Shannon (DM 25) - Naval Cruise Book

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Quarters was sounded at 0750, as we stopped and mbfmt 30 miles southwest of Nagasaki, Kyushu, A Ship had been sighted and contacted, and was closing leeording to plan. At 0810, the Saishu fCMc 311, a light mine-layer, lay to several hundred yards away. small pulling .boat was put in the water and loaded, At 5345, 3 delegation of Japanese coastal defense officers, headed by Commander Tsunji Aztnna, came aboard for a conference with CTG 52.3. The conference, held in the wardrooin, was conducted by Commodore Farrow and attended by Commodore Davison, Captain Ingram, the Navigator, the Flag Lieutenant, the Interpreter, Lt. fjgl Howard, and the japanese delegation. Charts brought aboard by the japanese showed the location of all the minefields in the area. A description of the local the Smith, on the right Hank of the sweep formation, planted l9U0Ys to mark the eastern boundary, At 1600, the right flank unit left the formation to sweep an anchorage area north of Matsu Shimaj while the rest of the ships continued past O Shima, clearing the channel up to the entrance of Sasebo Har.bor. At that point we reversed course and enlarged the channel to the newly swept anchorage area, where we anchored for the night, Lt, Commander Kimura returned to his ship. Early the next morning, Lt. Commander Fujii, Japanese Imperial Navy, came aboard to assist in the days operations. The units then proceeded from the anchorage and began sweeping. Wlieri the channel and approach to Sasebo Ko had been completed, we started a clearance sweep of the area north defenses was given by the delegation, In addition, the facilities, size, and location of anchorages and harbors was discussed, as well as the number, size, and capabilities of Japanese ships which might be used to assist in minesweeping. The delegation left the ship at 1033 leaving Lt. Commander S. Kibura on board to assist in the day's sweeping OperatiOnS. AS Soon thereafter as possible, the sweeps streamed their gear, and we commenced a clearance sweep of the aDDF03Cl1 channel to Sasebo. During the operation, the Shann0n laid buoys to mark the western limit of the swept channel, While , Ulf., .sf as, of the channel. At the end of the day we returned to the Matsu Shima anchorage, which was rapidly coming to be known as Stewards Cove , During the day. the tanker Millicoma CAO 733 arrived, providing us with much needed fuel. From that time on the Shannon ceased to participate actively in the sweeping operations in the Sasebo-Nagasaki area. Our duties became those of a courier, in addition to directing the progress of the sweeps and controlling the operations of the ships in TG 52.3. September,11th, the Shannon lay at anchor. 59 1

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On completion of the day's operations September 3, the Smith joined Sweep Units 1 and 3 to remain in the Arcadia area, while the Shannon and Sweep Unit 2, as TU 95.4.92, proceeded northward to Jinsen, Korea, to conduct an explora- tory sweep of the harbor and approaches in preparation for landings in that area. Early in the morning, the unit arrived off Kakureppi Retto, and, by 1000, began an exploratory sweep of the approaches to Iinsen Harbor. The Shannon's assignment was to lay buoys to mark the center of the channel and coincidently, the limit of the First pass. At the end of the first pass, the sweeps ex- plored an area which was later to be used as an anchorage. They then returned toward Kakureppi, sweeping the other half of the channel. By 1800, the day's operations, during which no mines were cut, had been completed. VVe anchored for the night in the western end of the swept channel. Shortly after we anchored Commodore Davison shifted his pennant to the Dour QAM 2235 to remain in the Jinsen area directing the operation, The Shannon was then ordered to return to Arcadia, and left at 1908, with several other ships. Early the next morning we made a rendezvous with TG 70.6 to fuel from the Chiwawa CAO 681, on the completion of which we continued to Arcadia. When we arrived, at noon, the Commodore relieved the Smith as OTC, allowing her to meet the Chiwawa and fuel. By September 7, the area had been completely swept and checked, and a line of buoys laid to mark the channel through the mine lines, As we were completing the last check, several Seventh Fleet units, mostly transports and escorts steamed safely through, enroute to Iinsen for the occupation. i At 1830, our job finished, TU 95.4.8 and TU 95.4.9 were l 1 . . . and no beer ever tasted better. Plenty to Celebrate . . . dissolved and TG 52.3 was formed of the same units, with Commodore Farrow in command. The sweeps assumed their steaming disposition and we departed Area Arcadia, enroute to Sasebo, Kyushu, Japan. ANNIVERSARY , , During the night, as we passed within 25 miles of Saishu To, the Fitch CDMS 255 joined our formation, Early the morning of September 8, the Fitch came alongside to transfer a load of very welcome mail and one passenger, Lttjgj D. D. Coffin, a Japanese language officer, who was to be our interpreter throughout the coming operations. This being the first anniversary of the Shannon's com- missioning, a celebration, as proper as the time and place would permit, was in order. All work was knocked ofi' early that afternoon, and all hands off watch moved to the fantail, where two cans of cold beer awaited each man. Never did beer taste so good! Besides being a long time since the last one, the afternoon was hot and sultry, Everyone drank in toast to the Shannon, to her accomplishments during the historical past year, to her future, and to victory and peace. Adding to the significance of the day, an order was received to burn peace-time navigational lights. At sunset running lights were turned on by all Naval vessels for the first time since December 7, 1941, and by the Shannon for the first time in her history. That night, further celebration was both occasioned and accomplished by showing movies topside. It was, indeed, an historical day for the Shannon. SASEBO - NAGASAKI SWEEP Operations in the Sasebo area were equally as important as those in the Arcadia area and the approaches to Iinsen, if not more so. The waters between Goto Retto and the west coast of Kyushu, the harbors and approaches, had to be free of mines before the occupation forces could land at Nagasaki and Sasebo to take control of Kyushu. Dllfillg U10 morning watch, September 9. the Task Group passed between Fukao Shima, the southern-most island in the Goto Retto chain, and Danjo Gunto. 58 ' !

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