Allied Warships

Capitaine (SS-336)

Submarine of the Balao class


USS Capitaine after the war.

NavyThe US Navy
TypeSubmarine
ClassBalao 
Pennant336 
Built byElectric Boat Co. (Groton, Connecticut, U.S.A.) 
Ordered6 Jun 1942 
Laid down2 Dec 1943 
Launched1 Oct 1944 
Commissioned26 Jan 1945 
End service4 Mar 1966 
History

Decommissioned 10 February 1950.
Laid up in the Pacific Reserve Fleet.
Recommissioned 23 February 1957.
Decommissioned 4 March 1966.
Transferred to Italy 5 March 1966.
Stricken by the U.S.N. 5 December 1977.

 

Commands listed for USS Capitaine (336)

Please note that we're still working on this section
and that we only list Commanding Officers for the duration of the Second World War.

CommanderFromTo
1T/Lt.Cdr. Ernest Southard Friedrick, USN26 Jan 19454 Jun 1948

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Notable events involving Capitaine include:


The history of USS Capitaine as compiled on this page is extracted from her patrol reports.

This page was last updated in March 2017.

12 Feb 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Newport, Rhode Island from New London, Connecticut for torpedo trials.

16 Feb 1945
With her torpedo trials completed, USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN), returned to New London, Connecticut.

18 Feb 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound together with USS George W. Ingram (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Boyce, USNR).

19 Feb 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Long Island Sound together with USS George W. Ingram (Lt.Cdr. A.S. Boyce, USNR).

7 Mar 1945
With her trials and initial training completed USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed from New London bound for the Panama Canal Zone.

13 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) made a short stop a San Juan, Puerto Rico. She continued her passage to the Panama Canal Zone later the same day.

17 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Coco Solo, Panama Canal Zone.

20 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR), USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR), USS PC-1221 and USS USS SC-980.

21 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR), USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR) USS PC-1215 and USS USS SC-1299.

22 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR), USS Bulmer (Lt. T.C. Farrell, USNR) USS MacLeish (Lt. D.S. Cramer, USNR), USS PC-1215 and USS PC-1221.

23 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR) and USS USS SC-1299.

24 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises in Panama Bay together with USS Paul Jones (Lt.Cdr. H.M. Payne, USNR) and USS USS SC-1299.

29 Mar 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.

15 Apr 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor.

22 Apr 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR), USS PGM-21 (Lt. L. Gardiner, USNR), USS Muskalunge (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Lajaunie, Jr., USN) and USS Segundo (Cdr. James D. Fulp, Jr., USN).

23 Apr 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour together with USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR), USS PGM-21 (Lt. L. Gardiner, USNR), USS Muskalunge (Lt.Cdr. L.A. Lajaunie, Jr., USN) and USS Segundo (Cdr. James D. Fulp, Jr., USN).

25 Apr 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

26 Apr 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbour.

6 May 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 1st war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea along the French Indo-China coast.

For daily positions of USS Capitaine during this patrol see the map below.

18 May 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Saipan.

20 May 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Saipan for her patrol area.

6 Jun 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) attacked what is thought to be an enemy patrol vessel with four torpedoes north-east of Cam Ranh Bay, Indo-China. All missed. After the attack it was noticed that the vessel attacked was very small, possibly a fishing vessel.

(All times are zone H, -8)
2138 hours - In position 11°58'N, 109°34'E obtained SJ radar contact bearing 020°(T), range 5000 yards. Commenced tracking the target on a north-easterly course at a speed of 8 knots. Opened out the range but lost the target at 10000 yards.

2207 hours - Found the target again at a range of 9100 yards bearing 290°(T). The target was on base course 325°(T), speed 6 knots.

2255 hours - Sighted the target at a range of 2200 yards. It is thought to be a patrol vessel or trawler. Enemy speed was now only 4 knots. Decided to attack.

2256 hours - In position 12°04'N, 109°32'E fired four bow torpedoes from 1650 yards. No hits were obtained.

2306 hours - Heard two end of run detonations. The target had maintained course and speed. Capitaine closed the target again for another attack but it was now seen that it was only a small fishing vessel. Broke off the attack.

17 Jun 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed her patrol area for Subic Bay to take on board fuel.

19 Jun 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Subic Bay.

20 Jun 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Subic Bay to resume her 1st war patrol.

30 Jun 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) attacked an enemy convoy with gunfire north-east of Kangean Island together with USS Baya. Some of the ships are thought to be damaged but both submarine broke off the action due to return fire from the enemy. Capitaine then closed submerged for a torpedo attack but was forced deep by one of the escorts.

The convoy was made up of three sea trucks Nashin Maru no.16 and Sugi Maru and Bandai Maru. They were escorted by submarine chaser CH-5 and the auxiliary minesweeper Shonan Maru No.2.

In the end the summary of this attack was that the Bandai Maru was sunk with gunfire together with USS Baya. CH-5 was damaged during this gun attack.

(All times are zone I, -9)
0112 hours - In position 06°26'S, 116°55'E obtained SJ radar contact on three ships at a range of 16000 yards. Later the contact developed into five ships.

0120 hours - Contacted USS Baya. She had contact on the same convoy, three small transports and two small escorts. They were all thought to be too small for torpedoes. Decided to attack with gunfire, Baya from the west and Capitaine from the north. Both would get into position 8000 yards from the convoy, then close to 5000 yards and open fire.

0151 hours - Baya opened fire.

0155 hours - Capitaine now opened fire with the 5" gun. Position was 06°24'S, 116°56'E. The target group was returning fire in the direction of USS Baya. They then also returned fire in our direction with what is thought to be 40mm and 20mm.

0201 hours - Shifted our 5" gunfire at the ship in the target group that was responsible for most of the enemy's return fire.

0205 hours - Enemy return fire was getting closer now. Broke off the action and opened the range.

0244 hours - Made rendes-vous with USS Baya to discuss the situation.

0347 hours - Told Baya we would go in submerged and attack with torpedoes if possible. Commenced tracking.

0725 hours - Submerged and commenced closing.

0806 hours - Battle stations torpedo.

0820 hours - Decided to attack one of the escorts.

0822 hours - The escort speeded up and headed towards.

0826 hours - One depth charge was dropped while Capitaine was passing 120 feet.

0828 hours - Capitaine fired decoys and then went to 500 feet but no more depth charges were dropped.

0928 hours - Returned to periscope depth. All clear.

2 Jul 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) sank an abandoned Japanese auxiliary submarine chaser with gunfire north-east of Kangean Island. This was probably one of the escorts of the convoy attacked on 30 June.

(All times are zone I, -9)
1750 hours - In position 06°30'S, 116°42'E sighted a small vessel on the horizon through the high periscope. Closed.

1826 hours - Opened fire with 5" from 4400 yards.

1829 hours - Commenced firing with 40mm as well. It was now seen that the target was abandoned and that her superstructure was already damaged by gunfire.

1833 hours - Ceased firing with the 5" gun after a misfire. The target was by now buring brightly.

1903 hours - Closed and sank the target with 5" from close range in position 06°30'S, 116°24'E. The target is thought to be an auxiliary submarine chaser.

8 Jul 1945
In the evening, USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN), passed Lombok Strait southbound on the surface.

13 Jul 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.

At Fremantle she was refitted by by a relief crew from Submarine Division 302 and the Fremantle submarine repair unit.

20 Jul 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) was docked at Fremantle.

22 Jul 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) was undocked.

7 Aug 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the Java Sea.

For daily positions of USS Capitaine during this patrol see the map below.

12 Aug 1945
During the night of 12/13 August 1945, USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN), made the northbound passage of Lombok Strait on the surface.

15 Aug 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) was ordered to proceed to Subic Bay, Philippines.

21 Aug 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) ended her 2nd war patrol at Subic Bay, Philippines. She was escorted in by USS Rolf (Lt.Cdr. L.E. Hubbell, USNR).

31 Aug 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Subic Bay for Pearl Harbour.

14 Sep 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbour from Subic Bay.

15 Sep 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) departed Pearl Harbour for Seattle, Washington, USA.

22 Sep 1945
USS Capitaine (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) arrived at Seattle, Washington, USA.

Media links


U. S. Submarines in World War II

Kimmett, Larry and Regis, Margaret


U.S. Submarines Through 1945

Friedman, Norman


amazon.co.uk
(£ 56.95)

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