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Notable events involving Bowfin include:

The history of USS Bowfin as compiled on this page is extracted from her patrol reports.

This page was last updated in March 2017.

4 Jun 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) departed the Portsmouth Navy Yard for Newport, Rhode Island.

5 Jun 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) arrived at Newport, Rhode Island from the Portsmouth Navy Yard. At Newport she was to conduct her torpedo firing trials.

22 Jun 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) was put on the slipway at New London.

24 Jun 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) was put back in the water.

2 Jul 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) departed New London,Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.

10 Jul 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) arrived at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone from New London, Connecticut.

14 Jul 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) transited the Panama Canal.

15 Jul 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Brisbane, Australia.

10 Aug 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) arrived at Brisbane, Australia.

16 Aug 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) departed from Brisbane for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

From 16 to 18 August 1943, USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN), conducted exercises in Moreton Bay before she proceeded towards Darwin, Australia.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

24 Aug 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) arrived at Darwin.

25 Aug 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) departed Darwin for her patrol area.

3 Sep 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) conducted a special operation (no details available to us for the moment). Apparently Bowfin delivered supplies and evacuates some people from Binuni Point, Mindanao, Philippines.

25 Sep 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese tanker Kirishima Maru (5959 GRT, built 1931) in the South China Sea in position 09°44'N, 111°56'E. Kirishima Maru, a transport ship, had been converted to a tanker in early 1943.

Kirishima Maru was in convoy SA-12 (Singapore - Moji) together with fleet oiler Ashizuri (7951 GRT, built 1943), tanker Seishin Maru (5239 GRT, built 1943) and troop transports Ussuri Maru (6386 GRT, built 1932) and Teiko Maru (15105 GRT, former French passenger liner D'Artagnan, built 1925). They were escorted by the submarine chaser Ch-19.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0940 hours - Sighted USS Billfish (Cdr. F.C. Lucas, Jr., USN) to the westward. She informed us of a convoy she was in contact with and that she was going to attack. After Billfish submerged the convoy made two very wide southerly zigs leaving her unable to attack. Bowfin remained on the surface tracking the convoy which was contacted at 0958 hours in position 09°27'N, 111°30'E. The convoy was made up of two colums of two ships each. A large ship thought to be a tender was acting as escort.

1310 hours - Bowfin was now in a position between the two columns. In position 09°44'N, 111°56'E fired four torpedoes at what is thought to be the most valuable vessel of the convoy, a large transport. Then fired the two remaining bow torpedoes at the transport that was the second in that line. Three torpedoes are thought to have hit the first target and two are claimed to have hit the transport.

1318 hours - Fired four stern torpedoes at the tanker in the other column. Two hits are claimed but these were not observed as Bowfin meanwhile went deep.

1328 hours - A ship was heard to break up and sink.

1451 hours - Surfaced and went to the area where the ship had sunk. Nothing but wreckage was sighted.

27 Sep 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) attacked a small steamer in the Sulu Sea west of Negros Island, Philippines in position 09°21'N, 122°25'E. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone I, -9)
1706 hours - In position 12°51'N, 120°11'E sighted masts of a ship bearing 156°(T), range about 12 miles. Commenced tracking and an end around.

1720 hours - Submerged to attack. The target was zig-zagging on a base course of 340°(T), enemy speed 12 knots.

1842 hours - In position 09°21'N, 122°25'E fired one stern torpedo. It was intended to fire two but tube no.7 misfired.

1843 hours - Fired tube no.9. Both torpedoes missed. The target by now was identified as a 1500 tons inter-island steamer. She turned away and increased speed.

1853 hours - Fired no.7 tube again after the outer door could not be closed. The torpedo now left the tube and ran normally before exploding at the end of her run.

29 Sep 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) delivers supplies and evacuates people from Siquijor Island, Philippines.

30 Sep 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) sank the small Japanese self propelled barge with gunfire in the Sulu Sea west of Mindanao Island, Philippines in position 08°17'N, 121°57'E.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0740 hours - In position 08°36'N, 122°04'E sighted a small craft on the starboard bow. Went to gun action stations and closed. The target was identified as a diesel driven self propelled bargo of about 75 tons. There were about 100 Japanese soldiers on board.

0810 hours - In position 08°17'N, 121°57'E opened fire with the 4" deck gun from 4500 yards.

0820 hours - The enemy returned fire with a machine gun. Bowfin now also opened fire with 20mm.

0823 hours - The barge sank. 20 rounds of 4" had been fired as well as 420 rounds of 20mm.

2 Oct 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) sank a schooner with gunfire in Makassar Strait in position 00°55'S, 118°13'E.

(All times are zone I, -9)
1412 hours - In position 00°30'S, 118°09'E sighted a sail ahead. It was seen to be a two-masted schooner of bout 50 tons. Fired two rounds across her bow to bring her to but she started an auxiliary engine and continued on her course.

1457 hours - In position 00°55'S, 118°13'E opened fire on the schooner with the 4" gun.

1458 hours - Ceased fire as the schooner was sinking rapidly, 8 rounds of 4" having been fired.

4 Oct 1943
In the evening, USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

10 Oct 1943
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

27 Oct 1943
USS Bowfin (T/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) conducted exercises off Fremantle during which HrMs Van Galen (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Burghard, RNethN) acted as target. Also A/S exercises were carried out. (1)

28 Oct 1943
HMAS Adelaide (A/Capt. J.C.D. Esdaile, OBE, RAN) and HMAS Nizam (Cdr. C.H. Brooks, RAN) conducted A/S exercises off Fremantle with USS Billfish (Cdr. F.C. Lucas, Jr., USN) and USS Bowfin (T/Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN). (2)

1 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

4 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) made a short stop at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel before proceeding towards her patrol area.

8 Nov 1943
In the early morning hours, USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

9 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) sank four sailing vessels with gunfire in Makassar Strait.

(All times are zone H, -8)
0859 hours - Sighted schooner masts and a twin engined land based bomber. Submerged. Closed the masts at 2/3 speed. The aircraft had spotted us and dropped two bombs.

0922 hours - At periscope depth. The aircraft was still circling overhead.

1008 hours - At periscope depth. All clear now so surfaced. Closed a group of five schooners at full speed.

1045 / 1145 hours - In position 03°39'S, 118°19'E sank by gunfire three two-masted schooners. All were heavily laden and south-east bound. No idea about the cargo but it must have been heavy as all three schooners sank like a rock after two good hits.

1220 hours - While chasing the last two schooners that were proceeding towards the shore dived for an approaching aircraft. The aircraft dropped one bomb.

1240 hours - An aircraft was seen to circle overhead.

1300 hours - The aircraft was still overhead.

1322 hours - The aircraft dropped one bomb. The targets were still making for the beach. Gave up the idea of getting these last two schooners. Cleared the area.

Total ammunition expended on these three schooners was 18 rounds of 4", 300 rounds of 20mm.

----------------------------------------------------------

2100 hours - In position 04°20'S, 118°19'E sighted a dark object 015° on the port bow about 4 nautical miles away. The target tracked at 5 knots. Made an end around.

2130 hours - Closed in on a large auxiliary schooner on a south-east course. He had all sails up but there was no wind and he was making 5 knots on his engine. Two 4" shells were fired that hit and he sank like a stone in position 04°21'S, 118°15'E.

11 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) claims the destruction of two small coastal tankers with gunfire in the Sibutu Passage in position 04°58'N, 119°42'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
1653 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 025°(T). Closed at full speed. The bearing changed slightly to left until 1735 hours when it disappeared. Decided that whatever it was it would arrive at the Sibutu Passage about the same time as us. Proceeded towards the Sibutu Passage at 15 knots.

1924 hours - Entered the Sibutu Passage in bright moonlight. In position 04°36'N, 119°38'E sighted two dark objects on the starboard bow. Went ahead full to get into a favourable position. The targets developed into two small coastal steamers.

2050 hours - Well ahead of the targets. Submerged.

2115 hours - Range now 5000 yards. Went to 60 feet. Closed to inspect for armament.

2135 hours - The targets passed at 500 yards. There were definitely no large guns on either. The leading vessel was a small engines aft tanker of about 800 tons. She was very low in the water. The trailing vessel appreared to be twice as large. She also had the engine aft and was very low in the water. Both were smoking heavily.

2149 hours - In position 04°58'N, 119°42'E battle surfaced 2000 yards on the quarter of the largest vessel. The crews of the targets began to abandon ship even before we opened fire.

2150 / 2205 hours - Set both ships on fire fore and aft.

2205 hours - Set course to clear the scene at full speed. The fire of the targets was seen until 0030/12.

26 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army tanker Ogurasan Maru (5069 GRT, built 1943) and later the same day the Japanese merchant cargo ship Tainan Maru (5407 GRT, built 1943) off Cape Varella, French Indo-China.

They were in convoy together with Teiritsu Maru (9877 GRT, built 1926, former French Leconte de Liste), Tarushima Maru (4865 GRT, built 1938) and Santos Maru (7266 GRT, built 1925) and four unidentified ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat Kazan Maru (1893 GRT, built 1936).

(All times are zone H, -8)
0200 hours - SD (air warning !!!) radar got large contacts at 2 miles and 1 mile. (SJ radar was not fuctioning correctly).

0203 hours - In position 12°48'N, 109°34'E SJ radar got contacts on each side of the submarine at range of 1000 to 4000 yards. It was pitch black and raining heavily. Came hard left and then backed emergency to keep from ramming an enormous tanker.

0205 hours - We now realised we were in the middle of a convoy.

0215 hour - Again backed full to keep from ramming another large tanker.

0220 hours - A careful sweep revealed that the convoy was northbound and consisted of five ships. Commenced tracking as to attack later tonight.

0351 hours - Fired three torpedoes at the leading vessel of the starboard columm of the convoy, a tanker. Obtained two hits. Large fires were started but these went out as the bow sank and the centre section went awash. Gasoline was still buring on the water near the target. As all this took place shifted target to the second target and fired first shot at this second vessel. The leading tanker now stopped and swung broadside to Bowfin. Fire had to be checked and back emergency to keep from ramming the tanker when the first torpedo of this intended salvo hit the second ship with a great rumbling explosion and flare up of flame which quickly went out.

0400 hours - The situation was now as this; Bowfin was less then 300 yards from a damaged tanker, with a second damaged vessel about 1500 yards beyond him. With bow and bridge blown up and awash amidships the tanker was still longer then Bowfin. Decided to finish off this tanker so swung the stern to the tanker and opened up the range.

0414 hours - Fired three stern torpedoes. One hit was seen under the stack.

0417 hours - Decided to clear the scene and reload the tubes.

0520 hours - The reload was completed. Retuned to the scene of the action.

0535 hours - A great dark mass loomed up dead ahead very close. Went right full emergency. SJ radar only picked up this target at a range of 600 yards. Commenced tracking.

0549 hours - Target speed zero. Commenced closing. When closer the bow of a ship was sighted, tought to have been our second target. This bow was sticking out of the water vertically. No further torpedoes were required. Cleared the area.

-----------------------------------------------------------

0837 hours - In heavy rain, wind and sea sighted a medium transport at a range of 5000 yards. Commenced tracking.

0846 hours - Submerged. Range was about 4500 yards. Had difficulty keeping the boat at radar depth at standard speed.

0908 hours - Went to 80 feet and all ahead full.

0925 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Could not see the target.

0940 hours - Surfaced to search for the target.

1000 hours - Obtained SJ radar contact on the target at a range of 6250 yards. Commenced tracking and pulling ahead in the heavy rain. Visibility was about 1500 yards.

1035 hours - Course of the target 330°(T), speed 6 knots. In position 1000 yards off track. Submerged to radar depth.

1050 hours - Sighted the target through the periscope at a range of about 2000 yards. The target was thought to be a 5000 tons transport.

1058 hours - In position 13°02'N, 109°28'E fired four bow torpedoes. All hit and the target sank in less then two minutes.

27 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and sank the French cargo ship Gouverneur General van Vollenhoven (691 GRT, built 1909) off coast of French Indochina in position 13°01'N, 109°30'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
1045 hours - Sighted a ship standing south along the coast. Submerged and commenced approach. The target turned out to be a small French coastal steamer of about 1500 tons with one gun aft. He was making only 4 knots. Decided to track him for the remainder of the day in the hope something bigger came along.

1600 hours - It began raining and visibility was closing in. Decided to surfaced when hoping to catch something bigger but to sink this ship first.

1618 hours - In position 13°01'N, 109°30'E fired three stern torpedoes at this Frenchman. Two hits were obtained and he disintegrated. He sank in less then one minute.

1622 hours - Surfaced. There was a fire on the water where the ship sank.

28 Nov 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and sank the army cargo ship Sydney Maru (5425 GRT, built 1928) and merchant tanker Tonan Maru (9839 GRT, built 1906) off the French Indo-China coast in position 12°45'N, 109°42'E.

Bowfin in return is damaged by Japanese gunfire and is forced to terminate her patrol.

The convoy attacked was convoy No. 340 consisting of the ships above as well as transports Shohei Maru (7255 GRT, built 1931), Shinno Maru (???? GRT, built ????), Sekino Maru (994 GRT, built 1918) and tanker, Zuiyo Maru (7338 GRT, built 1917). They were escorted by the frigate Matsuwa.

(All times are zone H, -8)
0200 hours - USS Billfish, which was operating nearby, reported that she was in contact with a convoy.

0225 hours - SJ radar obtained contact on the convoy in position 12°46'N, 109°42'E.

0250 hours - The convoy appeared to consist of five ships and several escorts. There were three very large targets and two large ones. Commenced attack.

0314 hours - In position 12°45'N, 109°42'E fired four bow torpedoes at the leading and largest target. Four hits are claimed. The target sank in about four minutes. Shifted setup to the second vessel of the column.

0317 hours - Fired the remaining two bow torpedoes at this vessel. Both hit. The target was soon down aft and awash up to the bridge. The third vessel in the column now came closer. Decided non the less to swing around and fire our remaining two stern torpedoes at the damaged ship to finish her off.

0321 hours - The third vessel of the column now opened fire with a 5" or 6" gun from 500 yards range. The second shot appeared to hit the engine room. The second ship meanwhile appreared to be sinking so dicided not to fire the stern torpedoes at this vessel but at the tird vessel of the colomn instead.

0325 hours - Fired the two stern torpedoes at the third vessel. Both hit amidships. He stopped shooting at us and began to sink, sagging in the middle. Just before firing it was reported that the pressure hull had not been pierced but there must be some damage aft.

0327 hours - Steadied on the convoy's base course and pulled ahead while reloading our last two torpedoes forward. The engine room reported taking in water through the main induction. Contacted USS Billfish and reported our results as well as the damage done to us.

0342 hours - Reload completed. Went in for another attack.

0353 hours - Fired the last two torpedoes. The first torpedo prematured 13 seconds after firing and most likely deflected the second torpedo as no hit was obtained.

0355 hours - Headed north to go back over the scene of the action. Also decided to get clear of the coast before daylight as the damage to us was not completely clear by now.

0612 hours - It was getting light. Stopped and got a repair party on deck. Makeshift repairs were made and Bowfin was able to dive on completion of these but she was still leaking but it was controlable. Out of torpedoes anyway course was set to return to Australia.

2 Dec 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) sank a sailing vessel with gunfire in Makassar Strait in position 03°25'S, 118°20'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
0906 hours - Sighted a two-masted yacht. Closed.

0937 hours - Sank the yacht with four rounds of 4" in position 03°25'S, 118°20'E. Cargo must have been oil in drums as several were sighted floating on the water and oil was spread all over the area.

Total ammunition used in this action was twenty-seven rounds of 4".

3 Dec 1943
In the evening, USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

3 Dec 1943
In the evening of 3 December 1943, USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

9 Dec 1943
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Fremantle.

At Fremantle Bowfin was refitted, repaired and docked.

8 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in Makassar Strait.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

11 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) made a short stop at Exmouth Gulf to top off with fuel before proceeding towards her patrol area.

14 Jan 1944
In the evening, USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

16 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) sank a schooner with gunfire in the Makassar Strait in position 02°54'S, 118°24'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
1830 hours - It has been very quiet in Makassar Strait. We have not seen a single ship since we were on station. But finally saw a small native sail boat in position 02°52'S, 118°30'E. As he was directly on the usual submarine path closed him to inspect. There were three natives onboard cooking supper. While inspecting him saw what appeared to be the single mast with a sail of another small native vessel about 7 miles to the north. Closed this vessel.

1900 hours - On closing this second craft noticed to our amazement that he was a nicely painted white schooner but he did not have a schooner rig. He had the rig of a small fishing boat which effectively disguised him from a distance. When we closed to inspect a crew of five were seen to jump overboard without dropping the sails. Sank the schooner with 20mm gunfire in position 02°54'S, 118°24'E.

1915 hours - Set a course for the north of Balikpapan.

Total ammunition expended; 798 rounds of 20mm.

18 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant tanker Shoyu Maru (4408 GRT, built 1942) in Makassar Strait in position 00°18'N, 118°37'E.

Shoyu Maru was a transport vessel that was converted to an auxiliary tanker.

(All times are zone H, -8)
17 January 1944
2214 hours - SJ radar contact on the port bow at a range of 12500 yards in position 00°25'N, 118°36'E. Commenced tracking.

2240 hours - The contact was one large vessel with two escorts. One escort was astern and one was roving ahead. Enemy speed was 10 knots and they were zig-zagging on courses between 180° and 235°. The target looked like a tanker because he was long and low. However when range decreased he was seen to be a heavily laden transport.

2300 hours - Decided to attack the target with four bow torpedoes and then fire the remaining two bow torpedoes at the largest of the escorts which looked big enough to be a large destroyer.

2314 hours - In position 00°18'N, 118°37'E fired four bow torpedoes from 1200 yards. Only two torpedo tracks were sighted of which on would miss ahead so decided to fire the two remaining bow torpedoes at the target as well which was done one minute later.

2315 hours - Fired tubes five and six just as one torpedo hit the target aft. Number five torpedo however prematured and effected number six as well. Maneuvered to get a stern salvo off.

2320 hours - Fired no.7 and no.8 tubes from 1100 yards. Both prematured. Went ahead flank to reload.

2325 hours - As we cleared the scene the target was seen to be stopped, slightly down by the stern.

2349 hours - Reload completed.

18 January 1944
0038 hours - Reached the desired position to the north-west of the target group.

0046 hours - Started a battery charge as with two escorts we would probably be forced to stay down all day after the attack.

0130 hours - Secured battery charge.

0140 hours - Made trim dive.

0154 hours - Surfaced.

0200 hours - Commenced closing the target group from 15000 yards.

0236 hours - Submerged when the range was 9000 yards.

0330 hours - In position 00°18'N, 118°37'E commenced firing four torpedoes at the transport and two torpedoes at the destroyer and obtained four well placed hits on the target. When spray and debris quit falling he was gone. The two torpedoes fired at the destroyer hit the small escort beyond him. After the attack the only ship in sight was the destroyer. Went deep.

0333 / 0342 hours - Eight depth charges were dropped quite close but they caused no damage.

0350 hours - Came up to periscope depth to have a look as the destroyer remained astern. Indeed sighted the destroyer aster nat a range of about 5000 yards.

0358 hours - Surfaced with the destroyer 7000 yards astern. Cleared the area and set course for Mangkalihat.

20 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) was ordered to proceed to Darwin, Australia for torpedoes, engine repairs and repairs to the antenna.

24 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) arrived at Darwin, Australia.

25 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) departed Darwin to resume her 3rd war patrol.

27 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) claims to have sunk a medium sized freighter in the Banda Sea in position 07°07'S, 126°07'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
26 January 1944
2304 hours - Obtained contact on SJ radar at a range of 9680 yards. Commenced tracking.

2320 hours - Targets course 220°(T), speed 10.5 knots. Commenced an end around to the eastward.

27 January 1944
0025 hours - Now 7000 yards ahead of the target. Turned in to attack.

0035 hours - Range now under 2000 yards. The target was now seen to be a medium freighter.

0038 hours - In position 07°07'S, 126°07'E fired three bow torpedoes from 1300 yards. The first torpedo broached, turned hard left, then right back to its course and passed ahead of the target. The second and third torpedoes both hit and broke the target in half just aft of the bridge. The stern part sank immediately but the bow did not and sank after a while.

28 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese seaplane tender / oiler Kamoi (17000 GRT, offsite link) off Makassar, Netherlands East Indies in position 03°25'S, 118°15'E.

(All times are zone H, -8)
0555 hours - In position 05°50'S, 120°07'E sighted masts and funnel of what appeared to be a medium Maru west bound close inshore. Came hard left, all ahead full to open out and pull ahead.

0556 hours - No.4 engine out of commission. Cracked liner. Commenced pulling full power on the other engines.

0557 hours - The target commenced challenging us with a powerful searchlight from the top of his bridge. We were against the rising sun, but were end on so he most likely could make not much out of us. Range was about 8 to 10 miles.

0720 hours - Sighted a seaplane over the target.

0723 hours - Submerged when the plane headed towards us.

0742 hours - Surfaced. Continued chase.

0820 hours - As the inshore haze cleared away could see that our target was a large vessel with at least three masts.

0829 hours - Submerged for a closing contact on SD (air warning) radar.

0839 hours - Surfaced. Continued chase.

0949 hours - Sighted a seaplane coming towards from the direction of the target. Submerged.

1000 hours - Surfaced.

1004 hours - Rain squalls between Bowfin and the target.

1047 hours - Submerged for a seaplane coming from the direction of the target.

1055 hours - Surfaced.

1108 hours - A seaplane was in sight over the target.

1240 hours - Again a seaplane was in sight over the target.

1246 hours - Submerged when the seaplane came towards.

1256 hours - The seaplane was still in sight close aboard.

1308 hours - Plane still close aboard.

1327 hours - Surfaced.

1328 hours - Submerged for the seaplane.

1342 hours - Surfaced. Put all engines on full power.

1357 hours - Again a seaplane in sight over the target.

1422 hours - Submerged for the seaplane coming in.

1438 hours - Surfaced. Had one and sometimes two seaplanes in sight for the remainder of the afternoon. By now it was clear that the target, which now appeared to be a large tanker, was not going to enter Makassar. No surface escort was seen or it must have been a small one.

1740 hours - Clear of the shoals now. Aircraft appeared to have knocked off for the day. Targets base course was now 305°(T) and she was most likely en-route to Balikpapan.

1840 hours - Now on the targets base course 17 miles ahead of him. Slowed to target speed and commenced a battery charge. In twelve hourse we have run 200 miles.

1852 hours - Stopped to let the target close.

1930 hours - Went to battle stations and commenced closing the target for a night surface action. The target was zig-zagging between courses of 250° and 350° at a speed of 11 knots.

2039 hours - An escort was now sighted trailing on th port quarter at a range of 7000 yards.

2052 hours - In position 03°25'S, 118°15'E commenced firing six bow torpedoes from 3500 yards at the target but the target just zigged and all missed.

2053 hours - Went ahead full as the escort was now very close but he fortunately did not see us.

2054 hours - The target signalled to the escort whixh started dropping depth charges three minutes later until 2121 hours.

2130 hours - Completed a reload of the forward torpedo tubes. Went in to attack again.

2214 hours - Fired six bow torpedoes from 2200 yards. Got two hits near the bridge of the target. Enormous explosions with pillows of black smoke rising several hundred feet in the air. The target was completely enveloped by smoke. It was thought he was finished.

2216 hours - Had a look to see if the target was done for. As smoke had cleared that target was seen to be stopped but apparently undamaged. Made ready the stern tubes.

2220 hours - Range was now 3000 yards.

2221 hours - The target trained a powerful searchlight near us and opened up with four machine guns and two deck guns. Put the wheel hard over and the searchlight cought the wake of our turn and let it have everything. The searchlight crossed the submarine twice but did not pick Bowfin up.

2228 hours - The target trained the searchlight on enormous clouds of smoke astern of her, kept it there for a while, and then turned it off.

2230 hours - All stopped, watching the target who was starting up again. Only two aft tubes were ready to shoot.

2245 hours - Fired two stern torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both missed ahead.

2300 hours - Two more tubes aft were now ready.

2329 hours - Fired two stern torpedoes from 3000 yards. Both hit forward of the bridge with enormous flames, explosions and smoke. Again thought the target was done for, but when smoke cleared away he was still there, stopped again, down by the bow. Made ready our last torpedo aft. Fired were seen raging inside the tanker through the holes in her side.

2339 hours - Fired our last stern torpedo from 4600 yards. It missed. The targets bow was now awash.

2348 hours - Came round and fired our last torpedo from a bow tube from 4200 yards. It hit between the focsle and the bridge with a terrific explosion. Range was now 1500 yards.

2349 hours - The searchlight came on and the machine guns opened up as did her after deck gun. Cleared the bridge. Our stern was on to the target by now.

2350 hours - The searchlight caught Bowfin now.

2351 hours - Submerged. The tanker was now awash to its bridge with the stern almost clear of the water. Out of torpedoes now, started to clear the area.

29 Jan 1944
In the evening, USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), lays mines off south-eastern coast of Borneo near Balikpapan. No further details are known to us for this moment.

30 Jan 1944
USS Bowfin (Lt.Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) sank two sailing vessels with gunfire in the Java Sea in position 05°50'S, 116°52'E.

During the night of 30/31 January 1944, USS Bowfin, made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

(All times are zone H, -8)
1122 hours - Near Sibbalds Bank sighted two large schooners to the westward. They were proceeding northwards.

1142 hours - Submerged for an aircraft contact.

1224 hours - Surfaced. Commenced closing the schooners.

1240 hours - Sank the first schooner with 4" and 20mm.

1258 hours - Sank the second schooner with 4".

1300 hours - Set course for Lombok Strait.

Total ammunition expended in this action was 18 rounds of 4" and 450 rounds of 20mm.

2 Feb 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) made a short stop at Exmouth Gulf before she continued her passage to Fremantle.

5 Feb 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.

28 Feb 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) departed from Fremantle on her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Celebes Sea area.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

6 Mar 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) made a short stop at Darwin, Australia to top off with fuel before proceeding towards her patrol area.

11 Mar 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Tsukikawa Maru (4673 GRT, built 1942) south of Halmahera in position 01°25'S, 128°14'E.

Tsukikawa Maru was in convoy together with Asaka Maru (4338 GRT, built 1909), Chuk(w)a Maru (2189 GRT, built 1920) and one other so far unidentified Maru. They were escorted by the minelayer Wakataka and the auxiliary submarine chaser Takunan Maru No.5.

(All times are zone H, -8)
10 March 1944
1013 hours - In position 01°30'S, 128°18'E sighted four columns of smoke bearing 350°(T). Commenced approach.

1042 hours - Heard echo ranging from the direction of the convoy.

1045 hours - Sighted masts of the convoy. There were two parallel columns of two ships each. We were now on the base course of the convoy, which was 165°(T).

1100 hours - A total of six vessel were in sight, four Maru's and two escorts, one ahead and one astern. Planned to split the bow tubes between the two leading Maru's which were the largest and then swing aroud to fire the stern tubes at the other two Maru's.

1140 hours - In position 01°30'S, 128°17'E commenced firing the bow tubes. The bow of the leading ship of the far column was just overlapping the stern of the leading ship of the near column. Range was 2650 yards. Then three torpedoes were fired at the leading ship of the near column from 2400 yards but just as these were being fired the first torpedoes fired began to premature. In all four out of six torpedoes fired prematured. A two-engined land based bomber now began to dive towards the periscope and both the escorts were also coming towards. While going deep four aircraft bombs exploded fairly close before both escorts began working on us. While Bowfin was at 350 feet there was the sound of a grapnel or chain being dragged the lenght of the ship. A total of 24 depth charges were dropped in 3 groups about half-an-hour apart. All charges were quite close but caused no damage.

1330 hours - One escort was still heard hunting. Came up to have a look. A single escort was sighted 5000 yards to the south. The largest Maru of the convoy was seen bearing 120°(T), range 10000 yards. He had a port list and was down by the stern. Commenced closing at 80 feet.

1400 hours - A two-engined bomber and one escort was seen to be closing us. Went deep but nothing happened.

1423 hours - Returned to periscope depth. The escort was seen still 5000 yards away. The Maru was at 9000 yards and appeared to be circling.

1524 hours - A second Maru was seen coming from the south, this Maru had been leading the second column. She appeared to be undamaged. The escort had moved towards the damaged Maru. An aircraft was still circling in the area.

1540 hours - It now appeared that the second Maru was going to take the damaged one in tow. Continued to close.

1556 hours - Three aircraft were now seen to circle overhead. Bowfin was now inside their circle.

1704 hours - There were now five aircraft circling overhead.

1740 hours - All aircraft were gone now. The undamaged Maru had a cable over to the damaged one. The escort was patrolling between Bowfin and the target.

1832 hours - With the formation straightenened out and taking a strain on the tow line, commenced firing torpedoes. Fired the first three at the escort from a range of 585 yards, then shifted to the towing Maru and fired three more from a range of 520 yards. One of the torpedoes turned right and went down our starboard side. Went deep to evade. All the other torpedoes missed. The escort dropped ten depth charges during the next half hour.

2145 hours - Surfaced. Evaded the escort which was still hunting in the area at a range of about 5000 yards.

11 March 1944

0219 hours - Having run south and west to cover possible target positions we were convinced the target were still in Obi Strait. Went north through Tabalai Stait and then into Obi Strait.

0300 hours - About 5 miles south of our last attack sighted an escort (thought to be a minesweeper) dead ahead patrolling on east - west courses. Put our stern on and watched him for a while. Sighting him assured us our targets were still there somewhere. Visibility was not good due to rain squalls.

0320 hours - Submerged to get the crew some rest.

0530 hours - Nothing in sight. Closed pinging which now bore 310°(T).

0630 hours - Sighted smoke of two ships bearing 304°(T).

0651 hours - Sighted masts of two ships dead ahead.

0709 hours - Identified these two ships as the Maru that had been towing and the 'minesweeper'. No sign of the damaged Maru.

0730 hours - Sighted the damaged Maru lying to. It now appeared that my last attack stopped to towing operation and that the damaged ship had been left alone. Had it not been for the circling torpedo we might have observed this.

0755 hours - Heard by sound and then sighted a reinforcing escort vessel coming up Tobalai Strait.

0919 hours - The air cover was back on station but only three planes this time. All were twin-engined bombers.

0941 hours - Sound reported fast screws closing from ahead. Had a look through the periscope and sighted the 'minesweeper' coming fast down our port side. Went back to 100 feet to let him pass.

1011 hours - Had another look. The 'minesweeper' had stopped about 1500 yards on our port quarter. She was putting a boat in the water. The towing Maru was standing towards us about 300 yards away with the 'new' escort on his port hand. Swung hard left to open track and give the Maru the stern tubes. Went back to 100 feet for the moment.

1020 hours - The Maru had zigged widely to his right. Looked like a bow shot now. Got four bow tubes ready.

1024 hours - The Maru zigged hard left again presenting a stern tube shot.

1030 hours - Commenced firing torpedoes from 700 yards. One torpedo prematured right at his side foward of his bridge throwing water all over the soldiers jamming her deck. One timed torpedo hit was obtained. On the next look the Maru was stopped and both escorts came rushing towards, range now about 1500 yards. Went deep after a short look at our damaged Maru from yesterday. One aircraft had dropped bombs shortly after we fired the torpedoes.

1035 hours - Received five very close depth charges overhead. No damage.

1059 hours - Five more depth charges. Again very close but fortunately again no damage. Not even a light bulb was broken.

1100 hours - Went to 450 feet.

1200 hours - No depth charges were dropped for an hour. Went to periscope depth.

1216 hours - Two depth charges were dropped quite some way off.

1240 hours - Escort now about 7000 yards to the south. Commenced the Maru that were had damaged yesterday. The Maru we have attacked this moring and the 'minesweeper' were no longer in sight. Also no aircraft were sighted.

1415 hours - Fired a stern tube from 800 yards. A hit was obtained under the bridge but it caused little damage. Fired another torpedo which hit just abaft the bridge. The explosion ripped off a string of plates but above the waterline. Fired two more torpedoes but now set to 15 feet. Both hit and broke the ships back. Aircraft bombs were now dropped so went to 100 feet, leaving the ship in a sinking condition. A total of four bombs were dropped but these were not close. The escort did not close the scene.

1450 hours - At periscope depth. Nothing in sight but lifeboats and two landing barges.

1600 hours - Surfaced and set off in pursuit of the towing Maru and the escorts. The Maru now had a five hour start on us.

1647 hours - Submerged for a contact on SD radar.

1711 hours - Surfaced. Continued pursuit.

2025 hours - In position 02°18'S, 128°04'E sighted the target group in the bright moonlight beaing 130°(T) on a parallel course. This position gave them 4 knots maximum speed. The Maru was definitely slowed by the hit and 'near miss'. Made an end around outside radar range due to the bright moonlight.

2225 hours - Now well ahead of the target. With an Island in the background put our bow towards and waited for the enemy to come within radar range but the SJ radar then malfuntioned.

2244 hours - Had to dive to periscope depth. Trying to get the radar working.

2256 hours - Radar back in commission. Went to radar depth to check the range which was now 6400 yards. Then went back to 60 feet (periscope depth).

2328 hours - Commenced firing torpedoes from a range of 1250 yards in position 02°18'S, 128°04'E. The first three torpedoes prematured about 500 yards short of the target. The last torpedo passed the target astern. Evaded the escorts at periscope depth. The 'minesweeper', who had no more depth charges, come down our port side and the other escort came down the starboard side. During the next 30 minutes he dropped ten depth charges. All were close. The Maru came hard left towards us and made a square around us at a range of 1000 yards. If we had more torpedoes he would have been a dead duck. Troops were seen still jamming the decks. After rounding us the Maru formed up astern of the 'minesweeper' and they headed towards Manipa Strait zig-zagging, while the other escort tried to keep us down.

12 March 1944
0059 hours - The escort was working back and forth across our stern slowly getting closer so we went to 300 feet when he got into 800 yards range. It was thought he might be hearing us.

0240 hours - Could still her screws and pinging astern. Planed up to have a look. The escort was at least 5000 yards away.

0312 hours - Surfaced and headed for Darwin around Boano Island and east of Timor.

12 Mar 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) departed her patrol area for Darwin to take on board new torpedoes.

14 Mar 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) called at Darwin where she refuelled and took on board 17 new torpedoes. She heads back to her patrol area the next day.

18 Mar 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) made two torpedo attacks on an medium sized transport south-west of Taliabu Island. No torpedo hits were obtained in both attacks.

(All times are zone H, -8)
0530 hours - Sighted smoke and masts of a ship bearing 256°(T) in position 02°08'S, 125°20'E. Went ahead full and commenced an end around to the north.

0624 hours - All ahead flank.

0827 hours - A single float plane and a two-engined bomber were making wide sweeps over the target.

0938 hours - Submerged 18 miles ahead of the target which had tracked on a steady course of 270°(T) at 7.5 knots. The target appeared to be a medium sized Maru.

1100 hours - Could see two submarine chasers on either quarter of the target. The target was still tracking on a steady course and speed. The target looked like about 3000 tons.

1129 hours - In position 02°30'S, 124°17'E fired four torpedoes from 800 yards. No hits were obtained. Decided that the torpedoes had run under the target. He then began a slow swing to starboard. Fired the last two bow torpedoes but again no hits. Went deep to avoid an auxiliary submarine chaser rushing towards.

1133 to 1225 hours - The escort dropped 16 depth charges. The drops were in patterns of two or three. All charges were more or less overhead and jarred Bowfin considerably but caused no damage.

1306 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Smoke of the Maru was still in sight but the submarine chaser was not seen. Commenced reload.

1450 hours - Surfaced in hot pursuit and commenced an end around run to the south.

1740 hours - The target was now zig-zagging and base course had changed from 270°(T) to 220°(T).

1758 hours - Stopped on the targets base course.

1937 hours - In position 02°50'S, 124°10'E fired four torpedoes from the stern tubes from 3400 yards. No torpedo tracks were seen but sound reported them running normally.

1939 hours - The target began a slow turn towards Bowfin. He then opened fire. Submerged. Decided not to waste more torpedoes on this target.

2041 hours - Surfaced.

24 Mar 1944
During an attack on a Japanese convoy about 95 nautical miles south of Davao, Mindanao, Philippines, USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) torpedoed sank the Japanese troop transport Shinkyo Maru (2672 GRT, built 1933) and the Japanese army cargo ship Bengal Maru (5399 GRT, built 1921) in position 05°27'N, 125°39'E.

The ships sunk were part of convoy H-22 (Manila - Kau, Halmahera) which was made up of, besides the two ships sunk, the auxiliary gunboat Anshu Maru (2601 GRT, built 1937), Atlas Maru (7349 GRT, built 1919), Kuramasan Maru (1995 GRT, built 1927), Mito Maru (7061 GRT, built 1921) and Toyooka Maru (7097 GRT, built 1915). They were escorted by the torpedo boat Hayabusa and the auxiliary submarine chaser Kyo Maru No.12 (344 GRT, built 1940).

(All times are zone H, -8)
1418 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 315°(T). Only sighted smoke once and it could not be picked up again.

1435 hours - Sighted masts of a large Maru bearing 250°(T) drawing to the left in position 05°27'N, 125°10'E. Range 8 miles. Came to normal approach course at full speed.

1450 hours - Sighted a floatplane circling the target at mast height.

1600 hours - The target was out of sight.

1630 hours - Decided to surface so as not to lose him.

1638 hours - When about to surface sighted five columns of smoke bearing 340°(T). This convoy was hugging the Mindanao coast. If we had not chased the single ship we would have been in a perfect position to attack the convoy. Decided to let the convoy pass and then surface for a night attack as our battery was very low.

1736 hours - Could see masts and bridge of five large Maru's. Estimates tonnages six to eight Thousand tons.

1749 hours - Pinging from the direction from the convoy. The convoy tracked at a speed of 8 knots.

1824 hours - Surfaced and commenced run around Sarangini Islands to the convoy's estimated 2100 hours position.

2018 hours - Radar contact on targets at 15600 yards. There were five targets on the radar screen. Commenced tracking. Targets course was 090°(T), speed 8 knots.

2231 hours - Started in for attack. Planned to give the largest ship four bow tubes, the ship astern of him one bow tube, then swing and give this second ship two more torpedoes from the stern tubes.

2246 hours - In position 05°27'N, 125°39'E fired five bow topedoes at the largest Maru and the overlapping Maru beyond. Range was about 3000 yards. The first three torpedoes hit the largest Maru, one forward of the bridge and two aft of the bridge. The other two torpedoes hit the overlapping Maru beyond. Both Maru's stopped cold and went down astern. In the meantime Bowfin had swung hard right to fire two stern tubes at another Maru.

2249 hours - Fired two stern tubes. Both hit aft of his bridge.

2250 hours - Stopped to watch them sink. A destroyer was now seen coming towards and signalling.

2251 hours - All ahead flank.

2259 hours - Now at 9000 yards range. Radar showed only three Maru's and two destroyers. One of the Maru's was stopped and well down as her pip was very small, two of the Maru's had been sunk. Set course to return to Fremantle.

26 Mar 1944
In the afternoon, USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN), is detected and depth charged by a Japanese 'Q-ship' west of Buru Island near position 03°16'S, 125°43'E. Some minor damage is caused by the depth charges.

1 Apr 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. W.T. Griffith, USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Fremantle.

At Fremantle she was refitted by submarine repair unit 137. She was also docked.

25 Apr 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off Palau and to proceed to Pearl Habour on completion of this patrol.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

2 May 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) topped off with fuel at Darwin before proceeding to her patrol area.

14 May 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) and USS Aspro (Cdr. W.A. Stevenson, USN) together sink the Japanese army cargo ship Bisan Maru (4667 GRT, built 1944) about 90 nautical miles north-west of Palau in position 08°53'N, 133°35'E.

Bisan Maru was in convoy together with Jokuja Maru (6440 GRT, built 1944). They were escorted by the Japanese submarine chaser Ch-12 and the auxiliary submarine chasers CHa-32 and CHa-60.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0224 hours - In position 08°45'N, 133°52'E sighted smoke bearing 025°(T). Commenced tracking. Target was on base course 285°(T), speed 9 knots. Commenced end around run.

0325 hours - Radar interference thought to be of another SJ radar bearing 084°(T).

0339 hours - Now ahead of the target. There were two large targets and one smaller one thought to be an escort.

0500 hours - Smoke of target now bearing 103°(T), range 19000 yards. Escort bearing 106°(T), range 14000 yards. Submerged and commenced approach.

0507 hours - Selected the leading Maru as the main target.

0510 hours - Target now 098°(T), range 11000 yards.

0520 hours - Range now 8900 yards, bearing 055°(T).

0525 hours - The target zigged to the left at a range of 7600 yards. Came right to cross his track.

0528 hours - Realised it would be impossible to cross the targets track in time so came left for a stern shot.

0530 hours - The target zigged left at a range of 5740 yards. Came left to get parallel to the target.

0537 hours - Range now 4950 yards. Shifted setup to the second Maru at a range of 4500 yards.

0539 hours - The new target now zigged away. The original target zigged to his right. Changed course to the left to revert to the leading Maru again.

0552 hours - In position 08°53'N, 133°35'E fired six torpedoes from 2350 yards.

0553 hours - Sighted the escort coming towards. Went deep.

0554 hours - Heard two torpedo explosions.

0600 hours - At 400 feet. Depth charging commenced, 16 were dropped during the next 6 minutes. All were close and heavy and caused some minor damage.

0606 hours - A second set of light screws wee heard. There must have been a second escort. Only one set of heavy screws were heard.

0828 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted the target bearing 152°(T) at a range of 6000 yards. Stern down and water was level with the bridge structure. The second Maru was stopped near the damaged ship.

0829 hours - Sighted a seaplane coming towards. Went to 300 feet and commenced reloading the torpedo tubes. Changed course for an approach on the second Maru.

0848 hours - Heard a loud rumbling explosion. Subsequent events indicated that the target probably sunk at this time.

0930 hours - Completed reload. Commenced planing up to periscope depth. The noise of the pumping attracked the escorts. Stopped pumping. Altered course a bit.

1000 hours - Finally at periscope depth. Sighted a large transport that had been sighted earlier this moring at a range of 9000 yards. The target we had attacked was not in sight. Changed course to run parallel with this now target in the hope it would zig towards us.

1037 hours - Range now 14500 yards. Base course of the enemy 285°(T), speed 9 knots. Gave up the attack unable to close. Decided to return to the place of the sinking.

1335 hours - Surfaced.

1356 hours - Passed through an oil slick. Sighted two lifeboats lashed together, raft and a lot of debris. No survivors were seen. Shotly afterwards had to dive for an approaching aircraft.

4 Jun 1944
During 4-6 June 1944, USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN), conducted a special operation (no details available for the moment).

17 Jun 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) made a short stop at Midway for fuel, provisions and mail before departing for Pearl Harbour later the same day.

21 Jun 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) ended her 5th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

At Pearl Harbour she was refitted by USS Fulton. She was also docked.

16 Jul 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 6th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Ryukyu Islands.

She was escorted out by USS PC-571.

For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

20 Jul 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) made a short stop at Midway to top off with fuel before proceeding for her patrol area later the same day.

10 Aug 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) torpedoed and sank the small Japanese merchant cargo ship Seiyo Maru (197 GRT) off Minami Daito Shima in position 25°50'N, 131°12'E. The destruction of another small merchant vessel is also claimed.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0715 hours - Sighted one trawler type escort and one small merchant ship bearing 090°(T), range 5000 yards in position 25°52'N, 131°11'E. Another small merchant ship bore 050°(T), range 4500 yards. Battle stations torpedo.

0923 hours - In position 25°50'N, 131°12'E fired three torpedoes at one of the merchant ships now lying to off Minami Daito from a range of 1750 yards. One hit was obtained and he was literally thorn apart. The third torpedo had an erratic run causing some a very uncomfatable moment on board Bowfin before the torpedo finally sank to the bottom of the sea.

0929 hours - Fired three more torpedoes at the ship moored to the dock from 1150 yards. All three hit where they were aimed. When the smoke had cleared there was no sign of the merchant ship and the dock was also wrecked.

0938 hours - Went to 100 feet to reload.

0948 hours - Two depth charges were dropped, ten seconds apart.

0951 hours - Received two more depth charges with a ten second interval.

0957 hours - During the next ten minutes received ten more depth charges. Went to 195 feet.

1001 hours - Picked up very faint screws bearing 000°(T). Changed course and went to 350 feet.

1018 hours - Started to come up to periscope depth to have a look. Picked up screws bearing 230°(T). Decided to remain deep.

1019 hours - Four depth charges were dropped. Not close.

1123 hours - At periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

22 Aug 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese army cargo ship Tsushima Maru (6754 GRT, built 1914) some 10 kilometres north-west of Akuseki in position 29°32'N, 129°31'E.

Tsushima Maru was transporting 826 school children from Okinawa as well as 1529 other passengers and crewmen. She was part of convoy NAMO-103 (Naha - Moji) consisting of, besided herself, Gyoku Maru (6854 GRT, built 1943) and Kazuura Maru (6804 GRT, built 1938). They were escorted by the destroyer Hasu and the gunboat Uji.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0410 hours - In position 27°30'N, 127°36'E obtained radar contact on three targets bearing 111°(T), range 26000 yards. Commenced tracking. The contact developed into three large ships and two smaller ones, most likely escorts. Commenced an end around.

0542 hours - Passed well to the westward of Tori Shima so as not to be sighted and reported from the island.

0632 hours - An aircraft was sighted ahead of the convoy. Why we are not sighted is a mistery.

0653 hours - Now 26500 yards ahead of and slightly to the eastward of the convoys track. Base course of the convoy was 005°(T), speed 9 knots. Dived.

0722 hours - Sighted the convoy bearing 177°(T), range about 20000 yards. Went to 80 feet and commenced approach. For the next hour and 15 minutes ran at high speed on the normal approach course attempting to close the track. Succeeded in closing the range to 5500 yards.

1034 hours - Lost sight of the convoy and screen. Surfaced and commenced an end around at flank speed. The convoy must be an important one given the heavy air and surface screen. The end around was made at an average range of 21000 yards.

1123 hours - Dived for an aircraft contact that was closing.

1254 hours - Aircraft no longer in sight. Surfaced.

1628 hours - Sighted a trawler bearing 102°(T), range 15000 yards. Ran around him.

1836 hours - Submerged for an aircraft contact on SD radar coming in.

1958 hours - Surfaced. Convoy now bearing 178°(T), range 22100 yards. All ahead full to gain a favourable position.

2039 hours - In our desired position. Commenced attack run.

2053 hours - Convoy now 214°(T), range 21600 yards.

2107 hours - Battle stations torpedo.

2209 hours - In position 29°32'N, 129°31'E fired six bow torpedoes from 2800 yards at two overlapping ships.

2210 hours - Came right with full rudder and flank speed for stern shots.

2211 hours - Five hits were observed. Two on the original target. Two on the overlapping ship beyond and one on the destroyer beyond that last vessel. The original target was seen to sink very rapidly. The overlapping ship was seen to settle by the stern. The destroyer was not seen after the torpedo hit, looks like her magazine exploded and she completely disintegrated.

2212 hours - Fired four stern torpedoes at the remaining Maru.

2215 hours - The other escorting destroyer was seen to explode after being hit by one of the torpedoes fired at the Maru. He immediately disappeared from the radar screen.

2216 hours - Observed one hit on the target, well aft.

2218 hours - Commenced reloading all ten torpedo tubes.

2221 hours - The second ship hit was seen to sink.

2223 hours - The last ship hit was observed to come to a stop.

2235 hours - Reload completed. Radar by now gave a lot of false contacts. The last ship hit was not picked up again on the radar nor was it seen from the bridge. Possibly it sank at 2234 hours when two heavy explosions were heard.

28 Aug 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) sank a Japanese trawler with gunfire south-east off Okinawa in position 25°56'N, 128°54'E. Before the gun action three torpedoes had been fired at this trawler but all had missed.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0735 hours - In position 26°19'N, 128°52'E sighted smoke bearing 183°(T). Headed for it at full speed.

0818 hours - Sighted ship bearing 189°(T). Commenced tracking.

0940 hours - Target now bears 269°(T). Enemy course 100°(T), speed 4 - 6 knots. Identified the target as a large trawler.

0951 hous - Ahead of the target. Dived and commenced a submerged approach.

1127 hours - Sighted the target bearing 261°(T), during the submerged approach the target had reduced speed to about 1 knot but had maintained her course of 100°(T). Closed to investigate.

1239 hours - Range now 1500 yards. Decided to attack with torpedoes but wait a little longer in case bigger prey came along.

1429 hours - In position 25°56'N, 128°54'E fired no.7 torpedo from 950 yards. It missed.

1431 hours - Fired no.8 torpedo from 1020 yards. It also missed.

1432 hours - Heard end of run detonation from no.7 torpedo.

1433 hours - fired no.9 torpedo. This torpedo also missed.

1434 hours - Heard end of run detonation from no.8 torpedo.

1436 hours - Heard end of run detonation from no.9 torpedo.

1438 hours - Opened the range. Decided to attack with gunfire at sunset.

1842 hours - Battle surfaced in position 25°56'N, 128°54'E at a range of 1000 yards. Opened fire with all guns. After a while the surprised Japanese tried to man their machine gun but all their gunners were cut down with 20mm and .30 cal. The trawler was promptly set on fire.

1900 hours - The trawler was now completely eveloped in flames. Broke off the action as the trawler was deemed a total loss.

During this gun action 37 rounds of 4", 1200 rounds of 20mm and 1250 rounds of .30 cal. were expended.

30 Aug 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) departed her patrol area for Pearl Harbour, via Midway.

4 Sep 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) sank the Japanese guardboat Hinode Maru No.6 (245 GRT) with gunfire east of the Bonin Islands in position 31°54'N, 152°05'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0902 hours - In position 31°48'N, 151°44'E sighted masts of three ships bearing 050°(T), estimated range 20000 yards. Commenced tracking.

0925 hours - Targets base course was 110°(T), speed 6 knots. They were all seen to be small ships through high periscope.

0935 hours - The ships were seen to be two small transports (300 ton) and one larger one (1000 ton).

0953 hours - Battle stations gun action. Commenced closing the range at 16 knots. When the range was 4500 yards the enemy opened fire with machine guns but all shots were short.

1022 hours - Opened fire with the 4" gun on the largest ship from 4000 yards. The two smaller ships now came towards us. Shifted fire to them while using the forward 20mm on the larger ship. After several near misses the smaller ships opened the range again but continued to fire on us. Again shifted our 4" fire to the largest ship and several hits were obtained.

1052 hours - Expended our last round of 4".

1055 hours - The two smaller transports steamed off on a course of 300°. The larger transport was now stopped and on fire. Closed the range to 500 yards for more effective use of the 20mm guns. Raked the target with 20mm and .30 cal. The crew than started to abandon ship. Circled the target to get fires started on both sides but then noticed that a fire was creeping aft towards the targets depth charges so pulled clear. A cargo of gasoline in drums caught fire and some very spectacular explosions with great billows of flame and smoke occurred. The depth charges then exploded.

During the gun action 67 rounds of 4", 1300 rounds of 20mm and 1200 rounds of .30 cal. were expended.

1215 hours - Picked up two Japanese survivors. Both were wounded. Ten to twelve survivors were left in the water, most of them appeared to be wounded.

Kept the target under observation for the next hour but finally decided to finish her off with a torpedo.

1310 hours - In position 31°54'N, 152°05'E fired no.1 tube from 890 yards but the torpedo took a sharp hook to the left and missed astern.

1312 hours - Fired no.2 tube from 650 yards. The torpedo ran erratically and also missed astern.

1315 hours - Fired no.3 tube from 670 yards. This torpedo also ran erratically and also missed well astern of the target.

1317 hours - Fired no.4 tube from 550 yards. This torpedo also hooked to the left and missed astern.

1320 hours - Departed the scene of the attack and continued passage to Midway.

9 Sep 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) called at Midway to take on board fuel, water and mail. She departed for Pearl Harbour later the same day.

13 Sep 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) ended her 6th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She is now sent to the Mare Island Navy Yard for a major overhaul.

15 Sep 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) departed Pearl Harbour for the Mare Island Navy Yard.

21 Sep 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. J. Corbus, USN) arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard for a major overhaul.

23 Sep 1944
The Japanese gunboat Nankai (2400 tons, offsite link) and the Japanese troop transport Hokkai Maru (8416 GRT, built 1933) are damaged by mines (laid by USS Bowfin on 29 January) off Balikpapan, Borneo in position 03°37'S, 116°25'E.

16 Dec 1944
With her overhaul completed, USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN), departed the Mare Island Navy Yard for Pearl Harbour.

24 Dec 1944
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from the Mare Island Navy Yard.

8 Jan 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Doherty (Lt. W.J. O'Brien, USNR), USS McClelland (Lt.Cdr. G.D. Williams, USN) and USS Dionne (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Love, Jr., USNR).

9 Jan 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Doherty (Lt. W.J. O'Brien, USNR) and USS Dionne (Lt.Cdr. H.E. Love, Jr., USNR).

25 Jan 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 7th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol south of Honshu, Japan.

She was escorted out by USS PC-485 and USS PC-487.

For daily and attack positions of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

6 Feb 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) arrived at Saipan. She was escorted in by USS LCI(L)-1063.

8 Feb 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area. She was escorted out by USS LCI(L)-1061.

17 Feb 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese frigate Kaibokan 56 (740 tons, built 1944) five miles east of Mikura Jima, central Honshu, Japan in position 33°53'N, 139°45'E.

Bowfin (assisted by aircraft) also sank the guard boat Nanshin Maru No.26 (81 GRT) in position 33°12'N, 140°46'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
16 February 1945
2321 hours - In position 33°33'N, 139°43'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 235°(T), range 12000 yards. Commenced tracking. There were two pips. Enemy course was between 000°(T) and 020°(T), speed 15 knots, the targets were heading for Mikura Shima.

17 February 1945
0000 hours - Battle stations torpedo.

0005 hours - Sent out contact report to wolfpack.

0009 hours - Headed in to attack.

0012 hours - The nearest target zigged towards. Range was 3000 yards. Thought we had been spotted.

0013 hours - Swung right with full rudder at flank speed showing the target a broadside view at a range of only 2300 yards. Looked like we were in for a bad time. Sent lookouts below and opened the after doors aft for a down the throat shot.

0018 hours - Range started opening. Could not believe we have not been sighted.

0045 hours - Range now 5000 yards. Started another attack. Intended to shoot three bow torpedoes at each of the targets which were thought to be destroyers.

0056 hours - In position 33°53'N, 139°45'E fired three bow torpedoes at the leading and nearest destroyer from a range of 1745 yards. The other destroyer was lost out of sight and the other three bow torpedoes were not fired.

0057 hours - All ahead flank and started to pull out to the southeast.

0058 hours - One hit on the target amidships. The target exploded.

0100 hours - The targets pip was still on the screen but smaller.

0104 hours - The other destroyer started dropping depth charges.

0122 hours - The targets pip disappeared. He sank.

0206 hours - Secured engines. Closed to other contact on motors at a speed of 5 knots.

0225 hours - Sighted the target from the bridge.

0227 hours - In position 33°53'N, 139°45'E fired three bow torpedoes from 2300 yards.

0228 hours - All ahead flank, full left rudder. One of the torpedoes now prematured. Opened the outer doors aft and ordered the lookouts below. Range was now 1520 yards and closing slowly.

0230 hours - Steadied up with the target astern and range opening nicely.

0234 hours - Range now 4400 yards and opening. Commenced reload forward.

-----------------------------------------------------------------

1215 hours - Sighted smoke on the horizon bearing 065°(T). Set course to close.

1252 hours - Could make out two masts and the clipper bow of a picket boat in position 33°03'N, 140°30'E. It looked like a schooner.

1300 hours - Sighted a second target through the periscope bearing 020°(T) at a range of 6-7 miles. This was a smaller picket boat. Continued to close the target sighted first.

1303 hours - Noticed that the after mast of the target had fallen over her stern. The fire that had been started on her by an air strike by carrier aircraft was practically out now. Decided to attack with 40mm and 20mm.

1313 hours - In position 33°12'N, 140°46'E opened fire with 40mm from a range of about 3000 yards.

1325 hours - Closed to 1500 yards and also opened fire with 20mm.

1341 hours - Closed to 400 yards.

1354 hours - A 20mm shot exploded the depth charges on the targets stern. Ceased firing after having expended 160 rounds of 40mm and 800 rounds of 20mm.

1410 hours - The target turned over and sank.

2 Mar 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese guard boat Chokai Maru (135 GRT) north-east of Miyake Jima in position 33°50'N, 139°22'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0237 hours - In position 33°04'N, 139°20'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 220°(T), range 8750 yards. Commenced tracking.

0330 hours - Target was on a steady course of 355°(T), speed 10.5 knots.

0517 hours - Opened out to the eastward in order to ovoid being sighted by lookout stations on Inamba Shima which was 9000 yards away.

0641 hours - Dived to complete the attack.

0658 hours - Picked up the target through the periscope. Identified him as a large sea truck stacked high with cargo aft, one mast forward, with engines, a small stack, and bridge amidships.

0723 hours - In position 33°50'N, 139°22'E fired one torpedo which hit the target.

0744 hours - The target was dead in the water, slightly down by the stern and with a 15° list to port.

0802 hours - The list increased to about 40°. The crew was jettisoning cargo. Range now 3000 yards but closed to have a better look and take pictures.

0817 hours - The target rolled over.

0830 hours - The target sank completely. About ten men were seen in a lifeboat and three of four were seen in the water.

4 Mar 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) engaged two Japanese picket boats off the Bonis Islands with gunfire. Due to the heavy sea state and return fire from the enemy the action was broken off. One of the enemy picket boats was most likely lightly damaged in the action. One of the gun crew of Bowfin was wounded during the action.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0850 hours - In position 31°54'N, 141°22'E sighted two masts on the horizon bearing 305°(T). Commenced closing.

0855 hours - The contact was determined to be two picket boats of about 300 tons each.

0858 hours - Battle stations gun action.

0907 hours - In position 31°55'N, 141°21'E commenced firing with 40mm and the 5" gun from 4200 yards.

0910 hours - The enemy was returning fire with a large volume of fire, all short. The return fire was estimated as being 20mm.

0912 hours - The enemy had found the range, splashes all around us. Went ahead full to open the range again. The sea was too rough for any effective shooting with the 5" gun.

0914 hours - The trainer of the 5" gun was wounded in both legs by shrapnel.

0915 hours - Secured all guns and broke off the action. Twelve rounds of 5" and sixty-four rounds of 40mm have been fired so far. Two 40mm hits were obtained on one of the picket boats for sure.

19 Mar 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) picked up two USN airmen of Torpedo Squadron 83 from the water south of Kochi Prefecture.

20 Mar 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed her patrol area for Guam.

25 Mar 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) ended her 7th war patrol at Guam. She was escorted in by USS Wintle (Lt.Cdr. A. Leipper, USNR).

At Guam she was refitted by a relief crew from Submarine Division 282 and the USS Apollo.

20 Apr 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Guam together with USS Baron (Lt.Cdr. W.M. Dickerson, USNR), USS Greenlet (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Hodgson, Jr., USN) and USS Raby (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Slade, USNR).

23 Apr 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed from Guam for her 8th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in Japanese home waters off Honshu and Hokkaido.

She was escorted out by USS Oracle (Lt.Cdr. D.W. Deits, USNR).

For daily and attack positions of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

1 May 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese Naval transport Chowa Maru (2719 GRT, built 1940) south-east of Erimosaki, Hokkaido, Japan in position 41°06'N, 144°28'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0420 hours - In position 41°08'N, 144°37'E sighted smoke bearing 075°(T).

0421 hours - SJ radar contact bearing 075°(T), range 16590 yards. Commenced tracking.

0435 hours - Contact now bearing 078°(T), range 16115 yards. Best solution for th targets course was 255°(T), speed 13 knots. A second ship was now sighted near the target but smaller.

0441 hours - To avoid being sighted dived and manned battle stations.

0452 hours - Sighted the target with zero angle on the bow, accompanied by one escort.

0502 hours - Targets base course was now 270°(T). She was zig-zagging 25° either side of the base course. The escort was keeping station about 2000 yards ahead. She appeared to be under constant helm.

0518 hours - Commenced pulling off track for a stern tube shot. We were right on track at this time.

0530 hours - The escort passed astern at 600 yards range.

0536 hours - In position 41°06'N, 144°28'E fired four stern torpedoes from 735 yards. Two hits were obtained.

0538 hours - Rigged for silent running.

0542 hours - The target had sunk.

0548 hours - The escort came to life now.

0550 hours - Went to 450 feet.

0556 hours - The escort passed directly overhead but did not drop depth charges.

0614 hours - The escort dropped 21 depth charges in 25 seconds. They gave Bowfin a good jolt. Believed they were all above us. Bowfin was at that time at 560 feet.

0630 hours - The escort again passed directly overhead but did not drop depth charges.

0900 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.

8 May 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport Daito Maru No.3 (880 GRT, built 1945) east-south-east of Todogasaki, Honshu, Japan in position 39°38'N, 142°08'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0311 hours - Radar contact at a range of 35500 yards. Very close to the Honshu coast. Commenced tracking.

0337 hours - Manned battle stations.

0412 hours - Sighted the targets from the bridge. It was seen to be a tanker and a freighter. Selected the tanker as the target.

0415 hours - In position 39°38'N, 142°08'E fired six torpedoes from 3200 yards.

0416 hours - Swung right to fire the stern tubes.

0417 hours - Had just given the order to fire aft whan a spectacular hit exploded in the tanker. Gae order to check fire and shifted setup to the other target.

0418 hours - Commenced firing four torpedoes aft from 2665 yards. Tube 7 still went out to the tanker but tubes 8, 9 and 10 were fired at the freighter. However shortly before tube 10 was fired the freighter was observed to turn away, heading for the beach. Two more torpedo hits were observed on the tanker which disintegrated at 0421 hours.

0420 hours - Secured the torpedo tubes and pulled clear at full speed.

0442 hours - Dived.

0457 hours - Completed reloading all torpedo tubes.

9 May 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed her patrol area to return to Guam.

15 May 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) ended her 8th war patrol at Guam. She was escorted in by USS SC-536.

At Guam she was refitted by a relief crew from Submarine Division 282 and the USS Apollo.

23 May 1945
During 23/24 May 1945, USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN), conducted exercises off Guam together with USS Greenlet (Lt.Cdr. J.T. Hodgson, Jr., USN), USS Seadog (Cdr. E.T. Hydeman, USN) and USS Crevalle (Cdr. E.H. Steinmetz, USN).

29 May 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed from Guam for her 9th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Sea of Japan.

For daily and attack positions of USS Bowfin during this patrol see the map below.

6 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) enters the Sea of Japan through the Tsushima Strait.

11 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Shinyo Maru No.3 (2042 GRT, built 1917) off Genzan, Korea in position 39°24'N, 128°59'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0005 hours - In position 39°23'N, 129°03'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 135°(T), range 65000 yards. Commenced closing at three engine speed. Figured we had contacted a battleship given the extreme range.

0110 hours - Contact had tracked all the way to a range of 30000 yards. Manned radar tracking party.

0121 hours - Manned battle stations.

0150 hours - The target was zig-zagging between 240°(T) and 300°(T) at a speed of 9 knots. She was not escorted.

0210 hours - Dodged a small fishing boat who started flashing a white light at us. We were about 4000 yards ahead of the target at the time. The target had been sighted from the bridge when the range was 4500 yards. She was seen to be a medium freighter.

0223 hours - Clear of the fishing boat who was still flashing his light. Headed in to attack the freighter.

0236 hours - In position 39°24'N, 128°59'E fired four bow torpedoes.

0239 hours - Witnessed and felt one hit from the bridge. The hit was slightly abaft amidships. A few sparks and considerable debris flew up. Two much louder explosions were heard about 5 seconds later, probably internal explosions.

0242 hours - Saw the targets bow pointed skywards and thirty seconds later saw the target sink completely.

13 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Akiura Maru (887 GRT, built 1944) off the east coast of Korea in position 39°13'N, 128°08'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0800 hours - In position 39°10'N, 128°04'E sighted smoke and masts bearing 137°(T).

0819 hours - The target was seen to be an engines aft freighter coming up the coast. Manned battle stations.

0904 hour - In position 39°13'N, 128°08'E fired three bow torpedoes. One hit was heard but the result could not be immediately observed as Bowfin had dipped below periscope depth.

0906 hours - At periscope depth. The freighter was not seen, just a lot of debris in the position of the attack including one lifeboat upside down with a survivor hanging on.

14 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) damaged a sailing vessel with gunfire off the east coast of Korea in position 39°15'N, 128°22'E.

(All times are zone K, -10)
2114 hours - In position 39°19'N, 128°23'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 105°(T), range 8200 yards. Commenced tracking.

2130 hours - The target tracked at 3 knots on course 180°(T). Thought the target was a sailing vessel probably carrying cargo. Manned battle stations, gun.

2203 hours - In position 39°15'N, 128°22'E commenced firing all guns from 250 yards. The target was seen to be a small two-masted schooner. The 40mm gun jammed after one round.

2204 hours - Ceased firing and turned for a second pass at the target.

2211 hours - Resumed fire.

2212 hours - Ceased fire. The target had been damaged only.

2214 hours - Secured from battle stations. Total ammunition expended;
5" - 5 rounds,
40mm - 1 round,
20mm - 90 rounds,
.50 cal. - 180 rounds.

20 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) attacked a large freighter of the east coast of Korea in position 40°31'N, 129°13'E. Six torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.

(All times are zone K, -10)
0530 hours - While submerged sighted smoke bearing 330°(T). Position was 40°35'N, 129°15'E. Sighted a large engines aft freighter at a range of 14000 yards. She was hugging the coast and southbound. Manned battle stations torpedo. Commenced a high speed approach.

0605 hours - Sighted two smaller ships trailing the large freighter, one small engines aft tanker and a small freighter with stack and superstructure amidships.

0614 hours - In position 40°31'N, 129°13'E fired four torpedoes forward from 3500 yards.

0619 hours - All sound gear reported a torpedo coming in bearing 050° relative on a steady bearing. Fired tubes 5 and 6 at the same target and went deep.

0621 hours - Sound reported having lost the torpedo coming in.

0622 hours - Heard two loud explosions thought to be depth charges.

0623 hours - Heard a loud explosion thought to be a possible hit at the time.

0625 hours - From 0623 to 0625 hours numerous explosions were heard thought to be depth charges and gunfire.

0631 hours - Returned to periscope depth. Sighted all targets going away with no apparent sign of damage. A sad sight.

0658 hours - Secured from battle stations. Cleared the coast.

24 Jun 1945
During the night of 24/25 June 1945, USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN), passed La Perouse Strait eastbound.

30 Jun 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) made a short stop at Midway for fuel, fresh provisions and mail before departing for Pearl Harbour after a few hours in port.

4 Jul 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) ended her 9th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She was escorted in by USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR).

28 Jul 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted trials off Pearl Harbour.

31 Jul 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR), USS Florikan (Lt. D. Hima, USN) and USS Hoe (Lt.Cdr. M.P. Refo III, USN).

1 Aug 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Darby (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Martin, USNR), USS Kirkpatrick (Lt.Cdr. V.E. Bakanas, USCG) and USS YMS-102 (Lt. J.N. Hooker, USNR).

3 Aug 1945
During 3/4 August 1945, USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN), conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Chew (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Mannion, USNR), USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR), USS Darby (Lt.Cdr. M.W. Martin, USNR) and USS Flasher (Cdr. G.W. Grider, USN).

10 Aug 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed Pearl Harbour for Guam. When the war with Japan endend on the 15th she was ordered to return to Pearl Harbour.

19 Aug 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) returned to Pearl Harbour.

29 Aug 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed Pearl Harbour for Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.

13 Sep 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) arrived at Balboa, Panama Canal Zone from Pearl Harbour.

15 Sep 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) departed the Panama Canal Zone for Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York.

21 Sep 1945
USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) arrived at Tompkinsville, Staten Island, New York from the Panama Canal Zone.

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