Hellcats by Peter Sasgen

Author:Peter Sasgen
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Penguin Group US
Published: 2010-10-15T04:00:00+00:00

In San Diego, Lockwood had received reports on the Seahorse’s excellent mine recon and near-fatal run-in with Japanese patrol boats. Then from the Bonefish came Edge’s radio message outlining the stunning success he’d had plotting mines off Danjo Gunto. Lockwood was flush with pride over the two skippers’ work. He was proud, too, that he’d not wavered in his belief that FMS held the key to Operation Barney’s success and that it was the best of the competing sonar systems he and his colleagues had come to the West Coast to evaluate. Even the Seahorse’s plight—he was relieved that she’d made it back at all and impressed with the performance turned in by Greer and his crew (there’d be medals for everyone)—didn’t slow his drive to get the operation under way on time. Another sub, the USS Sea Dog (SS-401), and her fine skipper, now on their way to Guam from a war patrol, would have to take the Seahorse’s place.

Despite all the unfinished business awaiting his return to Guam, Lockwood relished the three days he’d spent at sea testing sonar systems aboard the Flying Fish with her skipper, Robert D. Risser of Chariton, Iowa, and aboard the Redfin with its CO, Commander Charles K. Miller. Lockwood had been joined by Harnwell and Henderson, as well as officers, scientists, and electronics specialists from other research facilities and Navy bureaus. Lockwood had also brought along George Pierce of the Tunny, who, with his firsthand experience running minefields, could explain the practical side of the business.

The tests conducted off the coast of California were exhaustive and exciting for naval officers and landsmen alike; it was an adventure in submarining and mine-detecting procedures some had never had before and might never have again. The tests proved conclusively that FMS worked better than the other competing systems, which had major drawbacks in their operation, display, maintenance, and especially sensitivity. In the end, Lockwood had his way: FMS was what he wanted and what he got. There was no turning back; he’d staked everything on FMS and it had come through for him when it had to.

In an interesting footnote to these tests, Frank Watkins in Washington sent a letter to Lockwood that must have pleased the admiral no end.

“SORG has submitted a study of British Mine-Detection results to Cominch,” wrote Watkins. “This study reputedly shows that British subs can do a fine job of mine detection. They conclude the study with a recommendation that British subs run interference for you thru Tsushima to chart the fields.

“Their study is based upon operational reports which show mine detection successes. Unfortunately, they do not have reports of the unsuccessful runs.”

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