- 5 months ago
The Squailfish sinks a Japanese escort carrier, but that only seems to be what sets off a string of bad luck that begins to plague the sub.
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00:00I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykes, retired.
00:28The story you're about to see is true.
00:32It concerns two submarines, inescapably linked by fate.
00:36The facts about these ships are a matter of official record.
00:40The story of their cruise might well be that of every man who served his country in ships
00:44beneath the sea.
00:46We call this chapter the Squailfish.
00:48In a few minutes you'll know why.
00:58On May 23rd, 1939, the USS Squailfish stood out to sea for a test dive in the waters off
01:08Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
01:15Aboard the vessel were a full complement of horses and men, and a naval architect.
01:20It was a routine exercise.
01:23The men knew their jobs.
01:25There was nothing out of the ordinary.
01:27Off the Isle of Shoals, the order was given to execute the dive.
01:31Still everything routine, smooth.
01:39She went down, but now instead of leveling off, kept going.
01:47Down, down.
01:51Suddenly what had been routine became a frantic emergency.
01:54A mechanical failure and the valve wouldn't close.
01:58The Squailfish became a headline in the morning papers.
02:03She settled on the bottom in 240 feet of water.
02:06Trapped in her forward torpedo room, still alive, 33 men.
02:11They find a smoke rocket.
02:13Reds signaled for emergency distress.
02:16Operating close by was her sister ship, the Sculpin.
02:20Sighting the smoke rocket, Sculpin spread the alarm by radio and sped for the scene herself.
02:27Well, you're through, boy. Finished.
02:34Uh-huh.
02:36What's the matter with you?
02:38I was just thinking about the Squailfish.
02:41Nothing we can do until we get there.
02:43Come on, boy, your deal.
02:44Do you know Lenny Harrison?
02:46Yeah, why?
02:48He was transferred to the Squailfish a couple of days ago.
02:51Electrician's mate.
02:53That's tough. Nice guy.
02:55Yeah. We went to school together.
02:59You and them buddies, huh?
03:02I was kind of hoping he'd be with us.
03:04Yeah, too bad.
03:06Well, come on, let's play. Stop thinking about it.
03:12In response to the Sculpin's dispatch, the rescue ship Falcon and others were soon on the scene.
03:18A diving bell was attached to the forward escape hatch of the sunken ship and miraculously 33 men were saved.
03:28The Sculpin, like an anxious relative, standing by.
03:35Amongst the survivors was electrician's mate Leonard Harrison.
03:38Next round's on me.
03:40No, not tonight.
03:41It's a welcome home party, Lenny.
03:43Yours.
03:44Come on, you guys.
03:45I mean, that's it.
03:47Tonight's our night.
03:50Okay.
03:51Okay.
03:52But I want to tell you one thing.
03:56I wouldn't be sitting here tonight.
03:58Like this.
04:00If it weren't for you guys on the Sculpin.
04:02Oh, sure you would.
04:03Somebody would have found you.
04:05It was a long time down there.
04:07Just wait.
04:09Listen, boy.
04:10You're a hero.
04:11You didn't do anything, but you're a hero.
04:12Naming the papers and everything.
04:15The guys in the engine room.
04:18The ones that didn't get out.
04:20Well, come on.
04:21Come on. Let's drink up.
04:22Sure. The next ones are on me.
04:24Lenny.
04:26Good to have you back, boy.
04:27Hey!
04:28Four more of the same.
04:32Three months later, Navy salvage crews raised the squalas from the bottom.
05:02She was taken to Portsmouth Navy Yard and work began to recondition her.
05:13Hey, you heard the latest?
05:14What?
05:15They're refitting a squalas.
05:17You're kidding.
05:18No, they've been working on it for a couple of months now.
05:20Is that right?
05:21I got a pal who knows.
05:23It's gonna be tough buying a crew for her.
05:24She's a jinx.
05:25Well, I don't know.
05:26She got back all right, didn't she?
05:28You mean if you were transferred to her, you wouldn't squawk?
05:30Uh-uh.
05:32I guess I'm not superstitious.
05:34You wouldn't get me inside her for double pay.
05:37You got too much imagination, Willie.
05:41About a year after Squalas had sunk, she was recommissioned for active service
05:45and her name was changed to Sailfish.
05:51The Navy knew and understood the feelings of submarinas who remembered
05:54and would have misgivings about sailing on the old squalas.
05:57So they decided to give her a tough skipper and a picked crew whose imaginations were less prone to be fanciful.
06:07Sculpin and Sailfish both joined the submarine force, Asiatic fleet.
06:11Sailfish Skipper had amongst his jobs dispelling the shadow which still lay over the resurrected sub.
06:16She had yet to prove herself.
06:20Four days before Pearl Harbor in Manila, another link was added to the chain of events
06:25which drew tighter the bond between the Sculpin and the old Squalas, now Sailfish.
06:30A new man joined the Sculpin's crew.
06:33Electrician's mate Leonard Harrison reporting for duty, sir.
06:35Hey, look what I dug up!
06:44Lenny!
06:46You son of a gun!
06:48How come?
06:49Orders.
06:50He's replacing Paulman.
06:52No kidding, Lenny, this is swell!
06:54Hey Lenny, you know what they call on your old ship?
06:56The Squalefish. How do you like that? Get it?
06:59Squalas? Sailfish? Squalefish!
07:02Yeah, I heard. Anybody know where she is?
07:04Oh, she's out here, wouldn't you know.
07:06Just our luck. Voodoo the whole division.
07:09Well, come on, Lenny, I'll show you around.
07:10Okay.
07:14December 7, 1941. Pearl Harbor. A surprise attack.
07:34December 8, Manila. It was happening there as well. The headquarters had known it was coming. The submarines had already taken up control duties. Among them, Sculpin and Sailfish. They were at sea when the raids started. Now was the time for Sailfish to prove herself.
07:47Downscope! Battle stations!
07:48Battle stations!
07:49Battle stations!
07:50Battle stations!
07:51Battle stations!
07:52Battle stations!
07:53Battle stations!
07:54Battle stations!
07:55Battle stations!
07:56Battle stations!
07:57Battle stations!
07:58Battle stations!
07:59Battle stations!
08:00Battle stations!
08:04Battle stations!
08:05Battle stations!
08:06Battle stations!
08:11Battle stations!
08:23Troops ships. Three, no, four escorts. They're in. Mark.
08:28Down scope.
08:31We'll fire three torpedoes from the four of troops.
08:34Three fish spread. Set the depth of 20 feet.
08:38Well, let's get rid of that squalish jinx, huh?
08:41This is a shooting observation. Up scope.
08:44No change. Bearing. Mark. Three, three, six. Range. Mark.
09:01One, eight, five, oh. Shoot. Fire one.
09:15Fire two.
09:19Fire three.
09:28How long? 30 seconds.
09:35Destroyer. Get it set up.
09:38Stand by.
09:41Shoot.
09:43Take her down.
09:46The torpedoes fired at the troop ship either missed or went too deep.
09:49The fourth aimed at the destroyer might have hit, but it could not be confirmed.
09:56The sailfish went deep to escape the escort vessels.
09:59Her first test had not been an unqualified success.
10:06In the autumn of 1942, sailfish and the sculpting were once again brought together.
10:10This time for patrol duty out of Brisbane, Australia.
10:13In March of that year, sailfish had sunk her first vessel, the Kamagawa Maru, an aircraft ferry.
10:20And the shadow of her bad luck that had shrouded her was lifted.
10:23What luck. A broken leg and he gets this.
10:28Have you seen the nurses in here?
10:30We go out on patrol duty and he gets this.
10:33Don't know what the old sculpting's gonna do without you, Willie.
10:36I'll be thinking of it. I'll bet.
10:39Well, we gotta be moving.
10:41Willie, catch up with you when we get back.
10:43Take your time, boys. Take your time.
10:47So long, boy. Good luck.
10:49Bye-bye.
10:50In October of 1942, Sculpin was on her fifth patrol in the Bismarck Archipelago area,
11:06far from Brisbane and the sailfish.
11:09Up to now, she'd had a share of bad luck,
11:11faulty torpedoes, heavily escorted convoys.
11:14But today was her day.
11:23Her first sinking is the 4,731-ton transport, Naminu Maru.
11:31High fold.
11:35Three nines.
11:38Yeah, I wonder how Willie's getting on.
11:40I wonder how those nurses are making out.
11:42Are you kidding?
11:43He wouldn't stand a chance.
11:44They're all officers.
11:46You don't know Willie.
11:55Sculpin sighted the Sumiyoshi Maru approximately 2,000 tons.
11:59Once again, her luck held.
12:10Torpedoes ran straight and through.
12:12An easy mark.
12:14Score two for the Sculpin in a week.
12:16She was well named.
12:17For like her namesake, her barbs were sharp and dangerous.
12:20This was a war to her liking.
12:26In Brisbane, sailfish was getting ready for sea.
12:28It was November.
12:33Torpedoesman First Class W.C. Wilson reporting for duty, sir.
12:36Welcome aboard, Wilson.
12:38What was your last boat?
12:40Sculpin, sir.
12:41She's a lucky boat.
12:42And a good one.
12:43But, so is this one.
12:45Yes, sir.
12:46I've heard.
12:56Sailfish fought hard that year in the Battle of the Pacific.
12:59In June of 1943, she operated around northern Honshu in Japan.
13:04And in ten days, sank two ships.
13:11Pearl Harbor.
13:12And for sale, fish and Sculpin, refitting.
13:15The ravages of endless days at sea repaired.
13:18For the men, a respite from war.
13:20A few days in the world of normalcy.
13:26Dames.
13:28Hey, look at that.
13:30Hey, Willie.
13:32Willie!
13:33Good to see you.
13:34The guys I told you about from the Sculpin.
13:37How are you?
13:38How long have you been in Pearl?
13:39About in yesterday.
13:40Sweet.
13:41Polis calls for a celebration.
13:42Listen, I know a place.
13:43Willie, I've got a date.
13:44A date?
13:45Yeah.
13:46Oh, maybe she's got a friend.
13:47Two or three.
13:48It's his girlfriend, Willie.
13:49Yeah, she's with the Red Cross.
13:50She's stationed out here.
13:51Only found out about it today.
13:52So, let's go, Willie.
13:54Oh, sure, sure, okay.
13:55But if she's got any friends, pal.
13:56You know me.
13:57Yeah, I know you.
13:58And I'll see you later, Willie.
13:59See ya.
14:00Yeah.
14:01I never thought we'd be seeing each other like this.
14:02Really?
14:03What's it like?
14:04What?
14:05When you're down there in the submarine.
14:06What do you think about it?
14:07Oh, I think about a lot of things.
14:10You?
14:11You know, I'd almost forgotten what you look like in a bathing suit.
14:16Well, that's a nice thing to say.
14:17Well, that's a nice thing to say.
14:18Well, I didn't mean.
14:19I know.
14:20Funny.
14:21Funny.
14:22What?
14:23What?
14:24Well, back in New York, we used to neck.
14:25I don't like that word.
14:26And you know, I haven't kissed you since we got here.
14:27That's not my fault.
14:28That's not my fault.
14:29I don't know.
14:30You're right.
14:31I'm sorry.
14:32I don't know.
14:33I'm sorry.
14:34You look like in a bathing suit.
14:35Well, that's a nice thing to say.
14:36Well, I didn't mean.
14:37I know.
14:38Funny.
14:39What?
14:40Well, back in New York, we used to neck.
14:43I don't like that word.
14:44Well, you know, I haven't kissed you since we got here.
14:47That's not my fault.
14:49That's not my fault.
14:59I wish you didn't have to go back.
15:01Me?
15:02Well, it's nothing.
15:03You got a great skipper.
15:04There's nothing to it.
15:08Hey, I haven't heard us yet.
15:09I never will.
15:13I wouldn't think there's any war out there.
15:19There isn't.
15:21Not tonight.
15:25So we come up on a broadside.
15:26See?
15:27Whack!
15:28Whack!
15:29Whack!
15:30I fire three torpedoes.
15:31Bloom!
15:32She's done.
15:33Finished.
15:34A 20,000-ton ship.
15:35The Bowie Maroon.
15:36The skipper says,
15:37Wilson, you disobeyed orders.
15:38I told you one torpedo.
15:40I says, Captain, sir, court-martial.
15:42I deserve it.
15:43He says, no, no, no, no, Wilson.
15:45Let's just keep this quiet.
15:46Just between us.
15:48But I'm putting in for a citation for you.
15:50You saved the sailfish,
15:51and I am grateful.
15:52Right, Lenny?
15:53That's the way I heard it.
15:54Bushwha.
16:05How do you like that?
16:07Bushwha.
16:08And me saving the world for democracy.
16:10USS Sculpin left Pearl Harbor for patrolling the Carolines.
16:16She stopped to refuel at Johnson Island and left on November the 7th, 1942.
16:23Her station was directly north of Truk to intercept any Japanese force during the Gilbert Islands campaign.
16:29On November the 18th, she made contact with a large enemy convoy.
16:33But her luck was running out.
16:35Badly damaged under depth charge attack, she was forced to surface.
16:42The enemy closed in for the kill.
16:48The enemy closed in for the kill.
16:51The enemy closed in for the kill.
16:53And maybe...
16:55Remember, no Army!
16:56There was no army, you need to have.
16:57Oh, wait, no!
16:58Never.
16:59I wanted it.
16:59Under orders, all hands abandon ship.
17:20Among them, electricians made Leonard Harrison and his pal, Boney.
17:29The 41 survivors of the Skelton were taken to Truck Island.
17:47Then they were split into two groups, 20 in one, 21 in the other.
17:52They were put aboard two aircraft carriers and sailed for Japan.
17:58One of the parties was aboard the carrier Chuyo.
18:01She was officially listed as an escort aircraft carrier, 20,000 tons.
18:07You know, this kind of reminds me of a joint I used to eat at on the Boston Post Road.
18:13Yeah, like those beef sandwiches.
18:16Hot paint gravy and tastes like soft, hot cardboard.
18:22Figure they got the same cook on this ship.
18:25I mean, this isn't beef.
18:28That's what bothers me.
18:30Lenny, you think we'll make it okay?
18:36Okay.
18:37How do you mean?
18:38What I mean is...
18:39You think we'll get back all right after the war's over?
18:46Sure.
18:47Sure, we will.
18:51I'd like to keep on living.
18:53Sally and I want to get married.
18:56Hey, swell.
18:59You never said anything.
19:01Well, we've been trying to keep it a secret.
19:03Buddy, I'm putting in right now to be your best man.
19:07Good.
19:08Yeah, it'd be good.
19:14You want things, Lenny?
19:16Well, I'm very hungry.
19:28On December 3rd, 1943, at 1745,
19:32USS Sailfish was fighting a 40-50 knot wind.
19:35Visibility varied from zero to 500 yards.
19:39At 2348, radar got a contact.
19:42Ranged 9500 yards.
19:44And ten minutes later, three more targets were contacted.
19:48Battle station torpedo.
19:55They're coming into pretty close range.
19:57Fast, too.
20:00Can't see a thing in this.
20:01That last contact's probably gonna destroy ya.
20:03We'll go for the biggest pimp.
20:07Steered for 3-0-0.
20:14Clear the bridge!
20:15Clear the bridge!
20:16Clear the bridge!
20:19Dive!
20:20Dive!
20:21Dive!
20:22Dive,
20:36Dive!
20:37Dive,
20:38Dive...
20:39Dive.
20:40You think, Willie's still at Pearl?
20:41Do you think Willie's still at parole?
20:45Who knows?
20:47What a guy.
20:50Did I ever tell you about the time he met a girl in Portsmouth?
20:54The Japanese carrier was still unaware of the impending attack.
20:58Sailfish dove to 40 feet and came right to the course 340 degrees true for a shot at the biggest ship on the radar.
21:12It might be a battleship or a carrier.
21:15Make ready the forward tubes.
21:16Make ready the forward tubes.
21:23Steady on course.
21:26Range.
21:28Mark.
21:292800 yards.
21:34I've got to see, little boy. This is going to be a big one. A big fat one.
21:38That crazy guy.
21:42Oh, very funny.
21:44Lots of webs.
21:47If he hadn't broken his leg, he'd be right here with us now.
21:52He needs to be back on truck chasing some Dave.
21:56Over tubes, flight.
21:58Range.
22:00Mark.
22:022400 yards.
22:03We'll shoot four torpedoes set at 12 feet. 10 degrees total spread.
22:07Open auto torpedo tube doors forward.
22:09Open auto doors forward.
22:10Open auto doors forward.
22:11Open auto doors forward.
22:12Aye, aye.
22:20Me for some sleep.
22:22Yeah, me too.
22:24Night, pal.
22:26Night, Lenny.
22:27It was 12 minutes after midnight when the torpedoes were fired.
22:35Shoot!
22:36Fire one.
22:38Fire two.
22:40Fire three.
22:41Fire four.
22:43The unseen unknown target.
22:45Escort aircraft carrier Chuyo.
22:46We've been hit.
22:47Boating.
22:48Torpedoes.
22:50Two hits.
22:51Number one.
22:52Four torpedoes.
22:54You hear that, boy?
22:55We hit her!
22:56Bullseye!
22:58Here we go again.
23:00Rick for depth charge.
23:01For nine hours, the battle continued.
23:02Sailfish pouring in on the wounded carrier.
23:03The Japanese destroyers hunting.
23:04At zero nine forty two, the carrier was hit for the third time.
23:09It's gonna be okay.
23:10No!
23:11No!
23:12No!
23:13No!
23:14No!
23:15No!
23:16No!
23:17No!
23:18No!
23:19No!
23:20No!
23:21No!
23:22No!
23:23No!
23:24No!
23:25No!
23:26No!
23:27No!
23:28No!
23:29No!
23:30No!
23:31No!
23:32No!
23:33No!
23:34No!
23:35No!
23:36Get down!
23:38Let's get down!
23:39At zero nine forty six, the Chuyo was going down and was cheering aboard the sail fish.
23:41And not a man knew that twenty survivors of her sister ship, the sculpted were going down
23:46with her.
23:47One, only one survived the sinking, and he was taken to Japan.
23:55USS Svelas, renamed Sailfish.
23:56A war record reads seven vessels sunk, 45,029 tons, including the aircraft carrier Chuyo, of 20,000 tons.
24:07She received a presidential unit citation.
24:14I'll be back in a moment.
24:21I'm sure that every day we live makes us more aware of the irony of fate.
24:27On that day in 1939, when the Sculpin stood by the sunken Squalus,
24:32no one dreamed that they were helping to save an instrument that would eventually destroy part of her own crew.
24:38Fortunately, when the sailfish sank the carrier Chuyo, she had no idea the Sculpin survivors were aboard.
24:45But if a commanding officer had known, what else could he have done?
24:49Can you imagine the frame of mind of a man in such a predicament?
24:53Think about it. What would you do?
24:55Please join us again for another thrilling chapter of the silent service.
25:00Take her down, let's often fly
25:05Through the deep blue hunker in the ocean
25:09We'll control the ocean's wide
25:14From down, down, underneath the sea
25:18Save the force, but has the worst
25:22In the future's yet to be
25:26That will save as long as there's
25:31A song for a ring that's underneath the sea
25:35So it will die, then take her down
25:39Down, down, down, down, underneath the ocean
25:43Fearless men will find freedom
25:47In the deep blue, underneath the sea
25:51Would there a drag,傘, noo appeared
25:52It will die Oooh
25:54Some Bring more
25:56By SHOCK
25:58By SHOCK
25:59By SHOCK
26:01By SHOCK
26:02By SHOCK
26:03By SHOCK
26:05By SHOCK
26:06BY SHOCK
26:10By SHOCK
26:12By SHOCK
26:12My decisión
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