Information Bulletin from the United States Fleet - 'Oakville Sinks Sub August 28, 1942'
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- Oakville sinks Sub. Aug. 28, 1942
Information Bulletin No. 19--Anti-Submarine Warfare, United States Fleet, Hdq of the C.-in-C.
On the evening of Aug. 27 the pilot of naval plane 92-P-6 (a PBY-5A) obtained permission from the squadron commander to make a flight (in addition to his regular duties) south of Windward Passage, in search of submarines which he believed to be refueling in the vicinity. After the pilot had reached the area, one of the planes escorting Convoy TAW-15 which was approaching Windward Passage from the south, sustained a mechanical failure and had to return to Base. The 92-P-6, being nearby, was ordered to take over convoy escort duty.
It was a bright clear night, a full moon arose at 0110 GCT. Wind and sea were Force 4 with whitecaps, a heavy swell, and a few scattered clouds at 1000 ft. Convoy TAW-15 was proceeding on course 351 T at 8 knots, with escorts disposed as indicated on the accompanying chart.
At 0257 GCT the 92-P-6 from an altitude of 500 ft. sighted a submarine fully surfaced in the moon path 3 miles astern of the main convoy. An immediate approach was made into the moon path. Four Mk XXIX depth bombs, with 50-foot depth settings, were released from an altitude of 50 to 75 feet. The submarine was submerging on course 295 relative to the plane with conning tower still on the surface. Bomb explosions completely concealed the conning tower, and blew the stern clear of the water. The diving planes of the submarine were wrecked, forcing her to remain on the surface throughout the rest of the action. Her lights were extinguished, and her maximum speed reduced to about 11 knots while commencing a return circle, the H.M.C.S. Oakville was sighted about 1 mile from the attack and "SSS" flashed to them by Aldis lamp. Upon completing the circle, a flare was released at the position of the attack.
H.M.C.S. Oakville observed explosion of depth bombs, Aldis signal, and flare. Oakville immediately increased speed and headed toward position of the depth bomb explosion. Five depth charges were dropped at the position of the flare, although no sound contact had been obtained. Immediately thereafter sound contact was made 10 degrees on the starboard bow at a range of 600 yards. Full speed ahead was ordered and course altered toward the target bearing of which moved rapidly left. Less than 30 seconds after obtaining sound contact the bow of the submarine was sighted 200 yards on the starboard bow, moving left and slightly opening. two withe flares were fired and course altered to ram. The submarine passed just under the bow, but the stern of the corvette was thrown against the submarine by instant hard right rudder.
The port .50 caliber machine gun opened fire on the bow of the submarine. Range was opened and the ship swung to port to bring the 4-inch gun to bear. When the range had been opened to 200 yards, one round was fired and the ship's course altered to a collision bearing. Two more rounds were fired at the conning tower, 1 of which was observed to hit. Submarine was raked with machine gun and Oerlikon fire so heavily it was unable to man any of its guns. The U-bout increased speed and attempted to escape fully surfaced. The fourth 4-inch shell carried away the submarine's 88-mm deck gun. Oakville rammed, striking the starboard side of the submarine, which passed down the port side of the Oakville. Depth charges were fired, one of which exploded directly under the submarine, which decreased seed radically. At 0345 GCT Oakville rammed again, striking the submarine squarely abaft the conning tower. The corvette's sound dome and oscillator were smashed, and asdic compartment flooded, with No. 2 boiler room leaking badly. Bulkheads were shored. Oakville laid alongside the submarine and sent a man aboard her, who reported the control room a shambles and that the sub was filling rapidly. U.S.S. Lea stood by during boarding operations. At 0400 the submarine sank. The Lea continued to stand by, as the Oakville encountered difficulty in recovering her boats.
At 0440, 3 ships adjacent in the convoy, San Fabian, Rotterdam and Esso Aruba, were torpedoed simultaneously, all on the port side. Flares and rockets put up by the convoy were visible to the Lea, who rejoined the convoy, San Fabian and Rotterdam sank and the SC-522 picked up 59 survivors from them. Esso Aruba managed to make Guantanamo Bay the next day. Oakville considerably damaged, got underway at 0705 and arrived at Guantanamo at 1722. - Subject(s)
- Collection
- HMCS OAKVILLE - E. Stewart, Curator
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- English
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United States, United States
Latitude: 39.76 Longitude: -98.5
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