Copyright - A P - 2010
CHAPTER TWO
INTO HARMS WAY
This is Lt. Scruffy reporting from the USS SEADOG, at sea.
The crew came aboard at 1500 hrs and we were awaiting orders from Captain Barnaby, who was in conference with Admiral Andrew. Before coming aboard, certain members of the crew stocked up on goodies from the Canteen, which is run most efficiently by those two enterprising cats, Harry and Jesse. Ensign Buster snapped this picture just before coming aboard.
The crew came aboard at 1500 hrs and we were awaiting orders from Captain Barnaby, who was in conference with Admiral Andrew. Before coming aboard, certain members of the crew stocked up on goodies from the Canteen, which is run most efficiently by those two enterprising cats, Harry and Jesse. Ensign Buster snapped this picture just before coming aboard.
Everyone was keyed up in anticipation of the mission before us, and there were bets flying around as to where we might be headed and what our objective might be. Most seemed to think it would be the Solomons; while others believed it could be the Philippines.
At 1730 hrs we received the order to weigh anchor and cast off. The sun was setting and, as we sailed out of Moreton Bay, Lt. Bentley conducted a Blessing of the Crew on the deck.
At 1730 hrs we received the order to weigh anchor and cast off. The sun was setting and, as we sailed out of Moreton Bay, Lt. Bentley conducted a Blessing of the Crew on the deck.
While he was chatting to some of the seadogs (and cats) we all witnessed a remarkable thing! There, hovering over us in a golden glow was the larger-than-life face of our recently departed leader, Admiral Carl! He smiled at us and we saw a band of light surround the USS SEADOG. We knew then that he was watching over us from the Rainbow Bridge and that no harm would come to our crew. Admiral Carl was with us!
Morning dawned and we were informed of our objective. We were ALL wrong! Our orders are to enter Truk Lagoon and attack the enemy Naval Base there. WOW! We will certainly need Admiral Carl’s help because we will have to get through several patrols of enemy Destroyers before we can even enter the lagoon!
However, we have a fearless crew whose spirits will not be daunted by the threat of approaching danger. It was our Entertainment Officer, Lt. Bonnie Blue, who decided that the crew needed something to take their minds off the battles to come. She arranged a Fancy Dress Party with prizes for the most original costumes. Irish Whisky for the seasoned salts, and Ice-cream for what Roddie affectionately called “The Milk Brigade”.
Preparations were in full swing, as were the crew’s imaginations! Many of the younger ones were seen sneaking around corners with parcels hidden under their arms, while Colleen noticed several items disappearing from her Galley. Lt. Daisy also found things going missing from the Sick Bay, - notably, sheets!
This is Lt Scruffy signing off for now.
However, we have a fearless crew whose spirits will not be daunted by the threat of approaching danger. It was our Entertainment Officer, Lt. Bonnie Blue, who decided that the crew needed something to take their minds off the battles to come. She arranged a Fancy Dress Party with prizes for the most original costumes. Irish Whisky for the seasoned salts, and Ice-cream for what Roddie affectionately called “The Milk Brigade”.
Preparations were in full swing, as were the crew’s imaginations! Many of the younger ones were seen sneaking around corners with parcels hidden under their arms, while Colleen noticed several items disappearing from her Galley. Lt. Daisy also found things going missing from the Sick Bay, - notably, sheets!
This is Lt Scruffy signing off for now.
THE FANCY-DRESS PARTY
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This is War Correspondent P.O. Boogie taking over the reporting .
The party soon got underway, and there were some very strange sights indeed!
Music was provided by our own jazz band, THE SEADOG COMBO. Mind you, there wasn’t much room for dancing, but that small detail didn’t stop anyone!
The party soon got underway, and there were some very strange sights indeed!
Music was provided by our own jazz band, THE SEADOG COMBO. Mind you, there wasn’t much room for dancing, but that small detail didn’t stop anyone!
Liam and Killian were dressed as gangsters of the Roaring 20’s; - Molly Magee was a beautiful Southern Belle; - Andrew was Henry the 8th, and goodness only knows what Dasher and Hannah were!!!
The two Seacats on board got into the action too, and Meka was a very convincing Pirate, convincing, because several of the crew found themselves short of cash after the party, and Meka was the only one who looked smug about it!
I think it was Romeo’s intention to look like Uncle Sam, but someone suggested he looked more like a clown. He didn’t appreciate that one bit, and Daisy had two or three patients at sick bay shortly after, all with scratches!
The two Seacats on board got into the action too, and Meka was a very convincing Pirate, convincing, because several of the crew found themselves short of cash after the party, and Meka was the only one who looked smug about it!
I think it was Romeo’s intention to look like Uncle Sam, but someone suggested he looked more like a clown. He didn’t appreciate that one bit, and Daisy had two or three patients at sick bay shortly after, all with scratches!
Just when the party was really booming, the fun came to an abrupt end when Pixie sounded the alarm for ACTION STATIONS!
Enemy Destroyers had been sighted, heading straight for us. The urgent order “Dive, Dive, DIVE!” rang out and the USS SEADOG plunged into the depths and leveled out at 200 feet.
Costumes were swiftly exchanged for uniforms and suddenly everyone was deadly serious.
P.O. Boogie signing off.
Enemy Destroyers had been sighted, heading straight for us. The urgent order “Dive, Dive, DIVE!” rang out and the USS SEADOG plunged into the depths and leveled out at 200 feet.
Costumes were swiftly exchanged for uniforms and suddenly everyone was deadly serious.
P.O. Boogie signing off.
This is War Correspondent, PO Blondie, reporting from the USS SEADOG, now on route to Hawaii.
Well, that encounter with three Destroyers was hair-raising, to say the least!
Capt. Barnaby, with the help of Lt. Roddie, plotted a course to take us out of the path of the approaching Destroyers and, as we were rigged for silent running, we were able to steal away under the noses of the enemy. It was a close call, but we understood that we had more important business in the Carolines, and could not afford to engage the enemy at that stage.
Well, that encounter with three Destroyers was hair-raising, to say the least!
Capt. Barnaby, with the help of Lt. Roddie, plotted a course to take us out of the path of the approaching Destroyers and, as we were rigged for silent running, we were able to steal away under the noses of the enemy. It was a close call, but we understood that we had more important business in the Carolines, and could not afford to engage the enemy at that stage.
Once clear of their radar, we surfaced and recharged our batteries in the dead of night. It was great to breathe the fresh air again, but everyone had been sobered by our close encounter with the enemy so soon after our departure from Brisbane. These sure were dangerous waters.
Seawoman Lacy O’Quinn, had to be taken to sick bay after she fainted from shock, but was calmed down by the capable nursing staff, Daisy and Kaity, and counsellor Meghan (It was interesting how many male visitors she had while recovering!)
Seawoman Lacy O’Quinn, had to be taken to sick bay after she fainted from shock, but was calmed down by the capable nursing staff, Daisy and Kaity, and counsellor Meghan (It was interesting how many male visitors she had while recovering!)
The next few days passed without incident, and the SEADOG went on full alert as we approached the Carolines. It wasn’t long before we were dodging patrols again, and we timed it so that we entered Truk Lagoon under the cover of darkness.
Lt.Bentley, our Chaplain, had a quiet word with the crew as a preparation for the coming battle.
Lt.Bentley, our Chaplain, had a quiet word with the crew as a preparation for the coming battle.
Every Wheaten was silent as Lt Casey our Radar Officer, reported contact.
We were at periscope depth and Capt Barnaby had his eyes glued to the periscope, scanning the surface for signs of ships on the horizon. Admiral Andrew, who was standing close by, took a look through the periscope at the invitation of our captain. We could tell that he was a seasoned Sub man, and were pleased to have him with us.
We were at periscope depth and Capt Barnaby had his eyes glued to the periscope, scanning the surface for signs of ships on the horizon. Admiral Andrew, who was standing close by, took a look through the periscope at the invitation of our captain. We could tell that he was a seasoned Sub man, and were pleased to have him with us.
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Only minutes later, the clear voice of Ensign Jazzy rang out urgently:
“SONAR CONTACT, HIGH- SPEED SCREWS BEARING 057 SIR” .
“SONAR CONTACT, HIGH- SPEED SCREWS BEARING 057 SIR” .
The SEADOG sprang into action like a tiger!
Capt. Barnaby saw a Destroyer at 5000 yards and closing. He waited until it came into closer range at 2000 yards then, getting a fix on it, he gave PO Zeus in the torpedo room the order to “FIRE ONE!”
The torpedo was running straight and normal, and we all waited for the impact. After what seemed like ages, there was a loud explosion, and we cheered as we scored our first hit. But that was just the beginning. Two more Destroyers came at us, and two more torpedoes were fired successfully.
We were IN!
Capt. Barnaby saw a Destroyer at 5000 yards and closing. He waited until it came into closer range at 2000 yards then, getting a fix on it, he gave PO Zeus in the torpedo room the order to “FIRE ONE!”
The torpedo was running straight and normal, and we all waited for the impact. After what seemed like ages, there was a loud explosion, and we cheered as we scored our first hit. But that was just the beginning. Two more Destroyers came at us, and two more torpedoes were fired successfully.
We were IN!
The view through the periscope was awesome. There were anchored ships everywhere, and slowly and cautiously we closed the range. Ensign Jazzy, on sonar, was listening keenly for any evidence of approaching ships. All was clear and one by one these huge ‘sitting ducks’ were sent to the bottom. The sounds of them breaking up were like the screams of metal monsters in their death throes. Then, Jazzy picked up some beeps. There were two ships bearing down upon us. Coming in FAST!
There wasn’t time to put any torpedoes into them and we had to crash dive. PO Pixie sounded the alarm and we headed for the bottom.
“ALL STOP!”
The order for complete silence was given. We waited. The enemy began their run with depth charges. The noise was terrifying and we all hoped that Admiral Carl was still with us. The SEADOG rocked and groaned under the attack and we began to spring leaks. Damage Control Officers, Ensign Wally and PO Ulises went about their work calmly and efficiently. We all hung on to anything we could get a grip on, as we were tossed about like a cork.
There wasn’t time to put any torpedoes into them and we had to crash dive. PO Pixie sounded the alarm and we headed for the bottom.
“ALL STOP!”
The order for complete silence was given. We waited. The enemy began their run with depth charges. The noise was terrifying and we all hoped that Admiral Carl was still with us. The SEADOG rocked and groaned under the attack and we began to spring leaks. Damage Control Officers, Ensign Wally and PO Ulises went about their work calmly and efficiently. We all hung on to anything we could get a grip on, as we were tossed about like a cork.
But the SEADOG was strongly built, and Admiral Carl had not deserted us because, suddenly, the attacking ships could be heard moving away. The sounds of their screws became fainter until they were heard no more.
“They must think they got us!” someone said. But Capt. Barnaby waited longer, to make sure they had really gone. Then, he gave the order to come to periscope depth once more.
Damage was under control and we had been lucky. One of our engines needed repair and there was some hull damage that would have to be fixed on the surface before we could go very far. There were no casualties.
“They must think they got us!” someone said. But Capt. Barnaby waited longer, to make sure they had really gone. Then, he gave the order to come to periscope depth once more.
Damage was under control and we had been lucky. One of our engines needed repair and there was some hull damage that would have to be fixed on the surface before we could go very far. There were no casualties.
Through the periscope we could see ships burning. There were a couple that remained unscathed and Capt. Barnaby decided to risk detection and sink them. After this, we had only three torpedoes left to fire because our stern tubes had been damaged.
“SURFACE!”
With that command, the Seadog rose up out of the water like a breaching whale, and the gun crews finished off the burning ships that were still afloat.
But THEN, one of the ships that had attacked us before was spotted, coming back for the kill!
Our brave gunner, Lt. Clancy, stood firmly at his post and, at risk of death, he poured shells into the approaching destroyer while Capt. Barnaby got a fix on it. We were being shelled, but such a small target at night is not easy to hit, and before the enemy ship could do any damage, a torpedo blew it out of the water.
We were safe!
“SURFACE!”
With that command, the Seadog rose up out of the water like a breaching whale, and the gun crews finished off the burning ships that were still afloat.
But THEN, one of the ships that had attacked us before was spotted, coming back for the kill!
Our brave gunner, Lt. Clancy, stood firmly at his post and, at risk of death, he poured shells into the approaching destroyer while Capt. Barnaby got a fix on it. We were being shelled, but such a small target at night is not easy to hit, and before the enemy ship could do any damage, a torpedo blew it out of the water.
We were safe!
Our Navy Seals, under the command of Lt. Dasher, went over the side with blowtorches to mend the damaged hull, and our lookouts under Ensign Hannah kept their eyes peeled for any approaching danger. The dive crew was horrified to find that the area was full of sharks. They must have been taking refuge under the Seadog, to get away from all the explosions!
It was an hour before sunrise when all repair work was completed and we were ready to get underway.
Our batteries charged; we went to periscope depth and got out of there, leaving behind a burning glow of destruction that lit up the sky, and made the sunrise pale in comparison.
We headed for home. Hawaii, here we come!
This is PO Blondie, signing off from the Carolines.
Our batteries charged; we went to periscope depth and got out of there, leaving behind a burning glow of destruction that lit up the sky, and made the sunrise pale in comparison.
We headed for home. Hawaii, here we come!
This is PO Blondie, signing off from the Carolines.
CONTINUED IN CHAPTER 3