Rank & Name:
Lt. Robert Farley II
Cycle: Cycle 7 (January 2004)
Squadron & Division: SubRon 2/ Division 4A
USS & SS:
USS Permit SS-178
Patrol Zone & Sector(s): Yellow Seas/All Sectors
TDC: Auto
Realism (%):
95%
Crew experience: Veteran
Number of Warships sunk: 0
Number of Merchants sunk: 5
Warship tonnage:
0
Merchant tonnage:
20690
Total JANAC tonnage:
10345
Percent Damage:
0%
Days to Repair:
N/A
Types of Warship sunk:
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
Class of
Vessel |
Tonnage |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Types of Merchant sunk:
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
Class of
Vessel |
Tonnage |
|
June 16, 1943 |
21:11 |
37-26N 125-29E |
Supply Ship |
1320 |
|
June 16, 1943 |
21:15 |
37-26N 125-29E |
Standard Merchant |
8700 |
|
June 16, 1943 |
22:51 |
37-26N 125-21E |
Troop Transport |
3240 |
|
June 18, 1943 |
12:01 |
32-01N
124-46E |
Troop Transport |
3660 |
|
June 18, 1943 |
12:03 |
32-01N 124-46E |
Oil Tanker |
3770 |
Conducted Lifeguard duty: (If yes how many aviators
rescued):
|
Date |
Time |
Lat &
Long |
|
|
|
|
Conducted Photo Recon: (If Yes than where was it
performed )
|
Date |
Time |
Location |
Lat &
Long |
|
|
|
|
|
Patrol Narrative:
NOTE: We
experienced very high fuel usage moving to our assigned area. I suspect that our starboard engine needs
some work. Traversing to the Yellow Sea
used approximately 48% of our fuel. The
return trip was just as costly. We
arrived at Midway on fumes.
June 16
11:30
Immediately upon entering our patrol area, we received ULTRA report of
nearby convoy. Set an intercept course.
20:18 SJ radar
picked up two groups, 8000 and 12000 yards.
We cut to 1/3 speed to let sonar get a listen. We were able to pick up 3 low speed screws. Adjusted course to head towards possible
merchants.
20:27 Spotted
destroyer at 4500 yards. Adjusted
course to head down his port beam. The
larger ships must be behind him.
20:48 We were
able to avoid the escort. Spotted small
convoy of merchants 4800 yards. Our
dead reckoning was a bit off so we increased to flank speed to close for the
attack.
20:55 Eight
ships now clearly visible. This is a
big one We’re setting up on one of the
middle ships.
21:10 TDC has
a problem and mis-tracked target’s speed after multiple observations. The majority of the convoy got past while we
were still out of range. We changed
target to the last two ships in the convoy.
Fired two Mark 14’s at each.
First fish hit but was a dud.
The second slammed into the target’s side. After a brief delay, she exploded and sent debris 500 feet into
the air before sinking in 3 minutes.
Must have been an ammunition transport.
Both third and fourth torpedo’s were duds.
21:13 Order left full rudder to bring our two stern
tubes to bear on the now fleeing last ship.
21:15 Fired
both stern fish. Two hits and the
merchant is heading under. Both sonar
and SJ report a ship coming in. The
destroyer was heading back. We dove to 100 feet (about all the depth we
could get in this pond) and evaded.
21:48
Destroyer’s pinging is moving away.
We’re clear.
22:08 Headed
to periscope depth to have a look around.
No ships in sight. Rose to radar
depth. Again, we have two groups of
contacts. Larger group, probably the
convoy, at 9700 yards and smaller one, escort perhaps, at 12,000 yards.
22:15 After
confirming that no ships were closing, we surfaced and set a course for the convoy.
22:34 Spotted
a fleeing troop ship. She appears to be
alone. The captain must have panicked
when his fellow ship when down and head off on his own. He made a poor choice. No guns visible. This will be a surface attack.
22:49 Fired a
single fish at 1000 yards. It prematurely
detonated. Fired second fish at the
target. Since this was a stern attack,
the ship had a few seconds more and zigged clear.
Fired third fish.
It too prematurely detonated.
Fired final bow torpedo. It hit (finally!) and sunk the target.
22:53 XO
reported our low fuel state (approximately 50%). Our time on station will not be long. Set slow course out of the Yellow Sea. Hopefully we’ll be able to get some targets on our way home.
June 17
09:58 New
ULTRA report of convoy 60 miles to our rear.
I think we can afford the fuel to investigate. Changed course 180 degrees and proceeded on single engine to
conserve fuel.
10:25 Entered
very heavy fog bank. SJ radar reports
target at 8000 yards. This will be a
radar approach.
10:35 Destroyer
is coming out of the fog! She’s coming
right at us. Range 1200 yards. Crash dove to 120 feet. Amazingly enough, she didn’t spot us. No pinging.
Slowed to let Sonar have a listen. 8 high speed screws reported. Ordered periscope depth to have a look
around.
10:38
Destroyer is 900 yards away.
He’s moving off.
10:40 Order
radar depth to get our bearings.
10:58 SJ
finally registered a good contact at
5800 yards and moving away. Due the
heavy fog and great number of escorts, I decide to let this one get away.
11:07 Through
a break in the fog, we can see the convoy moving off. We’re staying down until they are well clear.
11:21 All
clear, we surface.
18:21 XO again
reports our fuel is dangerously low. I
order a course for home. We have no
choice but to return with 6 torpedoes.
19:51 Another
fog bank has formed up around us. SJ
radar contact at 12000 yards.
20:02 Large
contact now coming in clear on the SJ radar.
It must be another convoy. Maybe
we can unload or last 6 fish.
20:21 SJ radar
reports the convoy is pulling clear of us.
With our fuel state, we cannot attempt an end around. Another one is getting away.
June 18
11:38 We’re at
the mouth of the Yellow Sea. SJ radar
again picks up a contact, 14000 yards.
Fog bank has reduced our visibility to about half a mile.
11:50 SJ
reports the contacts are within 2000
yards. We still can’t see
them. Dove to radar depth to continue
approach partially submerged.
11:58 Now
we’ve got them! Large freighter is
visible through the fog. 1800
yards Other ships are strung out behind
her. We’ve managed to get ourselves in
front of a large convoy. If only we had
more than 6 torpedoes.
12:00 Fired 2
fish at transport. Both hit. Large fire erupted at the water line. This one won’t be up long.
Fired last two bow fish at another freighter. Both missed.
Order right full rudder to bring out stern tubes to
bear on the column of ships before they have a chance to scatter.
12:03 Fired 1
torpedo at Oil tanker and hit her. Oil
is visible gushing from her side. 30
seconds after the hit, fire erupted and covered the ship. She sank quickly.
12:05 Switched
targets and fired our last fish. It
prematurely detonated 20 seconds after leaving the tube.
Sonar reports pinging from an escort. It’s closing. Dove to 130 feet and started evasion.
13:11 The
coast is clear. We surfaced and headed
for the barn.
Lt. Robert Farley II