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Allies in WWII

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Career information

Naval Academy-Class of 1935. At time of death held rank of Rear Admiral For additional information on Richard Barr "Ozzie" Lynch go to-Military Times Hall of Valor

Submarine USS Seawolf (197)

4 Jun 1944
With her overhaul completed USS Seawolf (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Lynch) left Pearl Harbor for her 13th war patrol. She was ordered to photograph Peleliu Island in the Palau Islands.

7 Jul 1944
USS Seawolf (Lt.Cdr. R.B. Lynch) ended her 13th war patrol at Pearl Harbor. She was now sent to Darwin, Australia. Her 14th war patrol was a special mission to Tawitawi in the Sulu Archipelago.

Submarine USS Skate (305)

25 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

26 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

27 Aug 1944
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) and USS Sea Dog (T/Cdr. V.L. Lowrance, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Charles R. Greer (Cdr. A. Jackson, Jr., USNR) and USS Greiner (T/Lt.Cdr. L.H. Kiser, USN).

28 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
During 28/29 August 1944, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor. These included night exercises.

30 Aug 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

1 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

2 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

3 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor.

4 Sep 1944
USS Sawfish (T/Cdr. A.B. Banister, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted training exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Canfield (Lt.Cdr. P.E. Cherry, USNR) and USS Gendreau (T/Cdr. A.D. Kilmartin, USN).

8 Sep 1944
Around 1330VW/8, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed from Pearl Harbor for her 6th war patrol, and was ordered to patrol off the Ryukyu Islands. First to proceed to Midway to top off with fuel and provisions and some voyage repairs if required.

She is escorted out until sunset by USS PC-580 (?). (2)

12 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0830Y/12, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Midway to top off with fuel and provisions. Also voyage repairs were required on the hydraulic plant which took quite some time. (2)

14 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 1000M/14, with the repair completed, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed Midway for her patrol area of the Ryukyu Islands. (2)

21 Sep 1944
At 1524K/21, west of the Bonin Islands, in position 29°05'N, 138°45'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted an armed trawler, most likely serving as picket boat.

At 1605K/21, USS Skate dived, closed and conducted a practice torpedo attack.

At 1904K/21, USS Skate surfaced and continued passage to the patrol area. (2)

23 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0800K/23, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) entered her patrol area. Course was set to patrol off the east coast of Okinawa. (2)

24 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1319K/24, while patrolling off the east coast of Okinawa, in position 26°09'N, 128°02'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted a 60 to 80 tons fishing trawler leaving the fleet anchorage. The vessel was too small to attack with a torpedo and too close to land to attack with the deck gun. (2)

26 Sep 1944
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) attacked a Japanese convoy with six torpedoes to the north of Okinawa in position 27°14'N, 128°16'E. No hits were obtained as the attack is spoiled by a premature explosion of one of the torpedoes.

0635K/26 - In position 27°16'N, 128°13'E, sound picked up echo ranging to the northward. Shapes of ships could just be seen in the morning twilight. By sunrise four transports and nine escorts were seen. It was only possibly to close due to continuous high speed. Selected the last transport, a 4000 tons passenger vessel, as target. Course of the convoy was 200° at 9 knots.

When the range had come down to 4800 yards, an escort on the submarines port beam was sweeping for a sound contact so slowed down until this escort had passed close ahead. Two more escorts were on the port beam but a mile away. A vessel with a flat top was ahead of the target but it was not a carrier.

0734K/26 - In position 27°14'N, 128°16'E, fired six torpedoes from 4290 yards. Three at the passenger vessel and three at the strange looking ship with the flat top. As the fifth torpedo was fired there was a loud explosion. A moderate column of water rose close to the submarine and the torpedo tracks. This was bad time and place for a premature. The escorts on the port beam were now quite close and depth charging started almost at once. Three or four escorts were involved in the counter attack. A total of 39 depth charges were counted. All were fairly well placed. Meanwhile convoy had plenty of time to evade the torpedoes.

1115K/26 - Returned to periscope depth as soon as the escorts screw had faded out. (2)

29 Sep 1944 (position 27.14, 128.25)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) attacked a Japanese convoy and torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Hoei Maru (219 GRT, built 1919) and the Japanese transport Ekisan Maru (3690 GRT, built 1895) north of Yoron Jima in position 27°14'N, 128°25'E.

1125K/29 - In position 27°11'N, 128°13'E, a convoy of five transports and seven escorts was sighted. Started an approach on the leading ship at high submerged speed. As an escort was badly placed (for the attacking submarine) it was not possible to get close enough.

1240K/29 - Went to 150 feet to let the escort pass. On return to periscope depth it was seen that the last ship of the convoy was now the most favourably placed target to be attacked. The vessel, a transport, was not loaded and of about 4000 tons in size.

1304K/29 - In position 27°12'N, 128°18'E, fired four torpedoes at the transport from 3600 yards.

1305K/29 - Fired two torpedoes at an auxiliary gunboat just ahead of the target.

1306K/29 - Saw, and heard, two premature torpedo explosions. The nearest escorts were seen to turn towards so went deep.

1308K/29 - Heard one torpedo hit at the correct running time for the third torpedo. Also heard the targets propellers stop. This was followed by breaking up noises. Meanwhile one of the escorts is closing the range.

1310K/29 - The escort passed close by but did not drop depth charges.

1314K/29 - Depth charging commenced. Three escorts were participating the in the hunt.

1318K/29 - Breaking up noises ceased. The noises had been heard by two officers and three experienced sound men. They were confident the target sank.

Meanwhile the depth charge attack was well conducted. They were on three sides of the submarine and listened about one third of the time. After two patterns on the starboard bow and quarter they seemed to loose the scent and Skate managed to slip away at slow speed. A total of 50 depth charges had been counted. They were of the 'large type'.

1515K/29 - Returned to periscope depth. Two Pete (Mitsubishi F1M) seaplanes were seen patrolling the area. One escort was also still seen to be patrolling while echo ranging loudly. Continued to clear the area to seaward.

1817K/29 - In position 27°10'N, 128°06'E, sighted a trawler ahead. It passed astern at 1855K/29.

2042K/29 - Surfaced and continued to proceed westwards to send a contact report.

2 Oct 1944
At 0909K/2, while patrolling south-west of Tokunoshima, in position 27°37'N, 128°47'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) a cargo sampan was sighted. It was not engaged with the deck gun due to the close proximity of the land.

At 0951K/2, in position 27°36'N, 128°48'E, a small trawler and sailing sampan were sighted. There too were not engaged for the same reason. (2)

5 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1051K/5, while patrolling south-west of Amami-Oshima, in position 28°06'N, 128°54'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted a trawler of about 100 tons. She was equipped with a large horizontal two wire radio antenna. Four lookouts were seen on the bridge. Obviously a Japanese picket boat. She was not attacked. (2)

16 Oct 1944
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) attacked a Japanese task force to the south-east of Amami-Oshima in position 27°49'N, 130°37'E. A torpedo hit was claimed but this appeared not to have been the case.

The ships sighted / detected by USS Skate must have been ships out of the following; heavy cruisers Nachi, Ashigara, light cruiser Abukuma, destroyers Akebono, Ushio, Kasumi, Shiranuhi, Wakaba, Hatsushimo and Hatsuharu.

1904K/16 - In position 27°30'N, 130°35'E, sighted through the periscope, three destroyers or destroyer-type ships. They were proceeding on a base course of 030° zigging 20° on either side. Their speed was 18 knots. Worked up ahead.

2024K/16 - In position 27°49'N, 130°37'E, obtained radar contact on three larger ships. Range was 18000 yards. They were zigging 20° to 30° on either side of a base course of 330° at a speed of a little over 18 knots.

2100K/16 - The two groups joined. Skate meanwhile tracked from ahead looking for more ships as a contact report that had been received shortly before indicated that there were more enemy vessels that had so far been detected.

2115K/16 - Went to radar depth as the enemy was approaching. They were proceeding now on a course of 045° at a speed of a little over 18 knots.

2119K/16 - A rain squall came by. Nothing could be seen through the periscope but sound indicated that the enemy had made a zig. The bow tube attack that was being setup at that time was now out of the question.

2121K/16 - In position 27°49'N, 130°37'E, fired three stern torpedoes at a heavy set of propellers (4 shafts). The torpedo in No.8 tube got stuck and ran hot. The torpedo was successfully ejected / fired later. Estimated range was 3000 yards.

2125K/16 - Heard one torpedo hit. The sound man tracked it out near a heavy set of screws. The propeller beat however did not slow down so it is thought the torpedo hit the ships armour.

2127K/16 - A destroyer was picked up coming towards.

2134K/16 - The destroyer dropped a total of 10 depth charges but they were not well placed.

2215K/16 - The destroyer was heard to leave the area.

2251K/16 - Surfaced and shortly afterwards commenced to send an enemy report. (3)

19 Oct 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1437K/19, while patrolling to the south of Amami-Oshima, in position 27°58'N, 129°24'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighed a group of six fishing sampans coming out a rain squall and could not be closed. Also they were too close to land to be attacked with the deck gun. (2)

22 Oct 1944
At 0010K/22, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) left patrol to proceed to Pearl Harbor. (2)

2 Nov 1944
Around 1115VW/2, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) ended her 6th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

She was escorted in by USS SC-1050 (?) which had joined around 0700VW/2.

5 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Having completed some voyage repairs after her return from patrol, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed Pearl Harbor for San Francisco. She is to proceed to the Hunters Point Navy Yard for a major overhaul. (2)

12 Nov 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at the Hunters Point Navy Yard where she is taken in hand for refit.

25 Mar 1945
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises in San Francisco Bay with USS Willard Keith (T/Cdr. L.L. Snider, USN).

2 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
With her refit completed, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed the Hunters Point Navy Yard for Pearl Harbor.

9 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from San Francisco.

14 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

15 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

16 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

17 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

18 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

19 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Whitman (Lt. E.A. Sandor, USNR).

20 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Whitman (Lt. E.A. Sandor, USNR).

25 Apr 1945
During 25 April 1945, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) and USS Pipefish (T/Cdr. W.N. Deragon, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR), USS J. Douglas Blackwood (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Johnston, USNR) and USS PC-599 (Lt. J.M Kindt, USNR).

They were then joined for night exercises by USS Cabezon (T/Cdr. G.W. Lautrup, USN), USS Capitaine (T/Lt.Cdr. E.S. Friedrick, USN) and USS Chew (Lt.Cdr. J.J. Mannion, USNR).

Night exercises were then carried out with a group of transports simulating a convoy. The group of transports was made up of the following vessels; USS Carlisle (Lt.Cdr. M.J. Carley, USNR), USS Cleburne (Lt.Cdr. F.T. Callahan, USNR), USS Crenshaw (Cdr. W.B. Studley, USNR), USS Crittenden (T/Capt. P.C. Crosley, USN), USS Cullman (Lt.Cdr. W.B. Dell, USNR), USS Riverside (T/Capt. L.N. Miller, USN), USS Bandera (T/Capt. A.C. Thorington, USN), USS Beckham (T/Capt. A.R. Sodergren, USN), USS Buckingham (T/Capt. H.G. Moran, USN), USS Kingsbury (T/Cdr. J.H. Hughes, USN), USS Lander (T/Capt. J.D. Sweeney, USN), USS Pickaway (T/Capt. H.L. Bixby, USN), USS Rockbridge (T/Capt. W.W. Cone, USN), USS San Saba (T/Capt. E.E. Berthold, USN), USS Waukesha (Lt.Cdr. J.S. Herold, USNR), USS Winston (Lt.Cdr. E.S. Doty, USNR) and USS Prentiss (T/Cdr. G.P. Walker, USN). [A source give that 18 transports were present so perhaps there was one more that is not listed here]. The convoy was escorted by 9 escorts according to the source which also stated that 18 transports had been present. USS Chew was the escort leader and he three escorts that had been exercising with the submarines also joined the convoy. Most of the above transports had already been out for exercises for several days during which they had been escorted by USS PC-486 (Lt. R.B. Whitney, USNR), USS PC-781 (Lt. F. Hopkinson, USNR) and USS PC-1078 (Lt. J.R. Slater, USNR) which were still present. [That leaves two escort vessels still unaccounted for.]

The exercises were completed on the 26th.

27 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS J. Douglas Blackwood (Lt.Cdr. J.L. Johnston, USNR) and USS PC-599 (Lt. J.M Kindt, USNR).

28 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

30 Apr 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR) and USS PC-599 (Lt. J.M Kindt, USNR).

6 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

6 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

11 May 1945
Around 1330VW/11, USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) and departed from Pearl Harbor for Guam.

They were escorted out until 1930VW/11 by USS PC-780 (Lt. W.E. Tassie, USNR)

22 May 1945
Around 1230K/22, USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Guam from Pearl Harbour.

They were escorted in by USS PC-616 (Lt.(jg) C.W. Harris, USNR) which had joined around 0910K/22.

On joining USS PC-616 already had USS Trepang (T/Cdr. A.R. Faust, USN) in company which then also proceeded into Apra Harbor, Guam ending her fourth war patrol.

USS Tunny and USS Skate were then taken in hand for voyage repairs by USS Holland (Capt. C.Q. Wright, Jr., USNR).

USS Trepang was taken in hand for post patrol repairs / refit by USS Apollo (T/Capt. J.C. McCutchen, USN).

23 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Guam.

24 May 1945
USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Guam.

In the evening of the 24th, USS Tunny is docked for some minor repairs. She is undocked later that night.

25 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Guam.

26 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Guam.

27 May 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Guam.

28 May 1945
Around 1500I/28, USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed Guam for their 9th, 8th and 7th war patrols respectively.

They were to operate as a tactical group (wolfpack) in the Sea of Japan. T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce on board USS Tunny was in command of the group.

They were escorted out until 1840L/28 by USS SC-536 (Lt.(jg) R.M. Heilman, USNR).

The submarines remained in company until 1400I/2, then they parted company to the north-east of Amami Oshima, Ryukyu Islands, to proceed independently.

3 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0135I/3, west of Suwanose Jima in position 29°35'N, 129°05'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) obtained radar contact on a small Japanese picket boat which was avoided. (4)

4 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 2300I/4, USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) made rendezvous to the south of the Tsushima Strait. They then set course to the position in which they were to dive for submerged passage of the Strait after which they were to proceed independently.

5 Jun 1945
At 1449I/5, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) detected a cargo sampan which was not attacked. [No position is given in the patrol report. These is a second report during the passage of the Tsuchima Strait in which further details most likely will be given but this report is not available to us.]

At 1958I/5, a ship, thought to be a tanker of about 6000 tons was sighted through the periscope. Enemy course was 030° at 10 knots. [Position is again not given in the patrol report.]

At 2157I/5, a small fishing vessel was seen laying stopped. [Position is again not given in the patrol report.] (4)

8 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1125I/5, north-west of Kanazawa, Honshu, in position 36°56'N, 136°29'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted a destroyer or frigate through the periscope. Enemy course was 270° at 20 knots. The least range was 14000 yards. (4)

10 Jun 1945 (position 37.29, 137.25)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese submarine I-122 (offsite link) in the Sea of Japan, 6 nautical miles from the Cape Rokugo lighthouse in position 37°29'N, 137°25'E.

0826I/10 - In position 37°31'N, 137°23'E, sighted a small ship through the periscope. This turned out to be a minesweeper.

1120I/10 - In position 37°28'N, 137°25'E, sighted a square black object on the horizon. Manoeuvred to close to investigate.

1128I/10 - The object was seen to have a gun. Went to battle stations. Shortly afterwards it was seen to be a submarine.

1144I/10 - In position 37°29'N, 137°25'E fired four bow torpedoes from 800 yards. Enemy course was 122° at 15 knots. The enemy was thought to be of the I-121 class [which was correct].

1145I/10 - The enemy was hit amidships and went under before the smoke and debris cleared away. The wreck was then hit by a second torpedo.

1149I/10 - Heard two end of run explosions. All torpedoes were now accounted for.

1150I/10 - Heard breaking up noises and hissing air in the direction of the sinking. A large air bubble came up and oil was seen on the water.

2023I/10 - In position 37°37'N, 136°40'E, obtained radar contact on a small ship at a range of 17000 yards. Chased this contact for half an hour. Enemy course was 150° at 10 knots. The enemy then entered water in which mines had been dropped by Allied aircraft so the chase was broken off.

11 Jun 1945
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) attacked a Japanese transport with four torpedoes south-west of Shika [Togi], Japan. No hits were obtained.

This was most likely the Kankyo Maru (3205 GRT, built 1918).

1729I/11 - In position 37°02'N, 136°32'E, smoke was sighted to the southward. Skate headed into shallow water to head this target off. The target developed into a loaded transport of about 4000 tons. Enemy course was 018°, speed 9 knots.

1834I/11 - In position 37°04'N, 136°37'E, fired four torpedoes from 3400 yards. No hits were obtained.

1853I/11 - The target is heading for the cove [bay]. Two more ships were seen to be there. These were thought to be a large to medium transport and a small transport.

2019I/11 - Surfaced to charge the battery.

2245I/11 - Stopped the battery charge and headed towards the cove [bay] to see if it was possible to attack the ships anchored there.

2300I/11 - It commenced to rain which reduced visibility drastically. Patrolled off the cove close inshore to fool the enemy radar equipped aircraft which was patrolling nearby. (4)

12 Jun 1945 (position 37.08, 136.42)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transports Yozan Maru (1222 GRT, built 1918), Kenjo Maru (3051 GRT, built 1905) and Zuiko Maru (887 GRT, built 1944) and torpedoed and damaged the Japanese merchant cargo ship Kankyo Maru (3205 GRT, built 1918) in Togi harbour [Togi Bay], northern Honshu, Japan in position 37°08'N, 136°42'E.

0310I/12 - Headed in towards the cove [bay] again but visibility was still not good enough to see as it was still raining.

0412I/12 - Dived to await better visibility.

0845I/12 - Visibility cleared. Went to battle stations and headed into the cove [bay]. A small tanker of about 1000 tons was also seen to be there [Zuiko Maru was an engines aft ship and thus resembled a tanker].

0912I/12 - Fired six bow torpedoes. Five torpedoes were seen to hit. One in the small transport, three in the large to medium transport and one in the loaded medium transport.

0917I/12 - The large to medium transport was seen to sink. The small transport was settling.

0918I/12 - Enemy guns opened fire.

0920I/12 - Fired three stern torpedoes. All are believed to have been hits. One in the small tanker, one in the biggest transport which was now resting on the bottom of the cove [bay]. The third appeared to hit the second largest transport which was shooting at the submarine but this was not certain.

0930I/12 - A small enemy patrol craft was coming towards. The small transport hull was seen to be under water. The small tanker was also under. Both were in shallow water and were probably resting on the bottom. The loaded medium transport was still afloat and shooting. She was partly hidden behind the largest transport which was resting on the bottom.

USS Skate then commenced to clear the area.

0957I/12 - A depth charge was dropped. Not very close.

0958I/12 - Another depth charge was dropped. Also not close. The gunfire persisted so this must be coming from the shore. (4)

13 Jun 1945
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) torpedoed and sank the Japanese transport Hakkenzan Maru (1180 GRT, built 1918) in the Sea of Japan in position 37°20'N, 134°28'E.

1158I/13 - In position 37°42'N, 134°58'E, smoke was sighted. Changed course and headed towards.

1251I/13 - Commenced tracking on radar and also commenced an end around.

1506I/13 - Completed the end around so dived ahead of the target. While making the end around it was thought a periscope was sighted close aboard at 1317I/13 in position 37°37'N, 134°37'E and evasive action was taken for a little over 10 minutes.

1610I/13 - Range was 9600 yards. Went to battle stations submerged. The target was a lightly loaded small transport proceeding on course 242° at 10 knots.

1635I/13 - In position 37°20'N, 134°28'E fired two bow torpedoes (the last in the bow tubes) from 1000 yards. One hit was obtained and the target sank in three minutes.

The target was identified as the Hakkenzan Maru by survivors that had been picked up. Also what was thought to be the ships log book was picked up from the water.. (4)

14 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1825I/14, in position 36°53'N, 136°22'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighed a sampan of about 8 tons proceeding on course 270° at 6 knots.

At 1858I/14, in position 36°53'N, 136°21'E, USS Skate sighed another slightly larger sampan of about 15 tons also proceeding on course 270° at 6 knots. (4)

15 Jun 1945
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) made two torpedo attacks, both with one torpedo, on a small tanker in position 37°23'N, 136°43'E. USS Skate was now out of torpedoes.

At 1101I/15 - In position 37°23'N, 136°46'E, a small tanker, 2000 tons or less was sighted. Closed the track to make an attack.

1150I/15 - In position 37°23'N, 136°43'E, fired a stern torpedo from 2090 yards. It missed. Enemy course was 267° at 8.5 knots. The enemy vessel had just changed course to increase its distance from the coast.

1158I/15 - Fired a stern torpedo, the last torpedo on board. No hit followed though the torpedo ran straight towards the ship. Most likely it ran under.

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2350I/15 - In position 37°08'N, 136°05'E, obtained radar contact on three ships at a range of 40000 yards. Enemy course was 200° at 12 knots.

Shortly afterwards a message was received from USS Bonefish (T/Cdr. L.L. Edge, USN) that she too was in contact with these vessels and that it were escorts. USS Skate signalled to Bonefish that she was out of torpedoes and would clear the area to the eastwards.

The vessels detected were most likely the frigates Okinawa, Kaibokan 63 and Kaibokan 207 (offsite links) which were on an A/S sweep in the area. (4)

17 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 0846I/17, in position 37°42'N, 136°33'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted two destroyer type vessels in poor visibility. The least range was 12000 yards. Enemy course was 050° at 20 knots. Perhaps this were Kaibokan 75, Kaibokan 158 (offsite links) which were on an A/S sweep in the area.

At 1120I/17, in position 37°31'N, 137°08'E, two ships were seen close inshore proceeding on course 245° at 8 knots. One was thought to be a transport of about 2000 tons the other a 900 tons tanker.

At 1640I/17, while in position 37°33'N, 137°13'E, smoke was sighted and Skate closed to investigate.

At 1720I/17, the target was seen to be a 3000-4000 tons transport with a deck load of landing craft. She was proceeding, very close inhore, on course 050° at 10 knots. (4)

18 Jun 1945
At 0132I/18, in position 37°51'N, 136°37'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) obtained radar contact at a range of 50000 yards. It tracked out to 66000 yards before contact was lost. The target could not be identified as it was never seen.

At 0908I/18, in position 37°38'N, 137°20'E, USS Skate sighted a small fishing vessel. This vessel remained in the area until the middle of the afternoon.

At 1136I/18, in position 37°34'N, 137°22'E, USS Skate sighted a medium sized transport of about 3500 tons proceeding on course 290° at 10 knots. It could not be attacked as Skate was out of torpedoes.

At 1152I/18, in position 37°31'N, 137°22'E, USS Skate sighted a small craft which looked like a motor torpedo boat. It was not possible to identify the ship definitely.

At 1154I/18, a small transport was seen to the coast. It was a very old vessel of about 900 tons proceeding on course 110° at 8 knots.

At 1159I/18, an interesting vessel was seen. It looked like a destroyer of the vintage Russo - Japanese war. It was a coal burner and was proceeding to catch up with the medium sized transport seen at 1136I/18.

At 1310I/18, in position 37°33'N, 137°21'E, a small transport of about 800 tons was sighted proceeding on course 320° at 8 knots. This also looked like a very old vessel. (4)

19 Jun 1945
At 0650I/19, in position 37°35'N, 137°20'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) sighted what was thought to be a coastal submarine. No deck gun was seen. The hull looked like an RO-100 class. The enemy was zigging. It was not possible to close the range. Enemy course was 120° at 12 knots.

At 0750I/19, in position 37°32'N, 137°22'E, another submarine of the same class was seen proceeding on course 110° at 14 knots. The enemy probably had detected USS Skate as she started to made wild zigs.

At 2130I/19, USS Skate left patrol to proceed to Midway via the La Pérouse Strait. (4)

21 Jun 1945
At 0101I/21, in position 42°30'N, 135°26'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) obtained radar contact on a small vessel. It was avoided.

At 2005I/21, in position 43°36'N, 136°18'E, a Russian merchant vessel was sighted proceeding on course 050° at 11 knots. Shortly afterwards another Russian merchant vessel is seen proceeding on course 200° at 11 knots. (4)

23 Jun 1945
At 2015I/23, USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN) and USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) made rendezvous.

The following evening also USS Crevalle (T/Cdr. E.H. Steinmetz, USN) and USS Sea Dog (T/Cdr. E.T. Hydeman, USN). The four submarines then proceeded in company to exit the Sea of Japan through the La Pérouse Strait.

They remained in company until around 0500I/25.

24 Jun 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 2250I/24, west of the La Pérouse Strait, in position 45°52'N, 141°16'E, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) obtained radar contoct on a ship which developed into a Russian merchant vessel proceeding on course 260° at 10 knots. (4)

30 Jun 1945
Around 1400Y/30, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Midway.

Around 1800Y/30, she departed Midway for Pearl Harbor together with USS Bowfin (T/Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN).

4 Jul 1945
Around 1045VW/4, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) ended her 7th war patrol at Pearl Harbor.

She proceeded into port together with USS Flying Fish (T/Cdr. R.D. Risser, USN), USS Tinosa (T/Cdr. R.C. Latham, USN), USS Bowfin (T/Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN) and USS Spadefish (T/Cdr. W.J. Germershausen, Jr., USN).

They were escorted in by USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR) which had joined around 0530VW/4.

25 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

26 Jul 1945
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor with USS Harmon (Lt. R.W. Steel, USNR).

USS Skate and USS Sea Cat (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bowers, USN) also conducted gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by USS ATR-84 (Lt.(jg) M.J. Schwartz, USNR).

27 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

28 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

30 Jul 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

31 Jul 1945
During 31 July / 1 August 1945, USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

These included night exercises together with USS Tunny (T/Cdr. G.E. Pierce, USN), USS Pruitt (Lt. D.B. Harby, USNR) and USS Peterson (Lt.Cdr. S.M. Hay, USCG).

On 31 July 1945, USS Tunny, USS Bowfin (Cdr. A.K. Tyree, USN), USS Skate and USS Sea Cat (T/Lt.Cdr. R.H. Bowers, USN) carried out gunnery exercises on a target that was being towed by USS Trever (Lt. H.L. Phillips, USNR).

2 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) conducted exercises off Pearl Harbor.

6 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) departed Pearl Harbor for Guam.

17 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) arrived at Guam from Pearl Harbor.

18 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) and USS Springer (T/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Bauer, USN) departed Guam for Midway. The following day they were ordered to proceed to Pearl Harbor instead.

29 Aug 1945 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Skate (T/Cdr. R.B. Lynch, USN) and USS Springer (T/Lt.Cdr. J.F. Bauer, USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from Guam.

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