USS Robalo facts for kids
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|} The USS Robalo (SS-273) was a Gato-class submarine used by the U.S. Navy during World War II. It was a powerful diesel-electric submarine. The Robalo went on three important missions, called patrols, during the war.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 United States |
|
| Name | Robalo |
| Builder | Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company, Manitowoc, Wisconsin |
| Laid down | 24 October 1942 |
| Launched | 9 May 1943 |
| Commissioned | 28 September 1943 |
| Stricken | 16 September 1944 |
| Fate | Mined west of Palawan, 26 July 1944. 4 of the 81 crew survived, died as POW's |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Gato-class diesel-electric submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 311 ft 9 in (95.02 m) |
| Beam | 27 ft 3 in (8.31 m) |
| Draft | 17 ft 0 in (5.18 m) maximum |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed |
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| Range | 11,000 nmi (20,000 km) surfaced at 10 knots (19 km/h) |
| Endurance |
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| Test depth | 300 ft (90 m) |
| Complement | 6 officers, 54 enlisted |
| Armament |
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First Patrol: A Tricky Start
The Robalo's first mission began in Pearl Harbor. It was heading to a submarine base in Fremantle, Western Australia. On the way, it found some enemy ships. However, its attack on 13 February 1944 was not successful. No enemy ships were damaged or sunk.
The submarine spent a lot of time underwater, 36 days out of its 57-day trip. When it finally arrived, Admiral Christie decided to replace the commanding officer. The new commander was the son of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, who was in charge of the Pacific Fleet when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He was also the nephew of Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid.
Second Patrol: Facing Danger
For its second mission, the Robalo traveled to the South China Sea. Its main job was to stop Japanese oil tankers. These tankers were carrying oil from French Indochina to a Japanese fleet base.
On 24 April 1944, off the coast of Indochina, a Japanese antisubmarine aircraft bombed the Robalo. The submarine had been spotted by the Japanese aircraft carrier Kaiyō. To escape, the Robalo quickly dived deep, going down to 350 feet (110 m). But the main entry hatch was not closed all the way. This caused damage to the periscopes, which then filled with water. The radar also stopped working. A similar problem with a hatch had caused another submarine, the Squalus, to sink in 1939, and 26 sailors died.
During this 51-day patrol, the Robalo was very aggressive. It fired 20 torpedoes in four different attacks:
- On 3 May 1944, it fired six torpedoes at a 4,000-ton cargo ship, but it caused no damage.
- On 8 May 1944, it fired four torpedoes at a 1,900-ton submarine, but again, no damage.
- On 17 May 1944, it fired six torpedoes at a 7,500-ton tanker, hitting it once. It also fired four torpedoes at a 1,500-ton destroyer, but missed.
The Robalo was believed to have sunk the 7,500-ton tanker, but this could not be fully proven later.
When the Robalo returned to Fremantle, both Captain "Tex" McLean and Admiral Christie thought about replacing the commanding officer again. They were worried about his safety.
Third Patrol: The Final Mission
The Robalo left Fremantle on 22 June 1944 for its third and final war patrol. It was heading to the South China Sea, near the Natuna Islands. After passing through the Makassar Strait and Balabac Strait (which was known to have mines), it was expected to arrive around 6 July.
On 2 July, the Robalo sent a message saying it had seen a Fusō-class battleship with air support and two destroyers east of Borneo. This was the last message ever received from the submarine. When it did not return from its patrol, it was believed to be lost.
The Fate of the Robalo
On 2 August, a secret note was dropped from a cell window at the Puerto Princesa Prison Camp on Palawan Island in the Philippines. An American soldier working nearby found it. The note was then given to H. D. Hough, another prisoner. On 4 August, he contacted Trinidad Mendosa, the wife of a guerrilla leader. She had more information about the survivors.
From these sources, it was learned that the Robalo had sunk on 26 July 1944. This happened about 2 miles (3 km) off the western coast of Palawan Island. The submarine was likely sunk by an explosion near its back battery, probably caused by an enemy mine.
Only four men managed to swim ashore. They made their way through the jungles northwest of the prison camp. However, they were captured by the Japanese Military Police. They were put in jail for helping guerrillas. On 15 August, they were taken away by a Japanese destroyer and were never seen again.
Even though Admiral Christie knew some men had survived, it was reported for morale reasons that everyone on board had gone down with the submarine. However, other prisoners on Palawan reported that the submarine's captain, Lt. Cdr. Manning Kimmel, who was the son of Admiral Husband E. Kimmel, was one of the survivors. It is believed that after an air attack on Palawan, the Japanese were very angry. They tragically killed Kimmel and other prisoners.
The Robalo was officially removed from the Naval Vessel Register on 16 September 1944. The submarine earned two battle stars for its service in World War II.
Most sources say the Robalo sank a 7,500-ton tanker. But newer research shows the Robalo had two confirmed victories in the Pacific War. Three sinkings were once credited to the submarine USS Lapon (SS-260), but the Lapon's own records only claim one victory on that date.
See also
In Spanish: USS Robalo (SS-273) para niños
