Francis Worth Scanland, Jr., USN
| Born | 17 Sep 1912 | Baltimore, Maryland, USA | |
| Died | 12 Aug 2002 | (89) | Pensacola, Florida, USA |
| Ranks
Retired: 1 Jul 1964 Decorations
|
Warship Commands listed for Francis Worth Scanland, USN
| Ship | Rank | Type | From | To |
| USS Hawkbill (366) | T/Cdr. | Submarine | 17 May 1944 | Nov 1945 |
Career information
We currently have no career / biographical information on this officer.
Events related to this officer
Submarine USS Hawkbill (366)
20 May 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) commenced a trials and training period on the Great Lakes. (2)
1 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) completed her initial training on the Great Lakes. (2)
4 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) departed Chicago in a floating dry dock for passage down the Illinois and Mississipi Rivers to New Orleans. (2)
10 Jun 1944
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) arrived at New Orleans from the Great Lakes. (2)
16 Jun 1944
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) departed New Orleans for the Panama Canal Zone. She was escorted out until the morning of the 17th by USS PC-1241 (Lt. E.E. Weingarden, USNR). (3)
18 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
While in the Yucatan Channel, near the south-west tip of Cuba, in position 21°31'N, 85°04'W, USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) was taken under fire by a friendly merchant vessel which later proved to be the White Clover (Panamanian, 5462 GRT, built 1920).
Radar range when the merchant vessel opened fire was 16550. Five shots were fired which all fell short by around 4000 to 5000 yards. The merchant vessel was then signalled by lamp to stop firing. (4)
21 Jun 1944
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) arrived at Colon (Christobal), Panama Canal Zone. She was escorted in by USS PC-1183 (Lt.(jg) L. Rogow, USNR). (3)
23 Jun 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
From 23 June to 12 July 1944, USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) conducted a training programme in the Panama Bay area. (3)
13 Jul 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) departed Balboa, Panama Canal Zone for Pearl Harbour.
28 Jul 1944
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) arrived at Pearl Harbor from Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.
10 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
At 1732K/10, USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) entered her patrol area and commenced patrolling on a north-south line. (3)
18 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Baya (T/Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN), USS Becuna (T/Cdr. H.D. Sturr, USN) and USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) are ordered to leave the area to the east of the Philippines to patrol to the south of the Sakishima Islands. (5)
23 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Baya (T/Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN), USS Becuna (T/Cdr. H.D. Sturr, USN) and USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) are ordered to leave the area to the south of the Sakishima Islands and to patrol to the south-west of Formosa. (5)
26 Sep 1944 (position 20.55, 118.27)
At 1256I/26, east-north-east of the Pratas Islands, in position 20°55'N, 118°27'E, USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) obtained an SD radar contact on an aircraft at a range of 7 miles. The aircraft was closing fast. It could not be identified.
At 1257I/26, Hawkbill dived.
At 1302I/26, a depth charge was dropped by the plane. It was estimated it missed by about 200 yards. No damage was sustained. (3)
26 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
Around 0720I/4, USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) made rendezvous with USS Baya (T/Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN). Information was then given by the group commander about coverage of the assigned area. (3)
27 Sep 1944 (position 0.00, 0.00)
USS Baya (T/Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN), USS Becuna (T/Cdr. H.D. Sturr, USN) and USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) are ordered to leave the area to the south-west of Formosa and to patrol in the northern part of the South China Sea to the west of Luzon. (5)
7 Oct 1944 (position 14.21, 115.46)
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) torpedoed and damaged the Japanese transport Kinugasa Maru (8407 GRT, built 1936, offsite link) in the South China Sea about 250 nautical miles west of Manila, Philippines in position 14°21'N, 115°46'E [position according to USS Hawkbill].
The sinking was shared with USS Baya (T/Cdr. A.H. Holtz, USN) but it appears the torpedoes from USS Hawkbill hit just before the torpedoes from USS Baya hit.
The Kinugasa Maru was in convoy HI-77 (Moji, Japan to Singapore) together with the transport Manju Maru (7266 GRT, built 1925) and the oilers Omurosan Maru (9204 GRT, built 1937), Otowasan Maru (9204 GRT, built 1936), Arita Maru (10238 GRT, built 1944), Itsukushima Maru (10007 GRT, built 1937) and Kaiho Maru (10238 GRT, built 1944). The German submarine tender Quito (1230 GRT, built 1938) is also in the convoy, as is an unidentified vessel. They were escorted by frigates Chiburi, Etorofu, Shonan, Kaibokan 19 and Kaibokan 27 (all offsite links).
The oiler Akane Maru (10241 GRT, built 1944) of the convoy had already been sunk the day before and on the 5th, the transports Hakozaki Maru (10413 GRT, built 1922) and Oryoku Maru (7363 GRT, built 1937) had been detached (all offsite links).
6 October 1944
2015I/6 - Received a signal from the group commander on a contact report from USS Whale (T/Cdr. J.B. Grady, USN) on a convoy heading south towards our area.
2032I/6 - After decoding the signal set course to intercept.
7 October 1944
1900I/7 - In position 14°53'N, 116°07'E, picked up a large transport in high periscope. Commenced approach to obtain an attack position after darkness.
2147I/7 - In position 14°20'N, 115°55'E, fired four bow torpedoes from 2900 yards for a torpedo run of 3200 yards. All missed, reason not known. On firing the submarine swung hard right to bring the stern tubes to bear.
2149I/7 - Fired two stern torpedoes. These also missed.
2150I/7 - An escort vessel came toward. Went to full speed and the range gradually increased. In the meantime the target altered course radically and headed north-west at 15 knots.
2200I/7 - Commenced a new approach, determined that the target may not escape.
2224I/7 - In position 14°21'N, 115°46'E, fired three bow torpedoes from 2520 yards for a torpedo run of 2000 yards.
2226I/7 - The first torpedo hit the after hold which was in flames by the time the second torpedo hit in the forward hold. The entire ship bust into an inferno of lames and minor explosions.
2227I/7 - A catastrophic explosion lit the entire area. This explosion was an awe-inspiring sight. A mushroom of while and yellow flame rose hundreds of feet into the air. Tracers, rockets and pieces of flaming debris filled the sky. This ship literally disintegrated. A ludicrous sight at this time was the escort his green rocket submarine warning signal, but not so ludicrous were the 20mm tracers he started firing. With bullets whizzing past the bridge and periscope shears, and exploding in the water all around the ship, speed was increased to get clear. The range slowly opened.
2330I/7 - The escort was lost on radar. (6)
8 Oct 1944
USS Hawkbill (T/Cdr. F.W. Scanland, Jr., USN) tries to make another attack, most likely on a ship of convoy HI-77 (see 7 October 1944). She is however forced down by an escort vessel and depth charged.
0032I/8 - In position 14°13'N, 115°28'E, obtained radar contact at a range of 30000 yards. Commenced tracking and set course and speed to attain a position ahead of the contact. At a range of 11000 yards determined the target to be an aircraft carrier with two destroyer escorts, making 17 knots. The moon at this time was bright, visibility good, sea fairly rough. At full power it was just possible to keep up with the enemy. When first contacted the target was making good a northerly course and an urgent contact report to this effect was sent to the group commander. With the range down to 9000 yards the target apparently picked up the submarine on radar, for he changed course, keeping the submarine always on his beam.
0215I/8 - Found one of the destroyer escorts had closed from 11000 yards to 6000 yards while the crew of Hawkbill were busy tracking the carrier and was headed for the submarine at high speed.
0219I/8 - Submerged to 400 feet and rigged for depth charging.
0235I/8 - Received a well placed and rapid salvo of 19 depth charges. These must have been released from every rack and thrower the enemy had, for they all went off in less than 30 seconds.
0236I/8 - Hawkbill went to 500 feet.
0244I/8 - Anther salvo of 19 depth charges was dropped but now considerably off.
0255I/8 - A single depth charge was dropped. The enemy hund around for the remainder of the night, alternately pinging and listening, remaining in the immediate vicinity but dropping no more charges.
0545I/8 - Returned to periscope depth. Dawn was just breaking and the destroyer was sighted at a range of 6000 yards. Went to battle stations and made three tubes ready but the destroyer apparently gave up the hunt with daybreak and headed north.
0856I/8 - Surfaced.
0902I/8 -
(6)
9 Oct 1944 (position 12.43, 118.05)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) and teams up with USS Becuna to sink the Japanese merchant tanker Tokuwa Maru (1943 GRT) in position 12°43'N, 118°05'E.
17 Oct 1944
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) ended her 1st war patrol at Fremantle, Australia.
15 Nov 1944
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) departed from Fremantle for her 2nd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
15 Dec 1944 (position 16.40, 117.39)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese escort destroyer Momo (1262 tons, offsite link) about 140 nautical miles west-south-west of Cape Bolinao, Luzon, Philippines in position 16°40'N, 117°39'E.
29 Dec 1944 (position -5.35, 113.29)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank the Japanese merchant lighter No.130 with gunfire in Java Sea in position 05°35'S, 113°29'E.
5 Jan 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) ended her 2nd war patrol at Fremantle.
5 Feb 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) departed from Fremantle for her 3rd war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
12 Feb 1945 (position -9.20, 115.47)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese cargo vessel Kisaragi Maru (300 GRT) south of Lombok Strait in position 09°20'S, 115°47'E.
14 Feb 1945 (position -8.28, 115.45)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers Cha 4 (130 tons) and Cha 114 (180 tons) off Lombok Strait in position 08°28'S, 115°45'E.
16 Feb 1945 (position -9.00, 116.00)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire off Lombok Strait in approximate position 09°00'S, 116°00'E.
20 Feb 1945 (position -0.42, 106.18)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese merchant cargo ship Daizen Maru (5396 GRT) about 175 nautical miles north-west of Singapore in position 00°42'S, 106°18'E.
6 Apr 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) ended her 3rd war patrol at Fremantle.
5 May 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) departed from Fremantle for her 4th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol in the South China Sea.
16 May 1945 (position 4.49, 103.31)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) torpedoed and sank the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka (1608 tons, offsite link) off the east coast of Malaya in position 04°49'N, 103°31'E.
29 May 1945 (position 10.05, 99.34)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire in the Gulf of Siam in position 10°05'N, 99°34'E.
18 Jun 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) ended her 4th war patrol at Subic Bay, Philippines.
12 Jul 1945
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) departed from Subic Bay for her 5th war patrol. She was ordered to patrol off the east coast of Malaya.
17 Jul 1945 (position 5.00, 104.00)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya in approximate position 05°00'N, 104°00'E.
18 Jul 1945 (position 4.41, 103.30)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. Francis Worth Scanland, Jr.) is damaged by depth charges off Malaya in position 04°41'N, 103°30'E. The patrol is terminated due to the damage sustained.
20 Jul 1945 (position 4.29, 103.29)
While operating off the east coast of Malaya USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank a small Japanese vessel with gunfire in position 04°29'N, 103°29'E and another one in position 04°30'N, 103°28'E.
21 Jul 1945 (position 5.00, 103.00)
USS Hawkbill (Lt.Cdr. W. Scanland, Jr.) sank two small Japanese vessels with gunfire off the east coast of Malaya in approximate position 05°00'N, 103°00'E.
Sources
- http://www.homeofheroes.com/members/02_NX/citations/03_wwii-nc/nc_06wwii_navyS.html
- USS Hawkbill war history
- USS Hawkbill report of first war patrol
- War diary Commander Gulf Sea Frontier for June 1944
- USS Baya report of first war patrol + USS Becuna report of first war patrol + USS Hawkbill report of first war patrol
- USS Hawkbill report of first war patrol + Imperial Japanese Navy website
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