U.S.S. SEALION (SS 315) Third Patrol

The U.S.S. SEALION II (SS 315), commanded by Commander Eli Reich, departed Pearl Harbor for her third war patrol on October 31,1944. After refueling at Midway Island on Nov. 4, SEALION proceeded to her patrol area accompanied by the U.S.S. KETE (SS 369). On Nov. 11, SEALION engaged in an unsuccessful surfaced gun battle with two armed trawlers. During the following 10 days, SEALION experienced two weapons casualties, placing tubes #5 and #8 out of commission. On Nov. 21, SEALION picked up a radar contact at 44,000 yards. The following is an excerpt from SEALION's actual war patrol report:

21 NOVEMBER 1944

0020(I) Radar contact at 44,000 yards, on our starboard quarter, (Ship contact #3) three pips, very clear and distinct. Came to normal approach, went ahead flank on four engines, and commenced tracking. Overcast sky, no soon, visibility about 1500 yards, calm sea.

0043(I) Two large pips and two smaller pips now outlined on radar screen at a range of 35,000 yards. These are the greatest ranges we have ever obtained on our radar. Pips so large, at so great a range, we first suspected land. It was possible to lobe switch on the larger targets at 32,000 yards--we now realized we probably had two targets of battleship proportions and two of larger cruiser size as our targets. They were in a column with a cruiser ahead followed by two battleships, and a cruiser astern, course 060 T, speed 16 knots. not zigging.

0146(I) Three escorts now visible on the radar, at a range of 20,000 yards. One on. either beam on the formation, and one on the starboard far quarter. We are pining bearing slowly but surely. The formation is now on our starboard beam. Seas and wind increasing.

0245(I) Ahead of task force. Turned in and slowed for attack, keeping our bow pointed at the now destroyer who is now 1800 yards on the port bow of our target. the second ship in column. Able to make out shape of near destroyer from bridge. Kept swinging left with our bow directly on the destroyer, and at

0256(1) Fired six torpedoes, depth set at 8 feet, at the second ship in column, range 3000 yards, believed to be a battleship. Came right with full rudder to bring the stern tubes to bear.

0259-30(I) Stopped and fired three torpedoes, depth set at 8 feet, from the stern tubes at the third ship in column (ie the second battleship). Range 3100 yards. Range to near destroyer at the time of firing stern tubes about 1800 yards. While firing stern tubes, O.O.D. reported he could make out outline of the near cruiser on our port quarter. During the firing of the bow tubes the bridge quartermaster reported he could make out outline of a very high superstructure on target, he said it looked to him like the pagoda build of the Jap battleships.

0300(I) Saw and heard three hits on the first battleship--several small mushrooms of explosions noted in the darkness.

0304(I) Saw and heard at least one hit on the second battleship--this gave a large violent explosion with a sudden rise of flames at the target, but it quickly subsided.

0304-07(I) Went ahead flank, opening to westward from target group. Noted several small explosions, flames, and probably lights in vicinity of target group.

0308(I) Heard a long series of heavy depth charge explosions from vicinity of enemy force-- we are about 5000 yards from group. P.P.I. shows one escort opening and rapidly to east of target group. Continued tracking.

0330(I) Chagrined at this point to find subsequent tracking enemy group still making 16 knots, still on course 060T. I feel that in setting depth at 8 feet, in order to hit a destroyer if overlapping our main target. I've made a bust--looks like we only dented the armor belt on the battleships.

0406(I) Tracking indicates the target group now zigzagging. We are holding true bearing, maybe gaining a little. Called for maximum speed from engineers--they gave us 25% overload for -about thirty minutes. then commenced growling about sparking commutators, hot motors, et al , forced to slow to flank. Sea and wind increasing all the time--now about force 5 or 6-- taking solid water over bridge, with plenty coming down the conning tower hatch. SEALION making about 16.8 to 17 knots with safety tank dry and using low pressure blower often to keep ballast tanks dry. Engine rooms taking much water through main induction.

0430(I) Sent SEALION Serial Number TWO. (EDITOR's NOTE: does anybody out there know what this means?)

0450(I) Noted enemy formation breaking up into two groups--one group dropping astern. Now P.P.I. showed:(a) one group up ahead to consist of three large ships in column--cruiser. battleship, cruiser with a destroyer just being lost to radar view up ahead. Range to this group about 17000 yards. (b) Second group dropping astern of first to consist of a battleship, with two destroyers on far side Close aboard-- range to this group about 15000 yards and closing.

0451(I) Shifted target designation, decided to attack second group, which contains I battleship, hit with three torpedoes on our first attack. Tracking shows target to have slowed to I I knots. Things beginning to took rosy again.

0512(I) In position ahead of target, slowed and turned in for attack.

0518(I) Solutions on T.D.C. and plot is getting sour--target must be changing speed.

0520(I) Plot and T.D.C. report target must be stopped, radar says target pip seems to be getting a little smaller. Range to target now about 17000 yards.

0524(I) Tremendous explosion dead ahead--sky brilliantly Illuminated, it looked like a sunset at midnight, radar reports battleship pip getting smaller--that it has disappeared-- leaving only two smaller pips of the destroyers. Destroyers seem to be milling around vicinity of target. Battleship sunk--the sun set.

0525(I) Total darkness again.

Cdr. Reich and SEALION have accomplished what no other American Submarine had done, they sank a Japanese battleship, the KONGA, and did it with three electric torpedoes fired at an extreme range. During the initial attack SEALION also damaged the first battleship and sank one of the destroyer screens. For his heroism in action an commanding officer, Cdr. Reich was awarded his third Navy Cross.

Reich retired from the Naval service as a Vice Admiral on October 31, 1973. The gallant SEALION was sunk as a target in the summer of 1978.

(Courtesy: The Dolphin June 22, 1984)