American Submarine Spadefish In World War 2

By Val Scanlon Jr.

Merriam Press World War 2 History Series. Of the top 25 U.S. subs in World War II, Spadefish was ranked as #5 in ships sunk (21) and was #6 in tonnage sunk (88,091), accomplished during only five war patrols over a one year period. This work provides complete coverage of the Spadefish’s five war patrols. Appendices provide biographies of the two commanding officers, and summaries of torpedo and deck gun attacks made by Spadefish. Review by Polaris, publication of the U.S. Submarine Veterans of World War II: “No doubt about it, those men who served in Spadefish will want a copy to stash away in their memoirs. Submarine buffs everywhere, who collect World War II memorabilia, will find this little gem a welcome addition to their collection.” 37 photos, 3 illustrations.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Merriam Press
• Release date: Oct 11, 2015
• ISBN: 9781576384237

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American Submarine Spadefish In World War 2

American Submarine Spadefish In World War 2

Val Scanlon Jr.

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Military Monograph 9

Bennington, Vermont

2015

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First eBook Edition 2015

Copyright © 1988 by Val Scanlon Jr.

First published by the Merriam Press in 1988

Additional material copyright of named contributors.

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

The views expressed are solely those of the author.

ISBN 9781576384237

This work was designed, produced, and published in the United States of America by the Merriam Press, 133 Elm Street, Suite 3R, Bennington VT 05201.

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Notice

The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to five years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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Introduction

Spadefish: A spiny-finned fish found in coastal waters of the Western Atlantic from Cuba to Cape Cod.

The U.S.S. Spadefish (SS-411) was commissioned on 9 March 1944, at Navy Yard, Mare Island, California, with Commander G. W. Underwood in command.

Conducted trials and preliminary training in San Diego area 13 May to 2 June.

Post-shakedown repair period at Mare Island, 5 to 14 June.

Arrived Pearl Harbor on 23 June.

Final training period 28 June to 20 July, including participation in two convoy exercises and tests of special sound gear.

First War Patrol

This, the first patrol, was conducted in the area between Formosa and Luzon and in the area northeast of Formosa from 23 July to 24 September 1944.

Excellent judgment along with an aggressive fighting spirit was displayed throughout this splendid patrol. After expending 20 of her original load of 24 torpedoes, Spadefish put into Saipan for replacements and continued her series of well-planned attacks, the effectiveness of which is best shown by the severe damage inflicted upon the Japanese. This patrol was the eighth best for tonnage, 31,542, and fifth best for the number of ships sunk, six, of the 1,682 war patrols conducted by U.S. submarines during World War II.

On 23 July 1944, at 1330 hours, Spadefish was underway from the submarine base, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, bound for Midway Island, Territory of Hawaii, in company with escort U.S.S. Picuda (SS-382) and U.S.S. Redfish (SS-395) as a wolf pack. Later the same evening the escort departed and we proceeded to carry out orders as directed by the Commander Submarine Force, Pacific Fleet.

For the next three days we were en route to Midway conducting ship and fire control drills and training dives. We then entered Midway Channel and proceeded to our assigned berth. Received 17,000 gallons of fuel oil plus stores (food, etc.).

At 0739 the next day, we were underway for our assigned area and during the following four days we were en route to station conducting training dives, fire control and tracking drills.

On 6 August we passed Sofu Gan (Lot’s wife) in the Ogasawara Islands group south of Honshu, abeam to starboard, distance 15 miles.

Encountered some rough weather that confirmed the opinion that this design of ship is a one engine room ship in rough weather. A slug of water down the main induction grounded out both evaporators and number two engine instrument panel in the forward engine room.

Three days later we entered the waiting area, proceeding to the patrolling area on the surface. Had Japanese plane visual contact and submerged to avoid detection. Later surfaced and resumed course and speed. On 11 August we entered the patrol area and commenced surface patrol on a north and south line in accordance with our operating orders. Two other U.S. submarines are patrolling a similar line, at 20 mile intervals to the westward of Spadefish.

The next day the wind had been picking up all day, shifting from east to northeast and it looks as if we are in for a bit of a blow.

The storm is now of such intensity as to make useless any surface patrol so we submerged. Had intended to patrol submerged anyway. Found that we broached if we got any higher than 75 feet, so went to 150 feet. Sound ranges exceeded visual ranges anyway. Later we came to periscope depth for a look and the usual broach. The wind had shifted to the north at about 60 knots. Went back to 150 feet. At that depth we had a consistent roll of 15 degrees with an occasional 20-25 degree roll. This is a 2,500-ton submarine.

Four hours later we took another look and another broach and found that the wind had shifted to the northwest. The flying spray gave the appearance of a heavy blizzard so went back to 150 feet.

After another four hours we surfaced and found that the wind had swung around to the south, so we changed course to head into it and prepared to ride out the storm. Received ComSubPac dispatch telling us we were in the vicinity of a typhoon. We know!

A few hours later we submerged. The seas had subsided to where we could almost stay at periscope depth. Commenced patrol to eastward of and between Koto Sho and Kasho To. Frequent rain squalls made visibility very poor. After sunset we surfaced and as we could not contact Formosa on the radar we headed in the general direction until contact was made at a range of 60,000 yards (30 miles).

Received a message telling us of contact being made with a convoy of 13 ships and many escorts from one of our submarines to westward. We bent on all four engines as they became available and commenced searching. A short time later we had radar interference from one of our submarines and now knew his general direction. We soon discovered we had a problem with our radar and affected repairs as rapidly as possible as we should have been in front of the convoy at this time although we had not contacted it yet so we took the convoy base course, until the radar was reported in working order and shortly we received word that an attack was being made by one of the others. Later. still no contact.

Radar contact. Thought we had at last found the convoy. Turned out to be some small island south of Balintang Channel. So continued the search.

Soon after sunrise the Officer of the Deck reported sighting a periscope off our port quarter, so turned away and submerged. Periscope not definitely identified and nothing heard on sound. Safety uppermost on our minds at this moment.

It was soon apparent that failure to make contact with the convoy was due to the uncertainty of the reporting submarine’s position, hence the convoy position, with respect to our position. Failure to make contact with such a promising group of targets was, needless to say, disappointing.

Sighted six planes to the eastward, circling in the vicinity