William Hockett Hazzard, USN
| Born | 7 Aug 1912 | Los Angeles County, California, USA | |
| Died | 27 Aug 2006 | (94) | ?, California, USA |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Jul 1965 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for William Hockett Hazzard, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Blenny (324) | T/Cdr. | Submarine | 27 Jul 1944 | 29 Aug 1945 |
Career information
William Hockett Hazzard Date of birth: 7-Aug-12 Date of death: 27-Aug-06 Home of record: Vallejo California William Hazzard graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1935. He retired as a U.S. Navy Captain.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Blenny (324)
9 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) shifted from New London, Connecticut to Newport, Rhode Island for her contract torpedo trials.
12 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her torpedo trials completed, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), shifted from Newport, Rhode Island to New London, Connecticut.
15 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) is put on the slipway at New London.
18 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) is put back in the water.
28 Aug 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Key West, Florido where she was to conduct services with the Fleet Sound School.
5 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Key West, Florida from New London, Connecticut.
6 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West.
8 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West together with USS Lapwing (Lt.(jg) L.G. Seaver, USNR).
10 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West together with USS Lapwing (Lt.(jg) L.G. Seaver, USNR).
12 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Key West together with USS Lapwing (Lt.(jg) L.G. Seaver, USNR).
15 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed Key West, Florida for Colon, Panama Canal Zone.
19 Sep 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Colon, Panama Canal Zone from Key West, Florida.
28 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.
15 Oct 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbour.
29 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.
30 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.
31 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Connolly (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Collier, USNR).
1 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Bright (Lt.Cdr. W.A. McMahan, USNR), USS Snyder (Lt.Cdr. E. Moore, USNR) and USS Spikefish (Cdr. N.J. Nicholas, USN).
2 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Bright (Lt.Cdr. W.A. McMahan, USNR).
3 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Tills (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Brooks, USNR), USS Hemminger (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Bodler, USNR), USS Viking, USS ATR-26 (Lt. J.H. Kelly, USN), USS Plaice (Cdr. C.B. Stevens, Jr., USN) and USS Spikefish (Cdr. N.J. Nicholas, USN).
5 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Tills (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Brooks, USNR) and USS Hemminger (Lt.Cdr. J.R. Bodler, USNR).
6 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Tills (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Brooks, USNR) and USS Vammen (Lt.Cdr. L.M. King, Jr., USNR), USS Spikefish (Cdr. N.J. Nicholas, USN) and USS Sea Owl (Cdr. C.L. Bennett, USN).
7 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Tills (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Brooks, USNR), USS Harmon (Lt.Cdr. T.U. Weekes, USNR), USS ATR-26 (Lt. J.H. Kelly, USN) and USS Spikefish (Cdr. N.J. Nicholas, USN).
10 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea. Blenny was escorted out by USS PC-1077.
For daily and attack positions of USS Blenny during this patrol see the map below.
22 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Saipan. She was escorted in by USS Swanson (Lt.Cdr. W.K. Ratliff, USN).
23 Nov 1944
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area. She was escorted out by USS Cummings (Lt.Cdr. W.J. Collum, Jr., USN).
1 Dec 1944 (position 16.14, 119.19)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a Japanese frigate with three torpedoes west of Luzon, Phillipines in position 16°21'N, 119°32'E. All missed and Blenny was then depth charged.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0514 hours - In position 16°25'N, 119°22'E sighted ship bearing 105°(T), range about 16000 yards. Closed to investigate and commenced tracking.
0518 hours - The target tracked on course 050°(T) at 8 knots but then changed course to 300°(T) and increased speed to 15 knots.
0524 hours - The target turned towards and was seen to be a medium sized patrol craft. Changed course to the south-west to evade.
0535 hours - Submerged. The enemy was pinging and headed towards. He must have seen us. Decided to attack with a down the throat shot.
0617 hours - In position 16°21'N, 119°32'E fired three stern torpedoes from 1500 yards at a frigate. All missed. Went deep and rigged for depth charging.
0623 hours - The first of 14 depth charges were dropped. They were quite close but caused no damage.
0728 hours - Two more depth charges, one above, one below. Both were quite close but again caused no damage.
0741 hours - Blenny was now at 325 feet. 18 Depth charges were dropped in quick succession about half above and half below. All were again moderately close. No damage was caused. This run was made by a different A/S vessel. It was thougt there were now two 'pinders' and one 'listener'.
1026 hours - Drew away to the north from the 'pingers' who had lost contact.
1300 hours - At periscope depth. Nothing in sight.
14 Dec 1944 (position 15.46, 119.45)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank the Japanese 'sea truck' Taisho Maru No.5 (47 GRT) with gunfire in position 16°34'N, 119°40'E and torpedoed and sank the Japanese corvette Kaibokan 28 (offsite link) off Dasol Bay, Philippines in position 15°46'N, 119°45'E .
(All times are zone H, -8) 0628 hours - In position 16°29'N, 119°44'E sighted masts of a small vessel bearing 022°(T). Closed to intercept.
0648 hours - Identified the ship as a 250 ton sea truck. The target tracked on course 110°(T), speed 5 knots.
0649 hours - Battle stations gun action.
0707 hours - Commenced firing 40mm and 20mm from a range of 3800 yards and closing. When the range was 1200 yards .30 cal also opened fire as did the 5" gun. The target was soon on fire aft.
0735 hours - In position 16°34'N, 119°40'E the target heeled over and sank. Ammunition used during this action was 47 rounds of 5" for about 25 hits, 40mm 96 rounds for about 6 hits, 450 rounds of 20mm - many hits, .30 cal, 1875 rounds - many hits.
0738 hours - Headed back to our lifeguard station.
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2025 hours - In position 16°18'N, 119°33'E obtained SJ radar contact at a range of 12300 yards bearing 104°(T). Commenced tracking and soon determined that the target was hugging the coast on a base course of 180°(T) at a speed of 14 knots.
2210 hours - Battle stations torpedo and commenced attack.
2225 hours - In position 15°46'N, 119°45'E fired three bow torpedoes from 2200 yards. All three hit the target.
2235 hours - The target was seen to sink.
23 Dec 1944 (position 16.40, 120.16)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport Kenzui Maru (4156 GRT, built 1904) north of San Fernando, Phillipines in position 16°40'N, 120°16'E.
Kenzui Maru was in convoy TAMA-36 together with Yuzan Maru (6869 GRT, built 1919). They were escorted by the frigates Ikuna, Kanju and Kaibokan 41.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0925 hours - In position 16°51'N, 120°15'E sighted two masts and funnel of a ship bearing 051°(T), range about 20000 yards. Changed course to intercept.
0936 hours - Battle stations torpedo.
1001 hours - Sighted an escort on the starboard bow of the target. The escort is thought to be a frigate.
1019 hours - In position 16°50'N, 120°18'E fired six bow torpedoes from 2800 yards at a freighter of about 7000 ton. Five timed hits were heard but the results could not be seen as the target was completely obscured by smoke and spray. Blenny then went deep.
1034 hours - Blenny hit the bottom at 240 feet but she soon came off.
1052 hours - Loud pinging all around.
1102 hours - Depth charging started. A pattern of ten depth charges was dropped rather close.
1112 hours - Eight more depth charges but they wer not close.
1317 hours - Pinging dropped astern, secured from battle stations.
1505 hours - At periscope depth. Nothing in sight.
27 Dec 1944 (position 17.16, 120.24)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a Japanese convoy west of Luzon, Phillipines in position 17°16'N, 120°24'E. A total of eight torpedoes were fired. One explosion was heard thought to be of a torpedo but the result was unclear.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1200 hours - In position 17°18'N, 120°23'E sighted smoke bearing 168°(T), just to the right of Candon Point.
1250 hours - Changed course to get inside the 100 fathom line and to get behind the escort screen if the convoy was coming towards.
1315 hours - Sighted the first escort of the screen, a frigate.
1338 hours - Four ships and two more escorts were seen rounding Candon Point, these were two medium transports of about 4500 ton each and two new medium tankers of about 7000 ton each. All were light loaded but with a whole lot of troops on their decks. Escort was seen to be made up of a Fubuki class destroyer, a smaller escort or patrol vessel and the frigate seen earlier.
1412 hours - In position 17°16'N, 120°24'E fired three stern torpedoes at one of te tankers from 2800 yards.
1414 hours - Fired three bow torpedoes at the second tanker from 2200 yards.
1415 hours - Fired two torpedoes (actually only one was fired due to a mechanical failure) from 2400 yards at the last target, one of the transports.
1416 hours - Heard a loud explosion followed by two muffled explosions.
1535 hours - Secured from battle stations.
31 Dec 1944 (position 15.41, 119.45)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a Japanese frigate with two torpedoes south of Dasol Bay, Luzon, Phillipines in position 15°41'N, 119°45'E. No hits were obtained. Blenny was depth charghed following this attack.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0521 hours - In position 15°44'N, 119°41'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 042°(T), range 19000 yards. Submerged and set course to intercept.
0620 hours - JP Picked up pinging noises bearing 081°(T).
0622 hours - Sighted funnel of small vessel bearing 060°(T), presumably pinger and previous radar contact.
0629 hours - In position 15°40'N, 119°44'E sighted 2 masts and funnel of a medium transport bearing 133°(T). Estimated range 22000 yards.
0630 hours - Picked up the sound of heavy screws bearing 142°(T).
0631 hours - Sighted a frigate bearing 155°(T) at an estimated range of 8000 yards.
0633 hours - Should have gone to full speed and gone deep at his point to get ahead of escort and close targets but thought we could hold this course 080°(T), pass astern of escort, and then speed up as he seemed to be far ahead on bow of leading ship thus avoiding chance of being pinged on. Could now see masts of two more ships astern of the first one sighted, bearing 132°(T) and 154°(T) looking like a large tanker and a medium transport. Went to battle stations torpedo.
0646 hours - Running silent. A fourth ship was now sighted astern of the medium transport. Also a tug was visible forward of the leading transport. Two frigates were seen to be escorting. Also what is thought to be a Motor Torpedo Boat was sighted.
0708 hours - The closest frigate began signalling and turned towards. Range was 3500 yards.
0714 hours - Changed course to evade this frigate.
0718 hours - Changed course again. Made two torpedoes ready forward with depth set at 2 feet to shoot at this frigate as we were unable to avoid.
0726 hours - In position 15°41'N, 119°45'E fired two torpedoes from 650 yards at the frigate. Both missed as the frigate made a course change.
0729 hours - Went deep.
0730 hours - Eight depth charges were dropped but the were not close.
0739 hours - One depth charge, not close. Went a bit deeper as it was thought the frigate might have got a sounding on us as he went overhead.
0753 hours - Six depth charges were dropped. Some were close and estimated to be within 50 yards but all above and astern.
0830 hours - Twenty-six more depth charges all shallower then our depth. There were now two vessels dropping depth charges.
0930 hours - At periscope depth. No ships in sight.
2 Jan 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked an escorted transport in the South China Sea in position 12°20'N, 114°24'E with two torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Blenny was now out of torpedoes and corse was set to proceed to Fremantle, Australia.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0625 hours - In position 11°12'N, 113°08'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 312°(T), range 20000 yards. Turned towards and commenced tracking.
0700 hours - Sighted two masts bearing 020°(T) thought to be of a transport. An escort was sighted 2200 yards ahead of this target and an escort 1600 yards astern of the target. The target was now tracking 050°(T) at 12 knots.
0709 hours - Opened out the range to 30000 yards and commenced to get ahead of the targets.
0737 hours - Called USS Caiman and USS Sealion to give them information on our contact.
1305 hours - Now ahead of the target.
1342 hours - Submerged to feet.
1351 hours - Went to battle stations torpedo.
1422 hours - Flooded tubes 9 and 10, the only tubes with torpedoes left in them.
1433 hours - In position 12°20'N, 114°24'E fired two torpedoes from 1300 yards. No hits were obtained. A few depth charges were dropped following this attack but none were close at all.
1525 hours - The last escort was now out of sight.
1549 hours - Surfaced.
8 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early morning hours, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
13 Jan 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia. She was escorted in by HMAS Inverell (Lt. A.I. Chapman, RANR(S)). At Fremantle she was refitted by a relief crew of SubDiv 181 and USS Euryale.
26 Jan 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) was docked at Fremantle.
27 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) was undocked.
29 Jan 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 29 January 1945 to 4 February 1945, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), conducted training exercises off Fremantle.
5 Feb 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea off the coast of French Indo-China. Before proceeding to her patrol area exercises were carried out with HMAS Bunbury (Lt. J.F. Bleckman, RANR(S)).
5 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Blenny during her 2nd war patrol see the map below.
10 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
20 Feb 1945 (position 11.37, 109.11)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a large escorted tanker just south of Cam Ranh Bay, Indo China in position 11°37'N, 109°11'E. Six torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained. Blenny was depth charged following this attack but sustained no damage.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1146 hours - In position 11°35'N, 109°12'E sighted a large modern tanker and two escorts bering 228°(T), range 18000 yards. Commenced approach.
1155 hours - Battle stations torpedo. The escorted were identified as Matsu class destroyers.
1225 hours - In position 11°37'N, 109°11'E fired six bow torpedoes from 1050 yards at the tanker. No hits were obtained. Blenny now went deep as depth charges started to rain down causing some minor damage.
1333 hours - The last of 41 depth charges was dropped. The escort left 10 minutes later.
1435 hours - Periscope depth. No ships in sight. Two aircraft were seen patrolling the area.
22 Feb 1945 (position 11.38, 109.12)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a Japanese frigate with four torpedoes south of Cam Ranh Bay, Indo China. No hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1225 hours - In position 11°31'N, 109°10'E sighted masts bearing 210°(T) and 207°(T), range about 12000 yards. Went to battle stations torpedo.
1230 hours - Masts have resolved themselves into those of a tanker and an escort thought to be a destroyer. Changed course to intercept.
1301 hours - The escort was now seen to be a frigate.
1305 hours - In position 11°38'N, 109°12'E fired four stern torpedoes from 1950 yards. No hits were obtained. No depth charging followed this attack.
26 Feb 1945 (position 11.58, 109.18)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant tanker Amato Maru (10238 GRT, built 1944) off Cape Padaran, French Indo-China in position 11°58'N, 109°18'E.
Amato Maru was in convoy HI-96 (Singapore - Moji) consisting of, besides herself, Fujisan Maru (10238 GRT, built 1944) and Mitsushima Maru (10045 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by frigates Inagi, Kaibokan 66 and Kaibokan 81.
(All times are zone H, -8) 2010 hours - In position 11°33'N, 109°08'E obtained visual and radar contact on 4 ships bearing 270°(T), range 9950 yards. Put the targets astern to open range and track.
2020 hours - The contact was now established by radar as three large and three small ships. USS Becuna and USS Hoe were sent a report on our contact.
2216 hours - Now well ahead of the convoy.
2244 hours - Submerged.
2300 hours - Heard pinging from the southward.
2320 hours - Targets bearing 198°(T).
2321 hours - Sighted three of the targets in column. They were large tankers.
2332 hours - In position 11°58'N, 109°18'E fired four torpedoes from 1250 yards at one of the tankers. One hit was obtained and the tanker was soon ablaze from stem to stern.
2334 hours - Left full rudder to attack the second tanker of the line with the two remaining bow torpedoes. Unfortunately no.5 tube was fired by accident when the ready light came on leaving us with only tube no.6 to attack the second tanker.
2340 hours - Fired no.6 tube at the second tanker from 1000 yards. One minute after firing an explosion was heard. This might have been a hit but no evidence of this was seen.
2342 hours - Right full rudder to bring the stern tubes to bear.
2350 hours - Fired four stern tubes from 3700 yards. After about 4 minutes two explosions were heard. No more torpedoes were heard to run after these explosions.
2358 hours - Retired from the area to the south-east.
28 Feb 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed her patrol area for Subic Bay to take on board new torpedoes and then continue her patrol.
2 Mar 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Subic Bay. She was escorted in by USS Holt (Lt.Cdr. V. Blue, USNR).
4 Mar 1945
After taking on board torpedoes and fuel and some repairs by USS Griffin, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), departed Subic Bay to resume her 2nd war patrol.
20 Mar 1945 (position 11.18, 108.56)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) claims three hits on two 'engines aft, bridge amidships ships' during a torpedo attack on a Japanese convoy off the coast of Indo-China in position 11°18'N, 108°56'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1504 hours - In position 11°22'N, 109°00'E sighted four engines aft ships, one frigate and four patrol vessels inside Padaran Bay bearing 273°(T), range about 16000 yards.
1506 hours - Changed course to close the convoy.
1525 hours - Battle stations torpedo.
1600 hours - The frigate passed overhead while pinging but he was not in contact.
1613 hours - In position 11°18'N, 108°56'E fired four stern torpedoes at a green camouflaged engines aft ship which was overlapping with a grey painted engines aft ship. Range was about 1900 yards. Three hits are claimed, two on the green ship, one on the grey ship.
1615 hours - Went ahead full and to the left to get off the torpedo tracks.
1618 hours - Depth charging started. In all a total of 21 were dropped but none were really close.
1733 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Three of the patrol vessels were in sight, the closest one was around 6000 yards away.
1745 hours - Secured from battle stations.
1951 hours - Surfaced.
27 Mar 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Subic Bay, Philippines. She was escorted in by USS Hodges (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Gorham, USNR).
At Subic Bay she was refitted by by a relief crew from Submarine Division 262 and USS Anthedon.
9 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted sound tests off Subic Bay.
10 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted a deep dive and electronic tests off Subic Bay.
12 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Subic Bay.
13 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Subic Bay.
16 Apr 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed from Subic Bay for her 3rd war patrol. Once again she was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Blenny during this patrol see the map below.
15 May 1945
In the morning USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) bombarded radio towers and barges or landing craft on the beach at Pratas Island with 5" and 40mm.
17 May 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) arrived at Subic Bay, She was escorted in by USS Doyle C. Barnes (Lt.Cdr. J.P. Ingle, Jr., USNR).
18 May 1945
After fuelling, ammunitioning and some mutations to the crew, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), departed Subic Bay to resume her 3rd war patrol. She was now ordered to patrol in the Java Sea. She was escorted out by USS Eichenberger (Lt.Cdr. N. Harrell, USN).
25 May 1945 (position -6.00, 107.34)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank the Japanese guard boat Kairyu Maru (81 GRT) off the north coast of Java in position 06°00'S, 107°34'E.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0100 hours - In position 06°05'S, 107°32'E obtained radar and sight contact at a range of 11500 yards on two unidentified objects. Closed to investigate.
0112 hours - Battle stations torpedo. Also manned 40mm and 20mm guns.
0212 hours - In position 06°00'S, 107°34'E fired three stern torpedoes from 2300 yards at a patrol vessel.
0215 hours - A hit was seen. Smoke, spray and debris shot up 600 feet into the air. Shortly afterwards another torpedo hit the target which had now completely disintegrated.
30 May 1945 (position -4.09, 114.16)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a lugger with gunfire in position 03°40'S, 114°16'E and torpedoed and sank the Japanese cargo ship Hokoku Maru (520 GRT) about 40 nautical miles south-west of Bandjermasin in position 04°09'S, 114°16'E.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0033 hours - Obtained SJ radar contact to the westward at a range of 6700 yards.
0036 hours - The contract tacks at 5 knots on a north-easterly course. The contact is thought to be a lugger.
0042 hours - Battle stations gun action.
0050 hours - In position 03°40'S, 114°16'E commenced firing with 5" at about 2300 yards. After two rounds the target opened fire with machine gun. Opened fire with 40mm, 20mm and .30 cal which quickly silenced this machine gun and set the target afire. Three 5" hits spread the fire and the target was soon on fire from stem to stern and was seen to sink by the stern.
0105 hours - The target was seen to sink after two more 5" rounds in her now exposed bottom.
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0920 hours - In position 04°21'S, 114°00'E sighted a small transport ship bering 355°(T). Commenced tracking. Course of the target was established at 070°(T) at 6 knots. Commenced an end around.
1302 hours - Now ahead of the target. Range was 26000 yards.
1453 hours - Submerged dead ahead of the target when the range was about 19000 yards.
1550 hours - Battle stations torpedo.
1619 hours - In position 04°09'S, 114°16'E fired two bow torpedoes from 1180 yards. Both missed. Quickly flooded three more tubes and fired them. ONe hit was now obtained which quickly sank in about one minute.
1627 hours - Surfaced and commenced picking up survivors. Of the 18 men sighted in the water 12 were picked up (8 natives and 4 Japanese). 7 of the survivors were put on a nearby prau. 5 were kept on board, 3 natives and 2 Japanese.
31 May 1945 (position -4.31, 115.36)
During the night of 31 May / 1 June, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), made two torpedo attacks on a small escorted Japanese tanker south of Borneo. At total of eleven torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.
The ship attacked was most likely the Japanese merchant cargo ship (with bridge amidships and stack aft so looking like a tanker) Tobi Maru (983 GRT, built 1929, former Dutch Tobelo)
(All times are zone I, -9) 31 May 19452243 hours - In position 04°36'S, 115°43'E obtained SJ radar contact on two ships at a range of 19250 and 20950 yards bearing 003°(T). Commenced tracking and the result was a course of 285°(T) at 10 knots.
2300 hours - Passed details of our contact to USS Chub.
2305 hours - Battle stations torpedo.
2311 hours - USS Chub reported that her radar was out of commission.
2322 hours - The targets were seen to be an escort and an unidentified small vessel.
2324 hours - In position 04°31'S, 115°36'E fired three bow torpedoes at the main target which was now thought to be a small tanker of aout 1000 ton. The first torpedo was seen to take a 50° angle to the right and then make off. The other torpedoes were also seen to broach in the heavy sea. No hits were obtained.
2327 hours - A red flare was fired by the escort and both ships then began radical maneuvers.
2341 hours - Contacted USS Chub that our attack was usuccessful.
1 June 1945 0132 hours - USS Chub reported that her radar was back in commission.
0217 hours - Went to battle stations torpedo. Base course of the target was now 255°(T), speed 12 knots. Told USS Chub we were going in for another attack.
0242 hours - In position 04°37'S, 115°19'E fired five bow torpedoes from 2100 yards.
0245 hours - Fired three stern torpedoes from 3000 yards. All eight torpedoes fired in these attacks missed.
0302 hours - Told USS Chub that no hits had been obtained.
5 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early moring hours, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
9 Jun 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.
At Fremantle she was refitted by by a relief crew from Submarine Division 302 and the Fremantle submarine repair unit.
25 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted post refit trials off Fremantle.
26 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted a deep dive and gunnery trials off Fremantle.
27 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted electronic trials off Fremantle.
28 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.
29 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.
1 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.
2 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.
3 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle.
5 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.
Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with USS Corpus Christi (Cdr. W.W. Childress, USCG), USS Hutchinson (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Houghtaling, USCG) and USS Boarfish (Lt.Cdr. E.C. Blonts, Jr., USN).
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Blenny during this patrol see the map below.
11 Jul 1945 (position -8.20, 114.23)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a Japanese 'sea truck' with gunfire in Strait Bali in position 08°20'S, 114°23'E.
(All times are zone I, -9) 1515 hours - While in position 08°20'S, 114°22'E sighted an anchored sea truck with a large Japanese merchant flag on her port bow and large white numerals 27 on her starboard bow. She was anchored a few hundred yards off the mouth of the Kuala Tambong river. She rode the waves as if she was empty. She had at least two men on board and possibly a machine gun on a deck house. Closed to attack.
1617 hours - In position 08°20'S, 114°23'E opened fire with the after 5" gun and after 40mm from 3200 yards.
1623 hours - The target sank after at least three and possibly four 5" hits. Also there were several hits out of the sixty 40mm shells that were fired. The top of the after deck house remained visible as the target rested on the bottom. 1
12 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early morning hours, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), made the passage of Badoeng and Lombok Strait northbound while on the surface.
16 Jul 1945 (position -5.26, 110.33)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese gunboat Nankai (former Dutch minelayer Regulus, built 1944, 2400 tons, offsite link) west of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies in position 05°26'S, 110°33'E.
Following this sinking she engaged and damaged the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-1 with 5" gunfire.
(All times are zone I, -9) 15 July 1945 2306 hours - In position 05°22'S, 111°14'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 131°(T), range 24000 yards. Commenced tracking.
2335 hours - Range was now 15000 yards. The targets are zigzagging radically at alternate speeds between 8 and 11.5 knots on a base course of 283°(T).
16 July 1945 0205 hours - Received a message from USS Becuna that she had made an attack with six torpedoes which had all missed.
0229 hours - Battle stations torpedo and commenced attack from the starboard flank. The escort is about 3000 yards ahead on the targets starboard bow.
0311 hours - In position 05°27'S, 110°49'E fired six bow torpedoes from 2430 yards. The target was observed to zig away when firing no.2 torpedo. The setup for three of the torpedoes was adjusted but non the less all torpedoes missed. Commenced an end around on the target group for a new attack.
0419 hours - Commenced second attack.
0440 hours - In position 05°28'S, 110°33'E fired six bow torpedoes from 1800 yards.
0441 hours - Observed four hits on the target which sank quickly.
0500 hours - Heard heavy rumbling underwater which shook the boat. Possibly the targets depth charges exploding. Commenced tracking the escort.
0704 hours - Battle stations gun action. Manned both 5" guns.
0728 hours - In position 05°51'S, 110°50'E commenced firing at the escort from 10500 yards. The target had seen us before fire was opened and at first had turned towards us on a steady course. Observed two hits forward of his foremast when the range was outside of 9000 yards. Both caused a short fire to break out as evidenced by a burst of flame and a large streamer of white smoke blowing to leeward. Believe one of these hits set off a ready ammunition box because of intensity suddeness, and briefness of smoke. Volume of target's fire was considerably reduced by these hits and from then on his movements became wild and erratic. Blenny stayed outside of the escorts range.
0748 hours - Ceased firing, out of 35 rounds only 2 hits had been obtained.
1030 hours - Now at the scene of the sinking. Picked up one Japanese from a boat. The boat had been full of Japanese but only one wanted to be picked up the remainder had jumped in the water. Then sank the boat with 40mm and .50 cal gunfire. Position was 05°26'S, 110°38'E.
20 Jul 1945 (position -6.32, 112.00)
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) attacked a Japanese patrol vessel with gunfire together with USS Baya to the north-west of Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies in position 06°32'S, 112°00'E. No hits were obtained by either submarine and the action was broken off.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0558 hours - In position 06°14'S, 112°02'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 196°(T), range 13000 yards.
0559 hours - Contacted USS Baya to discuss how to attack. Decided to attack at 0730 hours.
0710 hours - Battle stations gun action.
0722 hours - The target had sighted us and headed towards while firing at us.
0723 hours - In position 06°32'S, 112°00'E opened fire with 5" from a range of 8000 yards. USS Baya was also firing at the target. Range then decreased to 6500 yards and the targets return fire straddled Blenny. Range was then opened to 8000 yards as the enemy's range was about 7500 yards.
0810 hours - Ceased firing and told USS Baya to do the same. The enemy made off towards Surabaya. During the action Blenny expended 65 rounds of 5" but no hits had been obtained.
23 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a sailing vessel and a sea truck off the east coast of Malaya. An patrol vessel was also attacked with gunfire but due to accurate return fire by the enemy this action had to be broken off.
(All times are zone I, -9) 1133 hours - In position 04°37'N, 103°28'E sighted a motor sampan standing north about two miles off the beach tracking at a speed of 4 knots.
1222 hours - In position 04°44'N, 103°29'E battle surfaced and commenced firing with 40mm. The crew had taken to a small dinghy when we surfaced and is clear. One round of 5" was now fired which hit the water just in front of the bow and ricochetted and demolished the bow of the sampan to the waterline. The sampan was now awash except aft. Went alongside the dinghy and found five Chinese. They indicated they were northbound from Singapore to pick up a cargo of rice in Siam. Then set the sampan on fire with 40mm.
1240 hours - While in position 04°37'N, 103°28'E sighted a sea truck at anchor. Closed.
1312 hours - In position 04°46'N, 103°26'E opened fire at a range of 3200 yards. Expended our last 23 rounds of 5" for two hits on the starboard side forward and one hit near the stern.
1354 hours - An aircraft was sighted. Submerged.
1408 hours - Surfaced. The aircraft was a Liberator.
1416 hours - Fired at the target with 40mm shells. A fire was soon started forward. Could do no more damage to this steel hull target so proceeded southwards at 1430 hours. The sea truck was on fire for 24 hours so was most likely a total loss.
1440 hours - While in position 04°39'N, 103°23'E sighted two ships close to the beach. Closed.
1505 hours - In position 04°39'N, 103°27'E opened fire with both 40mm but the action had to be broken off after a short while because of accurate return fire by the enemy.
1515 hours - Submerged.
1530 hours - A depth charge was dropped but quite a way off.
1531 hours - Another depth charge. A patrol boat was seen astern milling around.
1535 hours - Another depth charge was dropped astern.
1553 hours - The patrol boat was seen to return to the anchorage.
1700 hours - Closed the anchorage to see if we can see the patrol boat but she was not seen again.
24 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a sailing vesel with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0815 hours - While in position 04°22'N, 103°36'E sighted a motor sampan proceeding along the coast.
0830 hours - In position 04°33'N, 103°30'E sank this sampan with 40mm gunfire. Took on board the crew of six Chinese, non of which spoke English. Put them on a northbound two-masted junk shortly afterwards.
In the evening Blenny received 5" ammunition from USS Hammerhead.
25 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0624 hours - While in position 05°18'N, 103°05'E sighted a sampan without her sails up on a southbound course proceeding at a very slow speed.
0649 hours - In position 05°49'N, 102°46'E commenced firing with .50 cal. The target was quickly ablaze from stem to stern. Can smell gasoline and kerosine.
0655 hours - Sighted some 15 anchored junks, schooners and sampans in the lee of Pulo Kapas Island. Closed.
0737 hours - In position 05°48'N, 102°51'E. The crews of all vessels were seen to have left their ships taken to boats or to the water. Commenced firing with 40mm at a sampan.
0742 hours - The sampan is on fire blazing merrily and giving off heavy black smoke.
0750 hours - Fired one round of 5" but it missed. Secured all guns and made off for deeper water. The sampan meanwhile was an inferno of flame and black smoke.
27 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank (at least) one sailing vessel and damaged several others with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0050 hours - Made rendezvous with USS Cod. Decided to go over the anchorage off Pulo Kapas Island together.
0430 hours - In position 05°13'N, 103°15'E. Battle stations gun action. Approached the anchorage from the south. Sighted about 20 schooners, junks and sampans at anchor close to the western shore of Pulo Kapas.
0458 hours - Fired warning burst of .50cal close to the junks.
0501 hours - Struck a submerged object on the port side. Masts with shrouds were seen to stick out of the water close to the port side. This must have been a sunken sampan.
0515 hours - The crews of the schooners, junks and sampans have had enough time now to leave their ships so opened fire together with USS Cod from an average range of 1200 yards.
0535 hour - Ceased firing, standing out to the north at four engine speed. We saw one large junk sink, two others sustained at least one 5" hit each and several others numerous 40mm hits. We had expended 54 rounds of 5", 120 rounds of 40mm and 75 rounds of .50cal.
30 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) bombarded a store on the eastern coast off Malaya. She also sank two sailing vessels with gunfire on this day.
(All times are zone I, -9) 2023 hours - In position 04°23'N, 103°28'E located the store on the shore we were looking for. Commenced firing with the forward 5" gun from 5000 yards in the fading twilight. Obtained one hit out of six rounds.
2040 hours - Sighted a sampan anhored near the shore.
2059 hours - In position 04°24'N, 103°29'E fired a few warning shots after which the crew started to abandon ship. Then fired with .50cal on the sampan. The cargo of gasoline and kerosine easily caught fire. Before the fire went out a few hours later at least three large explosions took place on board throwing debris and flame several hundred feet into the air.
2220 hours - While in position 04°41'N, 104°48'E turned to the north-west to investigate a junk sighted before dark.
2337 hours - Boarded the junk. She was heavily laden with rice. No crew was on board.
2352 hours - In position 04°35'N, 103°30'E sank the junk with rounds of 5".
31 Jul 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0050 hours - Sighted a ship anchored close inshore. Closed to investigate.
0129 hours - In position 04°35'N, 103°30'E illuminated the target with a searchlight from a range of 500 yards. It was seen to be a motor sampan. Opened fire with .50cal and .30cal. The target was soon ablaze. The target was on fire for four hours before she sank.
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1515 hours - While in position 06°01'N, 102°56'E sighted a two-masted junk to the westward. Closed.
1618 hours - Boarded and discovered that the junk was full of rice. Decided to jettison the cargo.
1710 hours - Rice all jettisoned.
1814 hours - Made off to the north-west.
1820 hours - In position 06°12'N, 102°30'E sighted a medium sized two-masted junk to the north-west in water to shallow to enter before dark.
2125 hours - Boarded the junk first sighted at 1820 hours. She is heavily laden with rice. The crew had abandoned ship and made off to the shore.
2225 hours - The target sank in position 05°58'N, 102°33'E after being set on fire with 5". Also used 40mm to fire on her water line.
1 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank three sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0549 hours - In position 05°40'N, 102°58'E obtained SJ radar contact at a range of 5000 yards.
0611 hours - Boarded a northbound junk carrying several tons of salt to Sangora. There was a crew of six Chinese on board.
0635 hours - Took the six Chinese on board and sank the junk with gunfire in position 05°32'N, 103°08'E.
0650 hours - Put the six Chinese on a fishing prau.
0655 hours - Boarded a two-masted junk also carrying sugar also en-route to Sangora. The crew of this junk was also made up of six Chinese. They had taken to their boat and were now heading for land.
0715 hours - In position 05°35'N, 102°57'E sank this junk with shotgun shell and 12 rounds of 40mm.
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1630 hours - In position 04°40'N, 103°36'E sighted a northbound sampan to the west near the coast. Possibly a motor sampan.
1640 hours - Surfaced and headed for the sampan.
1705 hours - In position 04°37'N, 103°29'E boarded the sampan, indeed a motor sampan. She was carrying rice to Singora. The Chinese crew of six took to their boat which swamped. Took them out of the water. Set the sampan on fire with .50cal.
1710 hours - Put the Chinese on a small native sail boat. In the evening another junk was halted but as she was empty she was allowed to continue.
3 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) found the missing boarding party of the USS Cod. She also sank two sailing vessels with gunfire of the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 1157 hours - While in position 04°44'N, 103°22'E sighted a large 3-masted reddish brown sail junk to the west near Pulo Kapas. Changed course to intercept.
1217 hours - The junk looked like the one discribed by USS Cod that carried her missing boarding party.
1227 hours - In contact with the boarding party off USS Cod.
1234 hours - Went alongside the junk and took of Cod's boarding party. Gave the crew of the junk provisions instead of sinking them.
1240 hours - Communicated to Cod that we hadhr boarding party on board. Set course for a rendezvous with Cod to return them to her.
1450 hours - At rendezvous point with USS Cod. Transferred her boarding party back to her. The mad off to the west to close the coast between Tenggol and Kapas.
1726 hours - In position 05°00'N, 103°25'E sighted a three-masted northbound junk.
1812 hours - Boarded the junk. They were en-route to Bankok with sugar and then they were to pick up a cargo of rice for the Japanese. There was a crew of eight Chinese on board, there were taken off.
1822 hours - In position 04°57'N, 103°25'E sank the junk with one hit of 5" out of five rounds fired.
1824 hours - Sighted a motor sampan to the southward. She was on a northerly course with no sail up. Closed.
1858 hours - In position 04°52'N, 103°26'E opened fire on this sampan from 1200 yards. The crew finally started to abondon ship after the first round. Four or five hits were obtained out of five rounds fired before the target sank.
4 Aug 1945
While on patrol off the eastern coast of Malaya, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) made a torpedo attack on a small Japanese patrol vessel. No hits were obtained. Blenny also sank two sailing vessels, one with gunfire and one with a demolition charge.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0342 hours - In position 05°22'N, 103°11'E sighted a rectangular shaped target at a range of 2000 yards. Commenced tracking. The target tracked at a speed of 9 knots on a northwesterly course. It was thought to be an escort of a convoy that was coming our way.
0400 hours - Went ahead full and commenced an end around.
0412 hours - Sent a contact report to USS Boarfish.
0415 hours - Battle stations torpedo.
0418 hours - Commenced attack.
0425 hours - In position 05°29'N, 103°04'E fired three bow torpedoes from 1375 yards. No hits were obtained.
0437 hours - Changed course to open the range.
0447 hours - Cummunicated the results of our attack to USS Boarfish.
0503 hours - In position 05°27'N, 103°07'E obtained SJ radar contact to the westward close to the beach.
0508 hours - Changed course to close.
0509 hours - In position 05°25'N, 103°08'E obtained SJ radar contact to the south-west at a range of 6200 yards. Tracked both targets. The target to the southwest appeared to be stopped. The contact to the west was tracking on a southwesterly course. Decided to investigate the stopped target first. Maneuvered to do so.
0547 hours - Identified the target as an anchored junk. Decided to go after the target to the west now as he was following the patrol boat.
0725 hours - Dawn was breaking now and we had sight contact by eye on several junks. Others were visible only on the radar. Went to battle stations gun action and opened the range to 8000 yards in case the contact was the patrol boat we had encountered earlier.
0748 hours - It was now light enough but could see only junks and small fishing craft.
0812 hours - In position 05°40'N, 102°52'E boarded a junk. Cargo was rice and salt. Four of the crew took off with their boat and two were held on board Blenny as there was not enough room in their small boat for all of them.
0816 hours - Sank the junk with one round of 5".
0820 hour - Put the two crewmembers that were on Blenny on a smal fishing vessel.
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2145 hours - In position 05°05'N, 103°23'E obtained SJ radar contact to the westward at a range of 7400 yards.
2217 hours - Boarded a junk. The crew had already abandoned ship. Cargo was nine sacks of sugar.
2235 hours - Sank the junk with a demolition charge in position 05°04'N, 103°23'E.
5 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank nine sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya. She also damaged a loading pier with gunfire.
(All times are zone I, -9) 4 August 1945 2322 hours - In position 05°01'N, 103°23'E obtained SJ radar contact to the southward at a range of 7400 yards.
2349 hours - Boarded a three-masted junk carrying 12 tons of sugar and a Japanese flag. The crew had already abandoned ship in their skiff.
2357 hours - Tried to sink the junk with a demolition charge but it did not explode.
5 August 1945 0032 hours - In position 05°01'N, 103°23'E sank the target with 48 rounds of 40mm of which 15 were hits.
0033 hours - Obtained radar contact to the southwards. Closed.
0130 hours - Boarded a two-masted junk without cargo. Allowed to pass.
0156 hours - In position 05°00'N, 103°26'E boarded a three-masted junk. The crew had already abandoned ship. Cargo was made up of coffee and sugar.
0216 hours - In position 05°00'N, 103°26'E commenced five round of 5" for one hit.
0231 hours - The target was seen to sink.
0301 hours - In position 04°56'N, 103°26'E obtained three radar contacts to the southwest at about 6000 yards.
0330 hours - Put the boarding party aboard a two-masted junk anchored very close to another junk. Her cargo consisted of sugar. The crew left their ship in a small boat.
0351 hours - In position 04°56'N, 103°26'E sank the target with one round of 5".
0415 hours - Boarded the junk that had been anchored nearby. She was carrying rice and sugar for Singora where she was to pick up a cargo of rice for Singapore. Took off the crew of five.
0434 hours - In position 04°55'N, 103°25'E sank this junk with one round of 5".
0510 hours - Now alongside the third contact. A smaller junk with a cargo of coffee. Put the five crew of the previous junk on this one. Made then jettison the cargo and then allowed them to proceed.
0529 hours - In position 04°53'N, 103°28'E radar contact to the south-east at a range of 7750 yards.
0600 hours - Boarded a junk without cargo. Allowed her to pass.
0723 hours - In position 05°02'N, 103°45'E sighted two sails over the horizon.
0800 hours - Boarded a brand new two-masted junk. She had no cargo but was northbound to pick up a cargo of rice for Singapore. Decided to sink her.
0806 hours - In position 05°02'N, 103°45'E sank the junk with one round of 5".
0807 hours - Proceeded towards the second sail.
0838 hours - Dived for an aircraft.
0917 hours - Surfaced and proceeded towards a junk.
0945 hours - Boarded a new one-masted junk with 300lbs of soap aboard en-route to Bankok from Singapore. In Bankok she was to pick up a cargo of rice for Singapore. Took off the crew of eight Chinese.
1004 hours - In position 05°09'N, 103°49'E sank this junk with one round of 5".
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1545 hours - In position 04°45'N, 103°35'E sighted two sails to the south-west. Closed.
1629 hours - Boarded a two-masted junk carrying sugar and oil. The crew had already abandoned ship.
1633 hours - In position 04°40'N, 103°29'E sank the target with one round of 5". Made off to close a second junk.
1644 hours - Boarded a two-masted junk full of barrels with tropical green army uniforms. This crew had also abandoned ship during our approach.
1645 hours - In position 04°40'N, 103°29'E sank the target with two rounds of 5". made off to close a third junk.
1700 hours - Boarded a two-masted junk with a cargo of rubber hoses. The junk was brand new. As usual this crew had also abandoned ship.
1705 hours - In position 04°42'N, 103°30'E sank the target with one round of 5". Made off to the south-east.
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2037 hours - In position 04°47'N, 103°28'E fired 23 rounds of 5" at a pier from a range of about 5500 yards. Observed at least three hits on this pier, one on a building and one on a large factory.
6 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank five sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 5 August 1945 2308 hours - In position 04°29'N, 103°33'E obtained radar contact at 10400 yards to the south-west.
6 August 1945 0010 hours - Put the boarding party onboard a large two-masted junk loaded with 5000 lbs of sugar and 1000 lbs of soap enroute to Bankok from Singapore. In Bankok she wa to pick up a load of rice for Singapore. Took the crew of 11 on board as their boat would not hold them.
0028 hours - In position 04°29'N, 103°34'E sank the target with one round of two rounds of 5" fired.
0058 hours - In position 04°41'N, 103°34'E obtained radar contract to the north-east at a range of 8500 yards.
0140 hours - Put the boarding party on board a motor sampan carrying sugar from Malacca to Singora. Took the crew on board.
0215 hours - In position 04°43'N, 103°33'E opened fire with .50cal from a range of 500 yards.
0225 hours - The target was ablaze due to drums of gasoline and kerosine on deck. Also some of this fuel had run overboard and was ablaze on the water.
0229 hours - Sank the target with two rounds of 5".
Some of the crew of the ships sunk were put into a small boat while some others were put on a small vessel.
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2010 hours - In position 04°36'N, 103°29'E obtained two radar contacts to the south-west and west at ranges between 6000 and 7000 yards.
2052 hours - Put the boarding party on board a small one-masted junk carrying 15 sacks of flour from Singapore northwards. The Chinese crew of four had already abandoned ship but came back and we took them on board.
2133 hours - Sank the junk with 20 40mm hits out of 64 rounds fired in position 04°34'N, 103°30'E.
2220 hours - Boarded the second junk also one-masted but slightly bigger. Cargo was about 40 bags of flour and coffee. Took on board the four Chinese crewmembers.
2233 hours - In position 04°32'N, 103°30'E sank the junk through firing 12 shot gun rounds through the ships bottom.
2305 hours - Put the boarding party on a junk which had cast it's lines of the one sunk at 2233 hours and was now several hundreds of yards away. The junk had 45 bags of coffee and a Japanese flag on board. Took of the crew of four Chinese with their belongings.
2308 hours - Sank the junk in position 04°32'N, 103°31'E by putting several holes into her bottom with the shotgun.
7 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank four sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0100 hours - Radar contact to the south-east, range 10800 yards. Position 04°20'N, 103°32'E.
0106 hours - Radar contact to the east, range 10700 yards. Position 04°24'N, 103°36'E.
0154 hours - Put the boarding party on the first junk, a 50 ton two masted one. She was empty but was proceeding to Bankok to pick up a cargo of rice for Singapore. Decided to sink her.
0220 hours - In position 04°22'N, 103°33'E sank the junk with two hits out of five rounds of 5" fired.
0331 hours - Boarded the second junk, 30 tons, two-masted. The crew had already abandoned ship. Cargo consisted of 45 bags of sugar and she was enroute to Singora from Singapore.
0345 hours - In position 04°33'N, 103°37'E sank the junk with one round of 5".
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2130 hours - Two radar contacts at a range of 6000 yards, close together.
2213 hours - Put the boarding party on a 30 ton, two-masted junk loaded with 25 bags of sugar and 25 bags of grain. The crew of six had already abandoned ship.
2214 hours - In position 05°38'N, 102°51'E sank the junk with one hit out of four rounds of 5" fired.
2217 hours - Boarded the other junk. Cargo was 25 bags of sugar, 25 bags of coffee and 200 5-gallon tins with some kind of oil. Sank the junk with one round of 5" in position 05°38'N, 102°51'E.
8 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank seven sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0230 hours - Radar contact to the south-east at 4600 yards.
0233 hours - Boarded a 20 ton, two-masted junk. It was heavily laden with rice. The crew had already left.
0310 hours - In position 05°36'N, 102°54'E sank the junk with one round of 5".
0457 hours - Two radar contact to the south-east at about two miles.
0534 hours - Boarded a 30 ton two-masted junk with a cargo of 25 bags of sugar. The crew had already abandoned shio.
0537 hours - Sank the junk with one hit out of three rounds of 5" fired. Position was 05°26'N, 103°08'E.
0602 hours - Boarded a third junk, a small one of only 15 ton and with one mast. She was northbound with sugar and salt. Took two Malay crewmembers on board then sank the junk by putting holes in the bottom with the shotgun in position 05°25'N, 103°10'E at 0628 hours.
0726 hours - While in position 05°13'N, 103°15'E can see four junks at anchor near Pulo Kapas, one of which was getting underway. A schooner nearby was seen underway.
0748 hours - In position 05°13'N, 103°17'E and while alongside the schooner opened fire with the after 5" at a 30 ton, two-masted junk at anchor from a range of 2000 yards. The target was hit once out of five rounds fired and then sank. Then shifted fire to another 30 ton, two-masted junk anchored close to the one that was just sunk. Two hits were obtained out of four rounds fired and this junk also sank.
0750 hours - In position 05°15'N, 103°15'E fired four rounds of 5" at a 30 ton, two-masted junk from 3200 yards. No hits were obtained. Ceased fire in order not to waste to much ammunition.
0751 hours - In position 05°14'N, 103°14'E fired one round of 5" at a 20 ton, two-masted schooner. She was heavily laden with sugar and rice. The target sank. Ten Indian crew had previously been taken on board. Stood out towards deeper water.
0820 hours - Now outside the 10 fathom curve. Decided to have another try at the junk that we already engaged at 0750 hours.
0823 hours - In position 05°14'N, 103°17'E commenced firing eight rounds of 5" from the forward gun from a range of 3000 yards. Again no hits.
0827 hours - Sighted two junks under sail northward. Closed.
0920 hours - Put the boarding party aboard a 30 ton, two-masted junk. The crew had already abandoned ship. The junk had a cargo of sugar and crude rubber. Sank the junk in position 05°24'N, 103°16'E with one round of 5".
0938 hours - Put the boarding party on board a 30 ton, two-masted junk. This crew had also abandoned ship. Cargo was 7700 lbs of sugar. Then sank the junk with two rounds of 5" in position 05°24'N, 103°16'E.
0954 hours - Picked up an Indian crew member of the last junk sunk. There was not enough place in the skiff for the whole crew and the two Indian crew memebers were left to fend for themselves by the other (Chinese) crewmembers.
0959 hours - Picked up the other Indian crewmember.
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2155 hours - Obtained radar contact to the south-west at a range of 8600 yards.
2252 hours - Put the boarding party on board a large 100 ton, three-masted junk. The crew had already abandoned ship.
2257 hours - In position 06°00'N, 102°31'E sank the junk with one round of 5".
9 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a sea truck and three sailing vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0434 hours - Radar contact to the south-west at a range of 6500 yards.
0507 hours - Boarded a large 75 ton, three-masted junk carrying 35 bags of sugar. The crew of six Chinese were allowed to leave in their skiff. Then sank the junk in position 05°25'N, 103°08'E sank the junk with one hit out of seven rounds of 5" fired.
0700 hours - Boarded a 50 ton, three-masted junk with a cargo of rice and other dry goods. Took the crew of four Chinese on board.
0721 hours - Sank the junk with one round of 5" in position 05°22'N, 103°09'E. Shorty before sighted a sea truck of 250 ton anchored in the mouth of the Trengganu River.
0722 hours - Opened fire on this sea truck with 5" from a range of 3000 yards. 18 rounds were fired for 4 hits before the vessel sank.
0853 hours - Sighted a two-masted junk to the eastward at a range of only 3000 yards.
0902 hours - Boarded a 30 ton, two-masted brand new junk bound from Singapore to Menara with a cargo of sugar (8500 lbs) to get a cargo of rice in exchange. Took of the crew of six.
0920 hours - Sank the junk in position 05°26'N, 103°22'E with 18 hits out of 20 rounds of 40mm fired.
10 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya. She also destroyed a tug that had beached herself with gunfire and sank two of the barges that she had been towing with gunfire. Two other barges were also engaged with gunfire and were on fire. These were finished off early the next morning (see 11 August 1945).
(All times are zone I, -9) 0544 hours - Radar contact to the eastward at a range of 6000 yards.
0610 hours - Boarded a 30 ton, one-masted junk carrying a cargo of 150 bags (16.5 ton) of sugar. Shoved off the Indian crew in their own boat.
0642 hours - In position 05°48'N, 102°42'E sank the junk with two hits of 5" out of four rounds fired.
0801 hours - Sighted a tug with four barges in tow. The tug was estimated as being 250 ton, two of the barges were wooden hullen and were of about 150 ton, the other two barges were smaller, about 100 ton but were steel hulled.
0803 hours - Battle stations gun action.
0816 hours - In position 05°38'N, 102°49'E opened fire on the tug with the forward 40mm gun. The tug cut loose the tow and ran herself aground.
0823 hours - Range was now 2500 yards to the tug. Stopped and lay broadside to the beach. Commenced firing with forward 5" on the tug as well as the after 5" and 40mm on the barges from a range of 1600 yards. The two wooden hulled barges were sunk and the two steel hulled ones were left on fire (the after 5" and 40mm then also took the tug under fire) and the beached tug was destroyed.
11 Aug 1945
On her last day on patrol off the eastern coast of Malaya / Siam, USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN), sank two of the barges towed by the tug that was destroyed yesterday. Blenny also sank three sailing vessels, two with gunfire and one with a demolition charge after a torpedo that was fired had missed this target.
(All times are zone I, -9) 0000 hours - The two steel hulled barges that were left on fire yesterday were still burning, had them in sight now.
0039 hours - In position 05°45'N, 102°46'E closed the first steel barge which is filled with heavy oil drums. She is buring brightly with heavy smoke. Opened fire with 40mm until the target sank.
0115 hours - In position 05°46'N, 102°46'E closed the second steel barge which had burned out. She had a similar cargo. Sank it with 40mm, .50cal and .30cal.
0302 hours - Radar contact, north-west at a range of 6600 yards.
0324 hours - Boarded a 30 ton, two-masted junk which was at anchor. Cargo was 80 bags of sugar (17600 lbs) and 35 cases of soap. The crew of five Chines was shoved off into their own boat.
0350 hours - In position 05°01'N, 103°32'E sank the junk with a combination of shotgun holes through her bottom and 40mm and .50 cal.
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0840 hours - Sighted a junk to the eastward through the high periscope.
0915 hours - Boarded a 50 ton, three-masted junk. Cargo was sugar. She was northbound. The crew had already abandoned ship in their own boat. Sank the junk in position 06°38'N, 102°06'E by putting six shotgun holes in her bottom and set the topside on fire with six puckets of fuel oil. The fire will discourage the crew to come back so the junk can flood up and sink.
1009 hours - Sighted the sails of a three-masted junk to the eastward. Closed.
1020 hours - Boarded a large 150 ton junk enroute to Bankok from Singapore with some sugar. In Bankok she was to pick up a cargo of rice for Singapore. Shoved of the Chinese crew into their dinghy.
1053 hours - In position 06°39'N, 102°12'E fired one torpedo set at 0 feet from 1000 yards. The sea was flat calm. The torpedo however made off to the right after leaving the tube so it missed astern.
1113 hours - Boarded the junk again and blew a large hole in her bottom with a demolition charge after which she sank. Blenny then departed her patrol area to proceed to Subic Bay.
14 Aug 1945
USS Blenny (Cdr. W.H. Hazzard, USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Subic Bay. She was escorted in by USS Woodson (Lt.Cdr. A.R. Corlett, USNR).
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