THE SILENT SERVICE "The Sunfish's Cook" 1958
This is the 64th episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is the second episode about the 7th patrol of the U.S.S. "Sunfish". It is June 1944 and the "Sunfish" is sent to patrol off the Kuril Islands north of Japan. The "Sunfish" is told to make sure that they make sure of their targets before firing. The area is close to where Soviet cargo ships sail.
The "Sunfish" runs into a small Japanese cargo vessel and sends it to the bottom. They then receive a radio message from another US submarine that a large Japanese convoy is heading their way.
The "Sunfish" spots said convoy and closes in for a look see. They fire off a total of 6 torpedoes scoring 3 hits. The mad as hornets Japanese escort vessels are soon pounding the "Sunfish" with a barrage of depth charges. The attack goes on for several hours and 186 depth charges rattle the submarine.
The "Sunfish" manages to creep away and heads back to base for some well- deserved rest and repairs.
Now the new story kicks in which is about the cook of the "Sunfish". The cook, James Dobson, is pestering the exec officer, Christopher Dark for another post during combat stations. Dark assigns the man to man a BAR gun during surface contacts. Several days later, the "Sunfish" runs into a gaggle of Japanese fishing trawlers and the fight is on. The anti-aircraft guns of the submarine as well as the small arms are used against the small Japanese craft. There is a running battle between the two sides with the Japanese getting the wrong end of the engagement.
Dobson is rewarded with a medal for his bravery during the battle.
The "Sunfish" would complete 11 wartime patrols sinking 16 enemy ships worth 57,000 tons. She also disposed of an equal amount of Japanese sampans and fishing trawlers. After the war the "Sunfish" was used as a floating classroom for submarine crews. The boat was discarded for scrap in May 1960.
This is the 64th episode of the U.S. war series, "The Silent Service". The series was about the exploits of the U.S. Navy's submarine fleet. Each episode is a stand-alone tale of the actions of a particular submarine. Most of the stories are about actions against the Japanese Navy and merchant fleet in the Pacific. There is also the odd tale from the Korean conflict. The series ran for 78 episodes during 1957 and 1958. The stories were all based on actual events. Some pretty good attention to detail here with the U.S Navy allowing filming on several WW 2 era Gato class subs.
Each episode started and ended with retired Real Admiral Thomas M. Dykers giving a breakdown of the action. Dykers became a writer, producer and technical adviser after leaving the service. He worked on films such as, TORPEDO ALLEY, FLAT TOP, THE FROGMEN, HELL AND HIGH WATER and SUBMARINE COMMAND.
This episode is the second episode about the 7th patrol of the U.S.S. "Sunfish". It is June 1944 and the "Sunfish" is sent to patrol off the Kuril Islands north of Japan. The "Sunfish" is told to make sure that they make sure of their targets before firing. The area is close to where Soviet cargo ships sail.
The "Sunfish" runs into a small Japanese cargo vessel and sends it to the bottom. They then receive a radio message from another US submarine that a large Japanese convoy is heading their way.
The "Sunfish" spots said convoy and closes in for a look see. They fire off a total of 6 torpedoes scoring 3 hits. The mad as hornets Japanese escort vessels are soon pounding the "Sunfish" with a barrage of depth charges. The attack goes on for several hours and 186 depth charges rattle the submarine.
The "Sunfish" manages to creep away and heads back to base for some well- deserved rest and repairs.
Now the new story kicks in which is about the cook of the "Sunfish". The cook, James Dobson, is pestering the exec officer, Christopher Dark for another post during combat stations. Dark assigns the man to man a BAR gun during surface contacts. Several days later, the "Sunfish" runs into a gaggle of Japanese fishing trawlers and the fight is on. The anti-aircraft guns of the submarine as well as the small arms are used against the small Japanese craft. There is a running battle between the two sides with the Japanese getting the wrong end of the engagement.
Dobson is rewarded with a medal for his bravery during the battle.
The "Sunfish" would complete 11 wartime patrols sinking 16 enemy ships worth 57,000 tons. She also disposed of an equal amount of Japanese sampans and fishing trawlers. After the war the "Sunfish" was used as a floating classroom for submarine crews. The boat was discarded for scrap in May 1960.