U.S.S. SNAPPER (SS-185) — war patrol report SS-185_SNAPPER_Part1.pdf

— page 4 —
1941, SNAPPER departed for her first war patrol. She patrolled across the shipping lanes between Hong Kong and Hainan Straits until 8 January 1942. During this time only seven ships were sighted. Only two of these were worthy targets, being large cargo vessels which outdistanced her and she was unable to close for attack. On 23 December she fired two torpedoes at a small cargo vessel but missed her target, probably due to rough seas which made submerged control difficult. Departing this barren area on 8 January 1942 she commenced patrol in Davao Gulf. On 12 January while east of Cape Engan she made an unsuccessful attack on a supply ship which escaped when SNAPPER was forced down by a destroyer escort. While off Cape San Agustin on 24 January, she attacked another supply ship without success, again being forced down by destroyer escorts. On 1 February as she steamed toward Banka Passage she was detected by a destroyer who made a fruitless depth charge attack. In return SNAPPER fired two single torpedoes which failed to find their target despite checking out of data. Five days later she sighted a convoy in Makassar Straits but was unable to close range for an attack. She arrived at Soerabaja, Java on 10 February 1942, then steamed to Fremantle, Australia.

SNAPPER departed Fremantle 6 March 1942 on her second war patrol. She transited Lombok Straits 15 March to commence patrol of the approaches to Tarakan. Finding no suitable target by 27 March, she was directed to Davao Gulf. On 31 March she closed a large armed tender or auxiliary cruiser, armed with guns forward and aft, sky guns and broadside, all manned. She fired two bow torpedoes at 600 yards range and after reversing course came to periscope depth to observe the enemy dead in the water. As she closed and fired one torpedo from her stern tube, a shower of bombs or depth charges forced her deep but she evaded the attacker. Later in the night of 31 March 1942 she was ordered to Macan Island, arriving 5 April to unload ammunition and take aboard 46 tons of food for beleaguered Corregidor. On 9 April she arrived off Corregidor and transferred her cargo of food to rescue vessel PIGEON. Receiving 7 naval officers and 20 enlisted evacuees from PIGEON she evaded the Japanese destroyer patrols and on 18 April transited Lombok Straits, headed for Fremantle, Australia.

On 23 April 1942, SNAPPER received word that submarine SEARAVEN was in trouble and reversed course to take her in tow the next morning under the protection of a Navy patrol plane which circled the ships during the day. When the water-soaked manila tow lines parted, she improvised a tow by use of SEARAVEN's anchor chains. An Australian sloop and two destroyers joined her as escorts after dark and when the pelican hooks were carried away, she was relieved of tow duty by the sloop. She arrived at Fremantle 25 April 1942.

— page 6 —
29 July 1943, SNAPPER departed Pearl Harbor to conduct her seventh war patrol in the area of Saipan, Guam, and north of Truk. On 20 August she sighted two vessels moored in the northeastern extremity of Apra Harbor, Guam and decided to maintain submerged patrol off that harbor until they were loaded and commenced departure. Impatient by 27 August, she dived and steamed to the north of the harbor to fix position of the targets. While preparing to photograph the two vessels, a patrol vessel passed nearby and SNAPPER set her bow tubes for a low power shot and headed to a position off the center of the harbor entrance channel. At 1523 she fired three torpedoes at the nearest ship and one at the more distant freighter. She swung hard to clear shoal water and saw six minutes later an explosion was heard and the first target, TOKAI MARU of 8,359 tons was seen down by the stern, enveloped in smoke and belching debris. She settled rapidly with bow in the air and sank. The patrol vessel must have had little or no sound gear since it was dead ahead of SNAPPER when the torpedoes were fired and failed to show any warning signs. On 2 September 1943, SNAPPER closed a convoy of five cargo vessels with two escorts, and prepared to attack two of the merchantmen. Her targets commenced radical maneuvers and she shifted her attack when the port escort came into view. When the range closed to 1020 yards, she fired a shot "down the throat" of Frigate MUTSURE of 860 tons. Seconds later the bow of the frigate lifted several feet to be torn off and hurled to port, exposing her hull cross-section about even with the bridge which was immediately enveloped in flames and smoke for a pyrotechnic display as she sank (80-40'N, 1510-31'E). SNAPPER cleared the locality going deep and fast. The next day she intercepted a convoy of five cargo ships escorted by one destroyer. Unable to close range submerged, she conducted an end-around run on the surface and lay in wait as the convoy came out of a rain squall. SNAPPER obtained a set-up on one cargo ship but the erratic course of the enemy took her directly overhead. SNAPPER came up for a second try but her only reward was a counter-attack by depth charges from escorts which she evaded. She returned to Pearl Harbor, 22 September 1943.

On 19 October 1943, SNAPPER departed Pearl Harbor to conduct her eighth war patrol off Honshu, Japan in the Izu Shot area south of Sagami Nada between Omai Zaki and Inubo Saki. On 8 November she attacked a coastal ship for: no hits as she battled heavy seas of twelve foot waves. On 15 November, she sighted a carrier and two cruisers out of range and on 24 November made a daring night surface attack on a convoy of five ships escorted by two sub-chasers and a destroyer. She fired two bow torpedoes each at two medium freighters, overlapping targets, then swung hard right and brought her stern tubes to bear on a tanker and another freighter. She then took departure at high speed on the surface to the accompaniment of wild gunfire and sounds of exploding torpedoes. Unable to observe the results of her attack, she maneuvered for a dawn periscope approach but lost contact while evading an enemy torpedo boat and escort vessel.

Still battling heavy seas on 29 November 1943, SNAPPER sighted a convoy of five ships and two escorts. She conducted approach on the large vessel on starboard wing of the convoy. She fired three bow torpedoes, scoring two hits which set cargo KENRYU MARU of 4,575 tons ablaze from amidships forward, as she settled by the bow and sank (33N-19'N; 1390-34'E). From 1 to 6

— page 7 —
1. SNAPPER (SS-185)
December, SNAPPER rode out a typhoon. She returned to Midway on 14 December 1943. Lieutenant Commander W.W. Walker relieved Lieutenant Commander Clementson on 30 December 1943. After overhaul of reduction gear at Pearl Harbor (7-12 January 1944), she returned to Midway.

On 14 March 1944, SNAPPER departed for her ninth war patrol, conducted in the area of the Bonin Islands. She intercepted a large convoy on 24 March but the heavy seas made depth control difficult and eventually caused her to abandon attack. She found a convoy reported by submarine POLLACK on 5 April but as she gained on the port flank of a large freighter, she was forced deep by escorts and held down until after the convoy had passed. She returned to Midway, 29 April 1944.

Departing Midway on 26 May 1944, SNAPPER spent her tenth war patrol on lifeguard station near Truk in support of bombardment missions conducted by Liberator bombers of the Army Air Force. On 28 May, a Catalina plane signaled that a life raft was on the surface some 15 miles distant and SNAPPER arrived on the scene to find only a floating mine which she destroyed by gunfire. On 4 June she received a report of nine aviators down south of Truk and made an unsuccessful search until late in the night of 5 June. Planes were sighted 9 June with many more showing on radar contact. Several flights of Liberator bombers had passed overhead then suddenly an enemy plane broke from a low cloud, diving for SNAPPER on her port bow. Men raced to clear the bridge but one projectile struck directly above the hatch instantly killing one man. Lieutenant Commander Walker and two other men were injured by metal splinters. As SNAPPER dived, shells were heard striking her entire length. Upon surfacing it was found that her pressure hull had not been damaged but a heavy oil slick seemed to indicate a puncture of the fuel oil ballast tanks. Minor repairs were made and the two wounded enlisted men were transferred to the sick bay on USS BUSHNELT at Majuro Atoll (13-15 June 1944). SNAPPER then resumed her lifeguard station until 9 July then steamed for Pearl Harbor, arriving 21 July 1944. She remained for repairs and refit until 11 September 1944.

SNAPPER departed Pearl Harbor 5 September 1944 and sailed via Midway (9-10 September) for her eleventh war patrol, conducted in the area of the Bonin Islands. After a few days of lifeguard duty (23-25 September), she encountered a convoy of two vessels under escort of a patrol craft on 2 October 1944. After tracking the larger target she closed to fire her bow tubes then swung for a shot down the throat of the smaller target. Hits were scored to sink passenger-cargo SEIAN MARU of 1,900 tons; joined moments later by coastal minelayer AJIRO of estimated 720 tons (28°-11'N; 139°-30'E). She resumed lifeguard station off Iwo Jima until 18 October and returned to Midway on 27 October 1944.

On 31 October 1944, SNAPPER returned to Pearl Harbor and on 2 November sailed for the Mare Island Navy Yard, arriving 9 November for overhaul. Lieutenant Commander J.F. Bauer relieved Lieutenant Commander Walker on 28 November 1944. Lieutenant Commander Bauer was in turn relieved 22 January 1945 by Lieutenant Commander H.T. Murphy, USN and SNAPPER remained in overhaul status until March 1945. Departing Mare Island on 9 March she arrived at San Diego on the 11th and was engaged in local training operations for

— page 8 —
1 STAR/PHILIPPINE ISLANDS OPERATION: 19 Dec 1941-10 Feb 1942
    6 Mar 1942-25 Apr 1942

: 1 STAR/SUBMARINE WAR PATROL-PACIFIC: 29 Jul-17 Sep 1943
: 1 Star/Submarine War Patrol-PACIFIC: 19 Oct-14 Dec 1943
: 1 Star/Submarine War Patrol-PACIFIC: 26 May-21 Jul 1944
: 1 Star/Submarine War Patrol-PACIFIC: 5 Sep-27 Oct 1944

PHILIPPINE REPUBLIC PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION BADGE:
19 Dec 1941-10 Feb 1942
6 Mar 1942-25 Apr 1942

CRITICAL STATISTICS:
LENGTH OVER-ALL: 308'
EXTREME BEAM: 26'1"
STANDARD DISPLACEMENT:
Tons: 1449
Mean Draft: 14'2"
SUBMERGED DISPLACEMENT:
Tons: 2198
DESIGN SPEED:
Surface: 21 knots
Submerged: 9 knots
DESIGN COMPLEMENT:
Officer: 5
Enlisted: 50
DESIGN DEPTH: 250'

-6-

— page 10 —
35185/16-3
Serial 01
DISTRIBUTED
To:
Subject:
Enclosures:

From:
The Commanding Officer.
The Commander Submarines, Atlantic Fleet.

War Patrol #1, U.S.S. SNAPPER.

(A) Patrol Report 19 December 1941 to 10 February 1942.
(B) Track charts of operations (with original reports only).
(C) Copy of radio log during operations - Minutes (with original reports only).
(D) Paraphrase list of dispatches applying to SNAPPER.

1. Enclosures (A) to (D), inclusive, are forwarded herewith.

DECLASSIFIED-ART. 0445, OPNAVINST 6511.16
BY: 0109137
DATE: 6/16/42

FILMED
by
[Signature]

— page 11 —
U.S.S. SNAPPER
Period from 19 December 1941 to 10 February 1942
Zone time kept -8

Phase I
Period: 1900, 19 December 1941 to 2300, 22 December 1941
Area: 460 miles
7615 gallons fuel oil

Phase II
Period: 2300, 22 December 1941 to 2400, 8 January 1942
Area: 1600 miles
Latitude 20° N. to China Coast
1950 miles
17,357 gallons fuel oil

Phase III
Period: 0000, 9 January 1942 to 2400, 17 January 1942
Area: 2000 miles
Bermuda Channel and south along east coast of
Lusitan Islands
1850 miles
21,565 gallons fuel oil

Phase IV
Period: 0000, 18 January 1942 to 2400, 31 January 1942
Area: 2000 miles
South and west of Davao Gulf - South Island Islands -
Around Bangi Islands - West of Mjoe Island
3000 miles
17,765 gallons fuel oil

Phase V
Period: 0000, 1 February 1942 to 1500, 10 February 1942
Area: 2000 miles
Bermuda Passage to Surabaya via north coast
Oeibes and Balik Papan
1616 miles
14,576 gallons fuel oil

— page 12 —
U.S.S. SNAPPER
4  Brief narrative including time and position of any incident or note.

Phase I
1Y-22 December 1941 - Enroute area. No remarks.

Phase II
2 January - Ran afoul of large Hongkong to Hainan Straits. Missed "Made attack on trawler or mine layer. Pired 2. Weather very rough during majority of period. Ship control submerged difficult.
2 January - Ran afoul of line between 2 junks. It hung on "A" frame and ashore, damaging submarine loop and one bilinor light. Its pressure unknown until after surfacing at night. Cleared without difficult. During the 16 days on this station saw only 7 ships, only 2 of which were large cargo ships. Unable to close them. Otherwise patrol uneventful.

Phase III
5 January - Left Hongkong area for Java area. 12 January - East of Cape Engano made attack on supply ship with 1 DD escort. Pired 2 torpedoes but no explosions. DD did not locate us afterward.

Phase IV
26 January - Made attack on supply ship east of Cape San Augustine. Pired 1 torpedo. Missed. At 1856 when we surfaced, had a DD close by. Not seen or heard before. Believe it was sent out to look for us. Dove again. Sound unable to track it and unable to see it through periscope. Cleared area. 25 January - Anchored DD in our area. Believe it night be the same one as seen last night (ENDIX type). Be was see-bragging but did not locate us.

Phase V
1 February, 2210 - While proceeding towards Banha Passage from Majo Island sighted DD headed towards us at high speed. Dove. Were depth charged but no damage done. Pired 2 single shots later as he tried to locate us. All data obeyed thoroughly prior firing but no hits. Believe something not right with torpedoes. About 6 hours after first attack, heard 2 more sets of depth charges. But sure whether for us or not as they seemed far away. No ships seen along Celebes north coast.

— page 14 —
U.S.S. SNAPPER

B Weather

Phase I
19-22 December - Sky overcast, seas rough and wind from north-east.  Nov moon 19 December.

Phase II
26-28 December - Seas choppy.  Weather cool.  Seas choppy to calm.  Weather clear and cool.  Seas increasing all day from northeast, strong wind.  Sky overcast.  Seas rough from northeast.  Sky overcast and unable to obtain star sight for three days.  Sea misting.  Seas increasing from Nov.  Seas condition force 5 from northeast.  During early evenings seas and wind would appear to slacken off and then around midnight increase again.

Phase III
10 January - Seas and wind decreasing at night.  Weather clear and mild.  Weather clear at 10-17 January - Weather clear majority of time.  Slight rains during each day.  Unable to obtain fix from 15 to 18 January.

Phase IV
15-31 January - Average weather.  Rain squalls each night.  Able to obtain navigational fix only occasionally.  Moon aided visibility materially.

Phase V
1-10 February - Moon at its fullest.  Weather mild.  Average weather.  Nights generally clear with scattered clouds.

— page 15 —
1. Tidal information
Phase I
to 2. Periscope.
Phase II
to 3. Periscope.
Phase III
proceeding south along east coast of Luzon and Mindanao there
is a pronounced southerly set. Near the south end of Mindanao
it reaches a set of from 2 to 3 knots following the coast.

Phase IV
Part of Davao Gulf there is a strong southerly (about 210°)
current with a strength of from 2 to 4 knots. South of Saranggani Islands there is a strong southerly (about 230° S) current
of about 8 knots. South of Talisay Islands the current is
north easterly (300°) about 2 knots. Along west side of Sang
Islands the current is south about 1 knot. Through Banka
Passage there is a strong southeasterly current (about 150° T)
of about 2 knots.

Phase V
to 6. Periscope.

— page 17 —
1. DESCRIPTION OF ENEMY WEAPONS OR MECHANICAL SHIPS OR OTHER
    GRAPHIC ELEMENTS INCLUDING POSITIONS, COURSE AND SPEED, AND
    TIME OF ENGAGING

Phase I
No Remarks.

Phase II
1. 1Y10, 25 December - Sighted ship at estimated range of 16,000
   yds (14,000 yds

— page 18 —
1. Description of enemy vessels or merchant ships or other craft sighted, including position, course and speed, and time of sighting (continued)

Phase II (continued)

6. 1618, 4 January 1942 - Sighted masts and stacks of a destroyer at about 10,000 yards range (Lat 21° 10' N., Long 115° 40' E.) on a north or northeast course. Because of dark gray clouds in background unable to obtain good observation of ship and it was soon lost to sight in the darkness.

7. Throughout the area west of Longitude 115° E., to Italian Straits and north of Latitude 50° N., three new numerous "junks". They were usually located in pairs and sometimes in groups of four (4) or six (6) and at night encountered three or four vessels (12) grouped together. They were apparently fishing but at times I had the impression that they were acting as pilot boats and scout for enemy vessels trying to intercept them. On January 2, 1942 I inadvertently came up to port and sighted them at very close range. That night on surfacing I had a 4-inch hawser about 15 fathoms long across my "A" frame with the ends streaming off at steam. This was chopped clear with an axe and allowed to drift off steam clear of or very propellers. This could have been a very effective means of fooling my scouts and stern planes and putting me out of action.

Phase III

8. 1 January - Sighted large steamer (AP) with one destroyer (1 DD) screen at a range estimated at 15,000 yards (Lat 180° 20' N., Long 125° 07' E.) on course estimated at 1600 T. The steamer had a raised bow and stern, two gal post type masts, with steam and bridge above and after firing the torpedoes at ship (misses) a flag hoist was raised by steamer apparently to destroyer. Faint "ping" were heard on our sound gear but at no time did the destroyer come near this vessel. Both the steamer and destroyer were under heavy blast made the whole time they were in view. The two ships passed ahead and out of sight. During the night I attempted to overtake them to be ahead for another attack at dawn the next morning. However, I did not sight ships again and now believe their destination was Lemo Bay, Lissou.

— page 19 —
U.S.S. SNAPPER

Description of enemy warships or merchant ships or other craft sighted, including position, course and speed, and time of sighting (continued)

Phase IV

0081, 2 January - Sighted ship in rain squall proceeding out of Davao Gulf. Was soon lost to sight. Probably on southeasterly course and went through passage north of Saran-gand Island. Unable to identify other than it was a medium size merchantman.

10. 1658, 24 January - Sighted steamer at estimated range 7000 yards (Lat 6° 30' N., Long 126° 26' E.) on estimated course 2000 T. Steamer was armed merchantman about 5000 tons. It had high bow and stern with two (2) goliath port masts, one mast forward of bridge, other mast aft of stack.

11. 1455, 25 January - Sighted Jap ID at range about 9000 yards (Lat 6° 30' N., Long 126° 30' E.). Ship resembled the HIBIKI type DD. Appeared to be patrolling. At intervals made echo-ranging sounds which resembled a fathometer in operation.

12. 0915, 27 January - Sighted masts of steamer at range of about 16,000 yards (Lat 6° 30' N., Long 126° 26' E.) on course 2000 T. Ship was an armed tanker which resembled the HIBIKI class, about 10,000 tons. Ship appeared to be riding high, apparently unloaded.

Phase V

1747, 1 February - While proceeding east through Banka Passage sighted DD bearing 340° T range about 7000 yards (HIBIKI type) on course 0100.

18. 8200, 1 February - Proceeding east through Banka Passage, north of Sihan Island, sighted DD bearing 370° T, range 6000 yards, on easterly course. Dove proceeded to maneuver to avoid his depth charge attack and to fire two (2) torpedoes at him. The DD was the same HIBIKI type.

19. 1705, 6 February - Proceeding southwest through Enasser Pass around to Balik Papan, sound heard echo-ranging baring 1700 T. This was believed to be patrol DD's in action. At 1750 sighted mastheads of severe light bearing 140° T, estimated range 10 miles. At 1800 (Lat 6° 19' N., Long 119° 38' E.) bearing 90° T, sighted masthead of a light 10 miles and could distinguish at least 4 DD escorts, echo-ranging. Formation on ME course, estimated speed 12 knots. Unable to close range for better observation. Sent report to Consul at on surfacing.

— page 20 —
1. Description of all aircraft sighted
Phase I
No Remarks.
Phase II
No Remarks.
Phase III
No Remarks.
Phase IV
No Remarks.
Phase V
To remarks.

Phase I
No Remarks.
Phase II
No Remarks.
Phase III
No Remarks.
Phase IV
No Remarks.
Phase V
To remarks.

7-1
294

— page 21 —
U.S.S. SNAPPER

d. Particulars of any attack made, including number of torpedoes fired, method of firing, points of fire, track angle, enemy course and speed at time of firing, spread used in any hits, results.

Phase I
No remarks.

Phase II
1. 17/10, 25 December - Ndeepeh - Ndeepeh and attack on steamship (numbers 1645) painted on bow) in Lat 20° 30' I., Long 111° 44' E. First sighted ship at about 18,000 yards, estimated course 065° T, estimated speed 9 to 10 knots. Sunset at 1750. Fired two torpedoes 10 feet at 1816. Point of aim forward, depth set on torpedoes 10 feet, track angle 130 starboard, crew 90. Angle 30° right, range 1600 yards, depth of water 30 fathoms. Torpedoes ran "shot" and on correct bearing. Periscope up when fired because of approaching darkness. Sea choppy. Periscope and 70° general bearing observed before firing. Data apparently 0.4. No explosion noted from torpedoes. The sound conditions were poor, perhaps because of shallow water. Ship was probably a patrol boat or minelayer of about 1000 tons. Ship made continuous smoke, did not zigzag. Its flag was smoked up and also because of darkness unable to make it out.

2. 1010, 26 December - Sighted steamer at about 14,000 yards with large angle on bow on course 065° T in Lat 21° 17' I., Long 115° 88' E. Began making approach but was unable to close range. Ship was out of sight in ten (10) minutes. Gave up approach. Ship remained the "ALEN MARU" class vessel.

3. 1506, 27 December - Sighted large steamer at about 19,000 yards range. Angle on bow 85° starboard on course 045° T, speed 16 knots. Submarine in Lat 21° 17' I., Long 115° 06' E. Endeavored to close for an attack but was unable to do so as steamer ran away from us. Ship was large cargo type with goal point type masts. She was painted dark gray and had no guns visible.

4. 1506, 31 December - Sighted steamer at about 16,000 yards, angle on bow 80° starboard, estimated course 060° T, speed 12, submarine in lat 21° 07' I., Long 115° 04' E. Closed ship to investigate, saw it to be a small traveler and did not make further approach.

— page 22 —
0. U.S.S. SNAPPER
1. Particulars of any attacks made, including number of torpedoes fired, method of firing, point of hit, track and course and speed at time of firing, spread used if any, hit, results (continued)

Phase II (continued)

5. 1618, 4 January - Sunset. At 1820 sighted masts and stacks of destroyer at about 10,000 yards range on northerly course (about 340° T). Submarine in Lat 21° 09' N., Long 115° 36' E. Because of darkness unable to make good observations. Prepared to fire stern shot and maneuvered for same but lost ship in darkness. Sound was unable to hear target at all. Did not fire.

Phase III

6. 1455, 12 January - On course 160° T in Lat 18° 20' N., Long 125° 07' E. Sighted smoke bearing 304° T. Proceeded to close for an attack. Sighted ship at about 14,000 yards with one (1) DD screen on course 160° T, speed 14 knots. At 15-25-06 fired one (1) torpedo with gyro angle 6° left and at 15-25-24 fired one range 1,000 yards. Range 600 yards, range 1000 yards, track angle 120° port. Both missed. The DD began search for SNAPPER and steamer began sighting.

Phase IV

7. 0651, 22 January - While south of Sarangani Island on course 180°, sighted steamer through rain squall bearing 083° T, range 4000 yards, on course 290° T. Proceeded to close for attack but unable to close range against current and lost ship in rain squall. Abandoned attack.

8. 1628, 24 January - In Lat 6° 28' N., Long 126° 28' E., on course 045° T, sighted steamer bearing 082-1/2° T, (armed merchantman about 5000 tons) on course 200° T. Made approach. Fired one (1) stern torpedo with 40 left gyro angle, 140° port track, range 1000 yards. Missed and target got away. Forpedo set at 15 feet. Set-up looked good. Should have been a hit.

9. 1455, 25 January - In Lat 6° 28' N., Long 126° 28' E., sighted Jap ID bearing 090° T, on course 085°, range 9000 yards. Began approach but could not close range and did not continue to attack.

— page 23 —
0 Particulars of any attack made, including number of torpedoes fired, method of firing, point of air, break angle, enemy course and speed at time of firing, spread used if any, hits, results (continued)

Phase IV (continued)
10. USS, 27 January - In Pat 28 H., Long 126° 35' E. sighted Jap tanker bearing 230° T., range 12,000 yards, on course 020° T. began approach but because of strong southerly current (5 to 4 knots) was unable to close range any closer than 5600 yards and then in very poor attack position. Did not fire.

Phase V
11. V-44, 1 February - In Lat 10° 35' H., Long 126° 35' E. sighted Jap DD bearing 340° T., range 7000, on course 010° T. began approach but original angle to bow was 90 starboard and was unable to close range. Did not fire.

12. 2200, 1 February - In Lat 10° 57' H., Long 126° 10' E. proceeding west through Banka Passage sighted DD bearing 270° T., range 6000 yards, on eastern Yt course. Made dive at 2202 and at 2204 heard fire of four 4" depth charges go off. (Not taken). At 2219 fired one well and got hit, range 90 yards. Angle 90 starboard, estimated speed 10 knots, range 900 yards. Hissed, torpedo set at 10.5 feet, speed 0.3 knots, depth 90 yards. Track angle 90 starboard, estimated speed 5.7, range 2500 yards. Hissed. Again set up 0.6. Decided to fire no more, so maneuvered to get clear. Went to northwest. DD continued to look for us to southeast. After these firings set all torpedoes on 6 feet.

— page 24 —
1. Enemy anti-submarine measures and action taken to avoid
Phase I
No remarks.
Phase II
No remarks.
Phase III
1405, 12 January - Lat 16° 20' N., Long 125° 07' E. Attacked
merchantman which was accompanied by 1 DD escort. Upon
launching torpedoes DD began making "pinga". However, he did
not find SHAPPER. The "pinga" frequency was about 4 seconds
and it greatly resembled a fisherman in operation for deep
sounding.

Phase IV
1305, 22 January - Lat 6° 30' N., Long 126° 30' E. Heard
"pinga" from Jap DD. He did not appear to be searching but
again making the sound similarly to fathometer operation. This
DD was the HIBIKI class DD. DD not locate SHAPPER in his
operations.

Phase V
1. 2000, 1 February - Proceeding was through Banka Passage, 5
miles north of Banka Island, made quick dive when sighting
Jap DD. At 2204 the DD let go a barrage of 4 depth charges
sheared off SHAPPER. Hot close, estimated 1200-1500 yards.
SHAPPER maneuvered to avoid attack and got in position to fire
torpedoes. DD began sweep search with sound gear but could not
locate SHAPPER. SHAPPER went to northwest, DD went to southeast.
At intervals he would stop "pinga" and apparently listen.
Continuing this for several hours until out of range of listen-
ing gear of SHAPPER. By silent running and maneuvering to give
"smokies" was able to get clear of DD. At 0455 heard 3 more
depth charges and at 0440 3 more. Hot close to us.

2. 1705, 6 February - Proceeding southeast through Hokkaido
Passage, sound heard DD's plug for distant. DD's appeared to
be searching but at no time close to SHAPPER. Masts of DD's
not seen.

— page 25 —
12/29/41
1/5/42
1/11/42

Cracked liner #6 unit, #1 min engine.
Cracked liner #3 unit, #1 min engine.
Broken piston rings, gouged liner and piston, and worn needle bearings #12 unit, #2 min engine.

Torpedoes

The following list gives date of flooded torpedoes during patrol. The lower tubes in each nest were flooded during the entire time the ship was on the surface at night. One warhead was flooded as is indicated.

| Torpedo | Tube | Number |
||------||
| 14196   | Y     | 1      |
| 15619   | 4    | 1      |
| 15611   | 1    | 1      |
| 15047   | 3    | 1      |

Flooded during first night of patrol 12/20/41.
Tube flooded 35 days subsequent to this and torpedo dry, each time.
Flooded 12/21/41 and 12/28/41. Afterbody test showed engine hulled struck loose.
12/28/41 flooded, 1/24/41 flooded. (Exhaust valves.)
Flooded 12/20/41, partially flooded 12/23/41, 12/24/41, 12/25/41. Warhead flooded 12/29/41 but afterdry. Torpedo withdrawn and held for reload.

Considerable success was had by cutting sponge rubber gaskets 4" in diameter and securing them to tail buffer. No torpedoes were flooded during the last 45 days of the patrol with exception of 15611 which had unseated exhaust valves.

At 1615 an attempt was made to fire #3 torpedo tube. The torpedo failed to leave the tube. The firing system was properly lined up, the gyro spindle disengaged. The impulse air pressure dropped about 60 pounds. Most probable cause, sticky firing valve.

CONSTRUCTION AND REPAIR

2/6/42 The tilt mechanism in #2 periscope failed with the prism in the extreme up position thereby rendering the periscope unusable.

I-1

— page 26 —
1/2/42
1/2/42
2/7/42

COMMUNICATION:
I. Major defects and casualties (continued)

1/2/42
1/2/42
2/7/42

Navigation:
During patrol in rough and cold weather off Hainan all the binoculars became full of moisture, and each day it was necessary to disassemble them and dry them out inside. Ship has 4 pair 72 50 binoculars, which are the only type satisfactory for night lookout work - requires 3 more pairs.

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U.S.S. SNAPPER
J. General remarks

The health of the crew was excellent. While up in the cold area near Hongkong, we had colds, which cleared up when we reached warmer weather.

Normal meal hours were maintained and everyone seemed satisfied. When fried meat was used for evening meal, the meal was delayed until after surfacing. The canned flour and potatoes, boxed meats, and dehydrated vegetables were excellent and cans easily stored. SNAPPER has an excellent storage rack and table in every mess hall installed by Mare Island Yard, which other boats sighted in the U.S. Ship received cabbages, meat and some chileon 10 December 1941, last stores received. Ship was ruled at Sangley Point on 15 December 1941.

Ship operated in Manila Bay, underway every day and diving, from 9 to 19 December. Left Manila 19 December on patrol.