USS S-43 (SS-154) - First War Patrol

First War Patrol

Upkeep followed, and, on 11 May, S-43 cleared Moreton Bay for her first war patrol. She ran submerged during daylight hours after passing 15 degrees south, despite her lack of air conditioning. She arrived in her patrol area, St. George's Channel between New Ireland and New Britain, on 21 May. On 24 May, her main engine air compressors broke down making both engines dependent on the ship's air banks. Two nights were spent removing and repairing the starboard air compressor. Her port air compressor remained out of commission. Leaks in sea valves; contaminated fuel oil; and a persistent fogging problem on the number-one periscope lens also plagued her for the remainder of the patrol. In early June 1942, The port engine clutch collapsed and became irreparable rendering the port engine unusable. The starboard engine threw a connecting rod on one of the pistons. Engine parts were thrown through the side of the engine. After three days and three nights the engines were still not operating. The Captain decided that if the crew was unable to get the engine running soon the only alternative would be to scuttle the submarine on a reef near Guadalcanal 54 miles away. The 55 crew members could then wade ashore with small arms. There was just enough power left in the batteries for this trip. Fortunately, the next day the Machinist's Mate notified the Captain that emergency repairs had been made, broken parts removed, and holes welded in the cylinder wall and the submarine would be able to return to port on 7 (of 8) cylinders. The S-43 was able to make port in Brisbane, Australia.

From 26 May to 1 June, S-43 ran submerged during the day to clear the area and lay to at night to charge her batteries. On 2 June, she surfaced and, operating on one engine, continued at one-third speed to Brisbane, where she arrived on 10 June.