Action Report on the sinking of italian submarine Argento

Action Report on the sinking of italian submarine Argento:

CONFIDENTIAL
U.S.S. Buck
DD420/A16-3/SS
Serial: 184.
4 August, 1943

From: Commanding Officer, U.S.S. Buck (DD420).
To: The Admiralty (Director of Submarine Warfare).
Via: Commandant Naval Operating Base, Oran, Algeria.
Subject: Destruction of Italian Submarine, R.SMG. Argento-Report of.

Enclosure:
(A) Track Chart showing the action. (B) List of survivors. (C) Action report form "Anti-Submarine Action by Surface Ships" showing detailed data on the three depth charge attacks.

1. I take pleasure in reporting the destruction of the Italian submarine R.SMG. Argento by U.S.S. Buck at about 0030B August 3, 1943, in position Latitude 36' deg.-52.2' North, Longitude 12' deg.-08' East. This submarine was of 600 tons standard displacement and was about 200 feet in length. One survivor stated he thought other ships in Argento's Squadron are Bronzo, Nichelio, Aciato, and Arco. The armament consisted of six torpedo tubes, a 100MM cannon on main deck and also mounted two double barrelled twin mount guns (12MM). Eight torpedoes were carried, both electric and air, and were either of German or Italian manufacture or both. The submarine was commissioned in May, 1942, and departed on their last cruise from Sardinia on July 21, 1943. The submarine was on a war patrol between Messina, Sicily and Benghazi. The information was obtained in informal conversation with the Commanding Officer, Captain Leo Masina (3 stripes). The rank of this officer is Tenente di Vascello, corresponding to the rank of Senior Lieutenant in U.S. Navy. The Captain stated that he had taken up a position off the island of Pantelleria in compliance with a radio message which informed him that a convoy would pass there during the night of 2-3 August, 1943. He stated further that hydrophone effect of the convoy had been heard by the submarine and he was preparing to attack when challenged by the U.S.S. Buck. He said he had not detected presence of Buck until blinker challenge was seen.

NARRATIVE
2. On the evening of August 2, 1943, U.S.S. Buck and U.S.S. Nicholson were escorting Convoy CNS-3, consisting of six liberty ships from Licata, Sicily, to Oran, Algeria. The six liberty ships were Washington, Howell, Morris, Piez, Bell, and Webster. The convoy was disposed in two columns of three ships each, 1000 yards between columns. Nicholson was patrolling on port bow of convoy and Buck was patrolling 4000 yards distant on starboard bow of convoy. At about 2230B August 2, 1943 Buck was patrolling station at 12.5 knots. Island of Pantelleria was looming up in the darkness on port bow, distant about six miles. Sea was smooth, visibility good with slight surface haze, dark night with no moon and no clouds, wind from the West, force 1. Commanding Officer was on the bridge. Ship was darkened, in Condition of Readiness 2MS and Material Condition Able.

2245B- SG Radar contact, bearing 329 deg.T, distant 5500 yards. The Commanding Officer observed this contact on remote PPI scope on bridge, and immediately ordered General Quarters [Battle Condition I], assumed the Conn, and set course for the contact. DRT plot started. Sound operators and Control informed of contact. Nicholson came in on TBS and asked if Buck had contact. Buck replied in affirmative and reported that contact was being closed.

2246B- FD radar reported contact, bearing 328 deg.T, distant 5000 yards.

2250B-Bearing of contact drawing left. DRT plot reported course of contact as 293 deg.T, speed 12 knots. Ship's head brought to 318 deg.T. Range closing, now 4500 yards.

2254B- Control informed challenge was to be made. Be ready to open fire. Signalman instructed to make three minor war vessel challenges slightly on starboard bow. These challenges were made with no reply. Made no further challenges. 2255B- Range 3800 yards. Commanding Officer observing remote PPI scope on bridge, saw contact suddenly disappear. Reported to Nicholson on TBS, who verified. Increased speed to 15 knots and informed sound operators contact was submarine and to sound search very carefully ahead and to 45 deg. in each bow. Ordered depth charges to be set for base setting of 150'. This gives a staggered pattern, some charges set at 200', some at 150', and some at 250'.

2300B- Sound contact bearing 310 deg.T, distant 700 yards. Ordered ship's head to 285 deg.T and instructed officer at chemical recorder to drop a medium pattern of five charges to be fired by chemical recorder. Sound range was so short, the Commanding Officer did not receive but one more bearing and range before the pattern was fired. This bearing was 307 deg.T, range 400 yards. Sound contact lost at 300 yards.

2301B- Dropped medium pattern of five charges with base setting at 150'. Held course and speed and instructed sound operator to search down starboard side to the stern.

2305B- Began a turn to the right with standard rudder, and steadied on course 125 deg.T.

2308B- Regained sound contact, bearing 152 deg.T, distant 900 yards. Ordered ship's head to 152 deg.T. Bearing drew right. Steadied on course 200 deg.T, and ordered officer at chemical recorder to fire full pattern (11 charges) set for base setting of 200 feet. Lost contact at about 300 yards.