ABSTRACT FROM THE DECK LOG OF USS ROCK (SS274) FRIDAY 9 MARCH 1945
Underway in accordance with ContaskGroup 71.7 operation order 29-45 on course 350 deg T at cruising speed 13 knots. 0200 changed cours to 000 deg T 00315 changed speed to 14 knots.
Original signed by J.K. Leasure Lt (jg)
Underway on course 000 deg T cruising at 14 knots 0418 changed speed to 13 knots. 005 commenced zigzagging at base course 000 deg T Radar contact on friendly plane at 28 miles Losr contact at 28 miles.
Original signed by J.R. Leggett Lt (jg)
Underway zigzagging at base course 000 deg T. Mustered crew on stations, no absentees.Madea daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples. Tested magazine flooding and sprinkling systems. Tested satisfactory. 0912 submerged on course 335 deg T 0945 changed course to 150 deg T. Surfaced on course 150 deg T. 1010 changed course and speed standardon 4 main engines. 1015 maneuvered on varios courses to close range on USS Bream, 1145 changes cruising speed to standard on three engines. Commenced zigzagging on base 000 deg T
Original signed by A.A. Boehme Ens USN
Underway on base course 000 deg T steer Arms Course clock making standard speed on three main engines. 1330 changed course to 287 deg T. 1341 changes course to 180 deg T. 1455 submerged on course 000 deg T. 1546 secured from battle stations. 1550 changed course to 000 deg T and changed speed to two main engines. 1554 Commenced steering base course 350 deg T by armed course clock.
Original signed by L.G. Yeich Lt (jg)
Underway zigzagging on course 350 deg T at speed 14 knots. 1615 Changed base course to 010 deg T. 1918 secured zigzagging steering course 110 deg T.
Original signed by J. K. Leasure Lt (jg)
Underway on course 010 deg T cruising at standard speed on two engines. 2035 Exchanged calls and communicated with USS BREAM. 2115 Changed speed to 17 knots. 2201 changed course to 031 deg T. 2208 Radar contact at 099 deg T at 12,350 yards. 2219 lost Radar contact at 119 deg T 11,150 yards.
Original signed by J.K. Leggett
Saturday March 10 1945
Underway in accordance with COMTask Group 71.1 Op order 29-45 on course 031 deg T. at standard speed on three main engines charging batteries on one main engine. 0003 Completed battery charge. 0005 Standard speed on four main engines. 0206 land contact on SJ radar Bearing 086 deg T range 39,650 yards. 0325 sighted VLAMING HEAD navigational light bearing 049.8 deg T. 0345 Changed course to 270 deg T . 0353 Changed course to 031 deg T,
Original signed by J.V. Carbrous Ens.
Underway as before on course 031 deg T at standard speed on four main engines. 0542 changes course 090 deg T. 0550 sighted sailboat bearing 075 deg T distance 8 miles. 0630 changed course yo 0295 deg T. 0632 maneuvering to bring sailboat along side. 0640 picked up 15 men od SS Peter Silvester at latitude 21 deg 41.5 min South longitude 114 deg 07.6 min East as follows: J.S Eiselsstein Lt, USA , Thomas Tachirhart Pvt, USA Mario Martinelli Pvt USA, Frank G Cappello S1c USN, Lawrence Casseli S1c USN, Charles Kimmer Pvt USA, James Navsler USMS . Vito Garubo USMS, Richard Sproul USMS, Eugene Larsen USMS, Jack Cox USMS, Kenneth Penn USMS, James Folden USMS Louis Dufour USMS Carl Peffier USMS. 0655 sank lifeboat with 20 mm and 40 mm fire after trying to tow it. 0705 changed course to 090 deg T changed speed to all ahead standard. 0709 changed course to 134 deg T 0737 changed course to 193 deg T. 0750 mustered crew on stations. No absentees.
Original signed by L.C. Yeich LT (jg )
Underway as before Made daily inspection of magazines and smokeless powder samples. Conditions normal. 0854 maneuvering on varios courses at various speeds proceeding through channel to moor along side USS Coucal. 0911 moored to starboard side of USS COUCAL Exmount Gulf Western Australia. 0930 transferred following survivors to USS Coucal, J.L. Eiselstein Lt USA, Thomas Tachirhart Pvt USA, Mario Martinelli Pvt USA, Frank G Cappello S1c USN, Lawrence Caselli S1c USN, Charles Kimmer Pvt USA.,James Navsler USMS, Vito Garubo USMS, Richard Sproul USMS, Eugene Larsen USMS, Jack Cox, USMS, Kenneth Penn, USMS, James Folden USMS, Louis Dufour USMS, Carl Peffier USMS. 0940 Commenced fueling from USS COUCAL, 1140 secured fueling ship from USS COUCAL. Secured fueling ship. Received on board 12,744 gallon fuel oil.
Original signed J.V. Carbrous ENS USN
Moored as before 1240 commenced receiving lub oil aboard ship, 1340 secured receiving lub oil aboard, Received 630 gallons symbol #9370 lubricating oil, 1500 USS BREAM underway.