| Navy | The US Navy |
| Type | Submarine |
| Class | Balao |
| Pennant | 328 |
| Built by | Electric Boat Co. (Groton, Connecticut, U.S.A.) |
| Ordered | 6 Jun 1942 |
| Laid down | 26 Aug 1943 |
| Launched | 28 May 1944 |
| Commissioned | 23 Sep 1944 |
| End service | 28 Jun 1969 |
| History | Originally to be named Bocaccio but renamed Charr on 24 September 1942. Decommissioned 28 June 1969. |
Commands listed for USS Charr (328)
Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.
| Commander | From | To | |
| 1 | T/Cdr. Francis Dennis Boyle, USN | 23 Sep 1944 | Apr 1946 |
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Notable events involving Charr include:
The history of USS Charr as compiled on this page is extracted from her patrol reports.
This page was last updated in February 2017.
4 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for Newport, Rhode Island for torpedo trials.
7 Oct 1944
Having completed her torpedo trials, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), returned to New London, Connecticut from Newport, Rhode Island.
11 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) is put on the slipway at New London, Connecticut.
12 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) is put back in the water.
17 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises in the New London area together with USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Eastwood, USNR) and USS Semmes (Lt.Cdr. F.L. Fullaway, USNR).
18 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises in the New London area together with USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Eastwood, USNR) and USS Semmes (Lt.Cdr. F.L. Fullaway, USNR).
19 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises in the New London area together with USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Eastwood, USNR).
20 Oct 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises in the New London area together with USS Daniel T. Griffin (Lt.Cdr. J.A. Eastwood, USNR).
5 Nov 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed New London, Connecticut for the Panama Canal Zone.
14 Nov 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone from New London, Connecticut.
23 Nov 1944
After a short training period in Panama Bay, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.
9 Dec 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor. After voyage repairs a training period was undergone for which we lack most of the details (for the moment).
16 Dec 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Connolly (Lt.Cdr. W.A. Collier, USNR) and USS Sicard (Lt. J.W. Botten, USN).
21 Dec 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Doherty (Lt. W.J. O'Brien, USNR), USS Cabana (Lt.Cdr. R.L. Bence, USNR), USS Sicard (Lt. J.W. Botten, USN), USS YMS 193, USS YMS 235, USS YMS 374, USS Blower (Cdr. J.H. Campbell, USN), USS Ronquil (Lt.Cdr. H.S. Monroe, USN) and USS Threadfin (Cdr. J.J. Foote, USN).
30 Dec 1944
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea. She was escorted out by USS SC-1067.
For daily positions (though incomplete) of USS Charr during this patrol see the map below.
11 Jan 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Saipan. She was escorted in by USS LCI(L)-371 (Lt.(jg) B.M. Daniel, USNR).
13 Jan 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area. She was escorted out by USS LCI(L)-1061 (Lt. F.N. Geforth, USNR).
29 Jan 1945
In the afternoon, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), picked up a downed US aviator from the shore of Indo-China.
21 Feb 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) is ordered to make rendez-vous with the Dutch submarine HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN).
22 Feb 1945
At 1330 hours (zone H, -8), USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), makes rendez-vous with the damaged Dutch submarine HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) which she is to escort to Fremantle, Australia.
26 Feb 1945
In the early moring hours, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), and HrMs Zwaardvisch (Lt.Cdr. H.A.W. Goossens, RNN) together make the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
Shortly after completing the transit the submarines parted company. Charr was ordered to proceed to Exmouth Gulf.
28 Feb 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) makes a short stop at Exmouth Gulf, Australia to take on board additional fuel for the passage to Fremantle.
3 Mar 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia. At Fremantle she was refitted by a relief crew of SubDiv 301 and Submarine Repair unit 137.
27 Mar 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She is initially ordered to patrol in the Flores, Java and South China Seas. Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with USS Hutchinson (Lt.Cdr. E.H. Houghtaling, USCG).
For daily and attack positions (though very incomplete !) of USS Charr during this patrol see the map below.
1 Apr 1945
In the evening, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
7 Apr 1945
USS Gabilan (Cdr. W.B. Parham, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese light cruiser Isuzu (offsite link) about 60 nautical miles north-west of Bima. The Isuzu is sunk a few hours later by USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) in position 07°38'S, 118°09'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0255 hours - In position 08°04'S, 118°33'E obtained SJ radar contact and sighted a large ship coming out of Bima Bay, this must be the cruiser we are after. Range was 14700 yards.
0323 hours - Sent out a contact report to USS Gabilan. Targets base course was 320°(T), speed varied from 14 to 17 knots, zigging about every five minutes.
0325 hours - Gabilan reported that she was also in contact.
0443 hours - Sent message to Gabilan, 'diving for attack'.
0444 hours - Received word that Gabilan had already dived to attack so remained un the surface to track until Gabilan had completed her attack.
0511 hours - The target zigged radically to the right to course 035°(T). This put us in a bad position.
0520 hours - Targets course now 190°(T) and then the target stopped. Did not see any explosions.
0538 hours - Submerged as it was getting lighter. Closed the now circling cruiser.
0552 hours - Range now 18120 yards. The cruiser was still circling. Two escorts were seen patrolling / hunting near the cruiser.
0600 hours - The cruiser was now proceeding towards Charr.
0604 hours - Range now 14000 yards. The cruiser is again turning in circles.
0615 hours - Range now 12930 yards.
0705 hours - Range now 5000 yards. The cruiser must have been damaged by Gabilan. She is down by the bow by about 2° and listing about 2° to port. Estimated speed is 10 knots. Two escorts are on either bow.
0721 hours - Range now 2700 yards.
0724 hours - In position 07°38'S, 118°09'E fired four bow torpedoes from 1200 yards. Two hits were obtained.
0725 hours - Fired two more torpedoes of which one hit. Went to 420 feet as the escorting Chidori class torpedo boat came towards.
0742 hours - One string of seven depth charges was dropped. They were rather close but caused no damage.
0745 hours - Heard loud breaking up noises.
0757 hours - Another sting of seven depth charges, not very close. Still hearing breaking up noises.
1020 hours - Periscope depth. Two planes were in sight as was one escort vessel. Went back to 220 feet.
1859 hours - Surfaced.
10 Apr 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire in the Java Sea in position 04°58'S, 113°32'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0920 hours - Sighted mast of a ship bearing 272°(T), distance about 16000 yards.
1000 hours - Ship's course 060°(T), speed 7.5 knots. The ship was a small engines aft freighter of about 500 ton. She was loaded with large crates. Decided to attack with the gun.
1025 hours - Surfaced at a range of 4500 yards and manned the 5" gun.
1027 hours - Commenced firing.
1047 hours - Ceased firing. The ship was on fire and sinking. A patrol vessel was now seen coming over the horizon so cleared the area.
1050 hours - Saw the ship sink.
14 Apr 1945
During the night of 14/15 April 1945, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), lays mines off Pulo Island (no further details known for the moment).
16 Apr 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) attacked two Japanese A/S vessels, thought to be minesweepers, off the Gulf of Siam in position 06°47'N, 104°26'E. A total of six torpedoes were fired but none found it's target.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0015 hours - In position 06°37'N, 102°58'E obtained radar contact bearing 240°(T), range 12900 yards. Two ships. Commenced tracking.
0130 hours - The targets appeared to be small destroyer escorts steering an approximate base course of 350°(T) at speeds varying from 6 to 11 knots. Zigs were very irregular. The ships stayed within 3000 yards of each other.
0133 hours - Both targets were heard pinging.
0137 hours - Headed in to attack but when the range was 8700 yards the targets separated. Opened the range again to wait for a more favourable position.
0200 hours - Headed in for another attack from a range of 13300 yards.
0208 hours - The targets are again separating. Again opened the range for a more favourable setup.
0259 hours - The targets are now on a course of 020°(T), speed 8 knots. Set up is checking beautifully. Commenced attack.
0302 hours - Radar range to the first target now 3300 yards. In position 06°47'N, 104°26'E fired three bow torpedoes at this target.
0303 hours - Shifted target. Fired the remaining three bow torpedoes from 2300 yards. All six torpedoes fired missed.
0307 hours - Fired four stern torpedoes from 1680 yards. It was intended to fire only two stern torpedoes but due to an error in drill all stern torpedoes were fired.
0308 hours - We have been sighted by the enemy. Started to open the range slowly but our speed was only two knots above the speed of the enemy.
0315 hours - The target began to zig, this allowed the range to open up more rapidly.
0320 hours - Range now 3200 yards.
0325 hours - The enemy turned around. The targets were now thought to be two mineseepers.
20 Apr 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Subic Bay, Philippines to reload, replenish stores and make some minor repairs before resuming her patrol.
24 Apr 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed from Subic Bay to resume her 2nd war patrol. She was now ordered to patrol off Formosa.
6 May 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN)
21 May 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Subic Bay. At Fremantle she was refitted by a relief crew of SubDiv 222 and USS Howard W. Gilmore.
14 Jun 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed from Subic Bay for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Gulf of Siam.
For daily positions (though incomplete) of USS Charr during this patrol see the map below.
19 Jul 1945
During the night of 19/20 July 1945, USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN), passed Lombok Strait southbound while on the surface.
23 Jul 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) made a short stop at Onslow, Australia to take on board fuel for the passage to Fremantle.
26 Jul 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.
29 Aug 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed Fremantle for Guam, via Sydney.
5 Sep 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Sydney, Australia.
8 Sep 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) departed Sydney for Guam.
17 Sep 1945
USS Charr (Cdr. F.D. Boyle, USN) arrived at Guam.
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