USS S-39
March 22, 1942
c/o Fleet Post Office
San Francisco, California
FROM: The Commanding Officer
TO: ComSubPac
VIA: ComSubRon 4
SUBJECT: USS S-39 - Report of War Patrol number THREE
ENCLOSURE: (a) Subject Report
RMKS/1. Enclosure (a), covering the THIRD war patrol of this vessel conducted in the Philippine Sea during the period March 3, 1942 to March 31, 1942, is forwarded herewith.
(signature)
LCDR Hawk
USS S-39 (SS-144) - Report of Third War Patrol
1. Prologue to
Arrived Fremantle, Western Australia, February 20, 1942 after SECOND War Patrol. On February 21, 1942, commenced refit by relief crew and ships force. February 23, 1942, crew rotations, new hands reported for duty. Ship ready for sea on March 3, 1942.
2. Narrative
March 3rd: 0720H Departed Fremantle, Western Australia, under escort. 1513H made trim dive. 1930H surfaced and set course for area.
March 4th: 0815H Submerged and made deep dive. 0920H Commenced torpedo practice approaches on our escort. 1645H Surfaced, exchanged signals with escort and departed.
March 5th: Conducted submerged drills with primary emphasis on getting new hands up to speed.
March 6th – March 13th: Proceeded to area via Flores Sea, Banda Sea, and Molucca Pasage to station east of Samar, Luzon, and eastern approaches to San Bernardino Strait. Torpedo and gun drills. Practice dives.
March 14th: 0351H Received coded radio message requesting photo reconnaissance and status of Legaspi Harbor, Luzon, P.I. Changed course and increased speed to comply.
March 16th: (All times H). Arrived Legaspi after time alloted in radio message. 0358 Continued into Legaspi Bay on surface at one engine speed. 0418 Sighted small mine-laying vessel patrolling area. 0429 Sighted small tanker in anchorage. Altered course to avoid minelayer and commenced slow approach on tanker. No other vessels observed. 0507 fired tube 4 at target, depth 16 feet, range 1300 yards. No effect observed. 0509 Reduced torpedo depth setting to 14 feet and fired tube 3 at a range of 1200 yards. Again torpedo ran true but failed to explode. 0511 Adjusted depth setting to 10 feet and fired tube 2 at range of 1100 yards. Torpedo hit target amidships and detonated. 0516 Heard several depth charges from patrol vessel in distance. Target did not burn but settled on bottom. Hull completely submerged with only superstructure above surface. Tanker appeared to be listing slightly to port. 0521 Reversed course and proceeded out of bay.
0610 Submerged to 100 feet. 0813 Sound picked up multiple contacts. 0820 Went to periscope depth. 0825 Visually sighted unescorted 4-ship convoy on a westerly course. Identified targets as 1 tanker, 1 large freighter, and 2 supply ships. 0836 Commenced multiple torpedo attacks on ships in convoy. Initial attack was on tanker, range 1800 yards. Large freighter reclassified as an armed merchantman. Torpedoed and sank 3 ships during subsequent half-hour. Observed sinking of 1 oil tanker, 1 supply ship, and 1 armed merchant cruiser, confirmed by executive officer. One torpedo remained. Remaining supply ship escaped undamaged.
1940 surfaced and continued patrol.
March 19th: 1900H Surfaced and proceeded on prescribed route to rendevous with allied tanker for refueling.
March 21st: 0720I Made contact with USS Cimarron and escort off Helen Reef. 0835I Commenced at-sea refueling. 1138I Parted company with USS Cimarron and escort. Proceeded on prescribed route to Fremantle, Western Australia.
March 31st: 0930H Arrived Fremantle.
3. Weather
Moderate to fair weather was experienced throughout the patrol. Predominant winds were northeasterly.
4. Tidal Information
None
5. Navigational Aids
None
6. Enemy ships sighted
| Date | Time | Position | Course | Speed | Type |
|
|
|||||
| 3-16-42 | 0418 H | 015-43 N 157-02 E | Patrolling in harbor | - - | Converted Minelayer |
| 3-16-42 | 0429 H | 015-43 N 157-02 E | Anchored | 0 | Coastal Tanker |
| 3-16-42 | 0825 H | 015-43 N 157-02 E | 275 T | 10 | 2 - Supply Ships 1 - Oil Tanker 1 - Armed Merchant |
7. Aircraft sighted
None
8. Enemy Ships Sunk
1 x Coastal Tanker 1200 tons 1 x Supply Ship 2700 tons 1 x Oil Tanker 13,970 tons 1 x Armed Merchant Cruiser 12,730 tons ———————————————————————————————————————— TOTAL 30,600 tons
9. Enemy A/S Measures
Encountered negligible opposition by minelayer at Legaspi. Convoy attacked was unescorted.
10. Major Defects
None
11. Communications
Radio reception varied considerably. We attribute this to age and condition of our radio gear rather than to atmospheric conditions.
12. Sound Conditions and Density Layers
Sound conditions were generally poor, again attributed mostly to older sound gear. No density layers were encountered.
13. Health and Habitability
The health of the crew on this patrol was generally good. There were a few colds and one case of an infected laceration.
Habitability on this class of ship needs improvement. Air conditioning gear for boats operating in this theater would improve health, habitability, and morale. Interior condensation causes problems with electrical equipment during prolonged submerged operations. Crew demonstrated ingenious solutions to this problem in several instances, including rigging drip rails and suspending some gear under hoods.
14. Miles Steamed
Steamed 5118 miles during this patrol.
15. Fuel Oil Expended
59,710 gallons - 11.7 gallons per mile.
16. Endurance Factors
Torpedoes - 1.
Fuel - required refueling to return to port.
Other factors - indefinite.
17. Patrol Ended
By orders of ComSubsAsiatic after expenditure of most ordnance and fuel limitations.
18. Remarks
(a) The conduct of the officers and men on this patrol was excellent. They demonstrated discipline and ability in routine operations and adapted creatively to correct problems.
(b) The new hands adapted well to their assigned tasks and executed drills and training exercises diligently.
(c) As I depart S-39 for a new command, I am confident the new skipper has a disciplined and capable crew.
Respectfully,
LCDR Hawk