|
continued from page 2
(The Hunt For U-856)
1348 Changed course to 200ºT and take echelonformation to the right, distance 3000 yards.
1502 Changed course to 270ºT. Took formation on line of bearing 044ºT, from guide.
1528 Changed course by turning to the left to 134ºT.
1542 Sound contact 070ºT.
1545 Went to General Quarters and streamed Foxer Gear.
1548 Lost contact 045ºT range 600 .yards. Put over marker.
1557 USS Huse standing in to assist.
(Signed: N R. Glass)
16 - 20 Steaming on various courses at 10 knots to regain contact. USS Huse gained contact and made run, lost contact at 700 yards and did not drop.
1605 USS Champlin regained contact 115ºT - 1100 yards.
1610 Lost contact 130ºT and put over smoke float.
1615 Increased speed to 15 knots.
1620 Regained contact and closed to 900 yards.
1622 All engines "stop". Holding contact while USS Huse makes run.
1630 USS Huse makes run.
1630 USS Huse fired hedgehog on bearing 227ºT.
1634 Closed contact and dropped 11 charge pattern set very deep.
1640 Regained contact bearing 005ºT at 980 yards. Closed contact and dropped pattern set for medium depth.
1652 Periscope sighted.
1653 Conning tower of submarine in sight, all batteries commenced firing.
1655 All engines ahead flank, 25 knots preparing to ram.
1656 Scored direct hits on conning tower of submarine setting fire on starboard side. Submarine personnel abandoning ship.
1706 Rammed submarine's stern and side with our port bow and side.
1708 Ceased firing, range fouled by USS Huse preparing to ram a second time.
1708 Captain hit by shrapnel, Lieut. R. L. Baughan, Executive Officer assumed command.
1712 Commenced firing with all guns.
1714 Ceased firing, submarine sank and several underwater explosions heard.
1725 Captain removed to Emergency Cabin.
1733 Changed speed to 10 knots, course 092ºT.
1743 Changed course to 080ºT.
1955 Reported to Bridge that Hollingsworth, R. H., SM1c, USN, Okun, J.A., SoM3c, USN, and Estes, S1c, USNR were treated for minor shrapnel wounds.
(Signed: N. R. Glass)
20 - 24 Steaming as before.
2000 Position: Lat. 40º 20'N; Long. 61º 33'W.
2037 Removed commanding officer from Emergency Cabin to Wardroom for operation.
2245 USS Nields and USS Ordronaux joined USS Boyle to form screen around USS Champlin.
(Signed: S. N. Anastasion)
|
 |
Saturday, 8 April, 1944.
00 - 04 Steaming as a unit of Task Unit 27.6.2 on course 080ºT, speed 12 knots. USS Champlin being screened by USS Boyle; USS Nields; USS Ordronaux. Ship darkened; modified condition afirm, and condition of Readiness II Mike set. Steaming on boilers #1 and #4. Unit proceeding to New York with prisoners of war from German submarine sunk on 7 April 1944 by USS Champlin. Damage to USS Champlin hull resulting from rake of submarine conning tower under control. Commanding Officer being operated on in wardroom for shrapnel wounds to abdomen received during action.
0240 Changed course 268ºT.
0300 Minor shrapnel wounds on Okun, J.A., SoM3c, USN; Estes, S1c, USNR being treated.
0340 change speed to 13 knots.
(Signed: S. N. Anastasion)
04 - 08 Steaming as before. 0435 Formation changed speed to 14 knots.
0525 Formation changed speed to 15 knots.
0536 Sunrise. Lighted ship.
0630 Set condition Baker in after section of the ship.
(Signed: N. R. Glass)
08 - 12 Steaming as before. 0800 Position: Lat. 40º 30' N; Long. 61º 07'W.
0080 Mustered crew on station. No absentees.
0803 Commander J.J. Shaffer, III, USN, Commanding Officer passed away as a result of shrapnel wounds received during attack and sinking of submarine on April 7, 1944.
0810 Colors at half-mast.
1020 Colors two - blocked.
(Signed: W.B. Schneidau)
12 - 16 Steaming as before.
1200 Position; Lat. 40º. 33'N; Long 62º 33'W.
1548 Changed course to 267ºT.
(Signed: B. Dolan)
16 - 20 Steaming as before.
1740 Condition modified afirm set aft.
1850 Sunset, darkened ship. Set modified condition afirm throughout the ship.
(Signed: W. B. Schneidau)
20 - 24 Steaming as before
2000 Position: Lat. 40º. 27'N; Long. 65º 00'W. All departments reported secure. Sea and wind increasing. Damage still under control.
2005 Reduced speed to 14 knots.
2215 Completed pumping from C-2 and C-4 to relieve pressure on manhole covers.
(Signed: S. N. Anastasion)
(Note: At the request of his widow, Commander J. J. Shaffer, III, was buried at sea the following day, Easter Sunday , 9 April, 1944)
|
