- 3 months ago
Gabilan (SS-252) Although warned away from an area to be patrolled by American destroyers, the U.S. submarine Gabilan risked attack by units of its own fleet to rescue a downed flier. Officers and men of the USS Gabilan went through some of the most agonizing hours ever passed in the undersea service. The USS Gabilan was nearly clear of the danger area when she was spotted by two American destroyers. Heavy fog prevented her identification signals from being recognized. With hardly any energy left in her batteries, she was forced to submerge to avoid shellfire. Then, with her electric power nearly gone and a strong current pushing her shoreward, she surfaced, only to find the destroyers still doggedly on her trail. She was saved when a clearing in the fog enabled her recognition signals to get through.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00A-ah-ah! A-ah-ah! A-ah-ah!
00:12Take her down and hop in line
00:16Through the deep blue underneath the ocean
00:20We'll control the ocean's wide
00:25From down, down underneath the sea
00:29I'm Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykes, retired
00:34This chapter of the Silence Service concerns the USS Gabilan
00:38Whose record during World War II contains a great variety of actions
00:42Torpedo attacks above and below the surface, gun actions, lifeguard duty
00:47Gabilan had them all
00:49But none of these could compare to the drama and sheer terror of her sixth and last patrol
00:54When her officers and men went through some of the most agonizing hours ever passed by a submarine crew
01:03July 18, 1945
01:08The USS Gabilan was on station in Area 4, somewhere off Tokyo Bay
01:12Her task was to pick up flies who might be forced down on a thousand plane raids that were pounding Japan into submission
01:19While she waited, Gabilan attempted to take on a much-needed battery charge
01:24The captain of the Gabilan was Commander William B. Parham of Birmingham, Alabama
01:28Commission to come on the bridge
01:30Come on up, Pete
01:32The executive officer was Lieutenant William S. Handel of Petersburg, Illinois
01:37About time for the bombers to be coming over, isn't it?
01:40Yeah, Dumbos ought to be along any minute
01:42How are our guests?
01:44A very contented bunch of flyers
01:46You know, they're briefed that we're going to be here
01:48And that if they have to bail out, we'll pick them up
01:51But I don't think they actually believe it until we fish them out of the water
01:55Well, you can't blame them
01:57You know, it must be an awful lonesome feeling up there when the engines quit
02:01There's no place to go but down
02:03It's a big ocean
02:05Bridge, radar contact
02:08Aircraft bearing 270
02:10Must be the Dumbos
02:12Probably
02:13Better double check, though
02:14Bridge, control room
02:16Receiving IFF signal for approaching aircraft
02:19Very well
02:20I see him, Captain
02:22Yeah, that's the Dumbos, all right
02:25Bombers ought to be right behind him
02:27Let's get set up
02:29Go, Hank
02:30Bridge, radar
02:34Aircraft bearing 260
02:37Whole mess of them, Captain
02:38Very well
02:39Lifeguard 1
02:43Lifeguard 1
02:44Lifeguard 1
02:45This is High Top
02:46High Top, do you read me?
02:47Over
02:49High Top, this is Lifeguard 1
02:50This is Lifeguard 1
02:51I read you loud and clear, over
02:52Lifeguard, this is High Top
02:53I should be over your position, but I can't spot you
02:56Can you give me a clue?
02:57Over
02:58Roger, High Top
02:59You're about 10 miles from us
03:02Look a little to port
03:04And down
03:05And down
03:15Roger, Lifeguard, we've got you
03:16It was the down that did it
03:18High Top, over
03:19Out
03:20Gavilan and her crew waited as the airstrike went on, hoping there would be no business
03:30Wave after wave of bombers passed overhead to drop their loads on Japan
03:50But not all of them escape without harm
03:59Lifeguard, this is High Top, stand by, there's one of our chickens in trouble
04:04Go away, High Tower
04:06He's turning off the target now
04:17There he goes, Lifeguard, he's ditching
04:19Maneuvering
04:23Maneuvering
04:24Maneuvering, Henderson
04:25Secure battery charge, Frank, we're opening the store
04:27We don't have anywhere near enough, Captain
04:29It's all right, we'll take on a full charge later
04:31All right, sir
04:33All ahead, flank
04:34Come left, 10 degrees
04:36All ahead, flank
04:37Come left, 10 degrees
04:38All ahead, flank
04:39Come left, 10 degrees
04:40New course, 335
04:50You'll have to aim us, High Tower
04:52He's out of sight
04:53Roger, Lifeguard
04:55He's down in area Baker 7, the northern end
04:58Close to Baker 8
04:59The northern end, close to Baker 8
05:03Lifeguard, he's awful close to the beach
05:06All right
05:09He can say that again, Captain
05:11It's less than a mile off
05:13Lifeguard, this is High Tower
05:15Are you reading me?
05:16Over
05:17Much too clear, High Tower
05:19Be with you in a minute
05:20Over and out
05:21Over and out
05:22Well, that settles that
05:23Captain, we go into area Baker 8
05:25And those gunners on the beach can throw rocks
05:27Yeah, I know
05:28Captain
05:30Message from comms sub-tack, urgent
05:32Clear area 4 toward northeast immediately
05:36Repeat immediately
05:38Stay north of 3515 until dawn
05:42Destroyer sweeping Segominata
05:44Due 1600
05:46Acknowledge
05:48Well, that settles that
05:49If we bend on everything, Captain
05:51We might just make it
05:53There's a man out there, Pete
05:55That expects us to help him
05:56But, Captain
05:57It's the opposite direction
05:58From where we should be going
06:00And it's 1400 now
06:01If those destroyers spot us
06:03They're not going to stop to ask questions
06:07Make our acknowledgement to comms sub-tack
06:12High Tower, this lifeguard won
06:14How much fighter cover can you get us?
06:15Over
06:16Are you going to take a stab at it, lifeguard?
06:18Over
06:19If your little friends can keep them from sinking us
06:21Over
06:22Don't you go away, lifeguard
06:23I'll be right back
06:25Out
06:34Captain, if you don't mind
06:35Can I wait out here?
06:37Lifeguard, this is Hightower
06:38Over
06:39Go ahead, Hightower
06:41Lifeguard, I have a message from the fighter leader
06:44His compliments and anybody who sticks his head up for a shot at you
06:48Is going to get a hole in it
06:49Over
06:51Roger, Hightower
06:52Thank the gentleman for us
06:54Tell him we're on our way
06:55Over and up
06:56Now began a demonstration of why the morale of the American fighting man
07:00Is the highest in the world
07:02An entire squadron of fighters risked running out of gas
07:05Risks being shot out to furnish protection
07:08For a submarine crew of over 80 men
07:10Who in turn were gambling their lives
07:12To prevent one single man from being captured
07:15A man none of them had ever even met
07:19Lifeguard, this is Hightower
07:21You're dead on it, Skipper
07:22About a mile ahead of you
07:23Over
07:24I can see him, Captain
07:25Roger, Hightower
07:26We see him out
07:27Would you look at those guys
07:28They're right on the deck
07:29With a cover like that we could take this boat right into the Imperial Palace
07:42Please, Captain, before you try that, let's see if we can get out of here
07:46Rescue party on deck
07:48Almost on the fly
07:56Gavilan scooped up Hazumi
07:57Out from under the very muzzles of the Japanese shore battery
08:07But time was running out
08:09Come right to 050
08:10All ahead flank
08:18All engines on the line
08:20Gavilan race to clear the area
08:22A diesel straining for every ounce of speed
08:25At least two hours before we cross 3515
08:28It's too long
08:32Maneuvering
08:33Maneuvering, Henderson
08:35Frank, we're gonna be sitting right in the destroyer squadron's lap
08:38If we don't get more speed
08:39Captain, there isn't a needle down here
08:41Has been near the red line for two hours
08:43Getting everything she's got
08:45Very well
08:46Very well
08:50Well, we've been lucky so far
08:53Maybe this fog will help
09:00Bridge, radar contact
09:02Bearing 050 true
09:04Range 30,000 yards
09:06Very well
09:07All ahead flank
09:09Sweeper
09:10Sweeper
09:11This is Whisproom
09:12Over
09:13Roger Whisproom
09:14We've got him too
09:15Over
09:16Sweeper
09:17Any possibility?
09:18He might be one of ours
09:19Not a chance
09:20Our boys were told to clear the area by 1600
09:22Over
09:23Then what are we waiting for?
09:24Let's get him
09:25Roger Whisproom
09:26Good hunting
09:27Sweeper over
09:29Battle stations
09:30Still got your fingers crossed feet?
09:31I'm gonna keep them crossed until we get out of here
09:40Luck's been holding so far
09:41Run for just a little while longer, we'll be alright
09:43If
09:44Bridge, radar contact
09:46Two pips
09:47Bearing 230
09:48Range
09:4920,000 yards
09:51Better uncross them
09:54Better uncross them
09:55Maybe luck may need a little help
09:57Maneuvering?
09:58Maneuvering
09:59Henderson
10:00Frank, what's our speed?
10:01Shade over 20 knots, Captain
10:03I'd like to cut back a little
10:04Well I'm afraid this is no time to coddle your babies
10:06We need more speed, not less
10:08That's impossible
10:10Thrust bearings are running hot now
10:11I don't know how long
10:12Frank, I'm not asking anymore
10:13There are two destroyers on our tail
10:15And we're not supposed to be in this area
10:16Do I make myself clear?
10:18Real clear, Captain
10:19Let me see what we can do
10:21Quartermaster, break out the flares in the signal lamp
10:23Aye, aye, sir
10:26You know there are times when shore duty does have its advantages
10:30Our engineering officer was able to coax another knot out of the Gabbaland
10:34But a submarine is no match for a destroyer when it comes to speed
10:39Whiskbroom
10:40Whiskbroom, this is Sweeper, over
10:44Sweeper, this is Whiskbroom
10:45Go ahead
10:46Stand by to commence firing
10:48Over
10:49Roger Sweeper
10:50They're running exactly parallel, Captain
11:03Range, 13,000 yards
11:05That's a good maneuver
11:06They're herding us like sheep
11:08Think we ought to dive?
11:10No
11:11If we dive, they'll be sure to catch us on sonar
11:13That's the way the sea wolf was lost
11:15Now, we'll save diving as a last resort
11:18I'm hoping I can get to him with a recognition signal
11:21Besides
11:23Remember that battery charge we didn't get?
11:26Captain, I'm an old destroyer man
11:28I know those boys
11:29I think they're getting about ready to jump us
11:31Bridge
11:32Radar
11:33Contacts turning toward us
11:34Range, 12,800
11:36You could be right
11:38Turn on ABK
11:40Stand by signal light
11:41Stand by flares
11:42Look out below
11:44Stand by to dive
11:46Stand by to dive
11:51Make your signal
11:52Fire flare
11:59Radio communication was out of the question
12:01Because that meant shifting transmitter frequency
12:03To one used by the destroyers
12:05There was no time for that now
12:07The attacking destroyers had a cold solution
12:10Their gun crews were hot
12:12And Gavilan's signal flares were swallowed up by the fog
12:16We're not getting through
12:17Clear the lamp
12:19Clear the lamp
12:20Right full rudder
12:21Clear the deck
12:22Clear the bridge
12:23Dive
12:24Dive
12:25Dive
12:26Dive
12:40Rig for the left charge
12:41Rig for the left charge
12:42Rig for the left charge
12:56Sound the collision alarm.
13:09Fire green smoke flare from submerged signal gun.
13:12Fire green smoke from submerged signal gun.
13:19Take her deep.
13:20Take her deep by eye, sir.
13:22Screws closing fast, Captain.
13:26Fire green smoke, Captain.
13:31Depth?
13:33Seventy feet.
13:35Screws are passing overhead.
13:37Left full rudder.
13:38Left full rudder.
13:44Level off at 300 feet.
13:45Level off at 300 feet.
13:52Secure from general quarters.
13:54Set condition two throughout the ship.
13:56Secure from general quarters.
13:57Set condition two throughout the ship.
14:00Sweeper, this is Whiskroom.
14:01Over.
14:02Whiskroom, Sweeper.
14:03Over.
14:05He must have gone down like a rock.
14:07Not a sign of debris.
14:09Pretty fancy shooting, Whiskroom.
14:10We'll cover the area once more just in case there's another one hiding in this fog.
14:14Over.
14:14Roger, Sweeper.
14:15Whiskroom out.
14:16Radio.
14:17Radio.
14:17Make this to the flotilla commander.
14:23Contacted and sank small, unidentified craft.
14:30They're crisscrossing overhead, Captain.
14:31You and your destroyers.
14:36Why, Captain, I volunteered for subs because I thought it would be more exciting.
14:41Right now, I wish I were back on the destroyers.
14:44Submarines used to be fun.
14:46Stop using the past tense, will you?
14:48You're making me nervous.
14:49300 feet.
14:50Very well, rigged for silent running.
14:56Whiskroom, this is Sweeper.
14:57Over.
15:00Go ahead, Sweeper.
15:01Radar contact bearing 180, true.
15:04Range 30,000 yards.
15:06Proceed vicinity of target at flank speed.
15:08Over.
15:09Roger, Sweeper.
15:10Loco, out.
15:14Tunning tower, maneuvering.
15:15Captain, there's not much left in the battery.
15:22We've got to have it charged soon.
15:24Okay, Frank, as soon as our visitors leave.
15:31You know, I think he's more worried about those engines of his than he is about our skins.
15:37Screw's noise are fading, Captain.
15:39They're going away fast.
15:41You think they're going to give up so quickly?
15:43I don't know, Captain.
15:44They're pretty sneaky fellows.
15:46Might be trying to bait us.
15:48We'll give them another 30 minutes, then we'll go up and take a look.
15:52At the end of a long half hour, Gavilan came to periscope depth.
15:56And Captain Parham took a pre-surfacing check on the aerial.
16:02It's all clear.
16:03Fog's gone.
16:05If we run into any more of those eager beavers, maybe they'll be able to see our signals.
16:10Maneuvering.
16:10Maneuvering, I want all four engines on the line when we surface at flank speed.
16:17Aye, aye, Captain. We're ready.
16:20Surface.
16:20Look out, Tapp.
16:45Maneuvering.
16:46Maneuvering, Henderson.
16:47Frank, take one or two engines off the line, put them on battery charge.
16:51Give me all you can on three and four.
16:53Aye, aye, sir.
16:56Come to course 045.
16:58Hank, bring your pencil.
17:05Make this a comm sub-tact.
17:07I've been under gun attack by two destroyers.
17:10Give time and position.
17:12Aye, aye, sir.
17:13Her thirsty batteries eagerly sucked in the energy necessary to run her submerge.
17:19As with her remaining two engines, Gaviland raced for safety.
17:23But the destroyers were putting on a great demonstration of sweeping tactics.
17:27Although Gaviland was in no mood to appreciate it.
17:30Bridge radar contact bearing 255.
17:33Range 18,000 yards.
17:35Range 18,000 yards.
17:35This is a busy little place.
17:39Sweeper, sweeper.
17:40This is wrist broom.
17:41Over.
17:45Give us an hour.
17:46We ought to be in pretty good shape.
17:47I'll settle the half an hour.
17:49Bridge, radar contact bearing 075.
17:53Range 17,000.
17:57There we go again.
17:59Well, this time there's no fog.
18:00They'll have to see our signal.
18:02We hope.
18:04Maneuvering.
18:05Maneuvering.
18:05Henderson.
18:06Frank, take one and two off battery charge and put them on the line.
18:10Cap, we've hardly got the charge started.
18:12Sorry.
18:13But I want all the power I can get, just in case.
18:15Aye, aye, sir.
18:17Look out below.
18:18Watermaster, stand by searchlight.
18:21You got that Buck Rogers gun ready?
18:24Radar, what's the range?
18:2515,000 yards.
18:35Searchlight, make your signal.
18:42Fire flare.
18:43Javiland tried, but could not, identify herself as friendly.
18:59Are they flying?
19:04Save the breath!
19:06Dive!
19:06Dive!
19:07Dive!
19:17Rig for depth charge!
19:19Rig for depth charge.
19:22Bound planes won't rig out.
19:24Shift to hand.
19:2510 degrees down, bubble.
19:27Stand by to blow negative.
19:29Hendricks.
19:30Planes sticking home now, sir.
19:31We should have fed them a couple of fish the first time they fired a shot.
19:45Don't think I wasn't tempted.
19:47Figure down to 300 feet and rig for silent running.
19:50300 feet.
19:50Aye, aye, sir.
19:51Rig for silent running.
19:53Do you think Compson Pack will get to that Joker before he gets to us?
19:57Hard to say.
19:58All depends on whether or not.
20:02Captain.
20:02What is it, Frank?
20:06Batteries are nearly flat.
20:08I don't know how much longer we can give you any power.
20:10Very well.
20:13Secure all unnecessary lights.
20:16Secure ventilation blowers.
20:18Secure air conditioning.
20:20Captain.
20:21There's a four-knot current along here, the Japan stream.
20:24We lose power and we'll shove us right up onto the beach.
20:27We surface now and he'll blow us out of the water before we can get the hatch open.
20:31Well, at least we get one choice.
20:34We can pick the way we want to die.
20:39Gavilan rode silently, using as little of a battery power as possible.
20:44Once that power was drained, she would become unmanageable in the strong current.
20:48She'd have to surface.
20:50Above, the attacking destroyer commander, convinced he had suckered other enemy's ship,
20:54continued to search for other prey.
20:57Coming, sir.
21:01Captain?
21:02Captain, as of right now, we should be out of power.
21:05We've been lucky, but I wouldn't bet in another five minutes.
21:08Very well.
21:15Sound, where is he?
21:16He's still circling, Captain.
21:19He's farther off now.
21:21Standby to surface.
21:23Battle stations, gun action.
21:24Battle stations, gun action.
21:26Periscope depth, bring her up slow and quiet.
21:31As silently as he could, the Gavilan's diving officer brought his boat towards the surface,
21:36while every man aboard prayed that the friendly destroyers would leave before they got there.
21:4060 feet.
21:4160 feet.
21:43Opscope!
21:57Service!
22:01Service!
22:02Submarine servicing.
22:13Bearing 3-4-5.
22:32All ahead, Slank.
22:33Fire control.
22:34Hold your fire until that submarine is identified.
22:35All ahead, Slank.
22:36Fire control.
22:37Hold your fire until that submarine is identified.
22:38All ahead, Slank.
22:41Fire control.
22:42Hold your fire until that submarine is identified.
22:46All ahead, Slank.
22:47Fire control.
22:48Hold your fire until that submarine is identified.
22:55They're signaling.
23:01Want a message?
23:02Aye, aye, sir.
23:03Message reads,
23:05Hold your fire.
23:07We are American destroyer.
23:10Would suggest you study your book of U.S. Naval Silhouettes.
23:20Make this the destroyer.
23:21Our apologies.
23:22We thought you were on our side.
23:36I'll be back in a moment with our special guest.
23:40It is our pleasure to bring to you the officer who commanded the Gaviland during her last patrol, Captain William B. Parham.
23:52Bill, all I can say is I'm awfully glad you're here.
23:55Thanks, Tommy.
23:56After that reminder I've just seen, I'm glad I can be here.
24:00Most wartime submarinas have taken depth charges and had gun battles with the enemy, Bill.
24:05But I can't imagine anything worse than being the target for our own people.
24:09I don't think there is anything worse.
24:11It was nobody's fault in particular.
24:13Just one of those things.
24:15But that didn't make it any the less terrifying.
24:17Our own people had a very annoying way of really hurting when they made a pass at you.
24:22In this case, their shooting was very good, but fortunately our luck was better.
24:27All you could do is sit there and take it.
24:30That was the frustrating part.
24:32Ordinarily, in a spot like that, you can at least fight back.
24:36But there was nothing we could do but hope for a little luck.
24:39And we're mighty glad you had some.
24:41Bill, thank you for helping us to tell the Gaviland story.
24:44Thank you, Tommy, for having me here.
24:47Be with us again when we bring you another exciting story from the files of the silent service.
24:55Bill, thank you, Tommy.
25:03Take her down, let's often lie.
25:07Through the deep blue, underneath the ocean.
25:11We'll control the ocean's wide.
25:15From down, down, underneath the sea.
25:20They can talk, we'll pass the word.
25:24In the future's yet to be.
25:28That we'll say, as long as there's a submariner underneath the sea.
25:37So rig for dive and take her down.
25:41Down, down, go down, down, come underneath the ocean.
25:45There was men who might be down in the deep blue, underneath the sea.
25:59A very good newsman is that bar vitally can immerse.
26:05It seems to be a matter.
26:06All right.
26:08As long as there's now, there's some rise.
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