COMMANDER ESCORT DIVISION FOUR
 
 
U.S.S. PILLSBURY
  
 
FLEET POST OFFICE
  
 
NEW YORK, N. Y.
  
 
 
 
File: FE10-4/A16-3/(jgs)
Serial No. 001
Care of Fleet Post Office
New York, N. Y.
8 June 1994.
 
     
 
From: Commander Escort Division FOUR.
To: Commander Task Group 22.3.
 
Subject: Capture of U-505
 
     
          1.        Situation prior to U.S.S. CHATELAIN'S (DE-149) report of sound contact:  
     
                     Steaming on base course 000° True, carrier's speed 12.5 to 13 knots, escorts speed about 1.5 knots greater for patrol purposes. Five ship screen stationed as per Plan #35, Appendix to General Signal Book. Station assignments; U.S.S. POPE (DE-134) station Mike, U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) station Oboe, U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) station Peter, U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) station Affirm, U.S.S. FLAHERTY (DE-135) station Baker. Wind north, 12 knots. Sound conditions, reading taken at 0645; Sonar long nine zero slant one five Mike.  
     
          2.        Statement of events leading up to capture:  
     
 
1109
-
 U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) reported on TBS "We are investigating possible sound contact". U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) sheered off to right.
 
 
1110
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 Queen Queen up on U.S.S. GUADALCANAL (CVE-60)
 
 
1111
-
 Commander Task Group 22.3 to Commander Escort Division FOUR on TBS, "Take one other escort and assist U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149)".
 
 
1112(E)
-
 U.S.S. PILLSBURY and U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) proceeding to assist U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149).
 
 
1113(E)
-
 Commander Escort Division FOUR ordered operation "Observant". U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) and U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) on oposite sides of square, U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) in center.
 
 
1114(E)
-
 Frisky One, on VHF, reported sighting submarine running submerged.
 
 
1115(E)
-
 Commander Escort Division FOUR cancelled operation "Observant", designated U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) as assisting ship.
 
     
     

 

 
 

   
FE10-4/A16-3/(jgs)
Serial No. 001
 
  Subject:        Capture of U-505                                                                                 - 2 -  
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1116(E)
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 U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) giving U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) bearings and ranges on TBS: 042-300; 055-350; 068-428 -.
 
 
1118(E)
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 Plane fired machine gun burst to mark spot over submarine.
 
 
1122
-
 Frenchy on TBS, "We struck oil". Had dropped depth charges immediately prior.
 
 
1123(E)
-
 Submarine surfaced. U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) opened fire immediately, followed by U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665).
 
 
1124
-
 U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) opened fire.
 
 
1126(E)
-
 U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) on TBS, "They are surrendering, they have their hands up". Commander Escort Division FOUR ordered "Cease Firing".
 
 
1128
-
 All hands aboard submarine appeared to be on deck and rafts were being put over.
     
1135
-
 Submarine decks were clear, all hands over side. U.S.S. JENKS (DE-665) and U.S.S. CHATELAIN (DE-149) ordered to pick up survivors.
     
Note:   (E) Estimated
 
     
          3.        After all hands had abandoned ship, submarine had way on, three to four knots and circled in a clockwise direction. U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) followed her around, keeping on her port beam most of the time. At 1140, U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) put boat in water and sent over submarine boarding and salvage party. At 1146, boat was alongside submarine and first man boarded. Word came back shortly that all hands had left ship. One dead man was found in vicinity of gun aft of conning tower. Boarding party instructed to kill headway. Difficulty encountered, switches jammed. Conning tower hatch was closed to prevent shipping water and later could not be opened. Apparently, in some way, a vacumn had been created inside the boat. This difficulty overcome by opening a voice tube on bridge which allowed boat to vent. Boarding party went back below and finally succeeding in cutting power and killing headway. It took approximately thirty minutes to get the submarine stopped. Boarding party reported after compartments flooding and requested pumps. U.S.S. PILLSBURY (DE-133) was ordered to go alongside, this with the idea of passing pumps and furnishing power. On first attempt, fouled bow planes which were rigged out, and put hole in soundroom and peak tank forward. On second attempt put hole in  
     
 
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FE10-4/A16-3/(jgs)
Serial No. 001
 
  Subject:        Capture of U-505                                                                                 - 3 -  
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engineering space B-2. Pulled away to repair damage. U.S.S. GUADALCANAL (CVE-60) salvage parties arrived shortly thereafter and took over.
  
     
 
 
 
F. S. HALL
 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
 
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