U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS-166) — war patrol report SS-166_ARGONAUT.pdf

— page 1 —
START OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: E-108]
[HANDWRITTEN: AR-2-78]
[HANDWRITTEN: SS-Argonaut (SS166; 5M1; 475)]

1.0
1.1
1.25

4.5
5.0
5.6
6.3
7.1
8.0
9.0
10

2.8
3.2
3.6
4.0

2.5
2.2
2.0
1.8
1.6
1.4

OPERATOR [HANDWRITTEN: R. Munch]
DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 1-12-78]

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[SEAL: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION

REEL TARGET. START & END
NAVEXOS 3968

— page 2 —
[HANDWRITTEN: ARGONAUT (SM-1)(SS-166)
WW II PATROL FILE
WW II REPORT FILE

ARGONAUT (SS-475)
WW II PATROL FILE

FOR DECK LOGS CONSULT NATIONAL ARCHIVES
WHICH HAS CUSTODY.

ALL MATERIAL ON THIS REEL IS DECLASSIFIED

J.A. KOONTZ]

— page 3 —
Dictionary of
American Naval
Fighting Ships

VOLUME I · 1959
REPRINT WITH CORRECTIONS 1970

[SEAL: DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

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

— page 4 —
Argonaut
An argonaut is a type of cuttlefish.

I

(SF-7: dp. 2710; l. 381'; b. 33'10''; dr. 15'4''; s. 15 k.;
cpl. 88; a. 2 6'', 4 21'' TT.)

The first Argonaut (SF-7) was launched 10 November
1927 as V-4 by Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs.
P. M. Sears, Jr.; and commissioned 2 April 1928, Lieu-
tenant Commander W. M. Quigley in command.
V-4 served with Submarine Division 12 based at New-
port, R. I., until February 1929 when she departed for
San Diego. She joined Submarine Division 20, Battle
Fleet, following her arrival at San Diego, 23 March 1929
and took part in battle exercises and cruises along the
west coast. V-4 was renamed Argonaut 19 February
1931 and reclassified SM-1, 1 July 1931. In 1932 Argonaut
joined Submarine Division 7 at Pearl Harbor taking part
in minelaying, training, and patrol activities. In mid-
1939 she became flagship of Submarine Squadron 4.
The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor found Argonaut
at sea, patrolling off Midway Island. On her return she
proceeded to Mare Island Navy Yard for conversion (Jan-
uary-August 1942) to a transport submarine. Argonaut
joined Nautilus (SS-168) in carrying the 2nd Marine
Raider Battalion for the Makin Island Raid (17-19 August
1942). On 22 September 1942 her designation was
changed to APS-1 in keeping with her new duties.
Argonaut's third war patrol took her into the Southwest
Pacific. On 10 January 1943 she was sunk by an enemy
escort vessel, while attacking a Japanese convoy off New
Britain.
Argonaut received three battle stars for her World War
II service.

II

(SS-475: dp. 1570; l. 311'8''; b. 27'3''; dr. 16'5''; s.
20 k.; cpl. 81; a. 15'', 10 21'' TT.; cl. Tench)

The second Argonaut (SS-475) was launched 1 Octo-
ber 1944 by Portsmouth Navy Yard; sponsored by Mrs.
A. R. McCann, wife of Captain McCann; and commis-
sioned 15 January 1945, Lieutenant Commander J. S.
Schmidt in command.
Argonaut departed Pearl Harbor on her only war patrol
28 June 1945. She bombarded installations on
Schichibasu To (7 August) and sank a small junk in the
Yellow Sea. Argonaut returned to Guam 21 August 1945
and departed 11 days later for Tompkinsville, N. Y.,
arriving 4 October 1945.
She was briefly assigned to Submarine Squadron 6
at Panama, early in 1946. Later in 1946 Argonaut be-
came a unit of Submarine Squadron 2 in New London,
Conn. She remained operating out of New London until
July 1955, when she again became part of Submarine
Squadron 6, operating from Norfolk. In 1952 she under-
went a major conversion at Philadelphia Naval Shipyard
to a fleet snorkel type submarine.
Argonaut received one battle star for her single war
patrol.

— page 5 —
DECLASSIFIED
[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL]
DECLASSIFIED
DECLASSIFIED-ART. 045, OPNAVINST 5510.1C
BY [HANDWRITTEN: OP-0909] DATE [HANDWRITTEN: 5/23/72]

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

ZONE TIME PLUS 10 1/2. FRIDAY 28 NOVEMBER, 1941.

Departed PEARL HARBOR at 1330. Set strict radio silence.
Took "spot" to determine maximum speed after clearing entrance
buoys. Ran down boundaries of areas on various courses, speed
260 rpm, speed 9 knots, so as to pass to northward of KAUAI
and through Point O-O. Weather clear, sea choppy, wind 15
knots from northwest. Visibility 30 miles. 1215 G.C.T. In-
tercepted message from ConTaskForce 7 ordering TAUTOG depart
from patrol station for PEARL on 2 December and THRESHER on
4 December, 1941.

SATURDAY 29 NOVEMBER, 1941

Weather - sea rough from a beam - visibility 30 miles,
scattered clouds. Course 294 speed 270 rpm. Had to increase
speed because rough sea held speed to 8.6 knots. Two men, new
on this ship, were injured by a watertight door closing on
them due to heavy roll and while passing through door. It
appears as though the recommendation of Board of Inspection
and Survey to replace present doors with lighter doors is sound.
However, this same accident has never happened before, and
is attributed to fact that the men were new and did not know
how to handle themselves.

ZONE TIME PLUS 11. SUNDAY 30 NOVEMBER, 1941.

Seas still rough. Heavy seas from northwestward. Wind
about 30 knots from northwest. Course 293°T. New vapor com-
pression stills are in good working order and appear to be
a God-send. Don't believe that we will have to go on a water
ration.

MONDAY 1 DECEMBER, 1941.

Wind is shifting to northward and seas are smoothing
out. Wind velocity 15 knots. Course 291°T. Getting better
speed now. Have averaged 8.7 knots since leaving PEARL.
Usual Oahu weather. 1730 shifted to area frequency. Inter-
cepted LITCHFIELD rendezvous for G72 at 1100 GCT. 2 December.
Still maintaining strict radio silence.

- 1 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 6 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

ZONE PLUS 11. TUESDAY 2 DECEMBER, 1941

Course 289°T. Seas smoothing out, wind from north.
Velocity 15 knots. Good visibility. Scattered clouds.
1342 Intercepted Tactical call assigned LITCHFIELD assigned
by Comsubron 4. On shutting down No. 1 still discovered salt
water leak. During repairs discovered that hole in floor
plates does not permit outer shell to drop down enough for
cleaning. Put crew on strict water rations. This is a great
disappointment. Consider it partially our fault. 0600 GCT
3 December received message ordering THRESHER to patrol
southern half area 26. Apparently TROUT and THRESHER conducted
submerged patrol in same area today heading of message was as
follows:

NPM NR 85711 Z OXNN 030410 NCQ DD05 2E2J VY51/YN 25JJ P GR22
BT.

Since ARGONAUT was on strict radio silence and since 2E2J, which
is nobody, was similar to 2E2J, which is ARGONAUT call, and
since the message was of no importance to ARGONAUT, because
THRESHER would be gone by time ARGONAUT could arrive, decided
that we should not acknowledge message.

At 1110 GCT 3 DECEMBER received following:

NPM NR 883 Z OXNN 1000 MOQO 2E2J VY51 P BT OXNN 030410 Y IMI.

Apparently erred in decision not to acknowledge Comtaskgr
030418.

1200 GCT 3 December called NPM to acknowledge Comtaskfor 7
030418. Could not raise NPM. Called Midway with same results.
Called NPM and MIDWAY every half hour thereafter until 1928
when message was relayed to JOHNSTON ISLAND on 12795. At 1755
JOHNSTON, PALMYRA, JOHNSTON and WAKE shifted to 12795 and
and NPM working. Tried to send message to NPM but rate was
rising and falling so could not get message through. Had we
been equipped with a crystal, feel sure that we could have work-
ed NPM. However, all this use of the radio has disclosed our
position, provided some one was using a direction finder on us.

Have sighted nothing since we left vicinity of OAHU. Have
been in 500 miles range of Midway since 1730 December 1, 1941,
and no patrol planes have been encountered.

- 2 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 7 —
CONFIDENTIAL.

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

ZONE PLUS 11 1/2. WEDNESDAY 3 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea flat calm. No wind, scattered clouds. Visibility
30 miles. Have averaged 9.0 knots for whole voyage. 1000
today, all fresh water tanks full. Health of crew excellent,
except two men who were injured Saturday. They will be back
to duty in a couple of days. At 1830 changed zone time to
Plus 12. We have come within reach of our area without see-
ing a single plane. This does not seem possible but we did it.
Apparently the plane patrol is very sketchy in this area. We
haven't heard any of the planes on the radio either.

ZONE PLUS 12. THURSDAY 4 DECEMBER, 1941.

Entered southern half of area bounded by a circle whose
radius is 10 miles, center at Midway Islands light, at 1530
GCT in accordance with operation order and established sub-
merged patrol at dawn on courses east and west. 0830 sighted
three patrol planes, U.S. Navy. Weather clear to partly
cloudy, sea smooth, wind from southeast, velocity 10 miles
per hour. Found we were able to receive NPM schedule on our
submerged antenna at periscope depth. This seems to be pretty
good results as we are over 1100 miles away from OAHU. We
are making various tests which will be reported separately
upon our return. If looks as though Lieutenant Muncie has
worked out something worthwhile. However, I can call to mind
several instances of receiving low frequency on our old time
loop antenna without any difficulty while submerged. I do not
like to observe an hourly schedule by exposing a periscope
for five minutes at a time. I consider that at certain times
and under certain conditions this could be a very dangerous
procedure and could easily cause the loss of a submarine.
There is a great deal of difference between a momentary periscope
exposure and a five minute one. Especially when we receive
nothing as happened all day today.

- 3 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 8 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.
AREA TWENTY-SIX.

ZONE PLUS 12. FRIDAY 5 DECEMBER, 1941.

Continuing submerged patrol in assigned area on east
and west courses. Overcast today with rain. Wind from
215, velocity about 10 knots. Sea slightly choppy with
long swells. On dive this morning trim pump armature ground-
ed out. Received information from CINCPAC that marine dive
bombers would arrive at a designated time from Oahu. Weather
cleared in afternoon with a northeast wind. Velocity 20 miles
per hour.

SATURDAY 6 DECEMBER, 1941.

Continuing submerged patrol about 2 1/2 miles off
southern part of Island. Long swells cause us to roll as
much as two and three degrees on east and west courses.
Experienced set toward Island for first time. Change course
to south to get better water. Wind died down to about 5 knots
from 160. During this time of year clouds seem to form early
in the morning, clear up about 0800 and again sky clouds over
about 1900. Sea has a slight chop this a.m. Determined last
night that we would be unable to repair trim pump armature,
because we could not remove locking ring. Decided to continue
patrol and only request a new armature be flown out here in
case we were sent further west. At 1725 sighted ship that had
been discharging cargo at dock all day, leaving channel, show-
ing towing lights.

SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER, 1941.

Continued submerged patrol courses east and west. 0635
sighted two VP Navy planes just south of Sand Island. Usual
weather, partly cloudy, gentle winds, calm sea, with long
rollers. New dehumidifier plant went out of commission (pump
room) - bad gasket. 1445 sighted four VP Navy planes. Did
not see Marine Dive bombers arrive. Surfaced about sunset and
first indication of hostilities was then, when C.P.O's heard
it over their broadcast radio. At 1715 received CINCPAC's
message announcing commencement of hostilities with JAPAN.
Cruising east and west in order to reduce silhouette against
a bright moon. Charging batteries and air banks. Battery was
down to 1135 after all day dive.

- 4 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 9 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

SUNDAY 7 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

2144 sighted what appeared to be gun fire west of MIDWAY.
Changed course to west and headed in that direction and at
2153 received message from MIDWAY reporting enemy ships south
of reef. 2153 received message from MIDWAY that told of
direct shelling of MIDWAY. Saw several gun flashes north of
EASTERN ISLAND. At this time could make out two ships, good
sized destroyers or small cruisers, bearing northwest on a
southerly course about three miles away, then leading one
000 or 40 degree angle on bow.
Decided to make sound approach because felt that we could not
get in without being sighted on surface because of bright moon-
light. Dove and changed course to 000. To give extra time to
set up fire control problem changed course to 030. Apparently
we were seen before we could get down and ship changed course
to pass down our port side about two or three thousand yards,
and could not bring tubes to bear. Heard nothing of the second
ship but at 340 relative picked up first pinging and varying
speeds. Sound reported it sounded like a sampan, and insisted
that it was. Perhaps it was a small type destroyer with four
screws. Anyway it hunted us for some time, passing close
aboard to port, crossed over astern, passed up our starboard
side, headed across our bow but changed course to the right
10° before firing bearing, made a loop to the right and again
passed down our starboard side and finally crossed our stern.
At 2400 could no longer hear screw noises or pinging. Decided
we had evaded A/S ship. At this time DR showed up to be about
2 1/2 or 3 miles south of Island so decided to head south in
hopes that enemy would retrace his steps.

MONDAY 8 DECEMBER, 1941.

0000 heard three underwater explosions far away. Maybe
the TROUT had her innings. Timed like torpedo fire. 0030
submerged at 125 foot depth on course south. Battery and air
not up. Running on one motor and auxiliaries to conserve
batteries. Heard no more of enemy, so at 0700 surfaced and
charged batteries. Was on finishing rate at 1200 while zig
zagging on one engine sighted VJ scout plane who dipped wing.
We fired yellow smoke bomb which didn't function. Plane turned
away crossed out stern then headed south. When on starboard
quarter winged over into dive at about 5000 feet and we went
100. I don't know what the pilot was thinking about but the
next time we sight a plane he won't be seeing us. They can't
be trusted.

- 5 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 10 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0800 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

MONDAY DECEMBER 8, 1941 (CONTINUED)

We are remaining submerged on course 000 getting in close to
Island so that if there is another attack at moonrise tonight,
we will be there and luck can't be against us all the time.
All hands were terribly disappointed at our failure last night.
I have never seen a crew change in 30 minutes so much in my
life. The snap and precision is wonderful to see and down to
the last of them, they are all using their heads and thinking.

The A/S apparatus of the Japanese small destroyer or sam-
pan was a 24 k.c. machine but not as loud as ours and also
apparently strong. Their maneuver is as drawn below:

(SEE SHEET 6A)

Incidentally NPM called us on area frequency saying they
had a priority message for us. This forced us to again break
radio silence, all to no good use because we had already
received the message in question. If the senders have doubt
of the reception they could send it out a couple of times
later that evening and also once or twice the next night. If
this keeps up we are going to begin to lose submarines that
have been located by radio direction finders. At 2026 received
from Comtaskgroup Seven "Unrestricted warfare against Japan".

TUESDAY DECEMBER 9, 1941.

Weather bad - overcast slight rain, wind from 065, vel-
ocity 25 knots. Seas rough. Depth control difficult to
maintain. Will have to remain submerged today because we can't
trust our planes and we might be caught on a course whereby we couldn't
dive readily and thus meet disaster before getting in a blow at
the enemy. One officer and two men on sick list with fever of
102. Wind and sea died down during afternoon and evening.
This evening MIDWAY apparently off air. About 1000 intercepted
message asking if MIDWAY had been subjected to a bombing attack.

- 6 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 11 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

WEDNESDAY 10 DECEMB R, 1941.

Battery and air up by 0032. Moon coming thru clouds
lighting up considerably. Zig zagging radically on patrol
courses. Water was up this a.m. Another man down with fever.
Certainly do miss our trim pump; and our dehumidifier plant.
Since MIDWAYS status is uncertain we have decided to carry
out patrol as though we are in enemy's waters, and especially
since the President announced to the World last night that we
are here. Will run in close to inspect MIDWAY and then take
station about seven miles south where we almost got in an
attack Sunday night. 1300 had a look at Sand Island from about
four miles failed to disclose any immense amount of damage. I
don't believe an air raid was made on the Island. Three radio
masts, two light beacons, about five water towers and a long
grey roofed building were standing and apparently undamaged.
Couldn't see the oil tanks. During this morning's run dis-
covered a definite set 318°T. drift 0.8 knots to the south
and west of the reef. While charging batteries about
four miles south of MIDWAY in Eastern Sector of our area
picked up screw noises and pinging on bearing 320° true. Could
not see anything dispite clear night and horizon sharply defined.
At same time could hear surf noises from beach. Sound con-
ditions out here are excellent. Believe to be hearing up to
16,000 yards at dead slow speed (half-switch). Stopped to
listen and after a while screw noises and pinging disappeared.
Ran to southward to complete battery charge. These planes
certainly put us in a bad spot. We should be on surface day
and night with a full battery.

THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER, 1941.

0002 screw noises and pinging were reported bearing 150°T.
Our position 3 miles south of Midway. Again could see nothing
despite moon up and horizon sharply defined. Stopped and
listened. There is no doubt there was something there. De-
cided it might be an enemy submarine so ran north and west for
awhile. After half hours run stopped and listened. No further
contacts. About this time (0100) MIDWAY turned on search
lights and reported possible target 230 distance eleven miles
to a plane. This could have been a plane show-up to us. How-
ever, no plane showed up and we finally completed our battery charge. Wind has
died down somewhat and so has sea. Moon was out brilliantly
from 2330 until about 0500. Scattered clouds would cover it
once in a while. Had a bit of difficulty getting under this
a.m. Had seas broad on port bow, and were about 15,000 heavy.

- 7 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 12 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.
AREA TWENTY-SIX.
THURSDAY 11 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

Can begin to see the reason for a negative tank but I hope
it vents outboard as well as inboard. The ship smells badly
enough as it is.

Dehumidifier back in service due to ingenious bit of
repair work on part of auxiliary Chief Machinist's Mate.
I don't want to lose that man.

On surfacing sky clouded over and remained so until
2400. Received order from ComTaskGroup 7 to remain with-
in 50 miles south of Midway.

FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER, 1941.

Patroling area on surface, standard speed both engines.
Battery up early tonight. Sky overcast, visibility fair.
0100 sound reported screw noises bearing 320°T. We were
nine miles bearing 170 from Midway Light. High speed screws
and pinging. Sounded same as craft that was hunting us Sun-
day night. Must be high speed destroyer, maybe diesel driven
with very little amount of superstructure.
Couldn't see the ship at anytime. Finally went out of sound
hearing range. Have found it necessary to shift routine
twelve hours. The men are not getting enough rest at night.
Changed over at 0600 this morning, but noticed several people,
especially all officers up at 1200. Will take several days
to square away.

The situation appears to me as follows:

Last Sunday attackers must have sighted us as we dove.
They have now hauled off and are sending in light DD's to
see if we are still here. Possibly to see if it would be
clear for a landing. In that case we can expect several ships
along any morning now.

If they have planted a submarine out here, I don't see
why it would be using echo ranging. Also it would have to
come to the surface some time to charge batteries. Third,
there wouldn't be very many targets out here for a submarine.
Not near so many as near the Hawaiian Islands, unless they
expect us to send reenforcements and that doesn't seem likely
to me yet.
- 8 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 13 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

MONDAY 15 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

Experienced yesterday a southwesterly set of about .3 knots.
Diving all day, the change of routine reduces use of battery
and also only about 2 1/2 inches of pressure builds up where
as it had gone up to 5 inches. One small compressor (200 lb)
burned out day before we left on patrol. That usually keeps
down our pressure. Wind started to increase at about 2100
from 120°T. caused sea to become choppy. Bright clear night.
No contacts.

TUESDAY 16 DECEMBER, 1941.

Wind died down about 0430 and did sea. Clear at 0317
received CINCPAC warning to NAS MIDWAY that carrier was in
vicinity. Dove 0540, no contacts. Observed MIDWAY at depth
of 50 feet. Water towers and radio masts standing. Apparent-
ly no bombing took place early this morning as was expected.
At 1953 received COMTASKFORCE 7 order for TROUT to return to
PEARL and ARGONAUT to patrol whole area twenty-six, hope
TROUT got it. No evidence of enemy activity today. Sky
clear, sea flat calm, no wind.

Since Sunday, 7 December, 1941, it has been forcibly
driven home to me again that submarines are not a defensive
weapon. That once they are forced to submerge their radius
of activity is nil. This radius of activity could be greatly
broadened by judicious use of planes to scout both for enemy
surface ships and submarines in an area such as this. If such
a set up were present here, the kind of enemy activity that
has been taking place would be stopped instantly. A sub-
marine would only be necessary in case control of the air
were lost. In case of the air being lost, an equal number
of fighters and six or eight VP planes, I consider that this
Island would be a hard nut to crack. In addition six or eight
high speed torpedo boats loafing in the area from sunset to
sunrise, guided by Radar and voice telephone could be a highly
mobile and highly dangerous force to any enemy activity.

The attack Sunday, 7 December, 1941, was made close in-
shore, about three or four miles from the reef. Monday even-
ing, 15 December, by radar plot showed one ship southwest of
MIDWAY ISLAND LIGHT about 4 miles south and the other 2 miles south
of the entrance to the harbor. It seems quite likely that
these shoals have been mined and I believe the entrance should
be swept before any ship goes in.

- 10 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 14 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX - ZONE TIME PLUS 12.

FRIDAY 12 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

At 1730 just before we were going to surface, screw
noises were heard to southward. They were regular cruiser
propeller noises, not the fast high beat of last night.
They were far off and finally faded out. This has forced
us to stay down for awhile. Surfaced at 2030. Sky clouded
over and very dark. Sea flat calm, no wind. We were so
late coming up that we put all three engines on charge at
one time. No further incidents.

SATURDAY 13 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea still flat calm, no wind, sky clouded over. Moon
breaking through occasionally. Have had no fix now for 36
hours up to 0800 this morning. Got star fix tonight, show-
ing a set of 303° drift of 0.4 knots. Quiet throughout
night.

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea calm, wind from 060 velocity about 5 knots. Over-
cast. No fix this morning. 1300 heard pinging bearing 150°T,
we were south of Midway, distance 8 miles. Seemed to be
three ships DD's. Could not see them through periscope. We
must have heard them 20,000 yards or more away. Bearings
showed them to be on course 020. Our sound gear was tuned
in on our JK as 17.25 KCS. At 1800 heard another ship ping-
ing on 130°T. That too crossed our bow well ahead. Re-
mained down until 2100.

MONDAY 15 DECEMBER, 1941.

Overcast, sea from 080, slow swells. Wind light. At
0115 received MIDWAY message saying that ships south of
MIDWAY at 2015. Plot showed them on soundings. Perhaps they
were planting mines. Apparently no bombardment took place
from sunset to time we surfaced. No planes on the
surface. It seems most peculiar that our planes can't keep
them more than 40 miles from the Island during daylight. Two
planes flying that semicircumference could easily do it.
Moon out bright at 0500. Dove at 0530 on northeasterly course.

- 9 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 15 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

WEDNESDAY 17 DECEMBER, 1941.

Continued quiet through rest of the night. Sea calm,
sky clear. Dove at 0540. Wonder how long this good weather
will keep up. No evidence of enemy activity. 1136 sighted
VP plane over Islands. 1844 received orders from COMTASKFORCE
7 to remain on patrol station until 21 January, 1942. Also
received message re information enemy (German) raiders and
also general information re Japs from Comsubasiatic.

THURSDAY 18 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sky clear, sea calm, slight wind from 120°. No enemy
activity throughout rest of night. Dived at 0535. Got set
of 310° drift .6 on north side of Island. Clear all day and
at night. I'm not satisfied with a single pair of binoculars
that we've got to have better ones. No evidence enemy
activity.

FRIDAY 19 DECEMBER, 1941.

Clear night, not a cloud in the sky. Sea smooth, wind
sprang up just after midnight from west. Got set during night
300° drift .5 knots. Dived 0540. Cloudy in afternoon and
turned to rain at night. Wind blowing up from north. The
binoculars that have been furnished us are certainly poor.
I have the best pair on board and they are inferior. Some-
times they don't even bring in the horizon. No signs of enemy
activity. 1732 received message saying WRIGHT and PORTER
would arrive MIDWAY at 0800 23 December, 1941, and at 2200
received message stating that they would be delayed one day.

SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER, 1941.

Rain, wind from north 20 knots, seas rough. A dirty
night. Pitch black. Glasses don't do us much good, especi-
ally the ones we have. Hope we can get a few good ones when
we get back. Dived at 0545. Clear by evening, heavy swell
running from northwest. No enemy activity. An entirely un-
able to figure out sets and drifts. South of Island about 12
miles experienced set 190 drift .4 mile. At 2200 received
message extending radius of area and requiring us to stay out-
side 7 miles from reef. Wish I knew why. This means no
photographs of Island. Too far out to show anything.

- 11 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 16 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

SUNDAY 21 DECEMBER, 1941.

Heavy swell from northwest, wind dying down. Dived at
0545. Fix showed a set of 190°T. drift 1.0. Probably just
a bum fix. Surfaced into heavy rain squall, lightning, and
wind of 25 knots from just north of west. Rain cleared up
about 2000 but remained wet with water coming over bridge.
No signs of enemy activity.

MONDAY 22 DECEMBER, 1941.

Continued the bad night, cold and wet from spray. Dived
at 0550. Got a good fix which proved we weren't set but about
one-half a knot instead of 1.0 knot, as previously thought
yesterday. 1828 intercepted message CRUSCOFOR stating that
TASK FORCE EIGHT will cover MIDWAY during operation TASK FORCE
SEVENTEEN. 1847 received message from COMTASKFOR SEVEN stat-
ing that TASK FORCE EIGHT might be encountered in MIDWAY area.
No signs enemy activity throughout day.

TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea and wind dying down. Fifty per cent of sky covered
by clouds. At 0109 received new delineation of area twenty-
six. We have been pretty well hog tied now, what with two
task forces operating in a submarine area for an indefinite
time, maybe three or four days for all I know. Maybe MIDWAY
will be covered by TASK FORCE EIGHT will arrive or from what
from five miles, there is no indication. No one here
knows where or when TASK FORCE EIGHT will arrive or from what
direction. Have picked a spot 10 to 15 miles west of Island
to keep clear. Will have to inform MIDWAY, TASK FORCES EIGHT
and SEVENTEEN and there goes radio silence again. I think it
would have been better had we been withdrawn from area or
ordered into MIDWAY until surface forces had left area. This
would have removed danger of our aviators and given crew a
breathing spell. I can see that sixty days is going to be no
picnic. At 2015 sent out our message to TASK FORCES EIGHT and
SEVENTEEN commanders and to MIDWAY. At 2115 received COMTASK-
FOR SEVEN message to haul out 30 or 40 miles, 270 to 290 from
MIDWAY. During the night we complied with the order. In
meantime had to cancel my original message and in addition had

- 13 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 17 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

TUESDAY 23 DECEMBER, 1941. (CONTINUED)

to acknowledge CONTASKFOR SEVEN's last message. I figured
that I had held off for about as long as I could, that is
up to about the last minute on sending my message. I figured
several commanders wanted to know where we would be if they
had to take offensive action against a submarine. I believe
that it would have been better had CONTASKFOR SEVEN sent his
message a day earlier, and repeated it today, or not send a
message at all. In fact I had decided to use the same general
sector only I didn't go out so far by about 15 miles. Any-
way I am glad that a couple or three Jap destroyers were not
sitting out on the horizon taking radio direction finder bear-
ings. I personally think that we absolutely must cut down on
all this radio transmission or some day it will be pretty
costly. Moon out bright as day, seas smoothing out with long
heavy swells.

WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER, 1941.

0000 clear sky, good visibility, gentle wind from little
north of west. Long heavy rollers but not choppy. Would
have liked to stay on surface but at dawn sky was overcast
and was afraid that a plane would drop something on us before
we could see him. My present conviction is that playing a
defensive roll as we are doing, we should be up on the surface,
receiving information from the planes so that we could inter-
cept an attacker. In this case we could cover more ground
and we would only have to worry about a stray submarine once
in a while. During peace time we, on the ARGONAUT, have been
quite conscious about superstructure noises that might inter-
fere with sound work. Up to now the sound gear was used only
intermittently and many noises had slipped by. Now that we
man our sound gear twenty-four hours a day we find that we
have many funny noises in our superstructure. These must be
eliminated if only for our peace of mind. Several false con-
tacts have been made that were later traced to nothing or
the superstructure. The next trip in, we are going to weld
everything that moves, or remove it, such as forward stub
mast and hand operated mast. Practically everything in super-
structure must go, that will be of no use to us, or it must
go below. I also think small whales and porpoise have given
us several false contacts. I'd like to know what other sub-
marines have found out concerning sound. I personally feel

- 13 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 18 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

WEDNESDAY 24 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

that our sound gear is indispensable and that we should
have another below water JK in addition to top side JK.
This is especially true of these waters where sound con-
ditions are so exceptional. I suggest that all war patrol
reports be scanned and all data relating to various sub-
jects be segregated and placed under those headings for
study by various interested personnel. 2000 wind and sea
kicking up from north. Sky becoming overcast, thank Heavens
it will blank out the moon. No evidence of enemy activity
today.

THURSDAY 25 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea kicking up, rain and wind from north. No fix this
a.m. Dived at 0600. At 0700 held a small sing song (this
being evening for us) and a grab bag affair. Everyone was
supposed to purchase a .50c package, but it in a large bag
and later haul something out. Items discovered were quite
amusing and had a tendency to kind of relax the members of
the crew. They are getting a bit impatient for some retali-
ation. I too hope it comes from somewhere and that real
quickly. Had a chance to listen to some of our porpoise and
black fish noises this morning. The chirps sound like a
canary and they splutter intermittently like a poorly runn-
ing outboard motor or make a noise gently like a lewd comedian
in a burlesque show when he throws kisses at the "heroine"
as she walks on stage. The chirps can be heard throughout
the range of frequencies.

Now that WAKE is gone I expect that we will have a good
bit of activity around here. I hope the WRIGHT brought some
"tools" for the ISLAND forces. Some fighters and dive bombers,
and for heavens sake I hope they know how to use them. Sun-
day evening, December 7, 1941, should have been duck soup
for a plane with a load of bombs. I suppose that the WRIGHT
will go today, as well as TASK FORCE EIGHT and we will be
ordered back on station for tomorrow. No orders came. No
enemy activity. Cloudy with rain squalls.

- 14 - ENCLOSURE (A).

— page 19 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT -- REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 to
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

FRIDAY 26 DECEMBER, 1941.

Cloudy, slight amount of rain. Sea calm. We are in
special area west of MIDWAY. Experienced .3 knot drift
set 330. Dived at 0610. Cleared during day. No signs
enemy activity.

SATURDAY 27 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea flat calm, overcast and slight amount of rain by
dawn. Dived at dawn, no fix. Surfaced 1740. At 2330
received COMTASKFOR SEVEN order to resume patrol in area
around MIDWAY. Transmitter motor generator broke down dur-
ing transmission of acknowledgement of receipt. Once again
we were forced to break radio silence for no apparent good
reason. The same message could have been repeated either
later or sent the next night. I personally hope the trans-
mitter can't be made to function until we start back to our
base. The subject message doesn't make it clear that there
are no U.S. forces in our area, but I am assuming that they
have all been withdrawn. Sea rough, cloudy and rain squalls
up to midnight. No evidence of enemy activity.

SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER, 1941.

Sea still rough, cloudy and slight rain. Wind and sea
from southwest, velocity of wind 20 knots. Dived at dawn.
Motor generator armature on radio transmitter burned out.
No. 2 armature has reading of 200,000 ohms. Applied heat
in form of lamp bank and reading went to zero and is now
coming back. I hope we can save one of them. If not we'll
have one deuce of a time getting in to Pearl Harbor. In our
transmitter room there is quite a bit of exposed iron and
this sweats; there being no ventilation up there all electrical
machinery catches it pretty heavy. Never before has ARGONAUT
been subjected to such a test as she is undergoing. We are
devising a scheme to combat this dampness. A good bit of
our radio material will have to be overhauled on our return
to our Base.

A Japanese shore station has been heard daily, since the
beginning of hostilities between the United States and Japan,
practicing interference whenever radio JOHNSTON ISLAND or
radio HONOLULU are transmitting. It is believed that this is
- 15 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 20 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, to
0600 January 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY SIX

SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER, 1941 (CONTINUED)

a shore station because it has a constant signal strength (4).
This interference is on 4264 KCS and is carried out with a
signal character similiar to the Morse equivalent of "fox".

At 0700 DECEMBER 29, G.C.T. (19 hours December 28, Zone
plus 12) this shore station called another station with the call
letters JGWJ using international procedure. This call is not
on the Berne list. The answer of the station called (JGWJ) was
not heard.

Seas still rough and from 330. Sky partly overcast. Moon
bright otherwise. Can see a long way, too far. No evidence of
enemy activity in this vicinity.

MONDAY 29 DECEMBER, 1941.

Seas still rough and from 330. Wind 20 knots from north
north west. Sky with a few clouds, moon bright. Dived at dawn.
No. 2 motor generator (radio) now up to 150,000 ohms. Still
hoping for the best. 1900 heard shore station endeavoring to
interfere with radio JOHNSTON. No evidence of enemy activity.

TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER, 1941.

Heavy seas abating. Wind shifted to south of west, velocity
15 knots, causing slight chop. Overcast by dawn, no star sights.
Dived at 0600. Cleared about 2000. Seas choppy and from 225.
The seas quickly follow the wind around in this area. No evidence
of enemy activity.

WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER, 1941.

Clouded over by 0030. Rain and wind of 20 knot velocity
by 0400. Dived at 0610. Both motor generators to radio transmitter
still out. No. 2 motor generator has again dropped to a zero
ground. Don't understand this as it went up to ½ megohm. Have
heat to it still in hopes that it may come up. Have made some
temporary repairs to No. 1 radio motor generator and it is now
in oven baking. It might work. No evidence of enemy activity in
this area.

- 16 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 21 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 January 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX

THURSDAY 1 JANUARY, 1942

Partly overcast, wind and seas from north, velocity 18 knots.
Seas choppy. Dived at 0610. 0800, which is evening for us, held
a sing song with doughnuts and orange juice in mess hall. I dare
say not many of the men have ever spent New Years this way. They
can still laugh and sing after 35 days at sea and thats something.
The sea certainly can follow the wind quickly in this area. When
we surfaced we had large swells from the north, 25 or 30 feet high,
no wind. Half hour after surfacing wind sprang up from south,
about 18 knots velocity and by 2300 heavy seas were down and a
chop running from the south that worked up to 12 foot waves by
daylight. 2314 received message from COMTASKFOR SEVEN to COMTASK-
UNIT 7.1.3 informing us of position of TASK FORCE FOURTEEN and
ordering us to depart at 0600 G.C.T. 12 JANUARY, for PEARL. It
requires an acknowledgement but our motor generators are out and
we are unable to transmit on our radio. We are now trying to
rewind the armature. No evidence of enemy activity.

FRIDAY 2 JANUARY, 1942

Wind velocity 20 knots from south, sea rough from south,
partly overcast. Moon bright. Dived at 0610. Overcast and rain
with choppy sea from 225 and wind of 20 knots velocity. 2000
Rain in form of heavy mist, visibility 800 yards. 2109 received
message from COMTASKFOR SEVEN changing our rendezvous circle
from 100 miles to 60 miles from PEARL. This too called for acknow-
ledgement but up to present time both motor generator sets to radio
transmitter are still out. We may have the answer tomorrow. No
evidence of enemy activity in this area. In regards to the fish
or porpoise noises heard and discussed on 25 December, 1941, have
read an article in Popular Mechanics of August, 1940, which
describes this noise and whistle. This whistle or "rising ping"
cannot be tuned out of the receiver, whereas an echo range "ping"
made on 24 kcs can be tuned out when receiver is tuned to 18 kcs.
This way the two can be differentiated.

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY, 1942

Overcast, wind from south west, velocity 20 knots, sea choppy.
Tested out low frequency radio and obtained satisfactory radiation.
Dived at 0610.

- 17 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 22 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941 TO
0600 January 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY, 1942 (CONTINUED)

1757 Received following from COMTASKFOR 7: NPM UR 869 5BPD
020912 OJK. 030307 Y IMI which means to acknowledge the
two messages in question. This we cannot do as our radio
transmitter motor generators are still inoperative. Hope to
get the acknowledgement off tonight. However I still do not
see the necessity for an acknowledgement. We have received
the originals and also the repeats. No evidence of enemy
activity.

SUNDAY 4 JANUARY, 1942.

Seas choppy, wind velocity 15 knots from west. Sky partly
over cast, with moon showing through giving excellent visibility.
At various times from 0305 to 0440 NPM called ARGONAUT requested
us to make Vees. Asked MIDWAY if we were in communication with
them. We could not answer because our radio transmitter has been
and is inoperative. Last night, while endeavoring to remain
close to seven mile limit from Island and encountered an easterly
set, apparently quite high (we were to the westward of the
Island) that placed us inside the limit. MIDWAY picked us up
with searchlight and forced us to dive at 0525. We had never
experienced this direction of set before. To sum up the
direction of currents around MIDWAY I would say that they run
in any direction at any time, usually following direction of
wind. In future will have to remain further away from Island
than I would like to to in order to prevent a repetition of this
a.m. we fired red very's star as emergency identification.
I hope MIDWAY recognized it as such. By evening wind died down
and sky clear. No evidence of enemy activity today.

MONDAY 5 JANUARY, 1942.

Sky clouded over to about 30 per cent. Long swells from
the west. Slight wind from south. Cooler than past couple of
nights. Our high frequency radio again functions, due to an
excellent job of rewinding the motor generator armature.
Shortly after 0200 sent out our acknowledgement of the two
messages in question and later heard NPM receipt to NQM (MIDWAY)
for it. Dived at 0610, 15 miles south of the ISLAND. Tonight
received message from COMTASKFOR 7 informing us of presence near this area of TASKFORCE 11.

- 18 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 23 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX

TUESDAY 6 JANUARY, 1942.

Wind and seas from southwest, seas choppy, wind velocity
18 knots. Sky partly overcast. Under these conditions drifted
eleven miles in 12 hours in northeast direction. Dived at dawn.
By evening wind had shifted to west with a velocity of 25 knots.
Seas very high. At 2115 received message from COMTASKFOR 7
ordering us to remain on station until 0600 G.C.T. 14 January,
1942. Contrary to communication instructions again an acknowledge-
ment was required which took us two and one-half minutes to get
off to NPM (HONOLULU) direct. By midnight wind was blowing
about 35 or 40 knots. Seas very high, we shipped several down
conning tower hatch. I never thought it would happen. No
evidence of enemy activity.

WEDNESDAY 7 JANUARY, 1942.

Wind and seas still from west. Velocity 30-35 knots. Seas
very high. Lost several deck gratings and a piece of side plating
up forward. Dived at dawn and very glad to get down. It has been
a very miserable night. We even roll five degrees to either
side down at 150 feet. Upon surfacing waves and wind higher than
ever, maybe reached 40 knots. By midnight wind was dying down and
so were the waves. At 2114 received COMTASKFOR 7 message that
THORNTON would arrive about 1600 L.C.T. 10 January and intends
to leave on eleventh. Will work to westward of Island while she
is in this area. No sign of enemy activity.

THURSDAY 8 JANUARY, 1942.

Wind shifting to northwest and dying down to about 20 knots.
Seas also shifting and abating. At dawn we were able to inspect
boat island. Many gratings gone and boat badly damaged. Wished
we had not left both gratings and boat at the base. Next time
we will do so. Dived shortly after dawn. Found we had drifted
to southeast during night drift 1.7 knots, which put us on edge
of area. Set course to head for Island. In evening wind from
north of west increasing causing sea to be choppy in addition
to large swells. No evidence of enemy activity.

- 19 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 24 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, to
0600 January 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

FRIDAY 9 JANUARY, 1942.

Wind freshening from northwest, velocity 20 knots, seas
choppy with long swells. Overcast at dawn. Fix showed
us as drifting to eastward last night. Heading west to be out
of THORNTON's way tomorrow. Sub rolls four degrees to either
side at 140 feet. Sea has shifted somewhat as did the
wind. Still rough, wind velocity 23 knots from northwest, seas
from 280. Intercepted message to MIDWAY saying Lieutenant S.M.
Archer, a mine expert, was going to study situation at MIDWAY.
My guess is that a mine has washed ashore and that the Japs
had planted mines as per my guess on Monday 15 December, 1941.
No evidence of enemy activity.

SATURDAY 10 JANUARY, 1942.

Wind has abated somewhat to about 18 knots from northwest
and sea are also from that direction but still large, but are
being broken up somewhat. Had heavy drift 1.5 knots towards 120
last night. Dived at 0615, course 300 to close the Island. No
evidence of enemy activity. Wind died down to "gentle breezes",
sea still has long swells from north of west. Few clouds in sky.

SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 1942.

At last a fairly calm night. Wind picked up by midnight
to about 18 knots, seas slight chop with long swells. Few
clouds in sky. Overcast by sunrise. Experienced
another heavy Southeast set with drift of 2.0 knots. At 1830 LCT
(Zone plus 12) the ARGONAUT received a routine dispatch (#120412)
originated by COMTASKFOR SEVEN and addressed to TASKUNIT 7.1.3
(ARGONAUT) for action and acknowledgement. This dispatch was
enciphered in crypto-channel #44 which had been previously correct-
ed by CINCPAC dispatch. Copy of this correction was effective
0001 GCT. December 27. The ARGONAUT had been at sea since
November 28 and carried none of the "reserve-on-board" publications
which would keep this channel operative, in accordance with the
corrections contained in the above mentioned dispatch. No
"reserve-on-board" publications were carried in accordance with
instructions set forth in the Chief of Naval Operations confident-
ial serial 047020 of June 13, 1941, and paragraph 126(a) of RPS 5
and 6. These references were called to the attention of Submarine
Squadron Four through Commander Submarine Squadron Four conf-
idential serial 0342 of August 7, 1941. Therefore since this

- 20 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 25 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

SUNDAY 11 JANUARY, 1942. (CONTINUED)

channel was inoperative as far as the ARGONAUT was concerned the
information contained in COMTASKFOR SEVEN dispatch was not
available to the ARGONAUT. This same dispatch contained two
action addresses from whom an acknowledgement was required, and
in addition seven information addresses.

As a result the ARGONAUT was forced to break radio silence
at 2006 LCT January 11, 1942, in order to indicate to the origina-
tor that crypto-channel No. 44 was no longer available for use on
this ship.

At 2352 LCT January 11, 1942, the ARGONAUT received via NPM
schedule what was believed to be a reply to the above transmis-
sion; this message was enciphered in crypto-channel #27. The
plain language text of this message (COMTASKFOR 7 No. 121047)
indicated the possibility that a dangerous condition existed in
patrol area 26 since a friendly submarine (CACHALOT) was likely
to be present and had in fact been present since 1800 7 January.
This message was obviously enciphered improperly, but since there
was still more than a reasonable doubt that the dangerous con-
dition did exist, this message could not be accepted as it was
received. The ARGONAUT was again forced to break radio silence
and request a verification of the above dispatch #121047; a
second transmission took place at 0122 LCT January 12, 1942. At
0242 LCT the ARGONAUT received, via the NPM schedule, a correction to
the dispatch now in question. The heading of this message showed
COMTASKFOR SEVEN 121047 to have been corrected, but the text
still indicated that the dangerous condition mentioned above
existed in Patrol Area 26. At 0510 the ARGONAUT broke radio
silence for the third time and requested a positive answer regard-
ing this situation, at the same time indicating her intentions
to patrol south sector of area 26 until such an answer should be
received. The dispatch in question also ordered ARGONAUT to
extend her patrol until 0700 GCT 17 January.

No evidence of enemy activity.

- 21 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 26 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 January 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX

MONDAY 12 JANUARY, 1942.

Sky partly overcast, wind (15 knot velocity) from north-
west, seas choppy with occasional long swell from northwest.
Again experienced set 135 drift 2.0 knots. Dived at 0615. Seas
calm with occasional long swell, wind 8 knots from northwest.
Sky partly overcast. At 1917 received message from COMTASKFOR
SEVEN stating that CACHALOT would enter area 26 after 1800 on
17 January, which is logical. The dispatch (COMTASKFOR 7 120412)
that ARGONAUT asked a verify and repeat on came back corrected
"that CACHALOT will enter area January seventh". Once again
ARGONAUT was required to break radio silence to acknowledge a
dispatch that I think did not warrant an acknowledgement. No
evidence of enemy activity.

TUESDAY 13 JANUARY, 1942.

Seas calm with occasional long swell, wind has changed over
and is from South southeast, velocity 8 knots. Sky partly over-
cast. A nice, comfortable night for a change. We were set to
south southwest last night. Dived at 0615. Sky still partly
overcast, wind from southwest, 12 knots velocity. No evidence of
enemy activity.

WEDNESDAY 14 JANUARY, 1942.

Sky clear but becoming overcast by dawn. Wind from south-
west, 12 knots velocity. Sea calm. Dived at 0615. We are 25
miles west of Island on course 120. No evidence of enemy activity.
Sky overcast by sunset, wind from west, velocity 10 knots. At
1857 received TROUT No. 150645 in a code that ARGONAUT does not
have. Guess that TROUT has been delayed so will look out for her.
Expected COMTASKFOR SEVEN, who was an information addressee and
who also knows we do not have that particular code, would send
us a paraphrase of that message. We have not received it as yet.

THURSDAY 15 JANUARY, 1942.

Sky overcast, wind from west, velocity 10 knots. Slight
drizzle. No fix. Dived at dawn. Course 110 which will take us
about 20 miles south of the ISLAND today. At 2115 received
COMTASKFOR SEVEN dispatch 160731. Could not break it down.
Waited until 2330 to get second transmission which was received

- 22 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 27 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX

THURSDAY 15 JANUARY, 1942. (CONTINUED)

exactly as at 2115. At 2359 sent out a "Jig" to COMTASKFOR 7
for a verify and repeat back. At 0127 received COMTASKFOR SEVEN
dispatch 161303 which cancelled 160731. No evidence of enemy
activity. Sky cleared by evening twilight and atmosphere was
exceptionally clear.

FRIDAY 16 JANUARY, 1942.

Sea smooth, wind from west about 3 knots. Sky exceptionally
clear. In fact I don't ever recall the atmosphere as clear as it
is tonight. At 0300 visibility was reduced to about 1000 yards as
a high fog set in which cleared up right after dawn. Dived at
0615, course 095. At 1900 left area in accordance with COMTASKFOR
SEVEN dispatch 121047 which ordered ARGONAUT depart area 0700
GCT. 17 January, 1942. Course 128°T to 15 miles south of
LISIANSKI ISLAND. No evidence of enemy activity.

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY, 1942.

Clear, sea smooth, wind velocity 6 knots from southwest,
becoming 70 per cent overcast at dawn. Course 128°T, speed over
ground average 8.6. When half the floods are open, i.e. star-
board floods of forward and after groups, speed is reduced eight
tenths of a knot. We have to run with floods closed because our
vents and vent lines leak badly. Wind blew up to about 18 knots
velocity and then died down by evening. Nothing sighted.

TIME ZONE PLUS 11½

SUNDAY 18 JANUARY, 1942.

Overcast, wind and seas from southwest, sea calm, wind
velocity 8 knots. Shifting to north of west by daybreak. No
fix this morning. Course 113 speed 10 knots including current.
Partly overcast all day. Wind shifted to northwest. Nothing
sighted. 2139 Received dispatch from COMTASKFOR SEVEN stating
that one AK and 1 DD are 500 miles from PEARL.

- 23 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 28 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

MONDAY 19 JANUARY, 1942.

Sky clear, became overcast by morning, later cleared. Wind
from north, velocity 10 knots. Seas from north northwest. Course
117°T, speed 9 knots. At 0930 driven down by one of our own
patrol planes. FRENCH FRIGATE bearing 032, dist. 52 miles. I am
certainly glad that we are somewhat ahead of schedule. Fired a
red smoke bomb. I'm sure plane saw us as he was heading directly
for us about six miles away. He had just come out of a rain
squall to left of the sun, flying low. At 1100 set clocks ahead
one half-hour to Zone plus 11 time. 1150 Plane still over head.
Fired another red smoke bomb. He doesn't want to recognize the
recognition signal. 1400 all clear, surfaced. At 1643 received
COMTASKFOR SEVEN dispatch #200456 that clarified COM 14 message
for which we had no code. COMTASKFOR SEVEN dispatch stated that
we would pass something during which we did at 2300, and
which we recognized as 1 DD and 1 AP.

TUESDAY 20 JANUARY, 1942. ZONE PLUS 11.

Still on course 117°T, speed 9 knots. Weather: sea long
rollers from north, wind from 060, velocity 10 knots, sky partly
overcast. At 0730 changed course to 114°T, speed 9 knots. At
0805 sighted patrol plane (US) bearing 100 true, distance 10 miles.
Our position 21-40 N, 164-09 W. I'm sure he did not
sight us and we fired no recognition signal. At 0900 surfaced
and resumed course and speed. At 1447 sighted another patrol
plane bearing south, 4 miles away, right in the sun. Our position
21-10 N 163-04 W. This one was a little too close. Suggest that
VP planes have our general position and endeavor to keep clear
when we are on passage. We would send in a contact report if
something was sighted in our area. I am certainly glad we have
several extra hours up our sleeve otherwise we wouldn't be able
to make our rendezvous Thursday morning, especially if these
planes are going to keep this business up. Surfaced at 1635. At
1735 received COMTASKFOR SEVEN # 201012 designating a rendezvous
with LITCHFIELD at 0600 LCT Zone plus 10½.

- 24 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 29 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

PERIOD FROM 1330 NOVEMBER 28, 1941, TO
0600 JANUARY 22, 1942.

AREA TWENTY-SIX.

ZONE PLUS 10½

WEDNESDAY 21 JANUARY, 1942.

On course 114°T., speed 9 knots. Sky partly overcast,
long swells, slight wind from east. 0100 Set clocks ahead one-
half hour to Zone plus 10½ time. At 0755 sighted a U.S. patrol
plane bearing 090 distance 10 miles. Dived to avoid. Did not
fire recognition signal. 0925 Surfaced, resumed course and
speed 7 knots. At 2020 on course 064°T., speed 8.5.

THURSDAY 22 JANUARY, 1942

Sky overcast, sea smooth with occasional swells from general
northerly direction. Course 064, speed 8.5 knots. 0555 sighted
LITCHFIELD, our escort ship, bearing 085°T., distance 6 miles.
0650 changed course to 043°T., speed 10 knots. 0800 HOVEY and
LAMBERTON joined to act as screens. Zigzagging. 1120 Changed
base course 000 heading for channel buoys. Informed by
LITCHFIELD that our berth was at WEST LOCH. At 1145 passed
entrance buoys.

- 25 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 30 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

I submit herewith additional remarks, comments and opinions
that I have formed on numerous subjects that I consider pertinent
to submarine operations. Perhaps some of them should be adopted;
at any rate I feel that all should be carefully considered by
higher authority.

(a) NIGHT ATTACKS

Several instruments have been devised for torpedo fire at
night on the surface, some fit on the binnacle, others are
attached to wings of bridges. In view of the experience gained
during this first patrol out here in Area 26, sound conditions
being as good as they are, the nights being very bright as a
rule, I have come to the opinion that these instruments are not
needed. Our primary means of taking bearings should be by sound
and torpedo firing should be done on sound bearings. Secondly,
in view of the conditions cited above, I think that all attacks
should be made submerged, except on the very darkest nights.
This may not hold good for small "S", "O" and "R" class submarines
but I feel sure it does for fleet submarines and I know that it
holds for our large submarines because of (1) high bridges and
"A" frames that will cause submarine to be sighted earlier, (2)
slow diving time, especially while in the act of firing torpedoes,
(3) diving before the attack you have 60 or 100 feet of the 300
foot depth you will want after firing torpedoes. I make these
statements with the events of the night of December 7, 1941, in
mind. Because I feel certain that we were sighted at a range of
four or five thousand yards just prior to diving or while diving,
which caused the enemy to change course to south and not continue
around the southern part of the Island. This change of course
permitted enemy to get away unharmed due to ARGONAUT's slow
turning rate and fact that she has no stern tubes.

(b) RADAR

If the enemy has the RADAR or similar apparatus, every
submarine must be equipped with a RADAR for its own protection
as well as for attack purposes. If a division of destroyers were
to suspect a submarine was operating in a certain area the
submarine could be eliminated very quickly in such a manner as
described below. Station the destroyers on a line or circle at
night stationary. When the submarine comes up to charge, plot
her in by RADAR bearings and ranges, close her at very slow speed,
no "pinging" until in a position to illuminate and open fire.

- 26 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 31 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

A submarine has only her underwater sound listening equipment
to protect herself. This is only effective when she is running
at dead slow speed or stopped, unless the destroyers are using
echo ranging and high speed.

The proposed RADAR must be directional. For instance, a
non-directional RADAR as proposed for ARGONAUT would not do us
any good on this patrol because the LITCHFIELD would always be one
of the indications, whereas a directional one could cover the
other 350 degrees. Further, a RADAR with both range and
directional characteristics could make a preliminary approach
phase on the surface, where she can cover much more ground.

(c) EXCESS SUPERSTRUCTURE AND SUPERSTRUCTURE NOISES

I believe that if we are not going to replace clearing
lines, then our "A" frames with its attendant frame work
should be removed, provided "A" frames do not constitute a
strength member of the bridge structure. This will cut down
our silhouette somewhat. In all probability running lights
will not be used until after the war, therefore I recommend
that the light portable amidship mast and the forward one
too, be removed, except enough to support the antenna. All
fancy superstructure, such as gangways and loose gratings should
be removed. These "work" in a sea and when submerged cause noises
which handicap the sound listeners. All these doors should be
welded closed or removed. On ARGONAUT the gratings over the
boat Island cause that trouble and in addition are in the way,
in case torpedoes from deck stowage have to be moved. The boat
too should be left at the base. Each period in port the super-
structure should be thoroughly inspected for any loose pieces
and these welded solid, anything that could possibly make any
noise should be removed or else rendered noiseless.

(d) T. B. S. EQUIPMENT

Although the TBS equipment was not of much use during the
actual patrol it proved to be of very real use prior to actual
sight contact with LITCHFIELD at the designated rendezvous on
the 60 mile circle. Not only can it be a valuable means of
identification but much information can be relayed prior to
contact and also during the passage into port. I suggest that the
frequency to be used be predesignated for use during a certain
rendezvous. That about one half hour before designated rendezvous
time the two ships in question endeavor to communicate with TBS.

- 27 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 32 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

(c) RADIO SILENCE
Paragraph 939 of Communication Instructions is quoted in
part as follows:

"Ordinarily naval communications are sufficiently reliable
to justify the expectation that a message filed for trans-
mission will be duly delivered to all addresses. Acknowledge-
ments, therefore, shall not ordinarily be required."

I feel certain that the reliability mentioned above has been
the case on this present, our first, war patrol. There is every
indication that we have received all important messages addressed
to this ship. Radio silence on the part of a ship operating in a
relatively small area, such as a submarine on patrol, is vital in
order to deny the enemy the use of their direction finders.
Numerous reports of foreign operations which concern lost submarines
have carried the notation "Probably D/F'd". In spite of the above,
the ARGONAUT has been forced to break radio silence many times on
this patrol. We have used our transmitter more often on this
patrol than in any equal period of time during normal peace time
operations. In the body of the war diary I have enumerated these
transmissions each day as they have occurred, and in almost every
case breaking radio silence was due to the fact that the messages
received required an acknowledgment. Reception can be assured
by sending it more than once on the same schedule and repeating
it on subsequent schedules. If at any time the originator
believes that radio reception is poor, due to adverse atmospheric
conditions, etc., then an acknowledgment should be required. In
my opinion, all of the messages in question could have and should
have been sent without requiring acknowledgment. I firmly believe
that unless a definite check is placed on the use of the radio
transmitter by ships at sea, especially submarines, our losses
will be greater because of the additional information such a
practice will provide the enemy.

(f) STERN TUBES VS MINES
Often times in the past, have I wished for stern tubes.
Our mines, after they have been laid, provided they will function
a month or so after having been planted, require that a ship strike
one before any damage is inflicted on the enemy. This is all
problematical. Had ARGONAUT been equipped with four stern tubes
on evening of 7 December, 1941, the destruction of a Japanese
light cruiser would not have been problematical. My opinion now
is that if ARGONAUT is ever modernized, give her four or perhaps

- 28 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 33 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

six stern tubes and leave the mine laying to airplanes, and surface
craft. ARGONAUT would then have room to carry aircraft bombs, small
torpedoes, spare parts, plus a goodly number of torpedoes, so that
at some time she could replenish a small squadron of planes near
some sheltered Island.

(g) ELECTRICAL EQUIPMENT

Great care must be taken to prevent moisture grounds in
electrical equipment that isn't much used. Heating rods should
be installed in these motors and ground readings taken every
other day if necessary, and appropriate steps taken to keep the
megger readings up.

(h) NEGATIVE TANK

In large submarines I believe that the same effect can be
obtained by using the main drain pump on one of the auxiliary
tanks. Each day we dive with fifteen tons negative buoyancy,
start pumping auxiliary at 50 feet and we easily catch her at
100 or 125 feet. The only difficulty is that in rough weather
she still takes too long to dive.

(i) VITAMINS

Our crew is tired. Forty-four successive days of patrol
plus time to get to area may be too long. Rough weather, doubling
up of certain watches, repairs and enemy activities all contributed
to this. In addition, no one has seen nor felt the sun in 41 days.
The men and officers are bleached white and show the lack of
exposure to the sun. Our health in general has been very good,
but now in the tail end of the patrol the number of colds and
sore throats have increased. I believe certain vitamin pills
would help the situation somewhat. Polytacsin or some similar
material should be furnished submarines and the pharmacist's mate
should dole them out at each meal time. I think these vitamin
pills would improve stamina.

(j) IDENTIFYING MARKS FOR SUBMARINES

I believe that our airplanes can identify our submarines
better than they do. In a patrol area this is not vital but
much time may be saved the submarine if friendly
planes recognize us, make recognition manouver, and keep away
or turn away. Or even prior to releasing bombs they could make

- 29 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 34 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

a last minute recognition. I suggest the following method:

(1) Use highly visible colors, yellow, white, light red,
    etc.
(2) Use local date.
(3) Use circle on bow one day, two wide stripes on stern
    next, a circle and two stripes on stern next day, etc.
    Only one color to be used each day. Quite a varied
    but simple table could be worked up.
(4) Appropriate design could be quickly painted on during
    preceding night.

(k)                               BINOCULARS

Our binoculars for use of the Officer of the Deck and
lookouts are shockingly inadequate. On ARGONAUT there are two
pair of binoculars that are passable. One the Commanding Officer
uses, the other is given to the Officer of the Deck. The quarter-
master and lookouts have smaller and much poorer. The
ordnance glasses hurt the user's eyes after a short period. I
recommend that drastic efforts be made to get adequate binoculars
to all submarines.

(l)                               FRESH WATER

Enroute to the patrol station, no restriction was placed on
the use of fresh water, resulting in the excessive consumption
of 900 gallons per day. The next step was the use of water hours
every third day which resulted in a reduction of water consumption
to 550 gallons per day. This latter consumption was considered
satisfactory until number one electric still commenced making poor
water due to a loose coil. When attempts were made to remedy this
fault it was found that neither still could be dismantled for
cleaning as the openings in the deck below the stills had been
made too small to permit dropping the lower half of the stills.
Fresh water was then ordered to be used only for cooking, drinking,
and dish washing, reducing consumption to 200 gallons per day,
dehumidifier water being used for bathing, paint and deck scrubbing.

When the still installation is modified to permit cleaning
at sea, the ARGONAUT will be able to sustain 100 per cent fresh
water capacity and still permit moderate use of the showers.

- 30 -                               ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 35 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL

ADDITIONAL REMARKS

(m) BATTERY WATER

The highly important battery water replenishment problem has
been satisfactorily solved by the installation of the two
Kleinschmidt vapor compression stills. The average daily use of
battery water has been 97 gallons, which has required an average
daily use of approximately 3 hours for one still for 100 per cent
replacement. All tests have indicated that this battery water,
distilled from salt water feed, meets the chlorine and iron
requirements for battery water, but is high in copper content.

(n) HIGH PRESSURE AIR

The one high pressure air compressor has been used only on
the average of 2.8 hours per day to maintain the diving banks at
2000 lbs. pressure. The installation of the second such compressor,
already authorized, assumes importance in case it becomes necessary
to use torpedo air, also to charge several torpedoes, or of
a major casualty to the one now installed.

(o) DEFICIENCIES ENCOUNTERED

(1) Main engines. Atrociously low speed.
(2) Lack of battery charging facilities when it is
desired to transpose ship over considerable territory
while submerged or on surface.
(3) Electric stills - Faulty installation such that they
cannot readily be cleaned and reassembled.
(4) Trim pump motor armature burned out and grounded in
commutator.
(5) Armatures of both radio motor generators developed
zero grounds. Emergency repairs effected to No. 1.
(6) Low Pressure Blower No. 2 vibrates excessively.
(7) Number 1 hydraulic plant out of commission due to
defect in "A" end.
(8) Stern tubes require repacking.
(9) Leaks in main ballast tank vents and vent lines.
(10) Motor whale boat badly damaged during storm.
(11) Radio direction finder is obsolete.
(12) Fathometer is obsolete.
(13) Binoculars furnished ship are unsatisfactory for
night work.

- 31 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 36 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

(p) HABITABILITY

The habitability of the ship has been generally satisfactory
for this latitude. If we patrol nearer the equator an additional
dehumidifier unit should be supplied. An effort will be made to
obtain one expansion unit to cool the officers country. I con-
sider this essential. Health has been good. Numerous colds and
several cases of catarrhal fever that were stubborn were en-
countered. Forty-four days on patrol in one station is a long
time and the crew is tired. This can be expected, especially in
view of the fact that the crew had to work hard and long hours
prior to getting out of the Navy Yard and after getting out,
since only three days preparatory period before sailing were
provided.

(q) RADIO RECEPTION

Radio reception was satisfactory during the patrol. All
messages were received via NPM fox schedule. Messages addressed
to this ship were almost all received between 0900 and 1100
GCT, at which time reception was especially good.

(r) SOME STATISTICS -(Which we feel sure
set several records of some kind or another).

Total days at sea - 56
Diving:
Total number of dives - 49
Total quick dives - 37
Maximum time of dive - 161 secs.
Minimum time of dive - 52 secs.
Maximum depth attained - 198 ft.
Total hours submerged - 530.9

Engineering:
Total fuel oil consumption - 63,655 gals.
(% of total fuel carrying capacity - 41.9)

Total lub oil consumption - 4,255 gals.
(% of total lub oil carrying capacity - 46.7)

Water consumption-average daily (Distilled water)
Before patrol - total 800 to 1000 gallons, 8.6 to
10.8 gallons per man)
During patrol - total 200 gallons (2.2 gallons per man)

- 32 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 37 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF FIRST WAR PATROL
ADDITIONAL REMARKS

Engineering (continued)

Water distilled:
  Exhaust evaporators - total 6180 gallons.
  Vapor compression stills - total 13,775 gallons.
  Dehumidifier plants - Av. daily 60-80 gallons.

Battery: (Shifted from T.V.G. method to constant
  potential method on December 12, 1941)
  Total number of charges: Normal 47, Partial 2.
  Longest charge 8.7
  Sp.Gr. at start of charge - 1150.
  Shortest charge 4.5
  Sp.Gr. at start of charge - 1194.
  Maximum temperature at end of charge - 116 degrees F.
  Minimum temperature at end of charge - 89 degrees F.
  Maximum per cent of Hydrogen detected 3%.(on one
  occasion ventilating inboard during entire charge)
  Average % of hydrogen detected during charge .8%.
  Cycling carried from 1 to .5 cycles.
  Average watering every fourth day (400 gallons).

Medical:

  Total loss in sick days - 38
  Most common illness, constipation (90% of crew)
  Second most common illness-head and chest colds (40%
  of crew).
  Medical supplies expended for above:
    Mineral oil three quarts.
    Castor oil - 1 pint.
    Seidlitz powder 2 pounds.
    Cascara tablets 3 bottles.
    About 20 soap and water enemas administered.

Commissary:

  Average cost of daily ration during the patrol .74
  Average cost of daily ration before the patrol .65
  Coffee used - 13 lbs. per day.
  Bread baked - 30 lbs per day.
  There was a great increase in the consumption of
  canned fruits and juices.
  Soup was served at midnight during the patrol.

Rigged ship for "dive" in 1941 - Rigged ship for "surface"
in 1942.

- 33 - ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 38 —
FB42/A16-3(1)
Serial 05

SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-TWO
U.S.S. NARWHAL, Flagship

Pearl Harbor, T. H.,
February 2, 1942.

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Division Forty-two.
To: The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.
Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) - Report of First War
Patrol, Comment on.

1. The subject report and the additional remarks
thereto submitted by the commanding officer, have been care-
fully perused by the Division Commander and comments covering
the same are submitted below.

2. The patrol was the longest accomplished by any
submarine of this force to date, and presents, with particular
reference to the number of days spent on station and submerged,
certain features incident to the operation of submarines on
war patrol which are considered significant. The station
and prior to arrival for this particular patrol proved rela-
tively inactive and it is considered that the resultant mono-
tony rendered ever more arduous the long period spent on sta-
tion and submerged. That the morale of the ship's company as
evidenced by their appearance and attitude immediately upon
return from patrol was of the highest caliber reflects great
credit upon the commanding officer and ship's organization.
This is further borne out by the splendid condition of clean-
liness existing within the ship upon her return.

3. Although the physical condition of the personnel
appeared to one not closely associated with them previously, to
be satisfactory, and further that an examination of the crew
by Medical Officers revealed no marked debility existent; from
informal discussion with the commanding officer and members of
the ship's company it appears that an appreciable slowing up
of physical reactions, and a loss of stamina, was evident from
the end of the third week on station, and that this condition
grew progressively worse as the patrol continued. It does not
appear that at any time the condition of the crew was such as
to jeopardize the operation of the ship, but the "fighting
edge" seemed definitely impaired, and reserve stamina to meet
possible emergency was lacking. It is noted that no vitamin
tablets nor sun lamps were available, and this possibly was
a contributed factor to the impairment of physical condition
observed. The lack of sunshine and fresh air over so long a
period is of course considered to be the major factor. Until
further evidence regarding this point is obtained, it is rec-
ommended that time on station of any submarine be held to a

U.S.S. ARGONAUT -1- ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 39 —
FB42/A16-3(1)
Serial 05

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-TWO
U.S.S. NARWHAL, Flagship

Pearl Harbor, T.H.,
February 2, 1942.

U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) - Report of First War
Patrol, Comment on.

— page 40 —
-The necessity for demanding an acknowledgment
from a submarine on patrol station should and does remain a
matter of decision for the Task Force Commander. It is the
commanding officers' responsibility and duty however to act
to reduce the hazard as much as possible by withdrawing from
station temporarily or otherwise shifting position as may
seem indicated prior to and after breaking radio silence.
The Division Commander concurs and believes that the com-
manding officer that greater reliance should be placed upon
the likelihood of the submarine having received all scheduled
messages and recommends that to this end the radio logs of all
returned submarines be checked specifically to determine in-
stance of non-receipt.

STERN TUBES.

It is considered that the removal of all mine
gear and the installation of stern torpedo tubes would greatly
enhance the offensive value of the ARGONAUT, and it is urgently
recommended that it be accomplished during the modernization
period of this vessel.

NEGATIVE TANK.

The use of the auxiliary tank as indicated in
the report is noted, and as long as the main drain pump is
considered reliable there seems to be no objection to this
method of decreasing the diving interval. It is considered
however that the built-in negative tank ensures positive
results and for that reason if for no other should be installed.

U.S.S. ARGONAUT -3- ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 41 —
FB42/A16-3(1) SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY-TWO
Serial 05 U.S.S. NARWHAL, Flagship

                                                                Pearl Harbor, T.H.,
                                                                February 2, 1942.

CONFIDENTIAL

Subject:        U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) - Report of First War
                Patrol, Comment on.

— page 42 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
U.S.S. ARGONAUT, Flagship
Ff12-10(4)/A16-3 Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T. H. 18/Jn

SERIAL 040
30 JANUARY 1942

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
To : The Commander Submarines Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS166) War Patrol; Comments on.

1. The following comments on the war patrol of the
U.S.S. ARGONAUT are submitted.

2. BINOCULARS. It is noted that the ARGONAUT had the
same complaint that every boat returning from patrol has had. It
is again recommended that at least forty (40) pairs of 7x50 binoc-
ulars be requisitioned by despatch and have them shipped by air
mail to insure that submarines going on patrol have them. A water-
tight glass must be developed if the submarine is going to save it-
self from surprise attack and accomplish its mission. Tests are
being conducted by the Submarine Base.

3. RADIO MOTOR GENERATORS. Considerable trouble was
experienced with the radio motor generators for the transmitter.
The equipment is old and modern equipment is being installed dur-
ing the modernization period. In this connection, two motor
generators should be installed for the radio transmitter in case
one goes out of commission. Space is available and the additional
weight is negligible as the new unit weighs much less than the
old one.

4. SUPERSTRUCTURE. More attention must be paid to
the tightness of the superstructure and fittings therein before
going to sea. The POLLACK lost her superstructure and the ARGONAUT'S was
badly damaged. By order of Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet,
the Division Engineers have orders to make a rigid inspection of
the superstructure of each ship prior to going on patrol to see
that everything is secured down and that the rails, etc., do not
rattle. This is an important item and the Commanding Officer
should insure himself that this work is accomplished in suffic-
ient time before going to sea to have it repaired.

5. A-FRAMES. The "A" frames present a large sil-
houette and allow the vessel to be sighted from a great distance.
Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet has authorized the ARGONAUT
to remove them and requested the Bureau of Ships approval. They
serve no useful purpose.

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - 1 - ENCLOSURE (B)

— page 43 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
U.S.S. ARGONAUT, Flagship
FF12-10(4)/A10-3 Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H. 18/Jn

SERIAL 040

CONFIDENTIAL 30 JANUARY 1942

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS166) War Patrol; Comments on.

— page 45 —
SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR
U.S.S. ARGONAUT, Flagship
Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Ff12-10(4)/A16-3

— page 46 —
FF12-10/A16-3(5) SUBMARINES, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0102
[HANDWRITTEN: dn]
U. S. Submarine Base,
Pearl Harbor, T. H.
January 29, 1942.

[HANDWRITTEN: B]
[STAMP: RECEIVED S-C FILES]
Room 2055
[STAMP: FEB 14 1942]
[HANDWRITTEN: ROUTE TO:- 38]
[HANDWRITTEN: Op File No. (SC) A4-3/S5]
[HANDWRITTEN: Rec No.]
[HANDWRITTEN: Copy No. 2 of 5]
[HANDWRITTEN: PRN]

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.
To : Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) War Patrol - Report of.

Reference: (a) Subscofor Conf Ltr. No. 12-41.

Enclosure: (A) Copy of CO ARGONAUT Report of War Patrol,
SM1/A16-3 Ser. C188 of Jan. 22, 1942.

1. The ARGONAUT patrol was of 56 days duration, 47
days of which were submerged. The performance of personnel
and material was excellent during the longest patrol yet made
by a United States submarine.

2. The only enemy contacts reported are between
December 7 and December 14, the only two of note being on the
night of December 7. It is noted that the first contact (which
was by sight) is reported as small cruisers or good-sized des-
troyers and the second was reported as a sampan or small type
destroyer with four screws. From the statement that it was
decided to make a sound approach and the fact that no peri-
scope observations are reported, it is assumed that the ap-
proach was made at deep submerged in spite of the bright
moonlight mentioned. The use of sound and periscope, or peri-
scope alone, is indicated for conditions such as this and in
this case would probably have been more productive of results
or of information at least.

3. Supersonic transmissions of 24 kcs. and 17.25
kcs. are reported as being heard during this patrol.

4. Comments on the "Additional Remarks" submitted
follow with paragraph lettering the same as in the basic let-
ter.

(a) Night Attack: Foreign successes and our experience
in night training attacks indicate that they are one
of the most fruitful sources of successes and all sub-
marines should endeavor to develop night contacts to
the utmost, unless immediate danger to own vessel is
imminent. It appears that knowing ARGONAUT's slow
turning rate submerged, it would have been more prof-
itable in the attempted attack on December 7 to man-
euver the torpedoes to fire at the ship heard passing
down the port side of ARGONAUT.

-1-

— page 47 —
FF12-10/A16-3(5) SUBMARINES, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0102
                                                                dn
                                                U. S. Submarine Base,
                                                Pearl Harbor, T. H.,
                                                January 29, 1942.

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject:        U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) War Patrol - Report of.

— page 48 —
FF12-10/A16-3(5) SUBMARINES, PACIFIC FLEET dn
Serial 0102 U. S. Submarine Base,
Pearl Harbor, T. H.,
January 29, 1942.

CONFIDENTIAL
Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) War Patrol - Report of.

— page 49 —
[HANDWRITTEN: Opnav (S)]
[HANDWRITTEN: JIB]

FF12-10/A16-3(5) SUBMARINES, PACIFIC FLEET
Serial 0126 U. S. Submarine Base,
Pearl Harbor, T. H.,
February 3, 1942. [HANDWRITTEN: qqp]

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.
To : The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) War Patrol - Additional
Comments On.

Reference: (a) Comsubpac Conf ltr FF12-10/A16-3(5) Serial
0102 of Jan. 29, 1942.

Enclosure: (A) Comsubdiv 42 Conf ltr FB42/A16-3(1) Serial
05 of Feb. 2, 1942.
(B) Comsubron 4 Conf ltr FF12-10(4)/A16-3 Serial
040 of Jan. 30, 1942.

1. Enclosures (A) and (B) are forwarded herewith
to be appended to the basic war patrol report of the U.S.S.
ARGONAUT which was previously forwarded as enclosure (A) to
reference (a).

T. WITHERS.

DISTRIBUTION:
Pacific List 7CM-41:
List I, Case 2:
Pl(5); SSF
Atlantic List 11CM-41: SO(2).
Asiatic List: Comsubar (2).
Special:
EN3(5); EN10(1); EN28(5);
ND14(2); NY1(1); NY9(1);
NY10(2); Subschool New Lond.

[SIGNATURE: E.R. Swinburne]
E. R. SWINBURNE,
Flag Secretary.

100

(8). [STAMP: RECEIVED S-C FILES]
[STAMP: Room 2055]
[STAMP: FEB 26 1942]
[HANDWRITTEN: ROUTE TO:- 3]
[STAMP: Op File No. (SC) [HANDWRITTEN: A4-3/S5]]
[STAMP: Doc. No. [HANDWRITTEN: 1 of 3]]
[STAMP: Copy No. [HANDWRITTEN: 3104]]
[STAMP: PRN ]
[STAMP: Office of the Chief of Naval Operations]
[STAMP: FLEET MAINTENANCE]
[STAMP: FEB 26 1942]
[STAMP: RECEIVED]
[STAMP: NAVY DEPARTMENT]

— page 50 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 17-18 Aug 42]
[HANDWRITTEN: 8328]
[HANDWRITTEN: 29 Sep 42]
[HANDWRITTEN: 173]

FF12-10/A16-3(5)
Serial 01000
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
SUBMARINES, PACIFIC FLEET

Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
September 2, 1942.

CONSUBPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 60
U.S.S. ARGONAUT and U.S.S.
NAUTILUS - WAR PATROLS.

From: The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.
To : Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM1) and U.S.S. NAUTILUS(SS168).
Report of Second War Patrol.

Enclosure: (A) Copy of U.S.S. ARGONAUT report of second
war patrol.
(B) Copy of Consubdiv 42 Conf. ltr. F35-42/A4-
042 of August 31, 1942.
(C) Copy of Consubron 4 Conf. ltr. F05-4/A16-3
serial 0257 of August 31, 1942.
(D) Copy of U.S.S. NAUTILUS report of second
war patrol.
(E) Consubdiv 42 Conf. ltr. F35-42/A4-3 serial
041 of August 31, 1942.
(F) Copy of Consubron 4 Conf. ltr. F05-4/A16-3
serial 0259 of August 31, 1942.

1. This special mission of the NAUTILUS and
ARGONAUT covered a period of three weeks. Both vessels were
somewhat rushed to make the necessary alterations incident to
carrying a large number of passengers. In spite of this and
with limited time for drill, the mission was carried out as
planned. It is regretted that the ARGONAUT did not open fire
with her six inch guns.

2. Experience has shown that the regular submarine
boats will not stand up under conditions usually encountered
on a long war patrol. During short missions of this type, they
are of great value and should be carried.

- 1 -

— page 51 —
FF12-10/A16-3(5)
Serial 01000
CONFIDENTIAL
COMSUBPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 60

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SM-1) and U.S.S. NAUTILUS (SS168) -
         Report of Second War Patrol.

3. At the time this expedition started, bombardment
type ammunition was not available in Pearl Harbor. It is now
available and is being issued to all submarines with 6" guns.

4. The type commander desires to congratulate to the
commanding officers on a task well done.

5. The NAUTILUS is credited with the following damage
to the enemy:

         SUNK

         1 Transport - 3,500 tons.
         1 Patrol Yacht - 1,500 tons.

         DAMAGE

         Considerable damage to enemy reserve area on
         UKILONG POINT.

DISTRIBUTION
(21CM-42)
List I, Case 2:
P1(5); SSs.
Special:
EMB(5); Consultant(2);
ComsubPac(2); Cominch(5).

[SIGNATURE: J.R. Swinburne]
J.R. SWINBURNE,
Flag Secretary.

UNITED STATES PACIFIC FLEET
SUBMARINE, PACIFIC FLEET Gt
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California.
September 2, 1942.

R. H. ENGLISH

-2-

— page 52 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.
1. Narrative.

(a) August 8, 1942.

0900 VW Underway in company with ARGONAUT and PC 476.
1500 VW ARGONAUT and NAUTILUS dived for trim and tightness.
2015 W ARGONAUT left formation.
2100 W PC 476 was released as escort.

(b) August 9, 1942.

0821 W Made dive for trim and training.
0837 W Exercised crew at stations for battle surface and fired
five rounds from each gun.
0840 W Exercised marines on deck for twenty minutes.
1017 W Fired machine gun for training.
1601 X Made dive for trim and training.
2000 X Exercised marines on deck.

(c) August 10, 1942.

0905 X Exercised marines on deck.
0948 X Made dive for trim and training.
0955 X Held battle surface drill. Increased speed to 335 R.P.M.
in order to arrive in assigned area on time.
2000 X Exercised marines on deck.

(d) August 11, 1942.

0830 X Held battle surface drill.
0900 X Exercised marines on deck. Did not dive due to urgency of
making as much distance towards area as possible. Today at 1200 X
we still had 1019 miles to go and task group commander considers
it essential we dive the last two days enroute.
1930 Y Exercised marines on deck.

(e) August 12, 1942.

No dives made. Exercised marines on deck in the
morning and at dark. Held night battle surface drill.

(f) August 14, 1942.

0929 M Dived and surfaced at 1650 M.

- 1 -
ENCLOSURE (D)

— page 53 —
Okay, I will transcribe the text from the image.

CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 54 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 55 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August 9, 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 56 —
CONF
U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of Second War Patrol.
Period from August 3, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 58 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 59 —
U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of Second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42

— page 60 —
## U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of Second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 61 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42.

— page 62 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42

— page 63 —
CONFIDENTIAL

U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of second War Patrol.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August , 1942.
Area Makin Island. Operation Order No. 71-42

— page 65 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY TWO

FB5-42/A4-3
Serial ( 041 )

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Division FORTY-TWO.
To : The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. NAUTILUS - Report of Second War Patrol.

1. As in the case of the ARGONAUT this was a
special mission rather than a war patrol and remarks concerning
the activities of this vessel during the period of the operation
are covered in the report made by Commander Task Group 7.15.

2. The recommendations made in the subject report
are concurred in.

3. Under paragraph 16 - Factor Which Caused Ending
of Patrol - a more correct statement would be that the
successful accomplishment of the mission terminated the patrol.

4. The condition of personnel at the end of the
expedition was hard to estimate but in general it may be said
that although habitability conditions were bad and fatigue was
more evident than on previous occasions, the review was not
so deep-seated and personnel can be expected to recuperate
more readily in this instance.

ENCLOSURE (E)
Care of Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
August 31, 1942.

— page 66 —
FC5-4/A16-3
Serial (0259)
CONFIDENTIAL

From:
To :
Subject:

1.
ried out successfully. The sinking of two ships and bombard-
ment of the island clearly demonstrated the power of these six
inch guns and their value in a submarine of this type.

2.
return from patrol was very good.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR

August 31, 1942.

The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.
U.S.S. NAUTILUS Second War Patrol, comments on.

The second war patrol of the NAUTILUS was car-

The material condition of the NAUTILUS upon

ENCLOSURE (F)

— page 67 —
SH1/A16-3 U.S.S. ARGONAUT
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - REPORT OF SECOND WAR PATROL.
Period from August 8, 1942 to August 26, 1942.
AREA: Makin Island OPERATION ORDER NO. 71-42.

1. NATTATIVE:
August 8, 1942.
0930 (VW) Underway enroute Pearl Harbor to Makin Island in
company with U.S.S. NAUTILUS. Task Force Seven Operat-
ion Order 71-42 of August 5, 1942.

1500 (VW) Made test dive to 250 feet.

1720 (VW) Latitude 20°-49'N. Longitude 158°-53'W.
Sighted PBY bearing 300° distance about 7 miles.
Did not dive.

2015 (VW) Parted company with NAUTILUS and escort.

August 9, Passage from Pearl to Rendezvous (Point "W").
0000(VW) to Passage uneventful. Made training dives and exercis-
August 16, ed marines at disembarkation stations.
0000 (H)

August 16, Picked up NAUTILUS by sound, bearing 005°, radar
2110 (H) range 3250 yards. Closed NAUTILUS and picked up
barrels containing latest changes in operation
order and information on Makin Island.

August 17, Made preparations for disembarking marines.
0100(H)

0320(H) Arrived Point "W". Ordered boats in water.

0340(H) Marine Landing boats left the ship for NAUTILUS.

0730(H) NAUTILUS opened fire on southern end of Island.

0902(H) Plane contact by Radar at four miles closing to
three miles. Dove to 150 ft. In retrospect I
believe that this was a false plane contact and
was an echo received from the northeastern corner
of the Island.

1012(H) Surfaced.

August 17, Received order from NAUTILUS to open fire on ship,
1020(H) range 8000 yards, bearing 350° Mag. from government
wharf. At this time ARGONAUT was approximately
8000 yards from the wharf, making the range 16,000
yards. Target was not visible and while maneuver-
ing to obtain a firing bearing on boat using the trees-

- 1 -
ENCLOSURE (A)

— page 73 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION FORTY TWO

FB5-42/A4-3
Care of Fleet Post Office,
Serial ( 042 )
San Francisco, California,
August 31, 1942.

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Division FORTY-TWO.
To : The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT - Report of Second War Patrol.

1. This was not strictly speaking a war patrol, but
a special mission the successful accomplishment of which
presented much valuable experience.

2. Remarks concerning the activities of this vessel
during this period are set forth in Commander Task Group 7.15
report of the operation.

3. The development of fuel leaks into the battery
well presents a most disturbing picture, as similar experience
was had on the NAUTILUS subsequent to her modernization, and
should effort was made to prevent a recurrence in the case of
the ARGONAUT. Apparently the yard and the ship were both at
fault, the yard in conducting tests, and the ships force in
accepting the tests as satisfactory.

4. Comments and recommendations concerning material
are concurred in.

ENCLOSURE (B)

— page 74 —
FC5-4/A16-3
Serial (0257)

CONFIDENTIAL

From: The Commander Submarine Squadron FOUR.
To : The Commander Submarines, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT War Patrol - Comments on.

1. The material condition of the ARGONAUT is not
what should be expected after a complete modernization at the
Navy Yard, Mare Island. This vessel submitted fifty-eight
(58) work items upon return from patrol, the major one being
a leak from one of four fuel oil tanks into the forward battery
tank. This will necessitate the removal of the forward battery
and the lead lining in the battery well. The leak may have
been caused by a cell being dropped during the installation of
the battery during modernization. It is estimated that between
6 and 7 weeks will be required to repair the leaks.

2. The ARGONAUT accomplished her mission success-
fully on this patrol.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON FOUR

August 31, 1942.

ENCLOSURE (C)

— page 75 —
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]
IN REPLY
REFER TO:
[REDACTED]
[REDACTED]

U. S. S. ARGONAUT
% Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California [HANDWRITTEN: Declassified per INST 5500.20
[SIGNATURE: illegible] 7/19/61]
[HANDWRITTEN: (1)]

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - Report of passage Pearl to Espiritu Santos,
New Hebrides. Period from November 24, 1942
to December 9, 1942.

Prologue:

Arrived Pearl Harbor on August 26, 1942 from special
mission to Makin Island. Commenced preparation for relief mission
to Ocean Island, which mission was cancelled on September 3, 1942.
Commenced refit on September 3, 1942 by Submarine Base, major item
being fuel oil leaks from the forward inside fuel group. On Sept-
ember 9, 1942 received orders for conversion to submarine troop
transport. Entered Navy Yard, Pearl Harbor for conversion which
was completed on November 13. Five 20 MM guns installed during
conversion. Ship was depermed, degaussing calibrated and sound
test conducted. Training period of five days. Readiness for sea
on November 24, 1942.

1. Narrative.

November 24, 1942.
0905 (VW) Underway from Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H.
Met escort, U.S.S. ALLEN, at entrance buoys.
1112 (VW) Made trim dive.
1930 (VW) Parted company with escort and set course for Mille
Atoll.

November 24 - December 2, 1942.
Enroute Mille Atoll. Made daily training dives, exercised
crew at battle stations, surfaced and submerged, fire control
problems, fired 20 MM guns. On November 25 at 1323 (X) sigh-
ted PBY plane bearing 120° distance 8 miles. On November 26
at 0952 (X) sighted PBY plane bearing 330° distance 7 miles.
On December 1st 1029 (M) radar made a contact at 15 miles
closing to 13 miles on what appeared to be many planes. Dove
but could see nothing so at 1058 (M) surfaced.

December 2, 1942.
0932 (M) With northeast island of Mille Atoll distance about
8 miles dove and closed atoll. Patrolled north of
Reiher Pass. Frequent rain squalls rendered visibil-
ity very poor at times.
1859 (M) Surfaced north of Reiher Pass. Nothing sighted during day.
No planes, no patrol boats, no signs of life
on northern islands of Mille Atoll. After surfacing
rounded northwest corner of atoll and cruised down
west coast of Atoll. No lights visible. At 2330 (M)
with Mille Island bearing 080° (T) set course to cross

[HANDWRITTEN: Declassified per E.O. 11652, Sec. 3(E) and 5(D)
N.L.R. 77-164
[UNCLEAR: By] [SIGNATURE: illegible] NARS Date 8/16/77]

-1-

— page 76 —
IN REPLY
REFER TO:

U. S. S. ARGONAUT
c/o Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

U. S. S. ARGONAUT - Report of passage Pearl to Espiritu Santos
period from November 24, 1942
to December 9, 1942.

— page 77 —
IN REPLY
U. S. S. ARGONAUT
c/o Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - Report of passage Pearl to Espiritu Santos
New Hebrides. Period from November 24, 1942
to December 9, 1942.

— page 78 —
IN REPLY
REFER TO:

U. S. S. ARGONAUT
c/o Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - Report of passage from Pearl to Espiritu Santos
New Hebrides. Period from November 24, 1942
to December 9, 1942.

— page 79 —
[HANDWRITTEN: 241]

IN REPLY
REFER TO:

U. S. S. ARGONAUT
% Fleet Postoffice
San Francisco, California

[STAMP: RECEIVED 8 JAN 1943 Com Task for 42] [HANDWRITTEN: 041]
[HANDWRITTEN: ㅍ]

U.S.S. ARGONAUT - Report of passage Pearl to Espiritu Santos
New Hebrides. Period from November 24, 1942
to December 9, 1942.

— page 80 —
UNITED STATES
SUBMARINE LOSSES

WORLD WAR II

Reissued with an Appendix of
Axis Submarine Losses, fully indexed,

by

Naval History Division
Office of the Chief of Naval Operations
Washington: 1963

— page 81 —
ARGONAUT (SS 166)

While operating in the area southeast of New Britain
between 5°-15'S and 6°-00'S and west of 150°-50'E
during her third patrol, ARGONAUT (Lt. Cdr.
J. R. Pierce) intercepted a Japanese convoy returning
to Rabaul from Lae, on 10 January 1943. A U.S. Army
plane which was out of bombs saw one destroyer hit by
a torpedo, saw the explosion of two other destroyers,
and reported five other vessels in the group.

After a severe depth charge attack ARGONAUT was
forced to surface and the destroyers, according to the
plane's report, circled and pumped shells into her bow,
which was sticking up at a considerable angle. This
action took place in 5°-40'S, 152°-02'E, and further
efforts to contact ARGONAUT by radio were fruitless.
It is quite certain, then, that ARGONAUT met her end
in this action. Japanese reports made available since
the end of the war record a depth charge attack followed
by artillery fire, at which time the "destroyed top of
the submarine floated".

ARGONAUT's first patrol near Midway had resulted
in no damage to enemy ships, but her second was a
most successful one. It was conducted following a
complete modernization at Mare Island. Her mission
had been to cooperate with NAUTILUS in transporting
252 Marine officers and men to Makin Island for a
diversionary raid against enemy shore installations.
In the early morning of 17 August 1942, the raiders
were debarked in boats. After nearly two days ashore,
the Marines returned, and the submarines transported
them back to Pearl Harbor, ARGONAUT arriving on 26
August.

On the basis of the report given by the Army flier
who witnessed the attack in which ARGONAUT perished,
this ship was credited with having damaged one Japa-
nese destroyer on her last patrol.

J. R. Pierce

31

— page 82 —
U. S. S. ARGONAUT (SS 166)

Name                                Rate          Name                                Rate
ALEXANDER, Charles H     Y1          LELAND, Lawrence D     CRM
ALEXANDER, Robert D     QM3         LEWIS, Frederick H     EM3
ALLEN, Robbins W         LT          LOGAN, Harold L        CMOM2
BAKER, Charles H         CMOM2       LOKEY, George A        EM2
BALL, Robert N           S1          LOS BANES, Zody L      MA2
BEECHAM, Thomas W      CEM         MALONEY, Richard M., Jr TM1
BERGADO, Marcelino T     MA1         MARTIN, Paulino P      MA2
BODAK, John B            MoMM2       MCCLELLAND, Elmo       F2
BOWERS, Frank H          F2          MILLER, Robert H       EM2
BOWKER, Gordon A         MoMM2       MILLER, Walter F       S1
BOYT, Robert H           CMOM2       MILTNER, Blaine G      LTJG
BROOKS, Malcolm M        TM1         MORGAN, Thomas M       FCM3
BROWN, Victor M          MoMM2       MYERS, William H., Jr  S1
CAMPBELL, Crawford K     MoMM2       NARROW, Thomas A., Jr  S1
CARLISLE, Stanley H      MoMM2       NICHOLS, Roland F      EM3
CARTMELL, Walter A       CMOM2       OLDS, Percy J          OS2
CERRINACK, Charles J     QM3         PARKER, Billie B       S1
CORBIN, Ivan B           RM2         PARKER, Theodore       MoMM2
COX, Alfred              F2          PARSONS, Rolla, Jr     RM2
DAVIDSON, Rodney C       GM1         PEEVEY, James W        EM3
DAVIS, Warren W          S2          PIERCE, John R         LCDR-CO
DE GUZMAN, Jose          OS1         PRITCHARD, Wayne L     F1
DISCHNER, Donald H       MoMM2       RAMOS, Mariano Jr      OS1
EVERETT, J. L., Jr       F1          RASIMAS, Algord J      CEM
FACCHINI, Dario F        MoMM2       REMILLARD, Paul B      SM2
FERENTZ, John            RM2         ROBERTSON, Robert N    LT-XO
FERGUSON, Charles V      GM1         ROLLAND, Harold L      CGM
FINLEY, George W         F2          ROLLINS, Gerald M      S1
FITZGERALD, William D    GM1         ROMERO, Lupe           CCStd
GASKO, John              EM2         ROUP, Marion F         MoMM1
GILLILAND, John A., Jr   MoMM2       RULE, James            MoMM2
GOSHORN, Roy L           GM1         SCHEMPP, Fred E        TM3
HALL, Virgil E           S1          SEIDMAN, Walter F      RM3
HANSEN, Edward J         EM2         SERAFINI, Hugo J       MoMM2
HARBISON, Robert N       TM1         SHEEKS, David C        Y2
HARRISON, Ernest H       S2          SIGLER, Elwin W        MoMM1
HARTMAN, Dennis R        MoMM2       SIMONEAU, Forrest W    LT
HOGG, Francis M          MoMM2       SMITH, Thomas L        CBM
HUDSON, Billy J          F2          SPAETH, John R         MoMM2
HUNTER, Ray              GM2         STANLEY, Jason         GM2
JENKINS, George S        QM2         THOMAS, Willie D       SC2
KAPLAN, Gerald           S2          TINGLING, Henry J      S1
KAYLOR, Frederick G      PhM1        VESMAS, Julius         GM1
KELLEY, James A          MoMM2       VIERLING, William E    MoMM1
KESSINGER, Harold        S2          WAGNER, Earle J        MoMM2
KNAPP, Arthur L          GM1         WEHNER, William G      F1
KOCIS, G. N              EM2         WHITE, Clifford C., Jr TM2
KOLLER, Frank M          TM3         WHITE, Thomas A        S1
LAUDER, Guy E            MoMM2       WIDENER, Hubert R      CY
LAY, George E            EM1         WILLIAMS, Roy W        TM3
LEAVERTON, Charles C     RM3         WINSOR, William D      GM1
LEGLER, Kenneth R        RM3         WYLIE, Robert D        F1
                                     ZINTZ, Edward L        SC3

32

— page 83 —
Office of Naval Records and History
Ships' Histories Section
Navy Department

HISTORY OF USS ARGONAUT (SS 475)

A) Pre-Commissioning and Commissioning Data

(1) Keel laid 28 June, 1944, at Portsmouth Navy Yard, Portsmouth
    New Hampshire.
(2) Ship was launched 1 October 1944.
(3) Sponsor was Mrs. A. R. McCann wife of Rear Admiral (then
    Captain) Allan R. McCann.
(4) Commissioned 15 January 1945, at Portsmouth Navy Yard,
    Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
(5) Commanding Officer on commissioning was Lieutenant Commander
    John Sneed Schmidt, USN, (78634).

B) Pre-War Period

(1) ARGONAUT was accepted as completed at Portsmouth, New Hamp-
    shire, on 15 February 1945. Underway training and builders
    trials conducted in Portsmouth training area from 19 February
    1945, to 10 March 1945. Contract torpedo trials and special
    tests for U. S. Army Coastal Defense Forces were conducted
    11 March to 14 March at Newport, Rhode Island. The period
    from 14 March to 27 March was spent conducting underway train-
    ing and approach work in the New London, Connecticut area.
    The ship returned to Portsmouth, New Hampshire 27 March for
    correction of material defects. These were completed and the
    ship returned to New London 9 April for loading. Departed
    New London 14 April and proceeded to Key West, Florida. Ar-
    rived Key West 19 April and conducted special tests for
    lighter than Air Craft and training operations with Fleet
    Sound School. Departed Key West 13 May 1945, and arrived
    Balboa, Canal Zone 17 May 1945. Conducted underway training
    in Perlas Islands Area until 25 May. Reported to Commander-
    in-Chief, Pacific Fleet for duty and departed from Balboa,
    Canal Zone on 26 May, 1945. Arrived in Pearl Harbor, on 11
    June and commenced voyage repairs. Conducted training exer-
    cises in Pearl Harbor Area from 16 June to 24 June 1945.

C) War Narrative

(1) The ARGONAUT, with Lieutenant Commander J. S. Schmidt in Com-
    mand, departed from Pearl Harbor for her First War Patrol on
    28 June 1945. The ship fueled at Saipan and proceeded on
    toward her patrol area. A Marine Corps fighter pilot was res-
    cued off the southern tip of Kyushu while enroute to the
    area. The fighter pilot had been in the water about five
    hours and was picked up from his small rubber boat. The
    patrol was conducted in the Formosa Strait area for the first
    two weeks and in the Yellow and East China Seas for the re-
    mainder of the patrol. The patrol was of 53 day duration.

— page 84 —
- 2 - USS ARGONAUT (SS 475)

A cargo carrying junk (25 tons) was sunk by gunfire in the
Yellow Sea. An enemy radio direction finder station was bom-
barded off the coast of Korea. The ship returned to Guam
on 21 August 1945, and was assigned to Submarine Division
342 for administration. The ARGONAUT departed from Guam on
1 September and proceeded to Tompkinsville, New York via
Pearl Harbor and the Panama Canal arriving at Tompkinsville
on 4 October.

(D) Summary of Patrol Results

No. of Patrol No. and type of Total tonnage Total
ships sunk of ships sunk Damaged Av. Rescued.

1 1 cargo junk 25 None 1

* * * * *

By Directive dated March 1946, USS ARGONAUT (SS 475) has remained
on active duty, attached to the U. S. Atlantic Fleet.

* * * * *

USS ARGONAUT earned one Battle Star on the Asiatic-Pacific Area
Service Medal for participation in the THIRD Fleet operations against
Japan on 10 July to 15 August 1945

* * * * *

STATISTICS

OVERALL LENGTH 312 feet
BEAM 27 feet
SPEED 20 knots
DISPLACEMENT 1,473 tons

* * * * *

Stencilled May 1946
Restencilled July 1951

— page 85 —
[HANDWRITTEN: AND Copy]

SS475/A16-3
U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)
Serial ( 019 )

c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, Calif.,
21 August, 1945.

[STAMP: CONFIDENTIAL (struck through)]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

From: The Commanding Officer.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.

Via : The Commander Submarine Division THREE FORTY TWO
The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY FOUR.
The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475), Report of War Patrol
number ONE.

Enclosure: (A) Subject report.
(B) Track Chart (ComSubPac only).

1. Enclosure (A), covering the First war patrol of
this vessel conducted in the EAST CHINA and YELLOW SEAS during
the period 28 June, 1945, to 21 August, 1945., is forwarded
herewith.

[SIGNATURE: J.S. Schmidt]
J.S. SCHMIDT

[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED ART. 0145, OPNAVINST 5510.1C]
[STAMP: BY OP-09B9C DATE 5/23/72]
[STAMP: DECLASSIFIED]

[HANDWRITTEN: 141967]

— page 86 —
CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. ARGONAUT Report
Number ONE

(A) PROLOGUE

15 January, 1945
    Ship placed in commission at U.S. Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H.

15 February, 1945
    Ship delivered by Navy Yard and accepted as completed.

19 February, 1945
to
10 March, 1945
    Commenced underway training and builders trial in cold
    and heavy weather of Portsmouth area.

11 March, 1945
to
14 March, 1945
    Contract torpedo trials at Newport, R.I. and special tests
    for U.S. Army Coastal Defense Forces. Fired 30 Mk-14 and
    2 Mk-18 torpedoes.

14 March, 1945
to
27 March, 1945.
    Conducted underway training and approach work under the
    excellent tutelage of Commander A.H. Tayler, USN., our
    training officer. Fired 4 Mk-14 torpedoes.

27 March, 1945
to
8 April, 1945
    Returned to Navy Yard, Portsmouth, N.H., for correction of
    following defects: leaky hard patches; leaky and slow op-
    eration of periscopes; excessive vibration in sound shafts.
    All items satisfactorily corrected except leaky periscopes.

9 April, 1945
to
14 April, 1945
    Loading and readiness for sea period at New London, Conn.

ENCLOSURE (A)
-1-

— page 94 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

15 July, 1945

0003(K) SJ Radar interference bearing 270°(T) bearing doubtful.
0025(K) SJ Radar interference all around the dial.
0045(K) Exchanged recognition signals and calls on SJ Radar with
        U.S.S. SPOT (SS413), bearing 125°(T) but with no radar
        contact on screen.

0454(K) Made trim dive, stayed down to check Bow Bouyancy Blow leak
        again. Still leaks.
0625(K) Surfaced.
0948(K) SD Radar contact 18 miles, closed to 14 miles, then lost
        it. No IFF.
1200(K) POSIT: 29-26.5 N 136-41.5 E.
1200(K) Sighted twin engine bomber bearing 015°(T),
        range 6 miles, closing fast.
1325(K) Surfaced.
2110(K) Bendix Log out of commission for remainder of patrol.
        (see section (K)).
2350(K) SD Radar contact on plane at six miles, opening. Range
        closed to 9 miles then lost to 4 miles, so at
2355(K) Dived.

16 July, 1945

0032(K) All clear on SD and SJ so surfaced.
0509(K) Made trim dive.
0634(K) Surfaced.
1000(K) Set clocks back one hour to zone (-9) time.

NOTE: hereafter all times are ITM (I) unless otherwise specified.

1030    Sighted small orange colored wooden row boat distance 2,000
        yards dead ahead. Passed close aboard for inspection. No
        occupants, no equipment. Noted two large sharks swimming
        close by. Did not attempt to sink it. Since it is all
        wood believe it would not sink even if holed and would
        therefore be harder for someone else to spot.
1139    Commenced getting SD Radar contacts and sight contacts on
        numerous planes out to 45 miles. We are crossing track of
        planes between OKINAWA and the Jap Main Islands. Most SD
        contacts showed IFF. Also began intercepting VHF tran-
        smission from group of planes indicating one of their number
        was in trouble and was going to make a water landing. No
        further information.

ENCLOSURE (A)

- 8 -

— page 97 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

16 July, 1945 (Cont.)

2145 Rubber boat from QUILLBACK came alongside and took our
     survivor. Exchanged pleasantries with QUILLBACK.
     Learned that we were considered poachers on their territory.
     Extended our apologies.
2150 Set course for patrol area.
2244 SD Radar contact 8 miles. Closed to 5 miles.
2245 Dived.
2307 Surfaced.

17 July, 1945

0020 SD contact 10 miles, did not close.
0110 APR contact 80 mgcs. No IFF. Closing.
0128 SD Radar contact on plane at 25,000 yards, bearing 280°(T).
0130 SJ Radar contact opened to 13 miles.
0137 Lost SD contact.
0139 SD contact closed to 8 miles, closing. No IFF.
0147 SD contact closed to 4 miles. Dived.
0200 Surfaced. Went below and rechecked instructions for plane
     identification in this area. Believe we were in error and
     could have avoided this dive if we had used VHF. Will do
     so next time.
0230 Received CINCPOA zone notice 44 which cut our patrol area
     down to a mere nothing.
0410 Submerged. Decided to remain submerged today to avoid
     detection and look over the situation. Also to give my
     planesmen some much needed practice before we get to our
     patrol area.
     Seas are condition 3-4 from astern so this should be
     good practice.
1200 POSIT: 31-00 N 129-01 E.
1930 Surfaced. Seas condition 4, heavy overcast. Ceiling
     1,000 feet, numerous rain squalls.
1953 SJ Radar contact 061°(T), range 72,000 yards. (UJI GUNTO).
2010 Intercepted radio call on VHF for any or all submarines
     from any or all air craft. Had no indications of plane
     on radar or in sight, so did not answer up.
2015 Plane called again and said he was coming down to 1,000
     feet and asked if submarine could see him. Opened up on
     VHF and told plane that we heard him but doubted if we
     were the submarine he had in sight. Plane identified him-
     self as the night search plane for this area. (163V221).

ENCLOSURE (A)
- 11 -

— page 99 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

18 July, 1945 (Cont.)

1031 SD Radar contact 20 miles. Closed to 17 miles then opened
     and lost at 22 miles.
1159 Lookout sighted yellow floating object in water bearing
     345°(T) distance about four miles. Changed course to
     close and investigate.
1200 POSIT: Lat. 31-52 N Long. 126-31 E
1212 Object appears to be a life raft.
1215 Object identified as half submerged life raft (large
     type).
1230 Came alongside life raft for good look. Tried to get
     it aboard but it was much too heavy to handle, being
     half full of water. Punctured air filled part to make
     it sink and abandoned it.
1430 Sighted two patrol planes on closing course bearing
     345°(T), distance about 15 miles. Opened up on VHF for
     identification. Plane answering was 150 V 225. Asked
     him if he had information on survivors that we had
     received report on. His first answer was negative,
     that he had just come from that vicinity and had nothing
     for us. Shortly thereafter he came back with the infor-
     mation that he had picked up seven survivors in the same
     vicinity this morning. Also said that there were still
     five unaccounted for and asked if we could take time out
     to go over for a look. I then asked the plane what he
     thought our chances were of finding any of the survivors,
     and explained that we were enroute to another area,
     running on a tight schedule. The plane said he had
     searched the area pretty thoroughly and that other planes
     were searching it now. I decided that the planes could
     do a better job than we could in this flat sea and so
     told the plane we would not be able to help. He thanked
     us and proceeded on. (Planes were PB4Y2 Privateers)
1545 Sighted two patrol planes on horizon bearing 255°(T), dist-
     ance about 14 miles. Established identity with leader
     (104 V 223) on VHF. We were told the second plane's
     VHF receiver was out and that he would probably be over
     to investigate us, not knowing who we were. At this same
     time the second plane headed for us and told the leading
     plane he had a small contact which he would investigate.

ENCLOSURE (A)

- 13 -

— page 101 —
The following is a list of common terms related to the internet and technology, along with their definitions:

**Internet Terms:**

1.  **Internet:** A global network of interconnected computer networks that uses the Internet protocol suite (TCP/IP) to link devices worldwide. It's a "network of networks" that allows for the exchange of data and information.
2.  **World Wide Web (WWW or "the Web"):** An information system on the Internet that allows documents and other web resources to be accessed via hyperlinks and URLs. It's what most people think of when they say "the internet," but it's actually just one application that runs on the internet.
3.  **Website:** A collection of related web pages, images, videos, and other digital assets that are hosted on a web server and accessible via a web browser. Each website has a unique domain name.
4.  **Web Page:** A single document or resource on the World Wide Web, typically written in HTML, that can contain text, images, videos, and links to other web pages.
5.  **Web Browser:** A software application used to access and display web pages on the World Wide Web. Examples include Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge.
6.  **URL (Uniform Resource Locator):** The address of a specific resource (like a web page, image, or file) on the Internet. It specifies the location of a resource and the mechanism for retrieving it (e.g., `https://www.example.com/page.html`).
7.  **

— page 106 —
## The Argonaut's Silent Voyage: A Glimpse into a WWII Submarine's Log

This document is a fascinating excerpt from the patrol report of the USS Argonaut (SS-475), a Balao-class submarine, during World War II. Specifically, it details events on **July 26, 1945**, offering a rare glimpse into the daily operations, challenges, and observations of a submarine crew in enemy waters.

**Key Events and Observations:**

*   **2025:** The Argonaut is preparing to surface. The SJ radar detects three contacts at various bearings and ranges (271°(T) at 4,000 yards, 293°(T) at 2,250 yards, and 072°(T) at 1,950 yards). Simultaneously, the JP sound gear reports "light fast screws" on two of these bearings. The TDC (Torpedo Data Computer) tracks one target at 060°(T) with a speed of six knots. Visibility is poor due to surface haze, and nothing can be seen through the periscope.
*   **2031:** The submarine dives to 100 feet and continues tracking the target.
*   **2044:** The JP sound contacts fade out.
*   **2048:** Back at radar depth, the SJ radar and sound gear both report four contacts that have "completely surrounded" the Argonaut. These contacts are at ranges from 3

— page 111 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

2 August, 1945

0522 Submerged for trim dive.
0601 Surfaced. Wind and seas are making up from north. Be-
     lieve we are on outer rim of northern semi-circle of
     typhoon.
0800 Wind has shifted to northeast indicating that typhoon,
     with center to east of us, is working our way.

1200 POSIT: Lat. 30-05 N Long. 125-38 E.

1300 Barometer fell .05 during last hour after remaining
     steady all morning. Wind has increased to force 5;
     sea condition 6.
1312 Sighted small log raft close aboard to port.
1455 Slowed to 1 engine speed to let storm center pass ahead
     and to eastward, we hope.
1700 Wind has increased to force 9. Intermittant heavy rain
     squalls, with sea condition 7. Ship is riding very
     nicely and shipping little or no water.
2000 Wind force 12. Sea condition 7.
2300 Wind direction has remained steady from 030°(T) all day,
     increasing in violence, and barometer has now dropped ½
     inch since noon, indicating that we are maintaining a
     position directly in the path of the storm center. Also
     believe storm center is near and to the southeast of us.
     Changed course to southwest in order to put wind on starboard
     quarter in order to clear storm center, keeping in the
     navigable semi-circle.
2312 Barometer dropped another one-tenth of an inch during last
     hour. However, wind has changed 60° to left and has de-
     creased to force 7, indicating storm center has passed to
     eastward. Seas are now condition 6.

3 August, 1945

0745 We are now well clear of typhoon center. Barometer
     has increased by leaps and bounds and is now up ½ inch
     since midnight. Wind force 5, seas condition 5. Overcast
     clearing. Came back to northeasterly course and went to
     two engine speed.

1200 POSIT: Lat. 30-56 N Long. 126-26 E.

ENCLOSURE (A)

- 25 -

— page 121 —
CONFIDENTIAL                               U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

10 August, 1945 (Cont.)

                                     life boat, half filled with water. No identification
                                     markings. No occupants.
1458       Commenced holding target practice with 40 MM and 20 MM
           guns.
1518       Secured from Battle Stations. Target a total wreck but
           still floating.
1527       Sighted object on horizon bearing 140°(T).
1536       Object identified as an aircraft belly tank.
1921       Lookout and OOD reported sighting periscope on port
           beam, distant about 2,000 yards. Avoided on surface.
1940       Sighted mine on starboard bow distant 2,000 yards (Mine
           contact #16). Did not take time out to destroy in view
           of recent periscope sighting.
0235       SJ Radar interference on SJ Radar. Possibly TENCH.
2103       SJ Radar contact bearing 110°(T), range 2,700 yards.
           Took avoiding action.
2110       Lost contact at 4,700 yards.
2130       SJ Radar interference at 240°(T), stronger this time,
           and appeared to be sweeping across us.
2220       SJ Radar interference on 235°(T).
2223       Established communication with TENCH. Exchanged re-
           cognition signals and calls. Sent TENCH position and
           time of our periscope sighting. TENCH replied "It was
           not TENCH".
2245       Visibility closed in to 1,000 yards.
2332       Commenced patrolling across eastern end of line between
           SHANTUNG PROMONTORY and DAISEI GUNTO.
2342       SJ Radar contact on DAISEI TO bearing 065°(T), range 65,000
           yards.

11 August, 1945

0100       SJ Radar contact on SHOSEI TO bearing 040°(T), range
           45,000 yards.
0253       SJ Radar contact bearing 330°(T), range 3,600 yards.
           Maneuvered to avoid.
0257       Lost contact.
0307       SJ Radar contact bearing 227°(T), range 2,000 yards.
           Believe these contacts are birds.
0330       Picked up news broadcast indicating rumors that JAPAN
           had just announced willingness to accept unconditional
           surrender terms of Potsdam Ultimatum.
0450       Submerged. Visibility greatly improved today. Commenced
           patrol to southeast.

ENCLOSURE (A)
                                     - 35 -

— page 124 —
## The Importance of a Balanced Diet for Overall Health

A balanced diet is crucial for maintaining overall health and well-being. It provides the body with the essential nutrients it needs to function optimally, support growth and development, prevent chronic diseases, and maintain a healthy weight. This essay will explore the key components of a balanced diet, its benefits, and practical strategies for incorporating it into daily life.

**Key Components of a Balanced Diet:**

A balanced diet typically includes a variety of foods from different food groups, ensuring a comprehensive intake of macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats) and micronutrients (vitamins, minerals).

1.  **Fruits and Vegetables:** These are rich in vitamins, minerals, fiber, and antioxidants. They help protect the body against various diseases, support a healthy immune system, and contribute to digestive health. Aim for a colorful variety to ensure a broad spectrum of nutrients.

2.  **Whole Grains:** Foods like oats, brown rice, whole wheat bread, and quinoa provide complex carbohydrates, which are the body's primary source of energy. They are also high in fiber, aiding digestion and helping to regulate blood sugar levels.

3.  **Lean Proteins:** Sources such as poultry, fish, beans, lentils, tofu, and lean red meat are essential for building and repairing tissues, producing enzymes and hormones, and supporting immune function. Opt for lean sources to minimize saturated fat intake.

4.  **Healthy Fats:** While often demonized, healthy fats are vital for hormone production, nutrient absorption, and brain health. Sources include avocados, nuts, seeds, and

— page 131 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

15 August, 1945 (Cont.)

1035         times during next hour. Finally at
             Contacted LANSDALE TWO who seemed to be in charge of
             operations on the circuit and learned that our strike had
             been cancelled for the day. Commenced hauling clear of
             station to westward. Set course to pass between KUSAKAKI
             SHIMA and UJU GUNTO. Visibility good. Seas glassy.
1038         Decoded COMSUBPAC despatch announcing that peace negotiations
             with JAPAN were underway. We are ordered to cease all
             attacks and standby on station until further orders.
             It seems too good to be true.
1130         Sighted mine between us and KUSAKAKI SHIMA (Mine contact
             #21). Decided not to go after it as it is inside 100
             fathom curve.

1200         POSIT: Lat. 31-09 N Long. 129-50 E.

1305         JOOD reported sighting a periscope 1,000 yards on port
             beam. Turned away and dived. Silenced ship and cleared
             area on easterly course at 2/3 speed.
1447         Surfaced at flank speed and cleared area on easterly
             course.
1620         SD radar contact at 3 miles; closed fast to 1½ miles.
             OOD reported sighting a Jap fighter passing through clouds
             overhead. Do not think he saw us.
1621         Second SD radar contact at 12 miles. Disappeared after
             1 minute. Continued patrolling in vicinity of lifeguard
             station.
1800         Commenced transmitting ARGONAUT serial FOUR to COMSUBPAC
             reporting results to date and also the fact that our fuel is
             running low. Have enough fuel left for one more day in
             area.
1830         Decided to open out from land for patrol during night. Set
             course to southwest to pass south of KUSAKAKI SHIMA.
             Plan to be in vicinity of lifeguard station tomorrow morning.
2105         SJ Radar contact bearing 135°(T), range 1,950 yards.
             Another bird.
2335         Radar interference on SJ radar bearing 290°(T)
2345         Exchanged recognition signals and calls via SJ Radar
             with U.S.S. REDFIN.
2355         Changed course to north to head for tomorrows lifeguard
             station.

ENCLOSURE (A)

                                                                 - 45 -

— page 134 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

NARRATIVE (Cont.)

18 August, 1945 (Cont.)

0640(K) Resumed course to south.
0700(K) Passed convoy abeam to port, distance six miles.
0920(K) Sighted two PB4Y2 Privateers bearing 140°(T).
          Established communications and identification with
          VHF radio.

1200(K) POSIT: Lat. 26-02 N Long. 139-31 E.

1230(K) Sighted mast over horizon bearing 270°(T).
1231(K) Appears to be submarine periscope shears.
1232(K) Exchanged recognition signals and calls with U.S.S.
          POMFRET. POMFRET will remain in company during re-
          mainder of trip to GUAM.
2120(K) Two contacts on SJ Radar bearing 175°(T), range
          28,550 yards. SG and SF Radar interference on this
          bearing.
2135(K) Targets tracked on course 045°(T), speed 13 knots.
          ZIG ZAGGING.
2140(K) Changed course to southwest to avoid.
2200(K) Cleared contacts, closest range 21,000 yards.

19 August, 1945

0940(K) Sighted B-29 closing. Effected identification on
          VHF radio.

1200(K) POSIT: Lat. 20-37 N Long. 140-00 E

1504(K) Sighted empty life raft (oblong, cork-type) on star-
          board bow. Circled to investigate. Raft was painted
          light grey, with small number 15 stenciled on one end.
          Appeared to have been in water for sometime since
          lattice-work bottom was in shreds.
1515(K) Set course to southeast.

20 August, 1945

0840(K) Submerged for trim dive and deep submergence tests.
1027(K) Surfaced. POMFRET not in sight.

1200(K) POSIT: Lat. 17-20 N Long. 143-35 E.

ENCLOSURE (A)
                                                              - 48 -

— page 143 —
CONFIDENTIAL                               U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

(K) MAJOR DEFECTS AND DAMAGE (Cont.)

     Casualties to Mk VII Mod IV Arma
     Gyro Compass. August 7, 1945
     and August 20, 1945.

          The first symptoms in both cases were erratic operation
     of the follow-up system, followed by complete failure of
     one C6A (thyratron) tube. When the tube was removed the center
     contact was found to be burned away. This probably was caused
     by foreign material in the socket, or an air gap between the
     contact of the socket and of the tube. The casualty occurred
     in both cases after the effected tubes were approximately
     six months old. In both instances repairs were completed
     in approximately one half-hour.

ENCLOSURE (A)                                            - 57(a) -

— page 147 —
CONFIDENTIAL                               U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)

(M) RADAR (Cont.)

          occurred in the SJ mast and the wave guide feeder unit became
          flooded and had to be removed and dried out thoroughly. In
          Saipan the packing of the SJ mast was thoroughly greased with
          a pressure gun and no further leaks were encountered during the
          patrol.

               Only minor casualties such as tube failures and blown
          fuses were encountered and the operation of the SJ proved very
          satisfactory throughout the patrol. Good ranges were obtained
          on small fishing boats and junks, and unusual ranges were ob-
          tained on birds at ranges up to 7,000 yards. Considerable in-
          convenience was encountered because of the many pips obtained
          on land, and because of the many second return echoes obtained on land
          second return echoes obtained on land echoes. This condition
          was due wholly to the lack of experience of the radar operators
          and can be eliminated only by continued experience and training.

               It is recommended that the scale of the range counter be
          increased on a step delay multi-vibrator be installed in order
          to aid in obtaining correct ranges on land targets beyond
          45,000 yards, as an aid to navigation.

               No major casualties were encountered in the SJ radar. Few
          opportunities were offered to check the efficiency of this radar.

               The SD-5 radar was used continuously in the area and
          operated about as expected. It could not be depended upon to
          pick up planes but many contacts were made on this gear. The
          SJ radar proved much better at picking up low flying planes
          than the SD-5. An important addition to the SD-5 was the pulse
          timer unit, which provides for automatic keying of the SD-5
          transmitter. The pulse timer breaks the transmission up into
          extremely short trains of about 6 pulses each. These trains of
          pulses are repeated at irregular intervals of 10 to 25 seconds
          and further protection is provided through the use of irregular
          pulse spacing within each train of pulses, making it extremely
          difficult to home on this radar. This unit permitted continual
          use of the SD-5 while on the surface without fear of being DF'd
          by Jap planes.

               A broken insulator in the SD-5 pulse timer unit caused a
          short circuit in the power switch on one occasion and condenser
          C 1042 failed twice during this patrol. The chasis of this unit

ENCLOSURE (A)
                                   - 61 -

— page 154 —
CONFIDENTIAL U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475)
(U) COMMUNICATIONS, RADAR, AND SONAR COUNTERMEASURES (Cont.)

: CHARACTERISTICS AND : OWN SHIPS : DATE OF : PROBABLE : REMARKS
: PROBABLE TYPES : LOCATION : CONTACT : LOCATION :
:
: 76/400/40 CHI-B : 32-55 N : 13 Aug., : FUKAE : Strong, steady signal
: : 128-10 E : 45 : SHIMA : Med. strength sig.
: 119/750/10 Mk 13 : 32-23 N : 13 Aug., : DANJO : sweeping.
: : 128-14 E : 45 : GUNTO :
:
: 174/1250/7 Mk 6 : 32-20 N : 13 Aug., : SHIMA OR : Medium strength sig.
: : 128-17 E : 45 : DANJO : sweeping
: : : : GUNTO :
:
: 159/380/18 Mk 13 : 31-36 N : 13 Aug., : SHINO : Strong sig. with double
: : 129-37 E : 45 : KOSHIKI : pulse sweeping.
: 98/350/7½ Mk 11 : 31-25 N : 14 Aug., : TOSAKI :
: : 129-29 E : 45 : HANA : Med. strength sig.
:
: 160/350/20 Mk 13 : 31-28 N : 14 Aug., : BONO :
: : 129-52 E : 45 : MISAKI ? : Med.strength Sig. Sweep.
: 96/300/25 Mk 11 : 31-19 N : 14 Aug., : SOUTHERN : Medium strength sig.
: : 129-57 E : 45 : COAST OF : slow sweeping.
: : : : KYUSHU :
:
: 159/300/3 Mk 6 : 31-19 N : 14 Aug., : SOUTHERN : Strong, sweeping pulse
: : 129-48 E : 45 : COAST OF :
: : : : KYUSHU :
:
: 72/450/55 CHI-B : 31-22 N : 14 Aug., : TOSAKI : Strong, sweeping pulse
: : 129-52 E : 45 : HANA :
: 99/300/50 CHI-B : 31-23 N : 15 Aug., : TOSAKI : Strong, sweeping pulse
: : 129-53 E : 45 : HANA :
: 150/850/10 Mk 13 : 31-38 N : 15 Aug., : BONO : Strong intermittent
: : 129-49 E : 45 : MISAKI : signal may be keyed.
: 96/450/75 CHI-B : 31-10 N : 15 Aug., : SOUTHERN :
: : 129-55 E : 45 : TIP OF : Strong
: : : : KYUSHU :
:
: 96/400/12½ Mk 11 : 31-10 N : 15 Aug., : TOSAKI : Strong
: : 129-55 E : 45 : HANA ? :
:
: 159/440/12.5 Mk 13 : 31-09 N : 15 Aug., : SOUTHERN : Strong, slow sweeping.
: : 129-55 E : 45 : COAST OF :
: 72/600/50 CHI-B : 31-09 N : 15 Aug., : KYUSHU : Strong, steady sig.
: : 129-53 E : 45 : :
:
: 101/350/15 : 31-09 N : 15 Aug., : : Med. strength, slow
: : 129-45 E : 45 : : sweeping signal.
: 225/50/5 : 27-07 N : 18 Aug., : : Med. strength
: : 139-27 E : 45 : : sweeping signal

ENCLOSURE (A)
- 68 -

— page 156 —
SUBMARINE DIVISION THREE FORTY TWO
c/o Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California
23 August 1945

FB5-342/A16-3

Serial ( 016 )

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

FIRST INDORSEMENT to:
USS ARGONAUT (SS475) Conf.
Ltr. SS475/A16-3 Ser. 019 of
21 August 1945.

From : The Commander Submarine Division THREE FORTY TWO.
To : The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
Via : (1) The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY FOUR.
(2) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet. Administrative
(3) The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475) - Report of War Patrol Number ONE.

1. The first war patrol of the USS ARGONAUT under the command of
Lieutenant Commander J.S. Schmidt, U.S. Navy was conducted in the East China
Sea and Yellow Sea areas during the period of 28 June to 21 August 1945. A
total of twenty-eight (28) days were spent on life guard stations and in the
assigned areas. The patrol was terminated by orders of the Commander Submarines,
Pacific Fleet.

2. A thorough analysis was made of the latest area information
obtained from the U.S.S. DEHUDA on station and area coverage was excellent.
The only target worthy of torpedo fire was the I-Class submarine, similar to the
I-151, which was contacted by radar the night of 13 August. This target was
tracked for positive identification. Just prior to reaching a firing position
the target started to circle then turned away, commenced radical maneuvers and
dived. Contact was not regained. The maneuvers of this target seem to indicate
that the presence of the ARGONAUT was known, possibly through the interception
of SJ radar signals during tracking. Numerous Junks were contacted in the
area, several of these were stopped and after investigation were determined
to be innocent fishermen. A properly marked hospital ship was sighted on
6 July.

3. On 16 July ARGONAUT had the pleasure of rescuing Captain L.P.Radway,
USMCR who had been forced to make a water landing. During the early morning of
7 August a land bombardment was conducted with the radio direction finder station,
radio towers, and light house on SHICHIHATSU TO as the targets. It is estimated
that considerable damage was caused in the target area. A small cargo carrying
junk was attacked and destroyed by gunfire on 12 August. The comments regarding
the effectiveness of the 40 mm gun for this type of attack are noted.

- 1 -

— page 157 —
C-O-N-F-I-D-E-N-T-I-A-L

Serial ( 016 )

Subject: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475) - Report of War Patrol Number ONE.

— page 158 —
FC5-34/A16-3

Serial: ( 054 )

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

SECOND ENDORSEMENT to
CO USS ARGONAUT Conf. Ltr.
SS475/A16-3 Serial 019
of 21 August 1945.

From :
To :
Via :

Subject:

1.
Submarine Division THREE HUNDRED FORTY-ONE.

2.
gratulates the Commanding Officer, officers and crew for this ex-
cellent and well-conducted patrol. Further congratulations are
extended for the rescue of a Marine Corps pilot, a bombardment of
an enemy shore establishment and the destruction of an enemy
cargo carrying junk.

SUBMARINE SQUADRON THIRTY-FOUR

Care of Fleet Post Office;
San Francisco, California,
24 August 1945.

The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-FOUR.
The Commander in Chief, United States Fleet.
(1) The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.
(2) The Commander in Chief, Pacific Fleet.

U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475), Report of War Patrol
Number ONE.

Forwarded, concurring in the remarks of the Commander

The Commander Submarine Squadron THIRTY-FOUR con-

[SIGNATURE: E. W. Grenfell]
E. W. GRENFELL.

— page 159 —
FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18)
Serial 02246
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
ARGONAUT Report of
First War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 869
U.S.S. ARGONAUT - 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. ARGONAUT (SS475) - Report of First War Patrol
(28 June to 21 August 1945).

1. The first war patrol of the ARGONAUT, under the command of Com-
mander J. S. Schmidt, U.S. Navy, was conducted in the East China Sea and Yellow
Sea Areas.

2. The ARGONAUT covered her areas in a very thorough manner. Ex-
cept for a Japanese submarine which submerged before the ARGONAUT fired her tor-
pedoes no worthwhile torpedo targets were encountered on this patrol. The ARGO-
NAUT very effectively bombarded and damaged shore radio installations on Shichi-
hatsu To, and on another occasion used her guns to sink a cargo carrying junk.
Twenty-one floating mines were sighted on this patrol; thirteen of these the
ARGONAUT either exploded or sank. As a result of making a fine estimate of the
situation and smart seamanship, the ARGONAUT succeeded in recovering a Marine
aviator who had been forced down at sea.

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

4. The Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet, congratulates the
commanding officer, officers and crew of the ARGONAUT for the completion of this
well planned and smartly conducted patrol and regrets that this new and highly
trained ship was not favored with more opportunities to inflict damage upon the
enemy. The ARGONAUT is credited with having inflicted the following upon the
enemy during this patrol:

S U M M A R Y

1 - MIS (EU) 25 tons (Gun Attack No. 2)

MERRILL COMSTOCK,
Deputy.

Authentication and distribution
on next page.

- 1 -

[HANDWRITTEN: cut #3]
SUBMARINE FORCE, PACIFIC FLEET
10 01429 [HANDWRITTEN: F4254] [HANDWRITTEN: mr]
Care of Fleet Post Office,
San Francisco, California,
9 September 1945.

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

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

— page 160 —
FF12-10(A)/A16-3(18)
Serial 02246
CONFIDENTIAL

THIRD ENDORSEMENT to
ARGONAUT Report of
First War Patrol.

COMSUBSPAC PATROL REPORT NO. 869
SUBJECT: U.S.S. ARGONAUT (SS475) - Report of First War Patrol
(28 June to 21 August 1945).

— page 161 —
END OF REEL
JOB NO. [HANDWRITTEN: E-108] [HANDWRITTEN: AR-2-78]

||||| 1.0
||||| 1.1
||||| 1.25 ||||| 1.4 ||||| 1.6
||||| 1.8
||||| 2.0
||||| 2.2
||||| 2.5
||||| 2.8
||||| 3.2
||||| 3.6
||||| 4.0
||||| 4.5
||||| 5.0

THIS MICROFILM IS
THE PROPERTY OF
THE UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT

[SEAL: DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE, UNITED STATES OF AMERICA]

MICROFILMED BY
NPPSO-NAVAL DISTRICT WASHINGTON
MICROFILM SECTION
[UNCLEAR: D-62264]