of the multi-horned, contact type were sighted.
Eight were destroyed as noted by gunfire - .50 cal, 20MM and 40MM.

| _DATE_      | _TYPE_ | _DESTROYED_ | _POSITION_  |
|||||
| January 4   | HORN   | NO          | 33-27 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-06 E    |
| January 4   | HORN   | NO          | 33-33 N     |
|             |        |             | 124-52 E    |
| January 8   | HORN   | YES         | 31-13 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-30 E    |
| January 8   | HORN   | YES         | 31-12 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-37 E    |
| January 9   | HORN   | YES         | 31-10 N     |
|             |        |             | 124-18 E    |
| January 10  | HORN   | YES         | 31-15 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-43 E    |
| January 10  | HORN   | YES         | 31-15 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-39 E    |
| January 10  | HORN   | YES         | 31-09 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-11 E    |
| January 12  | HORN   | NO          | 32-37 N     |
|             |        |             | 125-29 E    |
| January 13  | HORN   | YES         | 29-53 N     |
|             |        |             | 122-47 E    |
| January 14  | HORN   | YES         | 30-05 N     |
|             |        |             | 123-07 E    |
| January 14  | HORN   | NO          | 30-12 N     |
|             |        |             | 123-08 E    |
| January 19  | HORN   | NO          | 33-28 N     |
|             |        |             | 123-58 E    |
|             |        | -33-        |             |

— page 36 —
CONFIDENTIAL
I. MINES (Cont'd)

DATE | TYPE | DESTROYED | POSITION
January 19 | HORN | NO | 33-23 N
| | | 123-58 E
" | HORN | NO | 33-23 N
| | | 123-58 E
" | HORN | NO | 33-23 N
| | | 123-58 E
" | HORN | NO | 33-23 N
| | | 123-58 E
" | HORN | NO | 33-11 N
| | | 123-57 E
January 22 | HORN | NO | 29-28 N
| | | 134-57 E

J. ANTI-SUBMARINE MEASURES & EVASIVE TACTICS
A few aircraft contacts were the only active anti-submarine measures
encountered. For daylight contacts not positively approaching, it was
customary to turn with hard right rudder to imitate Japanese procedure,
and to slow to reduce the wake. For night SPA-AFR contacts, a radical
turn would be sufficient to lose the plane. It is entirely possible that
the plane had made no contact, however no planes indicated by SPA-APR were
seen by eye at night.
Ninotoon floating mines constituted passive anti-submarine measures.
Eight of these were destroyed by gunfire.
Trawlers attacked by gunfire dropped lines over the stern and maneuvered
in an an effort to foul our screws.

K. MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE
[HANDWRITTEN: M]
1. On Dec. 29 during routine operation of auxiliary engine, an excessive
amount of oil was discovered draining from the drain pipe on the lower
housing of the air blower.
Observations of temperatures, pressures and engine crankcase vacuum
were in accordance with current manufacturers operating instructions.
The engine was stopped and inspection of the air receiver showed an
unusual amount of oil. Blower was disassembled. Oil separator was clean
and all lub oil piping and fittings were found tight. All seal rings
were in good condition with the exception that the ring on the after
end of the lower lobo shaft was broken. This seal was renewed upon re-
assembly. An attempt has been made to operate the auxiliary engine accord-
ing to the speed-load curve furnished by the manufacturers. The auxiliary
load aboard SPOT is approximately 90KW. The engine is rated at 300 KW
at 1200 RPM and 150 KW at 600 RPM. When the engine is used to carry the
auxiliary load, operating at 600 RPM, there is excessive smoke be-
cause the load is too light to maintain proper exhaust temperatures.
Therefore the engine is too large for the load. On the other hand, to
carry the finishing rate on a battery charge approximately 450 KW is
required. Thus the engine is too small to be used on battery charge. In
order to load the engine, it must be put on propulsion. SPOT is able to
make about 100 turns for 8 knots with the auxiliary generator on zero
float.
-34-

— page 37 —
I I TIAL
K. MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE (Cont'd)
[HANDWRITTEN: 4] It is recommended that the present installation be replaced with a
200 KW or a 400 KW engine-generator set to afford more efficient
operation.
2. Because of the location of the engine air induction in the forward
engine room, during the heavy seas, both engine gauge boards were
flooded out. Electrical motors were burned beyond repair and several
serious grounds appeared in the generator trip switches and in the
"TR" circuit. Motors were removed from circuits and grounds cleared
with fresh water and a warm air blower.
3. On two occasions, the third stage cooler on # 1 air compressor cracked.
One of the coolers was repaired by silver soldering, the other replaced
with spares. It is believed that when the low pressure blower was put
on the ballast tanks when an air charge was in progress, compressor
cooling water system became airbound. When system was vented, sudden
rush of extremely cold water caused contraction and cracking. The
practice of using the blower during an air charge has been discontinued.
4. During the patrol, low insulation readings appeared in main power cables.
Battery cables had been treated with nitrogen during voyage repairs
after arrival at Pearl Harbor prior to departure for patrol. Low read-
ings have appeared in motor cables.
5. Upon surfacing after having made a trim dive while returning to base,
the bow planes were severely pounded by a very heavy sea (condition 6)
causing the forward universal joint on the bow-plane rigging shaft to
break, thereby putting the bow plane rigging gear out of commission,
with the planes in the rigged out position.
It is the practice of SPOT to start rigging in the bow planes on the
third blast of the surfacing alarm, this causes the planes to be
nearly in the rigged-in position as the ship breaks surface. The seas
being too heavy to allow men to attempt rigging the planes in with
chain falls and the use of the capstan, the planes had to be left in
the rigged-out position until arrival Midway, consequently more damage
may be expected when a more thorough inspection can be made.
This is the second time SPOT has experienced this same casualty,
possibly proving a definite weak spot in the bow plane rigging gear.

L. RADIO
1. No major material casualties were encountered.
2. Communication in general was satisfactory.
3. Enroute Saipan, extensive intra task group Wopaco was carried out to
familiarize each ship with Wopaco procedure. This proved excellent
training, as SJ and VHF communication also were frequently tested.
4. In the area, two messages were sent to Chunking. The first was
sent on 8470 kcs. China did not answer, but NPM did and we cleared
our message for relay through NPM. The second message was sent on
8470 kcs; China answered first call up, but China could not copy
through strength 5 interference. NPM called and accepted our
message.
5. Six transmissions were made to NPM from the area with nothing un-
usual occurring. NPM has excellent operators and they should be
complimented for the fine job they are doing.
6. During the B-29 strike, no transmissions were made from this vessel.
However one item was noticed. Four hours prior to plane scheduled
time over target an extensive amount of inter-plane testing was
carried out. This procedure seems unsound since enemy monitors
could draw some interesting conclusions from this practice.

#35-
[HANDWRITTEN: 35]

— page 38 —
CONFIDENTIAL

L. RADIO (Cont'd)

7. Wopaco communication in the area with the Loopers was very good.
However, intra pack Wopaco was definitely poor. We were not able
to communicate with the BALAO except through ComSubPac. No
logical explanation has been arrived at to cover this failure.

M. RADAR

Performance of the SJ-1 radar was satisfactory. Efficiency was hamp-
ered by frequent material casualties, two of which required overnight
sessions to repair. As search equipment, it was generally unable to
detect vessels of a wooden hull beyond initial ranges of 5,000-10,000
yards. Ranges on steel ships were satisfactory.
For a more efficient use of the PPI screen during tracking, a 20,000
yard sweep was installed, in addition to those already in use. In
this way contacts were tracked with good PPI definition at the normal
tracking range of 10,000-20,000 yards. This was accomplished by in-
stalling a 470,000 ohm resistor in parallel with R-5, with a SPST
toggle switch in series to permit retention and use of the 40,000
yard sweep when required.
Best contact range was on hospital ship at 27,750 yards. Friendly
submarines would be picked up at 16,000 yards, lost at 20,000 yards.
The small maru of Gun Attack # 2 was first contacted by radar at
16,000 yards. Junks were picked up at from 1,000-7,000 yards, lost at
6,000-12,000 yards. Wooden trawlers behaved similarly. Twice, aircraft
were contacted on SJ-1 at from 11,000 to 20,000 yards.
The SJ-1 was manned continuously at night except for periods during
which enemy radar transmissions were detected on SPA-APR, when it was
keyed for one deliberate sweep every five minutes.
Communication by SJ-1 radar were satisfactory. Maximum practicable
range was found to be 15 miles.
The SPA-APR Radar Detector was manned continuously while on the sur-
face. The TN-2 tuning unit was used continuously except for half-hourly
sweeps through the TN-3 band. No contacts were detected using TN-3.
The location of the gear beneath the SD-4 Receiver-Indicator, aft of the
control room ladder was excellent.
All aircraft contacts were found at 155-160 m.c. It was seldom necessary
to dive in order to evade; in general, one or more radical course
changes would suffice to shake the contact. The commanding officer
believes the behavior of these contacts ratifies the theory set
forth in the BESUGO's first war patrol report; e.g., that Jap air-
craft radar not only has poor range definition, but has bearing
accuracy sufficient only to designate the sector of the target. Of
the saturation contacts only two were seen.

-36-

— page 39 —
CONFIDENTIAL
M. RADAR (Cont'd)

Most noteworthy SPA-AIR contacts were two identical ones, widely
separated geographically, at 165 mc, 3000 or 4000 pps, 2.5 micro-
seconds, which were apparently shipborne. This was not incorporated
in a list of Japanese radars included in SPOT's OPORD. This is
apparently a new Jap radar.
The lack of a directional SPA-AIR antenna prevented the development
of these contacts. In both instances convoys were known to be in
the general vicinity, yet it was impossible to close the contact.
At these times a directional antenna would have been more than
justified.
The SD-4 was satisfactory during all periods of operation. It was
manned during gun attacks and while on lifeguard station. At these
times it was keyed for five seconds per minute. Several initial
contacts were made at 8-12 miles during lifeguard patrol.
IFF equipment was not used, except to challenge SD contacts while on
lifeguard station. Details of radar material failures and the radar
detector contact log follow:

DEFECT | CAUSE AND CORRECTION
Double echos on precision | Tuning stubs in the base of antenna
sweep | detuned. Retuned the stubs.
No control over the | Bad Cathode Ray tube, replaced
of the Cathode Ray | tube.
tube in the range unit. |
No echos. No crystal current. | Crystal burned out, replaced crystal.
Jumpy and double sweep on | C-220 filament bypass condenser
all sweeps. | touching FL-206. Moved C-220 clear of
| IF coil.
No precision sweep and no | Range Mark cable to the Range Indicator
range stop. | broken. Replaced cable.
Lobe separation motor in- | Fuse in motor circuit burned out. Replaced
operative. | fuse.
Low grass with IF gain control | 6AC7 IF amplifier tube weak. Replaced tube.
in maximum position. |
Range stop would jump at all | V-504 6sn7 phase inverter burned out.
ranges in 2000 yd. jumps. | Replaced.
Small irregular jumps in range | 2000 yd. precision stop generator out.
stop. Especially noticeable on | V-502 bad, replaced.
precision sweep. |
Range stop small, not clear | V-15 soft. Replaced.
and defined. |
No sweep and no transmitter | Fuse in "B" unit low voltage rectifier
pulse. | out, caused by 5U4G rectifier shorted.
| Replaced 5U4G.
Low voltage rectifier would | Weak 5U4G. Replaced.
only regulate from 200 to |
250 volts. |

-37-

— page 40 —
CONFIDENTIAL
M. RADAR (Cont'd)

DEFECT                                  CAUSE AND CORRECTION

No echos. Not able to get               Dipole in bottom of the waveguide bent
enough crystal current to               and off of electrical center. Straightened
tune transmitter-receiver               Dipole.
using the boat osc. and
inserting dipole in the
waveguide.

Low High voltage rectifier              The negative 150 and 300 volt bias
current 20-50 ma. Small                 low. Caused by a short in the negative
transmitter pulse, no RF                300 volt repeller bias lead to the
indicated in the waveguide.             AFC unit.
.3 volts would be read on the
HVR motor with the high volt-
age switch off.

No main or expanded swoop.              6SN7 swoop multivibrator out. Replaced
                                        6SN7.

Low voltage on "A" LVR unit             Bad 5U4G. Replaced 5U4G.

Low echos and water noises.             TR tube bad. Replaced.
Transmitter and receiver.

No high voltage, no HVR                 Fuse in lead to plate supply of high
current, and no transmitter             voltage rectifier out. Caused by a
pulse.                                  shorted out 836 high voltage rectifier,
                                        replaced 836.

No high voltage, no VR current          Lead from high voltage transformer to
and no transmitter pulse.               plate of 836 broken. Rewired lead.

Faint steady echo at about 60,          Replace V-6 6H6 shaper tube.
000 yards.

Arcing in the coupling from             Remove coupling, clean, replace and
the magnetron plate to grid.            tighten.

SD-4
High plate current at low
plate voltage. Full scale               Soft 8014A's. Replaced 8014A's.
reading on plate current meter
when plate voltage variac set on
3.

No swoop. Bright spot in middle         V-11 6V6 swoop generator burned out.
of screen with intensity turned         Replaced 6V6.
up.

No calibration on either 15 or 60       6SN6, calibration oscillator burned
mile scale.                             out. Replaced.

Echos would cut out when plate          446, first RF amp. in the pre-amp.
variac was turned above 50.             soft and was blocked.

Range pip would jump when
plate variac was moved at               Readjusted vernier freq. control
high voltage settings.                  trimmer on calibration oscillator.

JP-2
Completely inoperative.                 6SJ7, audio amp. out. Replaced.

-38-

— page 41 —
CONFIDENTIAL
M. RADAR (Cont'd)
DEFECT | CAUSE AND CORRECTION
JP-2 |
Complotely inoperative. | Amperato 3-38 tubo burnod out.
No power on gear. |
SPA-AFR |
No swoop. | Cathode ray tubo filamont burnod
| out. Roplacod.
No swoop. No spot on scroon | 2X2, high voltago roctifior burnod out.
vith intonsity turnod up. | Roplacod.
No signals. No ablo to hoar |
hotoradyno oscillator | 6AG7, power output burnod out. Roplacod.
whon turnod on. |
LM-18 |
Complotoly inoporativo. No | C201 filtor condonsor shortod out.
high voltago. | Roplacod.

RADAR DETECTOR CONTACT LOG
DATE | TIME | LAT | LONG | FREQ | PUL | PUL | ANT. | REMARKS
| | | | | RATE | WID | ROT. |
12/10 | 1915(-11) | 21-01 | 170-10 | 160 | 3000 | 12-15 | 12RPM | Land-basod or
| | | | | | | | ship-basod 300
| | | | | | | | mi.from Wako.
12/17 | 1855(-9) | 15-08 | 144-28 | 206 | 400 | 2.5-3.5 | Irrog. | Woak Signal.
12/17 | 1907(-9) | 15-08 | 144-28 | 110 | 660 | 14 | 2 | Possiblo Har-
| | | | | | | | monic of Jap
| | | | | | | | MKII? Near
| | | | | | | | Saipan.
12/17 | 2030(-9) | 15-24 | 144-09 | 195 | 55 | 7 | 3 |
12/21 | 0230(-9) | 28-16 | 133-03 | 128 | 300 | 2.5 | Irrog. | Koyod, Aircraft
| | | | | | | | charactoristics.
12/21 | 1603(-9) | 29-29 | 130-45 | 150 | 1000 | 3-5 | Irrog. | Koyod aircraft.
12/21 | 1930(-9) | 29-29 | 130-30 | 130 | 1000 | 17-19 | Irrog. | Koyod aircraft.
12/21 | 2130(-9) | 29-08 | 129-59 | 82 | 450 | 40 | Stdy. | Land-basod
| | | | | | | | Akusoki Jima
12/21 | 2220(-9) | 29-12 | 129-46 | 150 | 500 | 10-14 | 2-3 | Resombled land-
| | | | | | | | basod soarch-
| | | | | | | | light control
| | | | | | | | probably Akusoki
| | | | | | | | Jima
12/23 | 0100(-9) | 31-39 | 127-49 | 96 | 65 | Too weak | 1/3 | Unidontifiod.
| | | | | | | | | Probably Danjo
| | | | | | | | | Gunto
12/23 | 1925(-9) | 31-04 | 126-26 | 152 | 1000 | 4.75 | Irrog. | Aircraft.
12/26 | 2010(-9) | 29-06 | 122-22 | 73 | 500 | 35 | Unk. | Land-basod
| | | | | | | | | apparonntly with
| | | | | | | | | vory broad
| | | | | | | | | diroctional
| | | | | | | | | charactoristics
| | | | | | | | | Possibly low power, poor
| | | | | | | | | Hioshan I.dofinition.

-39-

— page 43 —
CONFIDENTIAL

N. SOUND GEAR & SOUND CONDITIONS
     There was no opportunity to use the sound gear in combat until
torpedo attack # 4, in which the enemy was picked up at about 4000
yards in 25 fathoms of water while standing a listening watch on the
QB gear.
     Material condition was good throughout. Sound conditions submerged
were often poor, due to prominent squittoring of shrimp and other
animals on the shallow bottom.

O. DENSITY LAYERS
     No density layers were found in the shallow waters of the East China
Sea and the Yellow Sea. Water temperature averaged 52 degrees. South
of 34 N; 45°F, north of 34 N.
     All bathythermograph cards were isothermal.

P. HEALTH, FOOD AND HABITABILITY
     Health in general was excellent. There were no bad colds in spite
of much cold, damp weather.
     Food was excellent. The cooks and baker, all new to war patrols, did
a superb job, properly supervised by a commissary officer with an active
interest in his job.
     Habitability was good. The airconditioning unit in the forward battery
helps greatly.
     The 10-lb wounds were ably treated by the pharmacist mate. The empty
magazine made an ideal prison cell.
     Submarine winter clothing is still inadequate. This is soon for-
gotten after leaving the area. The fact remains that winter flight
clothing is an urgent necessity for submarines making patrols in severe
climates.
[HANDWRITTEN: DA]

Q. PERSONNEL
     The complete crew was assembled and well-started in training by the
commissioning date. Full use was made of the Fleet and Submarine Force
Training facilities on the East Coast. Eleven of the original crew
were transferred for reasons of neuroses, unsuitability for submarine
service and sickness. One man was sent on emergency leave prior to
departure from Saipan.
     The quality and enthusiasm of the remainder of the crew was marked
and shows the excellent results of the Submarine Force personnel policy.
     School of the boat was held daily. Unqualified men were paired with
qualified men. Unqualified groups were assigned to qualified and un-
qualified officers with mutual beneficial results.
     1. Number of men on board during patrol.                               75
     2. Number of qualified men on board at start of patrol.                32
     3. Number of qualified men at end of patrol.                           63
     4. Number of men making first patrol.                                  44
     5. Number of men rated since commissioning.                            31
     On the premise that one alert watch officer is worth two tired ones,
however experienced, the single watch officer system was instituted during
the third week in the area, with excellent results. With a six officer
watch list one stood rotating twenty-four hour duty as asst. navigator
and coding; officer while the other five stood two hour watches.

-41-

— page 44 —
CONFIDENTIAL

Q. PERSONNEL (Cont'd)

Recommendations are being submitted on officers as follows:

Lieut-Comdr., W.C. HALL, Jr., USN To Command a Fleet Submarine.
Lieutenant A.H. CLARK, Jr., USN For designation as "Qualified
                                  in Command of Submarines".
Ensign S.J. DAVY, USNR            For examination for designation
                                  as "Qualified in Submarines".
Ensign C.C. SPELTS, USN.          "         "         "
All hands, officers and crew alike behaved exactly as expected of
our submarine. They just can't be beat.

R. MILES STEAMED & FUEL USED

Pearl Harbor to Saipan            MILES     GALLONS
12-4-44 to 12-15-44               3400      49,800

Saipan to Area
12-17-44 to 12-22-44              1700      19,400

In Area
12-23-44 to 1-20-45               6400      55,000

Area to Midway
1-21-45 to 1-30-45                3100      33,000
TOTAL                             14,600    157,200

S. DURATION

Days enroute Pearl Harbor to Saipan - - - 11
Days Saipan to Area 6
Days in Area 29
Days enroute Base from Area - - - - - - 11
Days Submerged 13

T. FACTORS OF ENDURANCE REMAINING

TORPEDOES         FUEL      PROVISIONS    PERSONNEL
One (defective)   8,000     20 days       15 days

U. RADIO & RADAR COUNTER MEASURES

During transmission of SPOT second a possible enemy countermeasure
was experienced. At 1704(-11½) 12 December on 4155 kcs SPOT called the
FULTON. No answer was received so shifted to 8310 kcs and called again.
The FULTON did not answer but NPG called and asked for our message.
NPG requested that we shift to 4155 kcs. On 4155 kcs we called NPG.
NPM-4 called and the Chief Radioman became suspicious since he used
commercial procedure and his style was definitely not American.
Rather than continue to operate on the frequency, we shifted to 8470 kcs
and called NPM. NPM answered first call up and message was cleared.
Upon arrival Saipan, the FULTON's communication officer checked his
logs and the FULTON had not made the suspicious transmission.

-42-

— page 45 —
CONFIDENTIAL
V. REMARKS (Cont'd)
SHIPPING ROUTES

Our scarcity of contacts makes possible little factual reporting on
this subject, but a careful study of all available material coupled
with our observations leads to the following deductions:
1. Most northbound traffic along the China coast goes to Shangahi very
   little heading directly for Japan. Large ships probably use Steep
   Island Pass, those under 3,000 tons the "inland route" through
   Muyishan, Puto, Tower Hill and Blackwall Channels. Both these routes
   are vulnerable between Hioshan Is and Kushan Is. The ten fathom
   curve there is not mined between Lat. 28-58 N and Lat. 29-12 N.
2. Traffic between Shangahi and Tsingtao runs just clear of the off
   lying danger in rough submarine waters. Most traffic for the
   empire takes this route, heading from the Shantung Promontory to
   the Korean coast, thence through Saisho Kaikyo into Area Nine.
3. Traffic between Dairen and Chinnampo runs through Gaicho San Suido
   (Waichangshan Channel) round Kaiyo To (Haiyung Mo) thence to
   Chinnampo direct.
4. One of our small marus and four of our trawlers were sunk between
   ton and twenty miles southwest of Video Island, Lat. 30-08 N. Long.
   122-46 E, an excellent landfall off the China coast.
5. Saishu Kaikyo was thoroughly covered. While nothing but patrol boats
   and fishermen were sighted here, it is bound to be a good hunting
   ground. The chart we took from the ship we boarded indicated her
   passage there following close to Lat 34-06 N, right where we had
   patrolled for almost a week. The entire area bounded by Long. 126-
   15 E, the Korean coast, Long. 127-25 E and Lat. 33-35 N might be
   more profitably assigned entirely to either Area Nine or Twelve,
   or made a joint area in order to eliminate confusion and avoid
   unnecessary transmissions over the Wolf Pack frequency.
SURFACE v SUBMERGED PATROLLING
Area Twelve once had the reputation, even amoung strong advocates of
surface patrolling, of being better adopted to submerged patrols.
Now, with lessened air coverage, our increased air and surface
activity in the south and reconnaissance flights by B-29's, it is gen-
erally much better suited to surface patrolling.
CHINA BROADCASTS
The China broadcasts were of aid in maintaining proper coverage of the
area. B-29 contacts and information as to the general movement of
Japanese traffic were welcome bits of news. This data would have played
a large part in the patrol plan if there had been more shipping in Area
Twelve during our time there.
The contact of greatest interest to this vessel was that concerning two
transports. This contact made at 0854(-9) on the morning of 28 December
1944, was received by this vessel at 1515(-9) that afternoon on the
0600 Z China broadcast. At 0854(-9) the reported position of the trans-
ports was 40 miles to the westward, their course 150°T, speed 15 knots.
At that time we were surface patrolling on course 320°T, speed 15 knots.
When the contact was received the transports were well clear to the
southeastward.

-43-

— page 46 —
CONFIDENTIAL
V. REMARKS (Cont'd)
This unfortunate delay was not repeated since China instituted a 0300
Z broadcast at Commander Bonnett's suggestion. This greatly increased
the value of the B-29 contacts.
One disadvantage of the China broadcast is that the Wopaco frequency
must be secured to copy China or listen on the B-29 contact frequency
during photo and reconnaissance swoops. The RBO is not suitable for
this purpose owing to its lack of selectivity. An additional RIL
receiver would obviate this difficulty.
[HANDWRITTEN: 5]
[HANDWRITTEN: 1]
EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT
The "experimental equipment" installed was all so successful that
enthusiasm can not be restrained in describing its performance. Items
are listed in their order of importance.
(1) SECURE ECHO SOUNDING EQUIPMENT (SUSIE)
The new type fathometer, the Secure Echo Sounding Equipment or SUSIE,
was indispensable to the navigation of the shallow waters patrolled
by SPOT. Its accuracy, simplicity, and dependability of operation at
depths less than 180 fathoms is revolutionary, and represents a
major contribution to the greater effectiveness of submarines.
Soundings may be taken continuously at any speed, with an accuracy
of one foot to depths as great as 40 fathoms, and with accuracy to
half a fathom at depths from 40 to 180 fathoms. SUSIE is a develop-
ment of the University of California Division of War Research, San
Diego, Calif. In shallow water "SUSIE" can hold her own with our
engineering plants, welded construction, air conditioning, and electric
stills as a major contributor to the reliability of our submarines.
(2) 38 FOOT ANTENNA SYSTEM
1. The radio antennae of this vessel consists of:
(a) A twenty four foot whip antenna mounted on the after side and
on the highest point of the shears. This antenna was primarily used
for receiving and proved excellent. It has a spring and rachet
feature which permits positioning the whip in the vertical or horizon-
tal plane. It was used in the horizontal plane the entire patrol.
(b) Two thirty eight foot antennae mounted to port and starboard
of the conning tower structure, at a height of approximately eight
feet above the main deck.
(c) RG-18 U coaxial cable is used to load the antennae into the hull
through shear valves. The coaxial sheath is grounded at the antennae
and in the radio room.
2. The results and associated benefits obtained by using this system
is considered a vast improvement over the conventional antenna system
with an antenna trunk. In brief the notable characteristics, physical
and radio, are as follows:
(a) Because of the physical dimensions of the antennae it was
possible to locate them clear of the deck guns and still not subject
to spray. A 5" gun forward or aft has maximum arc of train.
(b) The use of shear valves made possible by use of coaxial cable
eliminates the radio antenna trunk and a relatively large hull opening.
(c) The whip is an excellent receiving antenna and a good trans-

-44-

— page 47 —
I CONFIDENTIAL
V. REMARKS (Cont'd)

mitter in either the vertical or horizontal position. The decreased
length is neutralized by the increased effective height above ground.
(d) The 38 foot wing antennae have excellent transmitting and
receiving characteristics. We have raised NPM and NIG from the area
with no difficulty. No prominent nulls due to the conning tower
structural interference have been noticed.
(e) The use of coaxial leads and more widely spaced antenna has
almost entirely eliminated the leakage of radio power from a trans-
mitting leadin and antenna to the adjacent leadins and antennae.
It has been found that while transmitting, we can receive on any
other frequency. We copied China and the Fox while transmitting
on Topaco or on the ship to shore frequencies. The lamp relays do
not even glow in cases where they burned brightly in transmitting
with the old antenna system.
(f) The system has made it possible to load the antennae with
an amazing amount of power. The 10 amp HF antenna meter had to be
replaced with a 15 amp meter. We can load 15 amp. into the 38 foot
antennae, with 1500 plate voltage and the protective relays lamps
hardly glow, indicating that practically the entire transmitter
power is being loaded in the antenna.

(3) 40MM GUN INSTALLATION
This vessel mounts two 40MM guns, one forward and one aft on the
bridge deck. Careful maintenance during operating periods made them
a dependable weapon at all times.
Their high location allows them to be manned under conditions of
sea unfavorable to main deck guns, gives them a wide, unhindered arc of
train, and an excellent vantage point of sighting for the crews.
The most favored maximum range for their use was about 2400 yards,
bringing 75% accuracy of fire which increased astoundingly as the
crews became more accustomed to the gun.
In all cases, 40MM fire was found to neutralize the enemy resist-
ance completely. It shattered and fired the topsides and holed the
hulls of vessels up to 1200 tons, extensively.

(4) STERN GLAND TIGHTENING DEVICE
The stern gland tightening device is a development of the Mare
Island Navy Yard to provide more even pressure on the shaft packings.
The packing ring, forward of the packing, is threaded on its outer
surface to receive a corresponding nut. The position of this nut is
fixed, relative to the stern shaft. Its outer surface is geared to
receive a worm. Then the worm is rotated by a ratchet wrench, floor
plate lever or nut rotator and forces the packing ring to travel
axially along the shaft, since the nut itself cannot move axially.
This affords a safer, quicker, easier, more even means of applying
pressure to the stern glands.
This device has performed perfectly in all respects.

-45-

— page 48 —
CONFIDENTIAL
V. REMARKS (Cont'd)

(5) GLOBE VALVES IN 10# BLOW LINES.

[HANDWRITTEN: X] During our building period at Mare Island, at ship's request,
Globe valves replaced the flapper valves in the 10# blow lines to
set # 1, 2&C, 2 B&D and # 7. These valves are believed to be more
durable and dependable over a long period of normal operation and
are less likely to leak. More head room was gained in the control
room passage by this installation. No increased difficulty of
operation was experienced. If the proper sized globe valves for 4A,
6 A&C and 4B, 6 B&D could have been obtained, they also would have
been installed. These globe valves are the only metal to metal
valves in the system and it is felt that with openings as large as
these lines make through the hull, too much dependence is placed on
the effectiveness of the flapper check valves in the lines and the
hull flapper valves in the control room overhead.

(6) SOUND HEAD PROJECTOR SHAFT JUCTION BOX

1. A junction box, on the sound head projection shaft immediately
   inboard of the stuffing box was installed for each fairlead,
   JK, QB, and QC.
2. This proved a time and labor saver whenever it was necessary
   to renew damaged fairloads to any of the sound heads.
3. This additional junction box eliminated the need of renewing
   the fairlead through the stuffing box into the projector
   shaft.

-46-

— page 49 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE TWENTY ONE

FB5-321/A16-3                                      Care of Fleet Post Office,
Serial (010)                                       San Francisco, California,
                                                   2 February 1945.
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO SPOT (SS413) Conf.
Ltr. Serial (01) dated
30 January 1945.

From:             The Commander Submarine Division THREE TWENTY ONE.
To :              The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via :             (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-TWO.
                  (2) The Commander Submarine Force, United States
                      Pacific Fleet.
                  (3) The Commander-in-Chief, United States Pacific
                      Fleet.

Subject:          U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of War Patrol Number
                  ONE.

                  1. The first War Patrol of the U.S.S. SPOT, in the
characteristic manner of the Commanding Officer, was aggressively
conducted in the East China and Yellow Seas. It was of fifty-
eight days duration. Area coverage was outstandingly thorough,
which necessitated considerable extremely shallow water
patrolling. The Secure Echo Sounding equipment was indispensable.
This was a rotating area patrol in coordination with the U.S.S.
BALAO and U.S.S. ICEFISH, but no coordinated attacks developed.
Eighteen ship contacts were made resulting in five torpedo
attacks and five gun attacks. In addition life guard duties
were performed.

Resume' of attacks.

Torpedo Attack #1 - 2 January 1945 - Unsuccessful.

A submerged daylight attack against a random
patrolling, 400-600 ton patrol craft resulted in misses. Three
Mk XVIII torpedoes were fired at a range of 2600 yards on an 85°
track with near zero gyro angles. Control errors caused
torpedoes to miss and the attack was undetected. No further
attacks were attempted.

                                                   -1-

— page 50 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE TWENTY-ONE

FB5-321/A16-3
Serial (010)

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

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO SPOT (SS413) Conf.
Ltr. Serial (01) dated
30 January 1945.

Subject: U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of War Patrol Number
ONE.

Torpedo Attack #2 - 18 January 1945 - Unsuccessful.

A night radar contact was developed into sight contact
with a four masted sailing junk of about 600 Tons. A surface
radar approach was made and two Mk XVIII torpedoes were fired
from 2650 yards on an 80°P track with zero gyro angles, and 2
foot depth settings. Both torpedoes broached and passed astern.
Misses were attributed to slow running of torpedoes due to low
temperature. Further expenditure of torpedoes was not considered
warranted and SPOT retired.

Torpedo Attack #3 - 19 January 1945 - Sank Medium AK.

On closing an 8500 yard radar contact a single light
was sighted which was believed to be a fisherman. Closer
inspection revealed an unescorted passenger-freighter similar to
the WENCHOW MARU with numerous lighted ports. After a surface
radar approach four Mk XVIII torpedoes were fired from the stern
tubes on an average track of 125° starboard with small gyro
angles at 1650 yards. The first torpedo hit and the target was
seen to blow up and sink.

Torpedo Attack #4 - 19 January 1945 - Sank Medium AO.

Six hours after attack #3 SPOT made radar contact at
15000 Yards. A surface approach in early twilight revealed an
unescorted medium tanker in ballast. At a range of 3000 yards on
a 75° Port Track the six bow tubes were fired for no hits. The
range was closed to 2650 yards and three stern tubes were fired
on a 78° Port Track with near zero gyro angles. Two hits were
obtained and the target was observed to sink bow first.

-2-

Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
2 February 1945.

— page 51 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE TWENTY ONE

FB5-321/A16-3

Serial (010)

C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L
                                                                Care of Fleet Post Office,
                                                                San Francisco, California,
                                                                2 February 1945.

FIRST ENDORSEMENT to
CO SPOT (SS413) Conf.
Ltr. Serial (01) dated
30 January 1945.

Subject:         U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of War Patrol
                 Number ONE.

— page 54 —
FC5-32/A16-3
Serial: (011)

SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY-TWO
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California

4 February 1945

CONFIDENTIAL

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO SPOT (SS413) Conf.
Ltr. Ser. (01) dated
30 January 1945.

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-TWO.
To : The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, Administrative.
(2) The Commander-in-Chief, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of War Patrol Number ONE.

1. Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the Commander Submarine
Division THREE TWENTY-ONE.

2. It is recommended that the U.S.S. SPOT be credited with the
following damage to the enemy on her first war patrol:

SUNK

1 - AK (EU) 3,113 Tons (Torpedo Attack No. 3)
1 - AO (EU) 5,000 Tons (Torpedo Attack No. 4)
1 - SMC (EC) 800 Tons (Gun Attack No. 5)
1 - SMC (EC) 1,224 Tons (Gun Attack No. 2)
2 - MIS (EC) 700 Tons (Gun Attack No. 3)
2 - MIS (EC) 200 Tons (Gun Attack No. 1)
2 - MIS (EC) 70 Tons (Gun Attack No. 4)

11,107 Tons

3. The above results indicate the effectiveness and expert handling
of the gun installations on the SPOT. The two 40 MM guns were used to excellent
advantage and proved to be highly destructive weapons.

4. The commanding officer, officers and crew of the U.S.S. SPOT are
heartily congratulated upon the completion of this exceptionally well conducted
and aggressive first war patrol during which considerable damage was inflicted
upon the enemy.

[SIGNATURE: K. C. HURD.]

— page 55 —
FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18) SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET. Ga
Serial 0275 [STAMP: RECEIVED S-C FILES] Care of Fleet Post Office;
[HANDWRITTEN: 23C Room 2055] San Francisco, California,
CONFIDENTIAL [HANDWRITTEN: 10 MAR 1945] 19 February 1945.
THIRD ENDORSEMENT to No. [HANDWRITTEN: File No. (SC) 4-6-3(23) / 158077 NOTE:] THIS REPORT WILL BE
SPOT Report of [HANDWRITTEN: Copy No. 2 of 4] DESTROYED PRIOR TO
First War Patrol. [HANDWRITTEN: Reg. No. 0] ENTERING PATROL AREA.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 660
U.S.S. SPOT - FIRST WAR PATROL.

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

Subject: U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) - Report of First War Patrol
(4 December 1944 to 30 January 1945).

1. The first war patrol of the SPOT was conducted in the
East China Sea and Yellow Sea Areas. The SPOT, along with the
U.S.S. BALAO (SS285) and the U.S.S. ICEFISH (SS367), formed a
coordinated attack group with the commanding officer of the SPOT,
Commander W. S. Post, Jr., U.S. Navy, as the group commander.

2. This aggressive, alert, first patrol was worthy of a
veteran submarine. As a result of her thorough area coverage, the
SPOT made numerous contacts although most of them were small ships.
Five aggressive torpedo attacks and five daring gun attacks were
made and severe damage was inflicted upon the enemy. The SPOT
sighted nineteen drifting mines during the patrol, eight of which
were destroyed by gun fire. The comment relative to the secure
echo sounding equipment and whip antennae is of particular interest.

3. Award of the Submarine Combat Insignia for this
patrol is authorized.

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratu-
lates the commanding officer, officers and crew of the SPOT for this
outstanding first patrol. The SPOT is credited with having inflicted
the following damage upon the enemy during this patrol:

S U N K
1 - AK (WENCHOW MARU Type) (EC) - 3,200 tons (Attack No. 3)
1 - Medium AO (EU) - 5,000 tons (Attack No. 4)
1 - MIS (Trawler) (EC) - 100 tons (Gun Attack No. 1)
1 - MIS (Trawler) (EC) - 100 tons (Gun Attack No. 1)

(Continued next page)
- 1 -
[HANDWRITTEN: 258] [STAMP: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
FLEET MAINTENANCE
MAR 6 1945
RECEIVED
NAVY DEPARTMENT]

— page 57 —
SS413/A16

Serial (011)

From:
To :
Via :

Subject:

Enclosures:
U.S.S. SPOT (SS413)

Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
4 May 1945.

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[HANDWRITTEN: BY C7098X DATE 6/19/72]

The Commanding Officer.
The Commander-in-Chief, United States Fleet.
Official Channels.

U.S.S. SPOT (SS413), Report of War Patrol
Number Two.

(A) Subject Report.
(B) Track Chart(s) (Comsubpac only).

1. Enclosure (A), Covering the second war patrol
of this vessel conducted in the FORMOSA STRAIT, EAST CHINA
SEA and KII SUIDO AREAS during the period 24 February to 4
May, 1945, is forwarded herewith.

[SIGNATURE: W.S. Post, Jr.]
W.S. POST, Jr.

[HANDWRITTEN: FILMED]
[HANDWRITTEN: 122322]

— page 58 —
[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL 1000-1000-45]
U.S.S. SPOT (SS413)

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPOT--Report of War Patrol Number Two.

(A) PROLOGUE.

The SPOT completed her first war patrol on January 30, 1945, at
MIDWAY, where an exceptionally thorough refit was conducted by U.S.S.
PELIAS (AS14) and Subdiv 321 relief crew. Had two day post repair period,
four days of well planned and really helpful training, and a two day load-
ing period. During the refit the following alterations were accomplished:
(1) Conversion of a commissary dry storeroom, located to starboard of
present magazine, to an ammunition stowage. This allowed an increase from
86 to 149 rds. of 5" ammunition and from 848 to 1,424 rds. of 40mm
ammunition.
(2) Fuel oil filling connection forward removed and blank flange
installed.
(3) Stop valves installed in line from #5 FBT to FO filling & transfer
line.

(B) NARRATIVE.

FIRST PHASE

24 February

1300 ([HANDWRITTEN: √12]) Departed MIDWAY, in accordance with CTG 17.3 OpOrd 6-45
of 24 February 1945, bound for SAIPAN. Task unit desig-
nation 17.3.57. The send-off which we received was every
bit as hearty as our welcome, and a fine fillip to morale.

The following officers and chief petty officers were on
board with previous war patrols as indicated:

Comdr. W.S. POST, Jr., USN.                               9 Patrols
Licut. A.H. CLARK, Jr., USN.                               9 Patrols
Licut. GAYLE SCHNEIDAU, Jr., USNR.                         2 Patrols
Licut. A.C. MEALY, USN.                                    No Patrols
Licut. DANTE ARMOGIDA, USN.                                1 Patrol
Licut. (jg) S.J. DAVY, USNR.                               1 Patrol
Ensign D.H. WRIGHT, USNR.                                  1 Patrol
Ensign B.H. CRAWFORD, Jr., USNR.                           1 Patrol
Ensign C.C. SPELTS, USN.                                   10 Patrols
SMITH, L.H., CGM, USN.                                     1 Patrol
BROOKS, K.L., CTM, USN.                                    11 Patrols
PILGRIM, W.R., CQM, USN.                                   7 Patrols
YONUSCHOT, R.A., CEM, USN.                                 8 Patrols
SCOTT, R.D., CEM, USN.                                     5 Patrols
DELLA TORRE, J.A., CRM, USN.                               7 Patrols
HALL, V.E., CMOMM, USN.                                    6 Patrols
McHONE, J.F., CMOMM, USN.                                  9 Patrols
PERRY, K.P., CY, USN.                                      8 Patrols
JANITZ, A.H., CCS, USN.                                    1 Patrol
FORD, W.M., CPhM, USN.                                     6 Patrols

-1-

— page 59 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. SPOT (SS413) . . .
U.S.S. SPOT - Report of War Patrol Number Two.

25 February (✓12) Noon position 26-22 N, 178-20 E.
                 Conducted training dives and drills.

26 February
0001 (✓12) Set clocks ahead 24 hours. Omitted this date.

27 February (-12) Noon position 24-47 N, 172-50 E.
                 Conducted training dives and drills.

28 February (-12) Noon position 22-48 N, 166-26 E.
                 Conducted training dives and drills.

1 March (-11) Noon position 20-53 N, 161-21 E.
                 Conducted training dives and drills.
1730 (-11) Transmitted SPOT first to CTG 17.7, info CTF 17 and ICEFISH,
                 requesting SAIPAN rendezvous.
1930 (-11) Conducted night gun firing.
2230 (-11) Received CTG 17.7 010916, welcoming SPOT to SAIPAN.

2 March (-11) Noon position 18-52 N, 155-44 E.
1522 (-11) Received CTG 17.7 012359, designating escort.

3 March (-11) Noon position 17-18 N, 149-53 E.

4 March
1335 (-10) Moored alongside USS FULTON (AS11), Tanapag Harbor, SAIPAN.
                 Topped off fuel tanks.

5-7 March
                 Accomplished voyage repairs, held conferences with QUEENFISH
                 and SEA FOX in preparation for coordinated patrol.

8 March
1610 (-10) Underway standing out of Tanapag Harbor, SAIPAN, in comp-
                 any with SEAFOX and BUGARA. QUEENFISH departure delayed
                 overnight due to emergency repairs. Task Group designation
                 17.21, TU 17.21.1. Set course for patrol area. Making
                 daily section dives.

-2-