Royal Canadian Navy Monthly Review, 1000-5 No. 10, October 1942
Description
- Media Type
- Image
- Item Type
- Documents
- Description
- U-Boat Sinkings: Caribbean Area
H.M.C.S. "Oakville Sinks U-94" - Inscriptions
- While escorting TAW 15 from Curacao to Guantanamo August 27, in 17 degrees 40 minutes N.-24 degrees 22 minutes W., H.M.C.S. "Oakville" was steaming at 12 knots in her assigned position 5000 yds. 30 degrees from port column, course 351 degrees true.
At 0258Z/28th, while on zig-zag steering 300 degrees true, three explosions were heard ahead. A column of water was observed fine on the port bow about one mile distant, and course was altered towards. The C.O. was called and speed increased to 15 knots. The C.O. ordered guns crew D/C party and all officers called. A U.S. aircraft was flashing "S's" by signal lamp at surface of the water, but no object was visible. The aircraft circled and dropped a flare ahead, which was extinguished on contact with the water.
Immediately full speed ahead was ordered; S/M alarm was sounded and the E/R informed that D/Cs were about to be dropped. 5-charge pattern "B" set to 100 ft. was dropped on the approximate position of the flare without A/S contact; course was altered 30 degrees to St'bd, speed was reduced to 160 Revs. and D/C pattern "B" was reset.
Immediately afterwards A/S contact was obtained 10 degrees on the starboard bow bearing 335 degrees true, range 600 yards. Fukl speed ahead was ordered and course was altered towards and bearing was reported moving rapidly left. less than one half minute afterwards, a watch officer sighted the bow of a submarine on the bearing indicated, about half a cable distant on the starboard bow moving left and slightly opening. Two white rockets were fired. Course was altered to ram and Number One ordered to shore up bulkheads. The S/M passed under bow. hard-a -port was ordered and S/M bumped against port side.
The port .5's opened fire on the bow of the S/M which was the only portion visible. The order Hard-a-starboard was given to open range in order to bring the 4" gun to bear and ram. When the range had opened to about one cable, one round of 4" was fired at the bow and which landed close by. The ship's course was altered to a collision bearing and two rounds of 4" were fired at the conning tower. At this time the Oerlikon was raking the S/M to man any gun throughout the action, marksmanship being extremely effective. The S/M was taking avaiding action, completely surfaced and had increased speed considerably. She passed across the starboard side and at this time one 4" shell carried away her 88mm deck gun. OAKVILLE manouvered to ram and stuck the starboard side of the S/M which passed down the port side. Order was given to fire D/C, and one D/C exploded directly under the S/M. She rapidly decreased speed. OAKVILLE opened range to ram again. This was carried out approximately 0345Z/28. The S/M was rammed squarely abaft the conning tower; OAKVILLE received three distinct shocks.
Asdic dome and oscillator were smashed and A/S compartment flooded, No.2 boiler room was leaking considerably. Steps were taken to control damage by shoring up water tight bulkheads.
The U.S.S LEA assisted in recovering survivors and boarding party. The S/M sank at approximately 0400Z/28. Course was set for Guantanamo and OAKVILLE arrived without incident at 1722Z/28 - Publisher
- RCNMR
- Date of Original
- Oct 1942
- Subject(s)
- Collection
- HMCS OAKVILLE - E. Stewart, Curator
- Language of Item
- English
- Copyright Statement
- Copyright status unknown. Responsibility for determining the copyright status and any use rests exclusively with the user.
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- Oakville MuseumEmail:oakvillemuseum@oakville.ca
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