The first ship contact on 26 February consisted of four small ships headed northward along the coast. The fire control party obtained an excellent solution, but at daybreak the targets were identified as patrol craft, possibly a hunter-killer group unworthy of torpedo fire, and BAYA secured from battle stations. Shore-based enemy radar, night flying radar planes, and numerous sailboats were constantly in evidence in this sector. A hospital ship similar to the Seattle Maru was seen to pass headed in a southerly direction on 27 February. No action was taken as it bore proper markings.
A five-ship convoy consisting of one tanker, one large freighter, and three escorts was detected by radar during the night of March 4. Weather conditions favored the enemy. There was a calm sea and bright moonlight with a slight inshore haze - and the approach was hampered by numerous sailboats which forced BAYA to fire six torpedoes from radar depth at a range of 7050 yards. Two hits exploded the tanker in a tremendous blaze which obscured the damage inflicted by two more hits in the freighter; both ships beached and sank. The escorts dropped a total of forty-two depth charges, but no damage was suffered.
Joining the wolf pack in Camranh Bay area, BAYA contacted a single ship leaving Phang Rang Bay at 2200 on 20 March. Identified as a Matsu-class destroyer, the ship was sunk with one hit from a stern tube salvo of three torpedoes about 1600 yards offshore. Planes and costal radar were particularly active following this attack but at 0400 the following morning a convoy of two destroyer escorts and one sub chaser, all well camouflaged, emerged from the bay with an airplane escort.
With dawn approaching, a periscope attack was conducted, and a spread of three torpedoes was fired from the stern tubes. Two erratic runs were reported by sound and no hits obtained, but BAYA was detected by the sub chaser which passed directly overhead and released a pattern of six close depth charges. Depth Control was lost and BAYA grounded in a mud bottom at 270 feet where extensive minor damage was caused by fifteen more uncomfortable charges. The patrol was completed upon arrival at Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippine Islands, on 27 March and refit was carried out by Submarine Division 222 Relief Crew and the U.S.S. HOWARD W. GILMORE. The commanding officer was awarded the Silver Star for his aggressive performances during the third patrol.
You can download the complete report here, it's a large file, or read individual pages below.
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