- 4 months ago
October, 1944. 100 miles off Japan. Salmon is damaged in a depth charge attack and must remain surfaced.October, 1944. 100 miles off Japan.
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00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dyker's retired,
00:29and I'd like to welcome you as we show you another true account of the silent service.
00:34This is the story of what happened to the USS Salmon off the coast of Japan,
00:39and it begins on the morning of October 30, 1944.
00:56Well, as far as I'm concerned, I put in for submarine duty,
00:58because I'd like to see a little action for a change.
01:01That tanker I was on didn't do anything but shuttle back and forth between L.A. and Pearl.
01:05Well, I've seen plenty of action so far,
01:07but what sold me on subs is when I heard about the kind of chow they put out.
01:12Man, I sure want to go for some of them thick steaks and all.
01:16We didn't get none of that aboard the tin can I served on.
01:19Hey, you from the south?
01:21How'd you guess?
01:23Oh, just instinct.
01:24Man, was our captain sorry when my transfer come through.
01:28Tennessee, he said to me,
01:30Tennessee boy, we sure are going to miss you on that 40-millimeter gun.
01:34Why, we ain't never had a gunner aboard that can knock down them red meatball planes the way you do.
01:39You were a gunner, huh?
01:41Are you kidding, man?
01:42Well, I done splashed six enemy planes so far in this little old war.
01:46All right, stow the gas.
01:48Williams?
01:49That's me.
01:50Kenyon?
01:51Yes, sir.
01:52Jordan?
01:53I'm Jordan.
01:54My name's Olmster, chief of the boat aboard the Salmoner.
01:59Pick up your bags and let's get going.
02:01So began Salmon's patrol.
02:13Thirty days later, at dawn of October 30th, 1944,
02:17the Salmon was beginning the final day of a successful patrol.
02:21She was approximately a hundred miles off the coast of Japan.
02:25Rain squalls and more rain squalls.
02:28That's no novelty.
02:30Good morning, Captain.
02:31Mr. Lanning.
02:32Good morning, Olmstead.
02:33Good morning, Olmstead.
02:34Good morning, Olmstead.
02:35Tonight, we're heading back to the side path.
02:37Are you going to lock us up another target for our last four torpedoes?
02:40Guaranteed, Captain.
02:42I gave my rabbits three extra rubs this morning.
02:45It's been a pretty good patrol so far.
02:48Yeah, those new men seem to have shaped up pretty well, Olmstead.
02:51They've been okay up to now, sir.
02:53You're a perfectionist.
02:55Maybe so, Mr. Lanning.
02:57The rest of our boys have been together for quite a while now.
02:59These new boys...
03:01Well, not until I've had a chance to watch them when the chips are down.
03:04Especially Tennessee.
03:06Tennessee?
03:07Oh, you mean young Jordan, huh?
03:09Yes, sir.
03:10Why Jordan more than the other two new men?
03:12He looks all right to me.
03:13Well, maybe it's just because the kid never shuts up, sir.
03:16She'll be coming around the mountain.
03:18Listen.
03:19She'll be coming around the mountain.
03:22Hey, Tennessee, knock it off, will you?
03:24A guy can't hear himself think.
03:26Why, my ma used to sing us kids to sleep with that song.
03:30Well, I'll sing you to sleep.
03:32With this, if you don't pipe down.
03:35Man, I sure would like a chance to get a few shots with this little old squirrel rifle.
03:41Now, what did you ever shoot except your big mouth?
03:45Why, Larson, don't you know we've got the champion gun pointer of the whole Navy aboard?
03:50You fellas kidding me.
03:52Why, back home my pa taught us kids how to shoot before we was as tall as a rifle barrel.
04:00She'll be coming around the mountain.
04:03Message from the Silversides, Captain.
04:06Large Japanese freighter with escort.
04:09Position 110 miles due south of Bungo Suido.
04:13On course 340.
04:16Approximate speed 15 knots.
04:19Notify Silversides.
04:21We'll make an end run on the surface to get in position ahead of target.
04:24All engines ahead full.
04:27Course 325.
04:42This rain squall is going to make it tough to find her.
04:49325.
04:50Radio Silversides.
04:59Radio Silversides.
05:00We lost a target on another rain squall.
05:01andover.
05:02RAIN SWAT
05:03RAIN SWAT
05:04Captain, Silverside said she just got a torpedo hit on the target.
05:12The freighter's dead in the water.
05:13Her two escorts are patrolling east and west of her.
05:17Good.
05:18Huh?
05:21Got her again.
05:24Propellers.
05:25There's another one.
05:27Sounds like two ships with twin screws, both at high speed.
05:30Well, that must be the escorts.
05:31I've sparred one of them.
05:34Range about 8,000 yards.
05:37We'll go in on the surface as near as we can.
05:54Target's less than 6,000 yards.
05:57Those escorts are getting louder and louder, Captain.
06:00Yeah, they're both hitting our way.
06:02Take her down!
06:04No!
06:07No!
06:07Oh, wait a minute.
06:31Mark.
06:32Three, two, three.
06:33Set.
06:35Fire one.
06:45Fire two.
06:49Fire three.
06:56All three of them approaching.
06:59All running on the surface.
07:01Well, that'll show those escorts just where we are.
07:06First mosquito hit her bow.
07:07Take it out at two, five, zero feet.
07:14Those escorts are heading straight for us.
07:16Twelve degrees down, Bubbles, sir.
07:29She'll be driving two white horses when she comes.
07:34Five down, ten to your job.
07:36This is the captain.
07:38We've got two hits on that freighter.
07:39She's sinking.
07:41I knowed we are going to hit that old thing.
07:45Captain, they're both on us.
07:46They got us cool.
07:47Left full rudder.
07:48All ahead standard.
07:49Left full rudder.
07:50All ahead standard.
07:52Let's see if a 180 degree turn will shake them off.
07:54They're coming fast.
07:55Shifting to short scale.
07:58All hands down alert your stations.
08:00Those escorts are coming in.
08:02Get me an experienced man on the stern planes.
08:04Get on the stern planes, Sam.
08:05What's the matter, Chief?
08:11You afraid I'm going to turn chicken?
08:13Of course not.
08:14It's just that we want an experienced man there.
08:35No power on the diving planes.
08:44Shift your hand planes.
08:47F360, Captain, still dropping.
08:51Pump room valve fittings are leaking.
08:52We're taking on water fast.
08:53There's no power on the pumps.
08:59Maneuvering room.
09:00Maneuvering room.
09:01Speakers and phones are dead, Captain.
09:02Pass the word to the maneuvering room.
09:03To give us all the speed they can make.
09:05Just check forward engine room, Captain.
09:07They're taking in plenty of water there.
09:08Give them 15 degrees.
09:09Up angle.
09:1015 degrees up angle.
09:14They've turned.
09:16They're starting another run.
09:17320 feet.
09:19310.
09:20She's coming up.
09:25Steering's gone, Captain!
09:26Steady down!
09:27Steady down!
09:28How deep are we supposed to be able to take this thing, Chief.
09:32we're below the depth she was built and tested to take already.
09:38We will have chicken and dumplings
09:41when she comes, we will-
09:45Hey, Chief!
09:46what's the matter?
09:47I just thought I ought to tell you.
09:49I think this would be a fine time for you to give that rabbit's foot of yours a couple of
09:52extra special rubs.
09:55Arby, see what you can do about getting that bilge pump going again.
10:05Aye, aye, sir.
10:07Captain, it's taking full rise angle on the planes just to keep her from sinking any further.
10:12Only one thing to do.
10:15Surface and take our chances with those escort vessels.
10:18That's all I figured too, Captain. We're taking in too much water.
10:22How's that bilge pump?
10:23It's dead, sir. I'm trying to rig up some auxiliary leads.
10:31What's holding us together?
10:33Sure to be crushed like an eggshell by now.
10:35Don't ask me, Dick.
10:37Only chance of making emergency repairs is the surface.
10:41Have a gun crew stand by. I think we're going to need them.
10:44Yes, sir. We've only got 30 rounds of ammunition left.
10:47Yes, I know.
10:53There they are.
11:20Might have to be over 7,000 yards away from us. What the devil are they doing over there?
11:28I don't know.
11:30But I sure hope they stay there for a while.
11:32Here's a quick report, Captain.
11:34We've got three vent risers split from the concussion of those ash cans.
11:37The main induction is flat on a pancake.
11:39Gyro compass is out.
11:40We've lost our steering and there's no compressed air for starting the engines.
11:43Is that all?
11:44That's just a high spot, sir. I haven't even checked on minor damage.
11:48But Army's got the pump going and the engine room gang's trying to turn the engines over.
11:50Close all, emergency vent!
11:53Well, we can't dive again if we want to.
11:56From now on, we're a surface ship whether we like it or not.
12:00I almost forgot.
12:01We've got a ruptured fuel tank valve and we've lost about 1,000 gallons of diesel oil.
12:08What are they depth charging? The silver side's over there?
12:11Ah, he just gave us the answer.
12:141,000 gallons of fuel makes a nice big oil slick.
12:16That bright Japanese commander of those escorts thinks we're under it.
12:21Well, what do you know?
12:23Olmsted's rabbit's foot must be working overtime.
12:26More than that.
12:27I've been thinking the last half hour that the salmon has an extra man in his crew.
12:32Maybe you're right.
12:35I just pray that extra passenger will stay with us.
12:37I feel better when they get that emergency antenna, Rick, so we can talk to silver sides.
12:51I'm going down to talk to the gun crew for a minute.
12:53Take charge here.
12:54Yes, sir.
13:00Send them on, Owen!
13:02Ben!
13:03Ben!
13:04Those escorts come after us.
13:06I don't want you to fire except for when I give the word.
13:09We're too short of ammunition to waste any.
13:12Aye, aye, sir.
13:13What happened to our telescopic sights?
13:15Those old depth charges busted them worse than my paw'd bust an empty jug, Captain.
13:21I'll have to use the open sights, then.
13:23Yes, sir.
13:24I'm keeping lost with the control roof to relay orders.
13:27Our phones and speakers are out.
13:29We could hear him bellering from here, Captain.
13:32Remember,
13:32We've only got thirty rounds.
13:36Make each one count.
13:38Aye, aye, sir.
13:40Aye, sir.
13:41Send another one!
13:48How's it going?
13:49We're going to have to rig the chamber for us to try to open the exhaust valve, Mr. Lang.
13:53Our hull's in it so bad they wouldn't go out on power.
13:56Are we going to be able to turn over the engines?
13:57Soon as we get more water pumped out of it, sir.
14:00We tried to start one of them, but there was water in the cylinder head.
14:03She's out of commission.
14:05All right, boys, let's go.
14:08That's it.
14:13How soon will you be set?
14:15Not a couple of minutes, sir.
14:16Palmer, tell radio to make contact with Silversides as soon as I give you the word.
14:21Stand by in the radio room.
14:27Are you okay, Harvey?
14:29All okay, sir.
14:31Did you get any bad shots?
14:33The battery's so dead it didn't even bite very hard.
14:39Here's some coffee, Captain.
14:40It's only lukewarm, but they didn't have enough current to heat it up.
14:42Message from Silversides, Captain.
14:46They received our message.
14:47They're going to make a run on the surface to dry and draw off those escorts.
14:51Silversides succeeded in luring away all but one of the Japanese escort vessels.
15:02While the salmon silently awaited its fate.
15:07Well, we can thank Silversides.
15:10We only have one left to worry about.
15:12Engine room reports they're ready to go ahead on one engine, Captain.
15:16Tell them good work and a head one third.
15:19Captain says good work and a head one third.
15:34What is that silencio?
15:36Just in time.
15:38That escort's bothered us, Dick.
15:40Captain, we've got the gyro compass running again.
15:45Get below.
15:46We're going to be on the fire soon.
15:48Why do I have to go?
15:49Because if I get it, we have to have somebody aboard it and take the ship out of this mess.
15:52That's an order, Dick.
15:54All right, sir.
15:57Gun throw, stand by.
15:58That escort's coming.
16:00We're great for manual steering, Captain.
16:02It's kind of like a harass mess, but I think it'll hold together for a while.
16:05Won't be long now.
16:06No.
16:10Loaden, stand by.
16:17He's cheering off, Captain.
16:19Is that guy up to him?
16:25Now he's headed for us again.
16:27What's with that guy anyway?
16:29Range 3,000 yards.
16:31Fire one round.
16:33Now he's turning again.
16:38Missed.
16:39Over.
16:40Now he's coming for us again.
16:44I got it.
16:46His only good-sized gun is aft.
16:49That's why he's got to turn his stern toward us every time he fires.
16:53That's it.
16:54He's going to tip us off that way every time he fires.
16:57We'll drive him crazy.
16:59We'll know just when to dodge.
17:00Let me know the instant he turns.
17:03Can I give you the word?
17:04Every man on the double take shelter on the far side of the conning tower.
17:08Beginning his turn.
17:09Take cover.
17:09Take cover.
17:09Take cover.
17:10Take cover.
17:18Right full runner.
17:18Right full runner.
17:20Right full runner.
17:32Fire three rounds.
17:33Ready.
17:43Fire.
17:43Ready.
17:45Fire.
17:46Fire.
17:46Ready.
17:47Fire.
17:51Fire.
17:53Ready! Fire!
17:58Fire!
18:03That's a pretty poor shooting.
18:05What's the matter with those guys, Captain?
18:07It's not their fault. Our telescopic sights were smashed.
18:10Even with open sights, they ought to be able to...
18:13Beginning his turn again!
18:14Take cover!
18:15Lock the bullrunner!
18:17Lock the bullrunner!
18:23Say, Captain, look at what that old Japanese shrapnel done to this shell I was a-holdin'.
18:34I'm gonna keep it for a souvenir.
18:37Well, at least the Japanese stopped him from singin'.
18:41Oh, she'll be a-wearin' diamond bracelets when she comes!
18:46She'll be a-wearin' diamond bracelets when she comes!
18:49She'll be a-wearin' diamond bracelets when she comes!
18:53Oh, when she comes!
18:55I just got me all the protection I can carry, Captain, sir.
18:59How many rounds left?
19:00Fourteen, countin' these, sir.
19:02Say, Captain, that there camouflage paint on the open sights don't show up worth a nickel in this moonlight.
19:10Captain, sir, I-I sure wish you'd give me a chance as a pointer.
19:14My pa taught me how to shoot on an old squirrel rifle and never had no size.
19:19All right.
19:21Go ahead.
19:23Turning against.
19:25Take cover!
19:27Right 10 degrees runner!
19:29Right 10 degrees runner!
19:31Right 10 degrees runner!
19:33The captain says for you to move over, boy.
19:34Let a man shoot this old rifle and knows how.
19:35The captain says for you to move over, boy.
19:36Let a man shoot this old rifle and knows how.
19:40Gonna have to lead him a little.
19:42Like he was a duck coming in.
19:44To the right a little.
19:47Let's throw more.
19:49Fire!
19:50Fire!
19:51Fire!
19:52Fire!
19:53Fire!
19:54Fire!
19:55Fire!
19:56Fire!
19:57Fire!
19:58Fire!
19:59Fire!
20:01Fire!
20:02Fire!
20:03Fire!
20:04Fire!
20:05Fire!
20:06Fire!
20:07Fire!
20:08Fire!
20:09Hit it!
20:11Right under the bridge!
20:13You're scared.
20:34Fire!
20:35I hit it now.
20:37Right on this bridge.
20:40Scratch one, Japanese squirrel!
20:49Fire!
20:51Got him again!
20:53Cease fire!
20:59Pass the word to the maneuvering room to give us everything they've got.
21:02Maneuvering room, give us everything you've got.
21:04Dick, come up here.
21:06Course one, five, zero.
21:10We're heading for that rain squall up ahead.
21:12Here's our chance to get away.
21:14What stopped him?
21:16Two hits, went on this bridge and went aft.
21:19I think the last one got a steering.
21:21You know, Captain,
21:22I've got to hunt that boy Tennessee's going to work out okay.
21:26You think so?
21:28Because I'm going to recommend him for a decoration.
21:35Communications just decoded the sergeant.
21:42What are you whispering for?
21:44No voice left, Captain.
21:46That's an answer from Admiral Hoover on Saipan.
21:52He's sending us naval air cover.
21:54Well, maybe we'll make it yet.
21:56No match for aircraft in a fight and unable to dive,
22:03the salmon welcomed our covering planes.
22:06And none too soon.
22:07The enemy was not going to let her go without a fight.
22:11And none too soon.
22:20What?
22:22I'm going to let him know who he's going to be.
22:24You know, it's been a good이야.
22:25I'm a good girl.
22:26I'm a bad guy.
22:27But I'm so excited, man.
22:29I'm a bad guy.
22:29I'm so excited about it.
22:30I'm a good girl.
22:31I'm a bad guy.
23:02Well, Dick, we've made it.
23:20Captain, Chief Olmsted says I've got to ask your permission before I can send this here souvenir back home to my folks.
23:27It'd be in government property.
23:30Tennessee, if my permission is what it takes, you've got it.
23:35Thank you, sir.
23:38She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes.
23:43She'll be coming round the mountain when she comes.
23:47She'll be coming round the mountain.
23:49I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
24:02Now, it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you Captain Harley K. Norman, who is commanding officer of the USS Salmon on the patrol you have just witnessed.
24:12Well, Kenny, we just saw you and your boys go through a rough time.
24:19It was rough, all right.
24:20I must admit, I found it a lot more comfortable to watch than to go through.
24:24You and all your men aboard the Salmon must have taken as much punishment as any submarine that ever survived.
24:29The Salmon certainly proved she could take it.
24:31Well, it was my officers and my crew that really brought her through.
24:34I know it was.
24:36And you and your men not only lived up to the finest traditions of the Navy, but you added a few of your own.
24:41It's been a pleasure and an honor to have had you with us.
24:44Thank you, Tommy.
24:45We hope you'll be aboard again when we bring you another true story of the silent service.
24:54Take her down and walk her by
24:58Through the deep blue underneath the ocean
25:02We'll control the ocean wide
25:07From down, down underneath the sea
25:11They can close to pass the word
25:15In the future's yet to be
25:19That we'll stay
25:22As long as there's
25:24A submarine there underneath the sea
25:28So wake for a drive
25:30And take your time
25:32Go down, down underneath the ocean
25:36There's men
25:39We'll find renown
25:41In the deep blue underneath the sea
25:45In the deep blue underneath the sea
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