EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 1, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0900: USS NORTH CAROLINA proceeding to Navy Yard.     1130: Clipper sighted submarine 34-45N; 74-05W - course of sub 100° T, speed 8 knots.     1500: SS COAMO saw three submarines 19-58N; 67-54W. Info sent both above to Cominch, Cinclant, OpNav, et al., warning all ships.     1445: Army plane reports sub at 41-26N; 71-15W - course 090° T. Later reported negative.     1913: SAN JACINTO sighted two suspicious craft four miles from San Juan Light House, Puerto Rico.     2240: The SS ESSCO WILLIAMSBURG, 37-30N; 75-20W, heading south, sent an SSS. Duty officer in Norfolk advised Eagle boat in the vicinity.     2306: The SS CORILLA, 44-48N; 61-40W, sent an SSS, reporting a submarine following her. At 020105 EST she reported that she had been torpedoed at 020051, same position, but still afloat, leaking badly, could not send flares because there was benzene all over, and personnel were taking to the boats. Request help. Proceeding toward coast, position 44-49N; 61-37W. Assistance being sent from Halifax 0253 EST.       (Army plane sighted an SS at 38-47N; 75-00W       (A coast guard plane saw a submarine off Nantucket Light.       Cominch dispatch 020403 - readdressed to NOB Newport, Com One, Three, Four, Five.       OpNav and Cominch dispatch 012355 received reference 6th ND in NANCF       Submitted         F. W. OSBURN   Lt. Cdr., USN (Ret.)

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 1, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	The following was telephoned to Lt. Cdr. Payne by Commander Bassett, First Naval District, Boston:   "ComOne received the following message from the Senior Coast Guard Officer, First Naval District:           'Captain Parsons, of fishing schooner LARK, Type 8-12 dories, engaged in fishing, position 60 miles SE magnetic from Cape Cod Light, at 7:30 EST January 31, sighted a freighter about 7 miles away to the SE. Vessel appeared to be having engine trouble, as it would proceed a short distance, then stop, then proceed again. In this manor the vessel came nearer, finally approaching one of the LARK's dories, and some one from the bridge called in a foreign, guttural voice, requesting to purchase fish. The dory occupant referred him to the LARK, which the vessel then approached to about 200 yards distance. The same foreign, guttural voice again asked to purchase fish, which Captain Parsons declined to sell, as the sea was becoming rough -- and he was suspicious. The vessel then zig-zagged to the NE for about 2 or 3 miles, then set course due south until out of sight. Vessel was a freighter of lake type, about 5000 tons, painted all dark gray, no name visible, two guns on afterdeck, bridge amidships, and large radio antenna between masts. Two men only were visible, both on bridge. LARK now moored town wharf, Provincetown; expects to sail tonight at midnight.'"   February 3, 1st N.D. reports vessel positively identified as Portuguese vessel. Intelligence.
	Copy to:
	Duty Officer, NANCF
	First Bomber Command
	Intelligence Officer, Coastal Information

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 2, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	1248: S.S. W. L. STEED (U.S. tanker) sent out SSS that she was being attacked and going down 38°25N; 73°W.   1430: S.S. ESSO CONCORD (U.S. tanker) sent out SSS reporting periscope sighted 27°03N; 90°30W - periscope disappeared at 1435 EST.     1110: Army patrol plane (B-17) sighted oil slick 300'-500' long with what appeared to be twin periscopes just below surface at one end of oil slick. 3 demolition bombs were dropped and plane circled for 30 minutes but no debris was observed. Pos. 36°10N; 74°20W.     2040: M.S. AMERIKLAND (15,300-ton Swedish ship) sent out SOS and SSS that she had just been torpedoed and was still afloat, position 3636N; 7410W. This information given to Captain Rebe, Duty Officer, 5th N.D., Norfolk at 2150 EST. Captain Rebe notified NANCF that a U.S. destroyer was in the vicinity of the AMERIKALAND.     2325: S.S. CHOMEDY (Canadian passenger ship) sent out QQQ reporting suspicious vessel approaching position 37°39N; 59°49W. 0143 EST CHOMEDY cancelled her QQQ.       February 3, 1942.     0315: Lakehurst informed NANCF K-5 short of fuel. Making arrangements to refuel at Cape May about 0600.     0430: Received from Duty Officer, Phila., via Tuckerton Radio:   "SS PAN MASSACHUSSETS sighted submarine 0900 GMT at 37°30'N; 75°16'W. Course 30 T., speed 11.5 knots. Dispatch forwarded to OpNav, Cominch, Cinclant.       Captain Payne, Norfolk, stated Little Creek Station had been informed.       Informed NAS, New York. Reply received on 0515 that location was quite far south and close to NAS, Norfolk, will not send plane. Advised Lakehurst ship scheduled to leave on patrol soon. Will expedite departure. Bomber Command informed. Will send out a flight at daylight.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 3, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0530: At 0930 Zero PAN MASSACHUSETTS advised she had lost submarine. OpNav, Cominch, Cinclant, Lakehurst, Norfolk, and Bomber command.       Submitted         C. F. McNAMARA,     Lieut.Comdr., USNR.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 3, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	At 2344 GMT suspicious craft low in water apparently not moving was sighted by Frank J. Peterson. Position 32-17N; 80-10W.   2145: SILVERAY (British cargo 4535-tons) SSS 43-54N; 64-16W, at 2132       February 4, 1942.     0000: SAN GIL (Panamanian cargo ship 3598-tons) 38-05N; 74-40W, torpedoes and sinking (cannot receive). "Putting boats out." USCG NIKE picked up al survivors. Ship sank 15 miles south of Fenwick Island light. 38 survivors (2 members of crew lost - 1 man broken hand).     0045: Between 2330, 3 February, and 0030, 4 February, arranged for air escort for ALGORAB as per her dispatch 031945. Langley will send medium bomber to meet her. Notified Norfolk by phone. No dispatch sent by NANCF.     0115: At 2200, 3 February, talked with Ensign Wright, N.T.S. relative to dispatch ComEight 032358. Ensign Wright reported that on 1 February, Lieut. Stout had talked with Comdr. Mansfield of Communications, Navy Dept., Washington. Comdr. Mansfield was to arrange liaison group. Ensign Wright will arrange for a report to NANCF on this matter 4 February.     0115: At 0020, Philadelphia informed Duty Officer, NANCF, that USCG NIKE would leave immediately for the SAN GIL.     0230: Called Norfolk to attempt to arrange air coverage for SANGAMON out of Hampton Roads tomorrow noon.     0830: NIKE rescued all survivors of SAN GIL.     0900: Comdr. Fisher at Philadelphia reports Inspat of 4 N.D. received message from NIKE that she picked up 38 survivors of SAN GIL. NIKE expects to arrive Delaware Capes at 1045 today and will proceed to Lewes. 4 N.D. will arrange for survivors to be brought up river presumably to Immigration Station. 4 N.D. will question survivors and owners will be notified.     1005: Coast Guard airplane on patrol saw unknown freighter about 30 miles East of Cape Lookout at 34-40N; 75-55W. Refuses to identify herself. Seven deck guns. Course southwest.     1719: S.S. COLLAMAR sent SSS - intercepted by Mackey. Being chased by sub, 27-28N; 56-46W.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 4, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	1847: S.S. MONTROLITE SSS at 2347 GCT in 35-14N; 60-05W.   1915: S.S. SINCLAIR SUPERFLAME sent SSS from 33-15N; 78-52W. Torpedo fired across her bow. No injury as yet.     1920: S.S. INDIA ARROW torpedoed. No position given and her radio failed to answer subsequent call from F.C.C. Merchant Ship Plot estimates her position between Barnegat Bay and Sea Girt. INDIA ARROW is 8237-ton tanker. This vessel left Corpus Christi 27 January for New York.     2050: Unknown freighter in item 1005 identified as S.S. OGOUTZ.     2137: S.S. W.W. BRUCE (6700-ton tanker of Continental Steamship Co., Delaware) sent SSS stating she was then 10 miles off Frying Pan Shoals Buoy (Cape Fear), bearing 020 T., and had been followed for one hour by suspicious small vessel.       February 5, 1942.     0150: Sound contact on submarine established by naval vessel at 42-16N; 69-37W. No name given.     0328: S.S. SIXAOLA chased by two submarines in Lat. 47-14N; 50-44W., at 2145 EST. February 4. This is off Cape Race.     0700: S.S. SIXAOLA resumed course and ended alert.     0600: EST Burning tanker seen by fishing vessel. 45 miles ESE of Five Fathom Buoy.     1228: ALCOA PIONEER SSS 22-58N; 85-36W.     1238: S.S. BRAZIL sent SSS from 33-47N; 68-57W. Bearing 93.5 T., from Cape Lookout.     1319: S.S. NIOBE sighted submarine and sent SSS from 36-31N; 75-45W. This position close inshore off Currituck Sound, N. C. NIOBE is Panamanian tanker, 7153-tons, 476' overall and belongs to Panama Transport Co., carrying bulk oil. She was empty and going south.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 5, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	1337: Aeroplane dropped depth charge - oil on water - this message originated from S.S. NIOBE.   1510: TOURMALINE reports encountering wreck at INDIA ARROW near Winter Quarter Shoal. Her boats afloat but no survivors in them. 27-31N; 75-14-30W.     1545: At 38-07N; 73-45 W., army bomber reports submarine contact. Later report same location, three lifeboats sighted with 29 survivors. Eagle 56 is dispatched to investigate.     0745: USCG CAMPBELL picked up 35 survivors from torpedoed M/V SILVERAY (British) in position 43-45N; 64-16W. and report originating from same.     2040: Lt. Evans, First Army, from Lt. W. B. Boyd, Ches. H.Q. reports Wash Woods C. G. Sta., Caffey's C. G. Sta., and Little Island C. G. Sta. at 1930 to 1938 saw flares and burst of light and heard gunfire; position of same plotted at 36-30N; 75-20W.     2242: S.S. HALCYON bombarded by raider (500 Kc: message) 34-20N; 59-10W.     2300: Info Center reports 2 suspicious ships approached from opposite directions and stopped 10 or 15 miles off Cape Fear.       S.S. LIHUE reports sighting submarine at 0435 off No. 2 Buoy, Cape Henry. (LIHUE, 7000-tons, Cargo, U.S.) Position 10 miles 77° from Cape Henry.     0515: Suspicious vessel, submarine, sighted Lakewater Florida, 26-15N; 84-46W. Sent by "KKKG."   0747: SSS from ESSO BELGIAN, followed by suspicious vessel 29-20N; 74-09W. (10568-tons tanker.)         Submitted,           L. C. FARLEY,     Lieut.-Comdr., USNR.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 6, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0849: Submarine sighted on surface by POMELLA (British) 35-43N; 60-37W. Sent SSS; bearing on POMELLA 151-5° from Yarmouth N.S.     Note: Three reports of submarines have come from the Gulf of Mexico near the West Florida coast as follows:         (0015: Unidentified ship reported sub at  26-15N; 84-46W.   Probably same (0515: KKKG                     "        "    "  26-15N; 84-46W.     (0525: SS MALTRAN        "        "    "  25-06N; 87-50W.     1045: DIONE made sound contact with submarine 35-49N; 74-55W. Dropped 6 depth charges. result -- oil on surface. TRIPPE sent out to relieve DIONE.       February 6, 1942.       INDIA ARROW survivors landed at Atlantic City today. Attack occurred 35 miles east of Five Fathom Bank Lightship. Attack took place 1000 EST Wednesday and survivors were adrift 38 hours.       Above by L. O. Peterson, Asst. Duty Officer, Philadelphia.       The S.S. AMA PALA, docking today, reported seeing a long, heavy oil slick 36-35N; 73-35W. and an extremely heavy slick at 34-55N; 73-25W. These seen on February 5th at 21-2200 EST and 0900 EST respectively.     2300: EMPIRE SUN 43-55N; 64-22W. torpedoed.       February 7, 1942.     0256: S.S. ATLANTIAN, British cargo vessel, sent out an SSS from position 44N; 63-25W. stating that she was being shelled by a submarine.     0424: S.S. AMERICAN ARROW, giving the call letters of the JAPAN ARROW, an American tanker of 8327-tons, sent out an SSS at 0424 from a position in the vicinity of Diamond Shoals.       Submitted           R. H. BRAUE,       Lieut.(j.g.), USNR.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 7, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	1642: 6th Observation Group plane sighted submarine at 36-19N; 75-37W. Later check revealed pilot of plane mistook mast of sunken ship for submarine periscope.   1930: S.S. MARY sent out distress signal. At 1938, S.S. MARY radioed "O.K., O.K., proceeding nearest port. Collision." Later coded wireless message from S.S. MARY to Bull Steamship Co., "SS MARY in collision with S.S. PALIMOL 24-50N; 66W., proceeding San Juan course 181. Damage to forepeak."     1945: Lat. 38-06; Long 75-47. USCG NIKE located the 3 lifeboats previously sighted and picked up Capt. and 30 seamen of the S. S. CHINA ARROW. Torpedoed 1115 EST 5 February enroute Beaumont, Texas, to New York. One hospital case -- others good shape. Expected time arrival NIKE at Lewes, Del. 0330 8 February.     1954: S.O.S. from S.S. GERTRUDE RASK: "On rocks Barrington Bay. Send help Quick." (N.B. Barrington Bay is directly east of Cape Sable Island.) Later report: "S.S. GERTRUDE RASK on rocks Baccaro Point."       At about 2330 EST 6 February the S.S. LIHUE sighted submarine 100' from Brigantine Shoal Buoy.       February 8, 1942.     0126: SSS SOS from SS ZACAPA 15 miles off Hatteras. At about 0135 EST, the ZACAPA radioed "Sub chasing us." Duty OFficer, 5th N.D. Norfolk, reported that the U.S.S. LUDLOW was in the vicinity of the ZACAPA and has been advised. 0156 EST message from ZACAPA "Annul SOS -- submarine submerged."     0249: S.S. J. W. VAN DYKE (11,600-ton tanker) sent out SSS - SOS. At 0255 EST the VAN DYKE reported "Submarine trailing us on surface about 1/2 mile ahead. We zig-zagging." At 0310 SSS from VAN DYKE "Still being trailed, but no attack as yet." Position of VAN DYKE, 34-25N; 75-44W. Duty officer, 5th N.D. advised. At 0332, VAN DYKE reported: "Submarine still astern," and at about 0440 "Submarine not in sight now. We are gaining on her." Position 34-43N; 75-55W.     0345: SSS from S.S. OCEAN VENTURE, 3705N; 74-45W, torpedoed. At 0350 OCEAN VENTURE reported radio receiver out, sinking, abandon ship. Duty officer 5th N.D. advised.     0640: Message from S.S. VAN DYKE: "All clear."     0921: S.S. TIDEWATER ASSOCIATED (8900-ton tanker). SSS 35-03N; 75-20W. SSS canceled 1010.       Submitted         F. W. OSBURN,     Lieut.-Comdr., USN (Ret.)

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 8, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0915- 0945: S.S. TIDEWATER felt three heavy thuds as though struck some submerged object. No sign of oil on water.   1016: Sub sighted 25 miles SE Cape Charles light. Plane sent out.     1416: Submarine sighted 36-07N; 75-28W. Three planes and a patrol boat sent out.     2010: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR sent SSS from 24-59N; 84-40W stating: "Submarine now gaining on us." Position further stated to be 160 miles on course due west from Key West. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR is 6762-ton tanker enroute to Harbor Island, Texas, from Stapleton, Staten Island.     2015: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR - submarine still gaining; 24-50N; 74-40W.     2016: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR - SS gaining - 24-59N; 84-40W.     2030: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR - 25-07N; 84-40W; SS following, we zig-zag hard.     2035: Captain requests assistance.     2200: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR cannot elude submarine.     2212: S.S. CITIES SERVICE KOOLMOTOR ended "alert" dispatch from Nav. Com., Key West.     2213: S.S. CHARLES W. O'CONNOR reported being followed by suspicious craft 4 miles from Hog Island Gas Buoy.     2330: S.S. EMPIRE HOPE passed submarine on surface at 19-25N; 67-35 W, no attack.       February 9, 1942.     0140: S.S. J. L. LUCKENBACK transmitted SOS no position given. LUCKENBACK is enroute from Philadelphia to New York. Manasquan River, N. J., Coast Guard station obtained uncertain bearing showing "LUCKENBACK" to bear 150° from Manasquan direction finder.     0255: S.S. WEST JAFFREY aground of Peases Island. No other position given.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 9, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0345: Master of WEST JAFFREY requests advice.   0410: Regional information center reports WEST JAFFREY aground off Case Island. No latitude given.     0430: EST JAFFREY located just south of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. Position 43-45N; 66W.     0630: S.S. J. L. LUKENBACK reported inbound at Sandy Hook by Mackay Radio.       Submitted         C. F. McNAMARA,     Lieut.-Comdr., USNR.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 9, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	0930: Submarine sighted by Army bomber 37N; 73-05W.   1540: Lifeboat sighted by plane with seven survivors in it. Ship sent to pick up boat. Position 36-15; 74-32W.     1801: ROE picked up Captain and 13 survivors and 1 dead from OCEAN VENTURE. Reported 20 in other boats missing. Position approximately 36-24N; 74-34W. Conducting further air search. Origin: 5th N. D.     2213: S.S. ANDERSON (call letters LCDE) SOS position unknown. Intercept 500 KC's.     2325: S.S. STEPHEN R. JONES (American cargo - 4387-tons) SSS. Sighted sub on surface 38-54N; 74-46(?)W. Was enroute New York to Norfolk.       February 10, 1942.     0200: S.S. AMA PALA (Honduran cargo, 4184-tons). Call letters HRBP. Sighted "What appears to be a sub 34-17N; 76-35W." Was enroute Honduras to New York at 0415. Capt. Johansen observed yellow flare beyond horizon to eastward. Visible for about 10 seconds in position 33-45N; 77-07W.     0520: Civilian Guard, Glover, attached to Naval Radio Station at Amagansett observed what he recognized as a sub passing to the eastward about 5 miles off shore at same time C.G. man in watch tower observed unidentified boat. At 0700 Ditch Plain C.G. Station 16 miles east of Amagansett observed what they recognized as a patrol boat passing to the southeast.     0649: S.S. CRAIGSMERE (Panamanian tanker). Reported aground of Hellgate. Requests tug from Tracy.     0800: Three tugs standing by S.S. CRAIGSMERE waiting for high tide.       Submitted         L. C. FARLEY,     Lieut.-Comdr., USNR.

 

	EASTERN SEA FRONTIER
	February 10, 1942
	ENEMY ACTION DIARY
	1047: EMPIRE SUN reported torpedoed February 3, now reported underway at 39-28N; 72-05W.   1200: (C 101008) S.S. CITIES SERVICE EMPIRE sighted sub 1000 GCT, Feb. 9 Position 38-30N; 74-40W.     1340: Moving oil slick bombed, possible submarine, 20 miles east of Atlantic City, bearing 120°T.     1542: Blimp K-5 dropped 4 bombs on oil slick 13 miles east of Atlantic City.     1600: Lieut.-Comdr. Farley received phone call from Capt. Cutts of Sub Base, New London, saying they intercepted a message from the S.S. WELLHART stating they had sighted a large sub at 41-10N; 71-13W. at 1400Q. This is the middle of safety lane for returning subs but he knew of none within 100 miles. Safety lane ref. 060122. Capt. Cutts said to observe sub if possible and attack if she left lane.     1745: C.G. Floyd Bennett reported: "M/V IMPERIAL at 2000 GMT 36-11N; 74-55W. Sighted liferaft with several dead bodies. Submarine periscope seen near lifeboat. Olsen Master."     2045: S.S. ANDERSON reported aground at Eastern Head near St. Shotts Cape Race, Newfoundland. Called for immediate assistance. Report from information center, Army. Time of 1151 GCT given. ComOne gave Newfoundland ans.