William Edward Ferrall, USN
| Born | 5 Sep 1905 | Columbiana, Ohio, USA | |
| Died | 25 Dec 1994 | (89) | Bellevue, Washington, USA |
 Admiral William Edward Ferrall in 1966 Official US Navy photograph | Ranks
Decorations
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Warship Commands listed for William Edward Ferrall, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Seadragon (194) | Lt. | Submarine | 22 Mar 1941 | 1 Feb 1943 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Seadragon (194)
10 Dec 1941
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) was alongside USS Sealion (Lt.Cdr. R.G. Voge, USN) when this submarine was bombed and heavily damaged at the Cavite Navy Yard. Seadragon herself was slightly damaged during the attack. The force of the explosion aboard Sealion ripped off part of Sealion's bridge. Shrapnel and splinters punctured Seadragon's tanks and pierced her conning tower, killing one and wounding five of her crew. The heat of the explosion also scorched her hull and blistered her paint.
16 Dec 1941
After temporary repairs USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) left Manila with members of the Asiatic Fleet staff aboard. She was escorted to Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies by USS Bulmer (Cdr. L.J. Manees, USN). At Surabaya She landed her passengers and made further repairs.
20 Dec 1941
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Makassar, Netherlands East Indies.
22 Dec 1941 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) (most likely) departed Makassar for Surabaya.
24 Dec 1941
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) (most likely) arrived at Surabaya, Netherlands East Indies.
30 Dec 1941
After repairs by the USS Holland, USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) left Surabaya for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea off the coast of Indochina.
No map for this patrol can be displayed as the patrol report does not contain much positions.
10 Jan 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked a Japanese destroyer with two torpedoes off Camranh Bay. No hits were obtained.
Later the same day Seadragon attacked a transport in a convoy off Camranh Bay with two torpedoes. Again no hits were obtained.
In the evening Seadragon was detected and depth charged by a Japanese destroyer.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0530 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 180°(T).
0536 hours - Dived and started an attack on an approaching destroyer.
0605 hours - Fired two torpedoes at a destroyer though to be of the Fubiki-class from 1500 yards. Both torpedoes missed. No counter attack followed. Position was about 10 miles east of Camranh Bay.
0735 hours - Sighted the same destroyer patrolling. Decided not to attack again as the destroyer might be patrolling the area before a convoy arrived.
0830 hours - The destroyer disappeared to the south.
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1214 hours - Sound picked up screws bearing 015°(T).
1247 hours - At periscope depth. Sighted a convoy of eleven transports escorted by a light cruiser and three destroyers. Started attack.
1305 hours - As Seadragon could not get any closer fired two torpedoes from 3500 yards at the last transport in the column. No hits. Position was about 8 miles east of Camranh Bay.
1420 hours - The convoy headed for Camranh Bay. Two of the destroyers came back out and started a hunt for the attacker. Seadragon meanwhile retired from the area.
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1942 hours - Sighted a destroyer bearing 250°(T). Changed course and attempted to run away undetected but the destroyer trained a searchlight on Seadragon. Dived to 250 feet and evaded two depth charge attacks.
2000 hours - A second destroyer joined the hunt. Seadragon meanwhile retired to the east.
2245 hours - Lost all contact with the destroyers.
2320 hours - Surfaced and continued to retire to the east.
12 Jan 1942
At 1642 hours (zone H, -8), USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN), was bombed by an enemy aircraft while at periscope depth trying to attack an enemy merchant vessel. Three salvoes of several bombs were dropped close aboard but caused no damage. Seadragon went to 200 feet and retired to the eastward.
17 Jan 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked a Japanese merchant of transport with two torpedoes off Hon Lon Island. No hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 16 January 1942 2308 hours - Sighted a white light bearing 058°(T). Changed course to investigate.
2326 hours - Sighted a second white light bearing 090°(T). Determened the first while light to be a steamer heavily loaded on a course of 180°(T), speed 9 knots. Started attack.
17 January 1942 0042 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 500 yards. No hits. One of the torpedoes appeared to circle to the right. Submerged to avoid possible detection.
0058 hours - Surfaced and closed for another attack.
0142 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1200 yards. Again no hits.
0145 hours - Retired to the northwest.
23 Jan 1942 (position 12.00, 109.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese merchant Fukuyo Maru (5463 GRT, built 1921) northeast of Camranh Bay.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0037 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 227°(T). Closed to investigate.
0043 hours - Sighted two more ships astern of the first ship. Started tracking them.
0100 hours - Sighted what appeared to be a fourth ship well astern of the others. Their course was 355°(T), speed 9 knots. Ran to the north ahead of this column of ships.
0547 hours - Dived.
0659 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 170°(T). Started attack.
0806 hours - Fired one torpedo at the leading ship from 1200 yards. It hit on the port quarter.
0808 hours - Fired one torpedo at the second ship in the column from a range of 1500 yards. It missed.
0814 hours - Fired another torpedo at the second ship in the column which was now standing by the damaged ship. Torpedo run was 650 yards. It missed. Both the other ships were seen to leave the area. The leading ship was observed to be listing to port and down by the stern. In company with the second ship she made for the beach.
0855 hours - Battle surfaced.
0856 hours - Opened fire with the deck gun from 3000 yards. Expended 12 rounds of 3". No hits were obtained.
0859 hours - Sighted an aircraft. Dived to 200 feet.
25 Jan 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked an enemy merchant / transport vessel with two torpedoes off Cape Varella. No hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0818 hours - Sound reported screws bearing 010°(T).
0820 hours - Sighted a loaded merchant vessel bearing 025°(T) on course 175°(T), speed 10 knots. Started attack.
0825 hours - Fired two torpedoes from 1650 yards. No hits were obtained.
26 Jan 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) was detected by a Japanese destroyer and depth charged.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0000 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 320°(T). It was at first thought to be a submarine.
0004 hours - Identified the ship as a destroyer. Dived to 250 feet.
0008 hours - Depth charging started. A total of 8 patterns were dropped. Seadragon went to 300 feet. The attack caused some minor damage.
0115 hours - Lost sound contact with the destroyer.
0240 hours - Surfaced.
1 Feb 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked the Japanese merchant Arizona Maru (9685 GRT, built 1920) with two torpedoes off San Fernando Point, Luzon, Philippines. According to the Japanese one torpedo hit the target but it was a dud.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0912 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 010°(T). Commenced approach.
0929 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 013°(T).
0925 hours - Sighted three more ships in company.
0957 hours - Started attack.
1021 hours - Fired one torpedo at the leading ship, thought to be 6000 tons. Range was 850 yards. It missed.
1025 hours - Fired a stern torpedo from from 800 yards. The result could not be observed but several explosions were head. Seadragon retired to the northwest.
2 Feb 1942 (position 17.16, 119.48)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank Japanese transport ship Tamagawa Maru (6441 GRT, built 1938) off Cape Bolinao, Luzon, Philippines in position 17°16'N, 119°48'E. The other target in this attack was the Nisshu Maru (5948 GRT, built 1917). This ship was not hit.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0350 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 340°(T). Changed course to investigate.
0416 hours - Sighted two ships bearing 338°(T). Dived and commenced approach.
0443 hours - Started attack on a column of five ships on a southerly course.
0522 hours - Fired two torpedoes at the fourth ship in the column from 500 yards. Both hit.
0530 hours - Fired one torpedo at the fifth ship in the column from 1200 yards. It missed.
0600 hours - Sighted a ship bearing 060°(T) at a range of 4500 yards. Started attack.
0653 hours - Fired one torpedo from 800 yards. It missed. It was now seen that this was our first target. She was settling by the stern and was being abandoned.
0700 hours - Retired to the northwest.
4 Feb 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Corregidor.
5 Feb 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) evacuates 21 army and navy personnel, 23 torpedoes, 4,000 pounds of submarine spares, and 3,000 pounds of radio equipment from Corregidor. She was ordered to take these men and supplies to Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies.
13 Feb 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) ended her first war patrol at Surabaya.
21 Feb 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) departed Surabaya for Tjilatjap. While en-route she was ordered to proceed to Fremantle, Australia instead after picking up naval personnel.
4 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Fremantle, Australia.
16 Mar 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) departed Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
No map for this patrol can be displayed as the patrol report does not contain much positions.
25 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the northbound transfer of Lombok Strait.
31 Mar 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) was ordered to proceed to Cebu to load stores and fuel for Corregidor.
3 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Cebu.
4 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having embarked stores and fuel, USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN), departed Cebu for Corregidor.
8 Apr 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) delivers 7 tons of food to Corregidor and had some of her diesel fuel pumped out for the Corregidor supply tanks. She evacuates 21 naval radio and communications intelligence people.
11 Apr 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked but missed a Japanese destroyer with three torpedoes off Subic Bay. One torpedo exploded prematurely. Another torpedo was seen to broach and circle.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1649 hours - Sighted a destroyer, looked like the same one sighted in the morning. She was coming out of Subic Bay bearing 340°(T). Changed our course and commenced approach.
1720 hours - Fired three torpedoes from 1800 yards but 29 seconds after firing the first torpedo prematured. At about the same time the second torpedo was seen to broach and circle abeam of the target. Went to 200 feet to avoid this torpedo and expected depth charge attack.
1730 hours - Six depth charges were dropped but not close.
1803 hours - At periscope depth. The destroyer was now 6000 yards away. One of his friends had come out of Subic Bay and had joined the hunt.
1815 hours - One of the destroyers came towards. Went to 200 feet again. Seadragon was hunted for the remainer of the day and only surfaced next morning at 0101 hours.
20 Apr 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the southbound transfer of Lombok Strait.
26 Apr 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Fremantle.
11 Jun 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea. Before proceeding on patrol exercises were carried out with HMAS Voyager (Lt.Cdr. R.C. Robison DSC, RAN).
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) for USS Seadragon during this patrol see the map below.
16 Jun 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the evening USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
4 Jul 1942 (position 12.30, 109.33)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) twice attacked a Japanese convoy north-east of Camranh Bay. A total of three torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0343 hours - In position 13°01'N, 109°39'E sighted three ships on a southerly course bearing 325°(T). Moonlight astern of Seadragon so ran ahead for a dawn attack.
0500 hours - Now well ahead of the convoy.
0521 hours - Dived.
0747 hours - In position 12°30'N, 109°33'E fired one torpedo, from a range of 1600 yards, at the leading ship, an old freighter of about 3000 tons. Missed ahead due to an error in her speed estimate. Should have used two torpedoes. The second ship in line was an old freighter of about 2000 tons and the third an old freighter of about 1500 tons. All were coal burners. After the target had passed through the torpedo wake all ships were seen to change course towards Seadragon. The leading ship proceeded down the torpedo track firing her bow gun. About 30 shots were fired.
0759 hours - All ships now headed towards the shore. Seadragon now headed towards the eastern point of Hon Lon Island to intercept the ships as they came down the coast.
1000 hours - The convoy had entered van Fang Bay and proceeded south inshore of the islands.
1050 hours - Sighted smoke bearing 195°(T).
1134 hours - In position 12°16'N, 109°26'E sighted two freighters on course 015°(T), range 13000 yards. Started attack.
1232 hours - In position 12°15'N, 109°26'E fired two torpedoes at the leading ship but tube no.1 did not fire. The other torpedo missed astern. Range on firing was 1100 yards.
1234 hours - Fired another torpedo at the leading ship but she maneuvered to avoid and it missed.
1237 hours - Fired one torpedo at the second target from 600 yards. Most likely it ran under.
1241 hours - The targets headed inshore. In the afternoon Seadragon was bombed twice by aircraft but no damage was sustained.
12 Jul 1942 (position 13.48, 109.33)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Hiyama Maru (6171 GRT, built 1920) off Cam Ranh Bay, French Indochina in position 13°48'N, 109°33'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 11 July 1942 2325 hours - In position 13°16'N, 109°32'E sighted smoke bearing 247°. Tracked the target from a range of 5000 yards.
12 July 1942 0156 hours - Started attack.
0212 hours - In position 13°48'N, 109°33'E fired three torpedoes from 700 yards at a heavily laden freighter of about 6000 ton. Two hits were obtained.
0213 hours - Dived to avoid possible gun action.
0219 hours - Surfaced. Observed the ships stern to be settling and boats in the water.
13 Jul 1942 (position 13.04, 109.39)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Shinyo Maru (4163 GRT, built 1938) northeast of Cape Varella, French Indochina in position 13°04'N, 109°39'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0555 hours - In position 13°04'N, 109°39'E sighted a freighter similar to Shinyo Maru on course 340°(T), speed 12 knots, range 7000 yards. Started attack.
0617 hours - Fired two torpedoes. One was seen to hit about 50 feet abaft the stem and the vessel immediately settled by the bow. Cleared the area to the northwestward.
16 Jul 1942 (position 12.55, 109.29)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport ship Hakodate Maru (5303 GRT, built 1919) north of Cape Varella, French Indochina in position 12°55'N, 109°29'E. She was en-route from Formasa to Bankok.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0923 hours - In position 12°58'N, 109°33'E sighted a freighter bearing 301°(T) at a range of 16000 yards. She was on a southerly course.
0933 hours - Sighted a convoy of four ships bearing 327°(T), range 16000 yards. Closed Varella lighthouse at high speed to be in a position to attack.
1037 hours - In position 12°55'N, 109°29'E fired two torpedoes at the second ship in the column from a range of about 1250 yards. Both torpedoes hit the beach after almost five minutes. All ships then turned towards and started firing their guns.
1044 hours - Fired two stern torpedoes at the last ship in the column from 2750 yards. This was a freighter, lightly laden of about 7000 ton. After almost two minutes a torpedo explosion was heard. Seadragon meanwhile had gone to 100 feet.
1052 hours - Returned to periscope depth and could see only three ships. Went to 240 feet and made off for deeper water.
26 Jul 1942 (position -5.19, 118.52)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked an escorted enemy merchant / transport vessel west of Makassar. Two torpedoes were fired but no hits were obtained.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1101 hours - In position 05°21'S, 118°53'E sighted a ship bearing 072°(T), range 10000 yards. She was on a northerly course and was escorted by a small high speed patrol vessel. Started attack.
1120 hours - The merchant / transport changed course to the westward. She looked like Olympia Maru and was of about 5600 tons.
1155 hours - In position 05°19'S, 118°52'E fired two torpedoes from 2100 yards. Both missed ahead.
1158 hours - The escort came down the torpedo tracks and dropped two depth charges at random. Seadragon had gone to 200 feet and was proceeded to the south to retire from the area.
28 Jul 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
In the early morning hours USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
2 Aug 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.
26 Aug 1942
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) departed from Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. Once again she was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea off French Indochina.
For daily and attack positions (though incomplete) for USS Seadragon during this patrol see the map below.
29 Aug 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) fuelled to capacity at Exmouth Gulf before proceeding to her patrol area.
1 Sep 1942
During daylight hours USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait submerged.
22 Sep 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked an enemy transport vessel and later a heavy cruiser off Camranh Bay. All torpedoes fired missed their targets.
The heavy cruiser attacked was in fact the light cruiser Kashii which arrived at Camranh Bay that day.
(All times are zone H, -8) 0143 hours - In position 12°12'N, 109°25'E sighted a ship bearing 343°(T) at a range of 8000 yards. Enemy course was 190°(T), speed 6 knots.
0200 hours - Dived and commenced approach from periscope depth.
0235 hours - In position 12°11'N, 109°23'E fired three torpedoes from 2050 yards. No hits.
0255 hours - Surfaced with the target bearing 240°(T). Circled the target to the eastward for a dawn attack.
0540 hours - Dived.
0613 hours - In position 11°43'N, 109°19'E sighted smoke bearing 007°(T). Commenced approach. Enemy course was 210°(T), speed 6 knots.
0650 hours - In position 11°44'N, 109°18'E sighted ships 209°(T) and 202°(T).
0656 hours - Identified these ships as a heavy cruiser of the Atago class with two destroyers escorting. Started attack on the cruiser.
0722 hours - In position 11°43'N, 109°18'E fired four torpedoes from 2050 yards and went deep on firing. No hits.
0724 hours - Went to 230 feet.
0742 hours - Received a well executed depth charge attack. Retired to the eastward.
30 Sep 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked a Japanese convoy north-north-east of Camranh Bay. A transport of 7000 ton was claimed to have been sunk but this was not the case.
(All times are zone H, -8) 29 September 1942 2139 hours - In position 12°20'N, 109°27'E sighted smoke bearing 171°(T). Closed to investigate. The contact was later seen to be a convoy of three transports, one tanker and one escort.
30 September 1942 0122 hours - In position 12°27'N, 109°29'E fired four torpedoes at the first and the second ship. The first ship was a transport of 7000 ton, the second ship was a 5000 ton tanker. The transport is claimed to have been sunk.
0124 hours - Dived.
0159 hours - Surfaced and circled the convoy to the eastward.
0225 hours - One of the escort vessels turned on a searchlight and illuminated Seadragon. Crash dived and rigged for depth charging.
0234 hours - Received six depth charges, all astern.
0340 hours - Surfaced and circled to the eastward.
0629 hours - Smoke of the convoy now 270°(T). Came to the conclusion that it was not possible to close again for another attack.
10 Oct 1942 (position -1.01, 117.23)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese troop transport Shigure Maru (1579 GRT, built 1920) off Samarinda, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies in position 01°01'S, 117°23'E.
(All times are zone H, -8) 1041 hours - In position 01°00'S, 117°21'E sighted smoke bearing 073°(T). Closed to investigate.
1151 hours - In position 01°01'S, 117°23'E fired two torpedoes at an enemy merchant / transport vessel from a range of 900 yards. The vessel was hit and was seen to sink very quickly.
13 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During the night of 13/14 October 1942, USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN), made the southbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.
17 Oct 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Exmouth Gulf where she transferred 9000 gallons of fuel to USS Tautog (Cdr. J.H. Willingham, Jr., USN). She departed for Fremantle later the same day.
20 Oct 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) ended her 4th war patrol at Fremantle.
23 Oct 1942 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) departed Fremantle for Brisbane via Bass Strait.
2 Nov 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at Brisbane where she was refitted by USS Griffin and USS Fulton.
23 Nov 1942
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) left Brisbane, Australia for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the Bismarck Archipelago before proceeding to Pearl Harbour and eventually the US West Coast for a refit.
For daily and attack positions for USS Seadragon during this patrol see the map below.
8 Dec 1942 (position -4.31, 152.30)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked a Japanese destroyer with three torpedoes. No hits were obtained. Seadragon was depth charged following this attack but she was not damaged.
The Japanese destroyers Isonami, Inazuma, Asashio, Arashio, Yugumo and Kazagumo all departed Rabaul that day for a troop transport run to Buna, New Guinea and were the destroyers sighted. For the moment it is not known to us which of these destroyers was the one actually attacked by Seadragon.
(All times are zone L, -11) 0755 hours - In position 04°22'S, 152°27'E sighted masts of ships bearing 341°(T).
0801 hours - Commenced approach on three destroyers in column bearing 339°(T), range 8400 yards, enemy course 165°(T), speed 14 knots.
0803 hours - With the range now 7200 yards decided to cross the column to the westward for a stern tube shot.
0811 hours - While crossing the column the targets had made a large left zig resulting in in a minimum range of 3000 yards. Swung to 135° hoping for a zig towards but even with e zig by the enemy to 200°(T) the minimum range was 2700 yards.
0824 hours - Sighted three more destroyers in column to the eastward.
0829 hours - In position 04°35'S, 152°30'E sighted a single destroyer, thought to be Fubuki (Amagiri) class on course 350°(T), bearing 195°(T), distance 7400 yards, speed 17.5 knots.
0838 hours - In position 04°31'S, 152°30'E fired three torpedoes from 1450 yards. The first torpedo was seen to throw up a plume of smoke and the target was able to avoid.
0848 hours - Received the first of 15 depth charges but none were close.
0902 hours - Screws faded out on bearing 032°(T).
0912 hours - Heard 5 heavy explosions fairly close. Most likely aircraft bombs.
1035 hours - Returned to periscope depth. All clear.
11 Dec 1942 (position -4.55, 152.44)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese troop transport Johore Maru (6187 GRT, built 1932) off Cape St. George in position 04°55'S, 152°44'E.
(All times are zone L, -11) 0610 hours - In position 04°57'S, 152°51'E sighted a ship on a southerly course bearing 195°(T).
0615 hours - Commenced approach on a freighter of about 4800 ton. She was lightly laden and escorted by a minesweeper. Range was 14000 yards, enemy speed 10 knots.
0700 hours - In position 04°55'S, 152°44'E fired two torpedoes at the freighter from 1280 yards. One hit was observed under the main mast.
0704 hours - Now at 250 feet and rigged for depth charges.
0705 hours - Received the first of 8 depth charges.
0719 hours - While working up back to periscope depth sound reported screws approaching.
0729 hours - In the next 11 minutes 3 more depth charges were dropped.
0750 hours - At periscope depth. The freighter was now at a range of 9000 yards. She was listing to starboard and down by the stern.
0945 hours - Commenced trailing the enemy. The ship was not going to sink and the minesweeper had taken her in tow.
1343 hours - Had to abandon the chase as we could not catch the ship before it would arrive near Rabaul.
20 Dec 1942 (position -4.55, 152.40)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) attacked a Japanese destroyer out of a group of three with three torpedoes off the St. George Channel. All torpedoes missed. No counter attack followed.
(All times are zone L, -11) 2130 hours - In position 04°52'S, 152°38'E sighted three destroyers bearing 340°(T), range 12000 yards. Enemy course was 120°(T), speed 21 knots. Closed to attack.
2134 hours - Dived.
2150 hours - In position 04°55'S, 152°40'E fired three torpedoes at the rear destroyer. Range was 1000 yards. All missed.
2157 hours - Heard the torpedoes explode at the end of their run. No counter attack followed.
2225 hours - Surfaced.
21 Dec 1942 (position -5.02, 152.33)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese submarine I-4 (offsite link) between New Britain and New Ireland in position 05°02'S, 152°33'E. I-4 is proceeding to Guadalcanal with supplies.
(All times are zone L, -11) 0620 hours - In position 05°05'S, 152°33'E sighted submarine of the I-68 class bearing 168°(T), range 6000 yards and on a northerly course. Started attack.
0638 hours - In position 05°02'S, 152°33'E fired three torpedoes from 850 yards. One hit was obtained in the stern of the enemy. Shortly after firing the third torpedo a terrific explosion occured. The forward torpedo room reported that the outer door of tube no.1 could not be closed followed that they believed that they had a hot run in that tube. Meanwhile the enemy submarine was seen to sink stern first.
0646 hours - Fired no.1 tube. The torpedo exploded gaving Seadragon another shaking up.
25 Dec 1942 (position -4.58, 152.31)
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport ship Nankai Maru (8416 GRT, built 1933) off Cape St. George, New Britain in position 05°05'S, 152°28'E. Nankai Maru was escorted by the destroyer Uzuki. While attempting to take the damaged transport in tow Uzuki collided with Nankai Maru and was also damaged. The destroyers Naganami, Tanikaze, Airake and Urakaze were now ordered to the scene where Airake took Nankai Maru in tow and Urakaze towed Uzuki. Both casualties made it to Rabaul for repairs.
(All times are zone L, -11) 1900 hours - In position 04°58'S, 152°31'E sighted a transport with a destroyer escort bearing 311°(T), range 11000 yards. Commenced approach for an attack.
1933 hours - In position 04°58'S, 152°31'E fired four torpedoes from the stern tubes at the transport thought to be of about 6000 ton. Range was 2550 yards. One hit was observed just forward of the bridge.
1938 hours - The destroyer dropped two depth charges.
1942 hours - Two more depth charges were dropped by the destroyer.
1950 hours - Having lost the target and the destroyer due to darkness went to 200 feet to wait for the moon to rise.
2137 hours - Sighted the target down by the bow bearing 197°(T), range 4000 yards, with the destroyer alongside. Closed for another attack.
2203 hours - In position 05°05'S, 152°29'E fired four stern torpedoes from 1400 yards.
2204 hours - Head a loud explosion.
2208 hours - Another loud explosion, either a torpedo at the end of it's run or the ships boilers exploding.
2215 hours - Sound reported numerous explosions, possibly a ship breaking up. Went to periscope depth. Nothing in sight.
7 Jan 1943
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall) ended her 5th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She was escorted in by USS Litchfield (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Campbell, USN).
9 Jan 1943
USS Seadragon (Lt.Cdr. W.E. Ferrall) departed Pearl Harbor for the Mare Island Navy Yard where she was to refit. She was escorted out by USS Litchfield (Lt.Cdr. J.H. Campbell, USN).
15 Jan 1943
USS Seadragon (Cdr. W.E. Ferrall, USN) arrived at the Mare Island Navy Yard where she commenced a refit.
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