USS Drum (SS-228)

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Ninth War Patrol

April 9, 1944 - May 31, 1944

Commanding Officer - Commander D.F. Williamson

Drum War Patrol Nine

Sinkings and Damages - USS Drum (SS-228) War Patrol Nine

Date Name
of Vessel
Type
of Vessel
Tonnage
JANAC
Tonnage
Alden
Location Assessment
JANAC
Assessment
Alden
none

Award of Submarine Combat Insignia for this patrol is NOT authorized.

(A) Prologue
(B) Narrative
(C) Weather
(D) Tidal Information
(E) Navigational Aids
(F) Ship Contacts
(G) Aircraft Contacts
(H) Attack Data
(I) Mines
(J) Anti Submarine Measures and Evasive Tactics
(K) Major Defects and Damage
(L) Radio
(M) Radar
(N) Sound Gear and Sound Conditions
(O) Density Layers
(P) Health, Food, and Habitability
(Q) Personnel
(R) Miles Steamed - Fuel Used
(S) Duration
(T) Factors of Endurance Remaining
(U) Remarks


(A) Prologue

Returned from eighth patrol on December 5, 1943. Three week refit by Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, T.H., assisted by the relief crew of Submarine Division 101. Installed new after bulkhead (without door) in conning tower replacing bulkhead (with door) cracked by depth charging. Completed alterations outstanding, including: (1) deep-well trim pump; (2) conversion of #4 M.B.T. to F.B.T.; (3) SJa radar and PPI. Refit completed 27 December 1943. Training, including four exercise torpedoes, January 1-3, 1944.

During the dive to test depth on January 1, 1944, the conning tower took a permanent set at all four corners on the horizontal centerline.

Between January 4 and 8, 1944, the conning tower was inspected by tender, base, and yard, and on latter date it was determined that a new conning tower was needed.

Left Pearl Harbor January 9, 1944 and arrived Mare Island on January 16, 1944.

Left Mare Island on March 22, 1944 with a new thick hull conning tower, and all alterations completed.

[Here are photos of the Drum on March 22, 1944 underway with the new conning tower from Mare Island. Click any of them for a full size view. It has been verified that the Drum did indeed receive the rare Gato-class upgrade to a Balao-class conning tower - she has a conning tower with convex (outward dished) ends only found in Balao-class conning towers. Photos courtesy of Darryl Baker.]

Drum leaving Mare Island Drum leaving Mare Island Drum leaving Mare Island

Arrived Pearl Harbor March 29, 1944.

Training, including four exercise torpedoes, and special camouflage tests off Hawaii, April 3-6, 1944.

Loaded April 7 and 8, 1944. Ready for sea April 9, 1944.

(B) Narrative

9 April
1100 (VW) Underway in accordance with Comsubpac Operation Order No. 127-44, in company with TAMBOR and PC 578, via Johnston Island.
1603 Made trim dive.
1920 Released the escort and opened to north of track, while TAMBOR opened to southward.
10 April
0855 (VW) Made dive to test depth.
1400 Changed to +10 zone time.
2200 (W) Leach, G.E., 291-63-36, MoMM1c USN discovered a crack about twelve inches in length, in the weld of a circular plate in the hull of the after engine room. This plate was ten inches in diameter, and was installed by the Mare Island Navy Yard when they removed two degaussing cable stuffing tubes. The crack apparently went through the weld, although it was minute on the outside and did not leak on submergence.
11 April
1120 (W) Sighted a Johnston Island SBD. (Aircraft Contact No. 1).
1130 Sighted Johnston Island, distant 8 miles.
1315 Moored starboard side to STURGEON at N.A.S. Johnston Island. Commenced repairs to plate in after engine room.
1400 Changed to +11 zone time.
1500 (X) STURGEON go underway
1600 TAMBOR moored alongside.
2200 A new plate was welded into the hull by the repair force at the island. Received 12306 gallons of fuel, water, and some provisions.
12 April
0620 (X) Underway for area in company with TAMBOR.
0852 Dive to test depth to test new plate was successful.
13 April
0630 (X) Sighted TAMBOR bearing 169°(T), distant 8 miles. (Contact No. 1).
14 April
0900 (X) Changed to +12 zone time. Changed date to 15 April 1944.
18 April
1030 (M) Sighted smoke of a burning spitkit bearing 261°(T), distant 12 miles. Closed the contact, prepared to man "battle stations surfaced". when 6 miles off, sighted TAMBOR putting the finishing touches on the burning spitkit with 20mm. (Contact No. 2).
1120 Rendezvoused with TAMBOR in Lat. 21-52 N., Long. 163-13 E. Learned that they had taken two prisoners and killed all others on board. Asked TAMBOR to remain in company while we tuned our SJ radar.
1130 Closed the spitkit, which was still burning and awash. Fired 240 rounds of 20mm, took some pictures, and saw one dead Jap floating in a life ring.
1700 Changed to -11 zone time.
20 April
0900 (L) Passed 30 miles north of Marcus Island, but saw no signs of the Japs.
1400 Change to -10 zone time.
21 April
0900 (K) Converted #4 F.B.T. to M.B.T. The whole job took about one hour. If the situation permits, conversion in daylight is superior in every respect.
1030 First of three dives to flush #4 M.B.T.
22 April
1110 (K) 18 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Disappeared at 20 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 2).
1510 Sighted Kita Iwo Jima, bearing 316°(T), distant 35 miles.
1515 Sighted Iwo Jima, bearing 246°(T), distant 24 miles.
1555 Sighted a Mavis flying boat, bearing 225°(T), distant 20 miles, near Iwo Jima. (Aircraft Contact No. 3).
1600 Dove in order to enter the area undetected, on passing between Kita Iwo Jima and Iwo Jima.
1915 while preparing to surface, made sound contact and then sighted a small patrol boat bearing 094°(T), distant 3500 yards. (Contact No. 3). He was on a southeasterly course and passed clear.
2010 Surfaced, but never made radar contact on the patrol boat.
2120 Entered the area.
24 April
0645 (K) 18 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Disappeared at 20 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 4).
1005 20 mile contact on SD radar. Sighted 2 planes (unidentified), bearing 270°(T), distant 8 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 5).
1012 Dove.
1116 Surfaced.
1128 9 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 6).
1230 Surfaced.
1238 20 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. (Aircraft Contact No. 7).
1320 14 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. (Aircraft Contact No. 8).
1343 20 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. (Aircraft Contact No. 9).
1645 15 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Closed to 8 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 10).
1647 Dove.
1800 Surfaced.
25 April
0630 (K) Sighted a trawler type patrol boat on southerly course, bearing 068°(T), distant 12,000 yards. (Contact No. 4). Maneuvered to avoid detection on the surface.
1015 Sighted same patrol boat bearing 158°(T), distant 10,000 yards, on northeasterly course. Again maneuvered to avoid detection on the surface. Decided to patrol the vicinity to see if there may be something coming through today.
26 April
0100 (K) Shifted to second area of rotating patrol.
0710 14 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Closed to 12 miles and opened again, but remained on the screen until...
0750 Closed to 7 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 11).
0835 Surfaced.
0840 9 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 12).
1011 Surfaced.
1154 10 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 13).
1300 Surfaced.
1312 20 mile contact on SD radar. Closed to 10 miles. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 14).
1605 12 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Disappeared at 14 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 15).
27 April
0320 (K) Made doubtful SJ radar contact bearing 293°(T), distant 18,500 yards. Disappeared immediately, and was not regained. (Contact No. 5).
0508 Submerged 20 miles west of Chichi Jima, and commenced closing the island.
0812 Sighted small steam trawler bearing 064°(T), distant 6000 yards. (Contact No. 6). This patrol was possibly the same ship as that of Contact No. 4.
1030 Sighted a float biplane (Pete) over Chichi Jima. (Aircraft Contact No. 16).
1150 Sighted a convoy consisting of two coastal freighters and three small escorts, bearing 187°(T), distant 9000 yards. (Contact No. 7). The freighters were similar to Asahi Maru, 1200 tons. Decided they were not worth torpedoes this early in the patrol. The convoy entered Futami Ko.
1315 Sighted a trawler of Contact No. 6 returning to Futami Ko. He passed about 5000 yards to the eastward.
1945 Surfaced and opened to the westward.
28 April
0430 (K) Sighted lighted sampan bearing 220°(T), distant 10,000 yards. (Contact No. 8). Closed to 6000 yards, and then opened to northward.
0740 7 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 16 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 17).
0834 Surfaced.
1010 10 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 16 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 18).
1128 14 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 21 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 19).
29 April
1050 (K) 13 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 17 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 20).
1610 Sighted Haha Jima bearing 109°(T), distant 33 miles.
30 April
1015 (K) 9 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 21).
1103 Surfaced
1110 12 mile contact on SD radar. Sighted a land based bomber (Betty) bearing 045°(T), distant 9 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 22).
1203 Surfaced.
1255 18 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 19 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 23).
1350 14 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Closed to 9 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 24).
1507 Surfaced.
1 May
0100 (K) Shifted to third area of rotating patrol.
1245 Sighted GUAVINA bearing 180°(T), distant 16,000 yards. Effected rendezvous in Lat. 29-20 N., Long. 142-10 E. Learned he had sunk a large ship in our present area. (Contact No. 9).
1320 Headed westward with renewed hope, while GUAVINA went eastward.
2 May
0800 (K) Sighted a small trawler type patrol boat, bearing 150°(T), distant 12,000 yards. (Contact No. 10). Maneuvered to avoid detection on the surface. Surface patrol hampered all day by squally weather.
5 May
Fog set in during the night, visibility less than 500 yards, and lasted until 1100.
1930 Sighted a submarine bearing 280°(T), distant 14,000 yards. Closed and identified as friendly, by silhouette and typical SJ intereference on his bearing. Cleared the area to the eastward. (Contact No. 11). He changed course to the north and disappeared, though his SJ interference was visible until 0100, May 6, 1944.
2150 Sighted a green flare bearing 110°(T). Went to full speed and headed down bearing. Nothing further was sighted.
2230 Resumed 10 knot patrol.
6 May
0100 (K) Shifted to fourth area in rotating patrol.
1100 13 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Opened to 20 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 25).
8 May
1230 (K) 16 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. (Aircraft Contact No. 26).
9 May
1930 (K) Went to outside edge of area in order to dump lub oil and to transmit Drum Serial #1.
2300 Transmission completed. Resumed patrol to the westward.
10 May
1017 (K) 6 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 27).
1104 Surfaced.
11 May
0100 (K) Shifted to fifth area of rotating patrol.
0915 7 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 28).
1020 Surfaced, and continued to close Chichi Jima.
1228 6 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 29).
1335 Surfaced.
12 May
0505 (K) Submerged 16 miles east of Chichi Jima, and commenced closing the island.
0915 From a position about 3 miles off the eastern coast of Chichi Jima, observed the following installations:
(1) 3 radio towers at northern end of island. Lat 27-06.00, Long. 142-12.00. These towers are shown on chart D-703 in JICPOA BULLETIN No. 15-44.
(2) 3 more tall girder type radio towers just southward of the first.
(3) 3 more girder type radio towers and 8 pole type nearby, near the top of the 1007 foot hill on HO chart no. 1902, in Lat. 27-05.06, Long. 142-13.01.
1930 Surfaced and opened to the eastward.
13 May
1158 (K) Sighted a float type biplane (Pete), bearing 175°(T), distant 9 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 30).
1305 Surfaced.
1610 Sighted a float type biplane (Pete) bearing 330°(T), distant 12 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 31).
1723 Surfaced.
14 May
0455 (K) Submerged 15 miles east of Haha Jima and commenced closing the island. Closed the island to three miles, but observed no enemy installations.
1910 Surfaced and opened to the eastward.
16 May
0100 (K) Shifted to sixth area of rotating patrol.
1210 20 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Closed to 14 miles and opened to 20 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 32).
17 May
1023 (K) Sighted small, engines aft patrol boat, bearing 287°(T), distant 18,000 yards. (Contact No. 12). Attempted to gain position for attacking with the gun, but when the range was 13,000 yards, at...
1136 11 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 33). Attempted to close the patrol to get a good look at him but was not able to see him again even at depth of 50 feet.
1335 Surfaced and opened to eastward from Kita Iwo Jima.
2110 Sighted 5 searchlights on Haha Jima.
18 May
0637 (K) Sighted a Zeke bearing 180°(T), distant 10 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 34).
0805 Surfaced.
0858 10 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 35).
2120 Sighted two white lights bearing 055°(T), distant 9000 yards. (Contact No. 13). Closed to investigate, and made SJ radar contact, bearing 040°(T), well to the left of the lights, distant 7000 yards. This ship was not sighted at 5900 yards. Decided that the group was a trawler and two sampans, probably fishing, or conceivably, a submarine trap.
2200 Cleared the area at 10 knots.
19 May
0652 (K) While blowing up from trim dive, sighted a four-engined flying boat (Mavis) bearing 040°(T), distant 5 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 36). (SD radar was not operating properly).
0655 One depth charge exploded fairly close, above, after we had reached 100 feet. Remained submerged during the morning, but did not sight any planes through the periscope.
1220 Surfaced. Before the hatch could be opened, made SD radar contacts at 4 and 8 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 37). Dove and decided to remain submerged until dark. Apparently they have all their available aircraft out looking for us. Since the sea is glassy, they evidently expect to see our periscope.
1443 Sighted, through periscope, a Ruth medium bomber bearing 040°(T), distant 3 miles. (Aircraft Contact No. 38).
2012 Surfaced. Manned the SD radar intermittently for two hours but made no contacts.
20 May
0616 (K) Officer of the Deck sighted a Ruth medium bomber bearing 000°(T), distant 8 miles. At the same time, a lookout sighted a Val dive bomber bearing 010°(T), distant 10 miles. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 39).
0746 Surfaced.
1118 Sighted a Pete float plane bearing 070°(T), distant 12 miles. Dove.(Aircraft Contact No. 40).
1226 Surfaced.
1235 Sighted a Mavis flying boat, bearing 295°(T), distant 8 miles. Dove.(Aircraft Contact No. 41).
1428 Surfaced.
1430 As soon as the bridge was manned, sighted a small trawler type patrol boat of fishermen, bearing 183°(T), distant 10,000 yards, on parallel course. (Contact No. 14).
1431 Dove, and cleared the area submerged. Decided not to use the deck gun on him, since the Japs are still concentrating on this area with their search planes.
2009 Surfaced.
21 May
Closed Kita Iwo Jima to tune the SD radar. It has not functioned as well the past week as it did earlier in the patrol.
0047 (K) Made SJ radar contact on a patrol boat bearing 322°(T), distant 11,500 yards. (Contact No. 15). Tracked him for one hour on course 010°(T), speed 11 knots. Since he appeared on the screen intermittently, even at 8000 yards, and was never sighted, determined he was too small for torpedoes and cleared the area.
0544 Sighted a coastal freighter, with three small escorts, similar to Amakasu Maru, 1913 tons, bearing 342°(T), distant 20,000 yards. (Contact No. 16). Commenced tracking on the surface, using the periscope. Determined the base course to be 230°(T), then 140°(T), and finally 180°(T), speed 9-11 knots.
0805 Submerged on the base course and commenced the approach. Manned battle stations submerged. The zig-zag plan, with seven minute legs, was as follows:
0m - 180°(T)
7m - 140°(T)
14m - 180°(T)
21m - 140°(T)
28m - 180°(T)
35m - 220°(T)
42m - 180°(T)
49m - 220°(T)
0908 When the range to the target was 2900 yards, angle on the bow 20° S., the target zigged toward the Drum, showing a zero angle on the bow, offering an excellent down the throat shot, since the inboard port escort prevented maneuvering for a stern tube shot. While Drum was coming to course for a zero track, escort showed a zero angle on the bow at 1200 yards. Went deep and rigged for depth charge.
0915 The target passed directly overhead, with one escort passing close ahead, and another close astern, as Drum came right.
0935 Returned to periscope depth and sighted the target group, bearing 190°(T), distant 4000 yards. Secured from battle stations submerged. Decided to open out, surface, and end around for another submerged attack. Although the target was small, it was larger than anything else we have seen.
1140 Surfaced and commenced end around at full power.
1430 Gained bearing rapidly until the target changed course to 130°(T) and headed into Iwo Jima, which was then about 25 miles away. The change of course left us hopelessly out of position. Changed course to the northwest to return to our area and resumed 10 knot patrol.
23 May
Upon surfacing from the dawn trim dive, the SJ radar went out of commission. (See paragraph (M)).
1400 (K) Dove in poor visibility to service the torpedoes flooded yesterday.
1932 Surfaced. Set a course to clear all other occupied areas, heading for Majuro.
24 May
0705 (K) 9 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 42).
0802 Surfaced.
2100 Transmitted Drum Serial #2.
26 May
0100 (K) Changed to -11 zone time.
1238 (L) 4 mile contact on SD radar. Not sighted. Dove. (Aircraft Contact No. 43).
1240 First of 3 aircraft bombs. The first was "not close", while the others were "distant". (Friend or foe?).
1340 Surfaced.
28 May
0930 (L) Sighted and exchanged recognition signals with United States B-24. (Aircraft Contact No. 44).
2100 Changed to -12 zone time.
29 May
2200 (M) Made SJ radar contact on WHALE at 9000 yards. Exchanged recognition signals. (Contact No. 17).
30 May
1430 (M) Sighted HASTINGS (DE 19) bearing 237°(T), distant 20,000 yards. (Contact No. 18).
1500 Made rendezvous in Lat. 10-00 N., Long. 170-28 E. HASTINGS came alongside to transfer escort instructions, and mail.
1515 Set course for Majuro.
1700 Sighted Wotje Atoll bearing 230°(T), distant 12 miles.
1800 12 mile contact on SD radar. (Aircraft Contact No. 45). Sighted 3 US Navy SBD's making bombing runs over Wotje. Several members of the crew watched the first actual bombing.
1900 Sighted CALDWELL (DD 605) bearing 216°(T), distant 20,000 yards. (Contact No. 19). Exchanged calls as he passed 5000 yards abeam headed northward.
31 May
0700 (M) Entered Majuro Lagoon.
0800 Moored to SPERRY.

(C) Weather

On April 18, 1944, while enroute to the area, a local disturbance was encountered in Lat. 22 N., Long. 161-30 E. This was interesting in that wind and sea to force 5 began abruptly, after passing through a heavy squall. The wind gradually hauled to the eastward. By April 20, 1944 sea was calm, skies clear.

The weather in the Bonin Islands, from April 22, 1944 to May 23, 1944 may be summarized in the following table.

Wind Direction No. Days Wind Force No. Days Amount Clouds No. Days State Sea No. Days
SE 11 4 3 1.0 8 4 1
W 5 3 11 0.9 6 3 10
SW 4 2 12 0.8 1 2 6
S 4 1 5 0.7 2 1 15
NE 3 0 1 0.6 3    
E 3     0.5 2    
NW 2     0.4 5    
        0.3 3    
        0.2 2    

(D) Tidal Information

In the Bonins and Kazan Retto, sets of about one knot were encountered when close to the islands, predominantly to the southward. Southerly winds decreased this set.

No set was experienced when well off the islands both to the westward and to the eastward.

Heavy tidal rips made depth control and steering difficult off the northeastern tip of Ototo Jima.

(E) Navigational Aids

No navigational aids were sighted.

The SJ radar proved of inestimable value navigating in the Bonins and Kazan Retto. Accurate bearings were obtained and ranges estimated up to 120,000 yards on Kita Iwo Jima (2630 ft.); 75,000 yards on Haha Jima (1515 ft.); and 65,000 yards on Chichi Jima (1072 ft.).

(F) Ship Contacts

No. Date Time
(K)
Lat.
North
Long.
East
Description Course
True
Speed
RPM
Init. Range Min. Range How Sighted Remarks
1. 13 Apr. 0630 (X) 18-45 174-10 W. TAMBOR 295° 12 knots 16,000 yds. 16,000 yds. L.O.  
2. 18 Apr. 1030 (M) 21-52 163-13 Burning Spitkit
TAMBOR
    24,000 yds. 0 OOD TAMBOR destroyed by gunfire 1/2 hour before arrival.
3. 22 Apr. 1915 25-00 141-20 Patrol Vessel 170° 8 knots 3500 yds. 3000 yds. Sound Patrol between Kita Iwo Jima and Iwo Jima at dusk.
4. 24 Apr. 0630 26-22 140-07 Patrol 190°   12,000 yds. 12,000 yds. L.O. Avoided on surface.
5. 27 Apr. 0320 27-05 141-35       18,000 yds. 18,000 yds. SJ Unable to regain contact.
6. 27 Apr. 0812 27-08 142-00 Steam Trawler 000° 7 knots 6000 yds. 5000 yds. Per. Disappeared to north.
7. 27 Apr. 1150 27-06 142-04 Convoy:
2 MFM Marus
3 Trawlers
070° 7 knots 9000 yds. 5000 yds. Per. Similar to Asahi Maru, 1200 tons. Entered Futami Ko.
8. 28 Apr. 0430 27-09 140-20 Lighted Sampan 340° 6 knots 10,000 yds. 5000 yds. L.O. Investigated and cleared area.
9. 1 May 1245 29-20 142-10 GUAVINA 335° 14 knots 16,000 yds. 0 L.O. Rendezvous and exchanged information.
10. 2 May 0800 28-18 141-25 Trawler Patrol Boat 000°
030°
8 knots 12,000 yds. 10,000 yds. L.O. Avoided on surface in poor visibility.
11. 5 May 1930 28-41 140-54 Submarine 090°
000°
17 knots 14,000 yds. 12,000 yds. L.O. Identified friendly and cleared.
12. 17 May 1023 25-52 141-49 Engines aft Patrol Boat 200° 14 knots 18,000 yds. 13,000 yds. Per. Surf. Attempted to close on surface but forced down by plane.
13. 18 May 2120 25-35 142-06 2 white lights and one other ship   5 knots 8500 yds. 5900 yds. L.O. Closed and determined to be small craft or submarine trap. Cleared area.
14. 20 May 1430 25-47 142-30 Trawler Patrol Boat 080°   10,000 yds. 1000 yds. OOD Dove, cleared area submerged.
15. 21 May 0047 25-32 141-33 Patrol Boat 010° 11 knots 11,500 yds. 9500 yds. SJ Tracked 1 hour and broke off.
16. 21 May 0544 25-58 140-54 1 Coastal Freighter
3 Small Escorts
180° 8 knots
90 RPM
20,000 yds. 0 Per. Surf. Similar to Amakasu Maru #1, P270.208J Rev.
17. 29 May 2200 13-15 170-27 WHALE 000° 13 knots 9000 yds. 8500 yds. SJ Exchanged signals.
18. 30 May 1430 10-00 170-27 HASTINGS (DE 19) 000° 15 knots 20,000 yds. 0 Per. Surf. Rendezvous and escorted to Majuro
19. 30 May 1900 9-14 170-28 CALDWELL (DE 605) 160° 15 knots 20,000 yds. 5000 yds. SS Exchanged calls.

(G) Aircraft Contacts

No. Date Time
(K)
Lat.
North
Long.
East
Description Range
Miles
Altitude Course How Sighted Remarks
1. 11 Apr. 1120 (W) 17-00 169-00 W. SBD's Var. Var. Var. SD Johnston Island
2. 22 Apr. 1110 25-00 142-40   18-20     SD Not sighted. No dive.
3. 22 Apr. 1555 25-00 141-36 Flying Boat 19 1000 ft. 135° SS Vicinity Iwo Jima.
4. 24 Apr. 0645 26-02 140-30   18-20     SD Not sighted. No dive.
5. 24 Apr. 1005 25-55 141-18 2 unidentified 20-8 Low 000° SD-SS Dove.
6. 24 Apr. 1128 25-53 141-22   9-8     SD Dove.
7. 24 Apr. 1238 25-55 141-30 3 planes 20-30     SD Not sighted. No dive.
8. 24 Apr. 1320 26-00 141-31   14-19     SD Not sighted. No dive.
9. 24 Apr. 1343 26-01 141-38   20-22     SD Not sighted. No dive.
10. 24 Apr. 1646 26-10 141-12   15-8     SD Dove.
11. 26 Apr. 0710 26-47 141-02   14-7     SD Dove.
12. 26 Apr. 0840 26-42 141-05   9-7     SD Dove.
13. 26 Apr. 1154 26-40 141-07   10-8     SD Dove.
14. 26 Apr. 1312 26-45 141-07 3 planes 20-10     SD Dove.
15. 26 Apr. 1605 26-42 140-56   12-14     SD Not sighted. No dive.
16. 27 Apr. 1030 27-08 141-59 Float type biplane "Pete" 10 1500 ft. 180° Per. Over Chichi Jima while submerged.
17. 28 Apr. 0740 27-22 140-36   7-4     SD Dove.
18. 28 Apr. 1010 27-24 140-52   10-16     SD Not sighted. No dive.
19. 28 Apr. 1128 27-24 141-06   14-21     SD Not sighted. No dive.
20. 29 Apr. 1050 26-50 141-08   13-17     SD Not sighted. No dive.
21. 30 Apr. 1015 27-29 141-39   9     SD Dove.
22. 30 Apr. 1110 27-31 141-40 Betty Bomber 12-9 4000 ft. 180° SD-SS Dove.
23. 30 Apr. 1255 27-36 141-40   18-19     SD Not sighted. No dive.
24. 30 Apr. 1350 27-42 141-40   14-9     SD Dove.
25. 6 May 1100 28-33 142-24   13-20     SD Not sighted. No dive.
26. 8 May 1230 28-53 141-52   16     SD Not sighted. No dive.
27. 10 May 1017 28-17 141-56   6     SD Dove.
28. 11 May 0915 27-09 142-51   7-4     SD Dove.
29. 11 May 1228 28-06 142-32   6     SD Dove.
30. 13 May 1159 26-48 142-48 "Pete" Float 9 1000 ft. 270° SS Dove.
31. 13 May 1610 26-50 143-17 "Pete" Float 12 1500 ft. 200° SS Dove.
32. 16 May 1210 25-58 143-01   20-14     SD Not sighted. No dive.
33. 17 May 1136 25-39 141-38   19-11     SD While chasing Contact No. 12. Dove.
34. 18 May 0637 26-01 142-05 "Zeke" Mono 10 2000 ft. 180° SS Dove.
35. 18 May 0858 26-01 141-53   10     SD Dove.
36. 19 May 0652 25-12 142-30 Mavis 5-3 1500 ft. 225° SS Dove. One depth charge.
37. 19 May 1222 25-25 142-34 2 planes 5 & 8     SD While surfacing. Dove.
38. 19 May 1443 25-30 142-36 Ruth Bomber 3 3000 ft. 260° Per. While submerged during antisubmarine hunt by enemy.
39. 20 May 0616 25-52 142-35 Ruth, Val 8 3000 ft. 090° SS Dove.
40. 20 May 1118 25-52 142-18 "Pete" 12 3500 ft. 180° SS Dove.
41. 21 May 1235 25-37 142-25 Mavis 8 4000 ft. 135° SS Dove.
42. 24 May 0705 24-40 144-02   9     SD Dove.
43. 26 May 1239 17-44 154-53   4     SD Dove. 3 Bombs.
44. 28 May 0930 16-50 165-13 U.S. B-24 12-0 1000 ft. Var. SS Exchanged signals.
45. 30 May 1800 9-30 170-28 3 SBD's 12-2 1500 ft. Var. SD Bombed Wotje.

(H) Attack Data

No attacks.

(I) Mines

None encountered.

(J) Anti Submarine Measures and Evasive Tactics

The anti-submarine air patrol in the Bonins and Kazan Retto was not heavy enough to prevent a surface patrol. However, on April 24, 1944 seven contacts were made, and on April 26, 1944 five more. Two or three contacts were the usual thing. Some of these contacts, no doubt, were planes in transit from Haha Jima to Iwo Jima.

The Mavis flying boat, sighted several times, always to the eastward of the Gunto, may have been scouting to the eastward for our surface units.

No echo ranging was heard during the entire patrol. In the approach on May 21, 1944, Drum used standard speed and flooded negative when going deep within 500 yards of an escort. There was no indication whatsoever that this escort or either of the other two with the small ship knew there was a submarine in the vicinity.

(K) Major Defects and Damage

A. Engineering

The pit log was unreliable throughout the run. Early in the patrol the bellows was renewed, and operation improved. However, constant attendance was required in order to keep the operation of the pit log even semi-satisfactory.

On April 26, 1944, a near fire occurred in the main control cubicle. The resistance in parallel with the starboard main motor contact-maker (S3) became red hot because particles of cork prevented complete closure of the contact points when the controller was put in the S3 position.

On May 3, 1944, an usual swishing noise was discovered in the starboard shaft or propeller. The shaft does not squeal or vibrate at any speed. This noise commences at about 80 RPM at periscope depth, but does not start until about 130 RPM at 250 feet. A careful inspection will be made during the next refit to determine the source of this noise.

(L) Radio

Radio reception was satisfactory in the Bonin Islands. Transmission to stations in the Australian area was more successful than to NPM.

The following information was obtained while in the area in connection with signal strength of the Haiku Fox schedules.

Time (K) Frequency Readability
0-4 6380 & 9090 Kcs. Good (S4)
4-8 9090 & 14390 Kcs. Fair (S3)
8-12 14390 & 16.68 Kcs. Fair (S3)
12-16 14390 Kcs. Fair (S3)
16-20 9090 Kcs. Good (S4)
20-24 6380 & 9090 Kcs. Excellent (S5)

Japanese interference was encountered on 6380 Kcs. and 450 Kcs., although it was not heavy enough to prevent copying.

(M) Radar

(1.) SJ

The performance of the SJ radar was gratifying. Ranges up to 120,000 yards were obtained consistently on a 2630 foot peak. (Kita Iwo Jima).

A method of determining extreme ranges accurately would be advantageous for navigational purposes. A strip of celluloid with ranges measured from 44,000 to 80,000 yards, was used on the PPI to obtain accurate ranges to 80,000 yards. Beyond this, rough estimates only were obtainable on the "A" scope.

Enroute to the area, the radar lost sensitivity, and failed to pick up a submarine beyond 6000 yards. Several tubes were replaced and set tuned on the submarine. Operation was excellent until more than a month later. On the last day in the area, the radar failed to put out a transmitter pulse. After six hours of troubleshooting, the following failures were discovered and remedied:
(1) The 5D21 Keyer tube (V-9) had an intermittent open circuit.
(2) V-7, in the bias regulator network, failed.
(3) C-22A was shorted to ground.

When these failures were remedied, a satisfactory echo was obtained from land at 75,000 yards.

(2.) SD

Until May 13, 1944, the SD performed superbly, getting plane targets consistently to 20 miles. On that date the radar failed and two tubes were renewed. Subsequently the performance was but fair.

Proof of poor performance lies in the fact that until the failure of the tubes, only one plane, of 29 contacts, was sighted that was not picked up by the radar. After the failure, however, 7 out of 13 were sighted before the radar made contact, or, in some cases, without the radar making any contact.

While in Japanese waters, the SD radar was used five seconds out of every minute.

(N) Sound Gear and Sound Conditions

Only two sound contacts were made during the entire patrol. One patrol boat was picked up at 3500 yards, while the ship sighted on May 21, 1944 was heard at about 4500 yards.

In general, background noises were not high in the Bonin Island area.

The JP-1 sound gear, installed during the navy yard overhaul, proved of little value except when running silent. The bowplane tilting motor, (within twenty feet of the sound gear) could be heard all around the dial, loud enough to preclude hearing anything else with the JP-1.

(O) Density Layers

In the Bonin Islands, the following data was obtained from daily trim dives to the depths shown in the table. Since no attacks were made, no use was made of this information.

No. Date Time
(K)
Lat.
North
Long.
East
Surface Temp.
°F
Break At
Ft.
Amount
°F
Total Drop
°F
Final Depth
Ft.
1. 23 Apr. 0600 25-47 139-55 75 190 2 3 280
2. 24 Apr. 0600 26-02 140-20 73 110 1 4 290
3. 25 Apr. 0545 26-15 140-08 75 160 1 4 290
4. 26 Apr. 0600 26-35 141-07 73 105 2 3 300
5. 27 Apr. 0530 27-10 141-51 75 200 1 2 290
6. 28 Apr. 0600 27-10 140-25 73 240 1 1 300
7. 29 Apr. 0600 26-50 141-12 75 280 1 1.5 295
8. 30 Apr. 0600 27-18 141-03 74 180 2.5 3.5 290
9. 1 May 0545 29-45 142-03 71 240 2 2.5 300
10. 2 May 0545 28-30 141-15 67     2 300
11. 3 May 0545 28-35 140-33 67     0 300
12. 4 May 0600 29-00 137-37 71 180 1 1.5 300
13. 5 May 0545 28-48 139-23 70     0 300
14. 6 May 0645 28-39 141-57 73 120 1 2 300
15. 7 May 0530 28-57 143-27 74 120 2.5 3 290
16. 8 May 0530 28-41 142-35 73 180 2.5 3.5 290
17. 9 May 0530 28-25 142-36 71 200 2.5 3.5 280
18. 10 May 0545 28-19 142-32 74 110 3/4 3 270
19. 11 May 0530 27-10 143-22 71 60 2.5 6 280
20. 12 May 0530 26-59 142-30 76 60 2 5 280
21. 13 May 0530 26-47 143-21 73 70 2 6 280
22. 14 May 0515 26-45 142-25 76 80 2 4 290
23. 15 May 0530 26-37 142-38 76 160 4.5 5.5 280
24. 16 May 0530 26-12 142-20 77 80 1 4.5 280
25. 17 May 0530 25-35 142-38 77 80 0.5 4 280
26. 18 May 0530 26-02 142-14 76     6 280
27. 19 May 0600 25-12 142-30 80 70 4.5 7 280
28. 20 May 0530 25-52 142-39 78     8 280
29. 21 May 0515 25-55 140-55 75 100 1 6.5 280
30. 22 May 0545 26-00 140-19 76     8.5 280
31. 23 May 0530 26-10 141-55 78     6.5 280

(P) Health, Food, and Habitability

Since the entire patrol was on the surface in cool spring weather, the boat was comfortable all the time. This fact also cut the time lost due to minor ailments to a minimum. Two mild cases of catarrhal fever each were cured in three days.

The food was well prepared throughout the run.

(Q) Personnel

An intensive training program was carried out during the entire patrol. Since the ship was out of the areas five months, to the day, much indoctrination of the new officers and men was necessary.

Two officers, one qualified and one unqualified, were detached during this overhaul period. Four ensigns, two graduates of submarine school, one radar school graduate, and one newly appointed (after eight patrols as chief fire controlman on board), reported for duty. These four officers and one lieutenant (jg) on his second patrol stood watches as follows: one day as coding officer, one night as conning tower watch and SJ radar supervisor, and three days as junior officer of the deck, one with each of the top watch officers. In addition, daily lectures were held by the executive officer on navigation, compensation and diving, battery charging (by the engineer), watch standing and log writing, maneuvering boards (by the Captain), magnetic compass compensation, ship handling alongside, fire control and TDC operation.

Enroute to the area, daily fire control problems were held using either the TDC or the DRT to solve the problems run on the other instrument.

Daily dives for all watch sections were made enroute to the area. Many dives were timed in 45 seconds, which time is 6-7 seconds less than ever before. The new TRIGGER type bridge and the conversion of #4 M.B.T. to F.B.T. are the only changes made since the ship was last at sea.

While in the area, all unqualified officers working with the unqualified men one hour each day, each with his own section. The method of instruction was left to the discretion of the individual officers. More men were qualified than on several succeeding patrols, but the real value of this system lies in the fact that all hands now are definitely better submariners, whether qualified or not.

Number on board 70
Number qualified at start 37
Number attempting qualification 29
Number qualified at end 57
Number advanced in rating 23
Number first patrol men 16

(R) Miles Steamed - Fuel Used

Engines Miles Gallons Gals/Miles
Pearl to Johnston 4 813 12306 15.1
Johnston to Area 2 3000 30715 10.2
* In Area 1 6233 33473 5.4
Area to Majuro 3 5295 30343 11.9
Total:   12641 106837  

* NOTE: Includes short periods of 2 and 4 engine operations. All fuel used above includes that used in charging.

(S) Duration

Days Enroute to Area 13
Days in Area 31
Days Enroute to Majuro 8
Days Submerged 5

(T) Factors of Endurance Remaining

Torpedoes 24
Fuel 20157 gallons
Provisions 0 days
Personnel 14 days

Limiting Factor of This Patrol:

Operation order.

(U) Remarks

In connection with the speed of the ship with #4 M.B.T. full, the following information is submitted:

Engines No. Days Tanks Full Speed Wind & Sea
4 (80-90) 2 3-4-5 17.7 knots 3 #
3 (80-90) 6 hours 3-4-5 15.6 knots 0-1
3 (80-90) 4 3-5 15.7 knots 2-3 ahead
2 (80-90) 4 3-4-5 13.2 knots 1 #
2 (80-90) 1 3-5 14. knots Moderate swell

# NOTE: Quartering.

The lack of contacts in the area was most disappointing. There were a total of 12 contacts with enemy craft. The total tonnage of these, including all escorts, was 7330, or less than one good sized ship!


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