Action Report on the sinking of italian submarine Argento (continued):

0100B- Position of survivors was closed and ship's speed reduced to five knots for lowering of motor whaleboat. While the boat was being lowered an object was reported in the water close aboard on starboard quarter. The Commanding Officer observed this object through binoculars. It appeared to be a long low-lying black shape and the waves could be seen breaking over it. Sea was flat calm. The officer in charge of whaleboat was instructed, before the boat cleared, to inspect this object. No sound or radar contacts could be obtained. A torpedo torch pot was thrown overboard to mark the spot. The boat officer later reported that the object was the submarine hulk. It was barely awash, and was either on its side or was bottom up.

0100B-0205B- Rescue of survivors continued. Ship circled area at 15 knots while boat was engaged in rescue operations. When boat was filled, boat signalled ship with blinker tube. Boat was then closed and survivors brought aboard over cargo nets, with ship making five knots. Forty-six survivors were rescued in three boat trips.

0205B- All survivors aboard. Area was now searched in vicinity of torch pot marker for submarine hulk until 0300B with the idea in mind of possible salvage of the submarine. Hulk could not be located. Search was abandoned at 0300B and course taken to rejoin convoy. A radio report to CINCMED [Commander in Chief Mediterranean] by Nicholson requested air search of area at daybreak for this floating hulk. Results of this search are not known.

3. The Commanding Officer of Argento has stated in conversations with the Commanding Officer that the first two depth charge attacks were ineffective. They were heard but did no damage and did not shake them up. He stated that the third attack was all around him. All lighting power was lost; engine room began to flood and submarine took a list to starboard. He gave the order to surface. He further stated that the "cannon fire" of Buck opened up a large hole in the submarine at the base of the conning tower through which many men escaped into the water after he gave the order to "Abandon Ship." He stated he did not know why he was fired on in such a concentrated manner as he was done for from the depth charge attack. He denied having fired any torpedoes at Buck, but in the Commanding Officer's opinion the proof that torpedoes were fired is conclusive. Although the Commanding Officer of the submarine denied having fired two torpedoes at Buck, subsequent conversations with members of the crew of the submarine verify the fact that two torpedoes may have been fired. The sound of approaching torpedoes on the sound gear was unmistakable and the sound operator of Buck during this action was a man with over two years' experience on sound gear. The commanding officer also said he personally opened up sea valves before he abandoned ship, so it is believed that hulk must have sunk in a short time after being last observed by Buck at 0100B.

4. Three crew members of the total 49 on board the submarine are missing and were not rescued by Buck. Their names are indicated in Enclosure (B). Of the forty-six survivors who were rescued, one man died shortly after having been brought aboard from gunshot wounds in the chest. This man's name is Salvatore Orbi, radioman mate 2/c. He was buried at sea at 1400B August 3, 1943, in position Latitude 37 deg.22.5'N, Longitude 09 deg.22.5'E. A simple burial service was held on fantail. Prisoners were allowed to be present and colors were half-masted in all ships of the Convoy during the burial service. Seven other survivors are suffering from wounds but it is believed all will recover. The remainder of the survivors are all in good shape and spirits. They appear to be glad it's all over for them.

5. I believe it is obvious from this report the value obtained from the DRT [dead reckoning tracer] plot in this attack. It is my considered opinion that this attack would not have been successful had not the DRT been employed. I say this mainly because of the extremely low effective sound range and have no intention to take away any share of the credit which rightfully belongs to the sound operators and the sound officer who manned the chemical recorder. The maximum effective sound range during this attack was never over 700 yards.

6. 110 rounds of 5"38 Caliber H.E. ammunition with MK 18 fuzes was expended against this submarine. Flashless powder was employed and cannot be praised too highly in reducing night blindness from gunfire. 338 rounds of 40MM ammunition was expended from the starboard 40MM gun. 707 rounds of 20MM ammunition was expended by the four 20MM which could bear during the action. 5" Gun No. 1 had a rammer failure after firing two rounds and later hangfire and did not figure in the action after that. 5" Gun No. 4 fired only 15 rounds due to a portion of the crew of this gun being employed in reloading depth charges. All 5" Guns were fired in local control and controlled by the gun captains. To quote one gun captain, "It was like Short Range Practice." It is believed that the machine gun batteries now installed in these ships are most effective weapons against surfaced submarines at close range.

7. The tremendous value of the SG ["Sugar George"] radar was again demonstrated. It is believed from experience that 5500 yards is a normal range to expect from a surfaced submarine with normal sweep. However, it must be borne in mind that ranges up to 800 yards may be obtained on surfaced submarines if "hand sweeps" are employed.

8. I consider that every officer and man did his duty in this action. Their conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval service. I believe that the following officers and enlisted personnel are deserving of special praise for their part and I recommend them for special recognition.

OFFICERS
(a) Lieut. Comdr. George S. Lambert, U.S.N. Executive Officer
This officer supervised radar and sound personnel on the bridge during the radar approach, and subsequent depth charge attack. During the Gun action he was of great assistance to the Commanding Officer in checking to see that orders to the Wheel were carried out properly. He contributed further by helpful suggestions at various times during the action. He also was in charge of rescue operations of the survivors. The whaleboat was lowered and recovered with way on the ship in complete darkness. He was generally most helpful in internal administrative matters during the rescue and quartering and treatment of the survivors after they were on board.

(b) Lieut. R.K. Irvine, U.S.N. Gunnery Officer
The 5" guns and machine guns delivered a highly effective fire against this submarine once it was on the surface reflecting a high state of training imparted by the Gunnery Officer. The promptness as well as the high rate of fire and effectiveness thereof undoubtedly discouraged any attempts by the submarine crew to man their deck weapons. 5" hits were obtained according to the commanding officer of the submarine and other survivors, and the machine gun fire can only be described as "withering."

(c) Lieut. G.H. Harrington, U.S.N.R.
This officer in addition to his duties as Navigator is charged with the state of training of the depth charge crews. The three patterns dropped during this action were all dropped in accordance with the prearranged plan. Loading after each drop was expeditiously handled, indicating a high state of training of the depth charge reloading crews in complete darkness. This officer also aided the Commanding Officer on the bridge during the rescue operations and provided several helpful suggestions. He kept the Commanding Officer continuously informed as to the ship's navigational positions. This was especially helpful as the Island of Pantelleria was nearby.

(d) Lieut. R. Scully, U.S.N.R.
This officer was in charge of the motor whaleboat during the rescue operations. He carried out his job efficiently and expeditiously, thereby keeping Buck in a suspicious area as short a time as possible.

(e) Lt. (jg) D.E. Crais, U.S.N.R.
This officer controlled the fire of the machine gun battery during the action and is jointly responsible with the Gunnery Officer for the high state of training of this battery. This officer's battle station is on the after deckhouse where he controls the fire of the machine gun battery. Shortly after the gun action started, the trainer of the starboard 40MM gun was blasted from his seat by the fire from 5" Gun No. 3. Lieut. Crais at once assumed the position of trainer himself and fire from the starboard 40MM gun continued until the regular trainer recovered himself sufficiently to man his station. This action of Lieut. Crais is highly commendable.

(f) Lieut. (jg) W.J. Conklin, U.S.N.
This officer is Communication Officer of Buck and his battle station is on the bridge. He was helpful to the Commanding Officer throughout the action in relaying the intentions of the Commanding Officer to the sound team and DRT plot team. In addition, when the Commanding Officer was on the wings of the bridge, this officer relayed information coming from the DRT and sound teams. I consider he performed all his duties in a commendable manner and materially assisted the Commanding Officer throughout the action.

(g) Lt. (jg) R.P. Lance, U.S.N.R.
This officer conducted the DRT plot and provided continuous and accurate information as to last known position of the submarine. This officer without question contributed a great deal toward making the last depth charge attack successful.

(h) Ensign J.G. Andrae, U.S.N.R.
This officer manned the chemical recorder. He is Sound Officer and the efficient teamwork of the sound team during this action reflects a high state of training. This officer dropped the depth charge pattern when the correct time was indicated from the chemical recorder. Although the effective sound range was not over 700 yards the sound team furnished the Commanding Officer with the necessary data to effect a successful approach.

(i) Ensign D.W. Crawford, U.S.N.R.
This officer was designated as interpreter for the survivors. He was most helpful in looking after the general welfare of the survivors and in obtaining much of the information from the survivors included in this report. This officer also made the first trip in the whaleboat to rescue survivors and assisted Lieut. Scully in this task.

(j) Lieut. T. Boyt, U.S.N.R.
This Medical Officer did an excellent job in caring for the wounded and in looking out for the general welfare of the survivors.

ENLISTED MEN
(a) M.J. Vradenburg, U.S.N.
This Chief Petty Officer assisted Lt. (jg) Lance on the DRT and materially assisted by his experience on this instrument in supplying the Commanding Officer with the information which made possible a successful attack. He accomplished the actual plotting of own ship and submarine track and thereby materially assisted in making the attack successful. He furnished immediately any bearing and distance requested by the Commanding Officer during the box search to regain sound contact.

(b) Smith, W.M. Jr., U.S.N.
This enlisted man manned the QC sound gear throughout the depth charge attacks. He demonstrated that he was familiar with proper sound procedure and executed "lost contact" procedure on the several occasions that sound contact was lost. The short effective sound range existing in the action area was a handicap, but Smith furnished the Commanding Officer with bearing, ranges and width of target, quickly and accurately. It is considered by his performance of duty that he contributed materially to the success of the action.

M.J. Klein

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