USS Antares report on Pearl Harbor attack

U.S.S. Antares
AKS3/A16-3(0661)
Pearl Harbor, T.H.
December 10, 1941.From: The Commanding Officer.
To: The Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
Subject: Air Raid on Oahu December 7, 1941; Report on.
Reference: (a) CINCPAC despatch 102102 of December 1941.

1. In compliance with reference (a) the following report concerning the activities of this vessel on the morning of December 7, 1941, is submitted.
2. At 0630 the Antares arrived off Pearl Harbor entrance from Canton and Palmyra Islands with a 500 tons steel barge in tow. It was expected to transfer the two to a tug at the above time and then enter Pearl Harbor. As the tug was not in sight at 0630 the ship was turned slowly to the east at which time a suspicious object was sighted about 1500 yards on the starboard quarter. This object could have been a small submarine with upper conning tower awash and periscope partly raised but it could not be positively identified as such. The U.S.S. Ward which was the inshore patrol ship in the vicinity was notified and proceeded to investigate. At 0633 a navy patrol plane circled and dropped two smoke pots near the object. At 0645 the Ward commenced firing and ceased firing at 0647. At this time either the patrol plane dropped bombs or the Ward three depth charges over the object, which disappeared.
3. At 0715 the Keosanoua arrived to received the tow and it was passed at 0835. At 0758 explosions were observed in Pearl Harbor and Japanese planes were seen delivering an attack. At 0800 this vessel was under machine gun fire from a Japanese plane, the topside being hit in a few places by approximately thirty calibre bullets. Several bomb and numerous shell fragments continually fell in close proximity and the ship was severely shaken by either bomb bursts or depth charges. As this vessel is not armed, no effective offensive or defensive tactics appeared possible. After passing the tow the ship was maneuvered, zigzagging and turning to a position between the Pearl Harbor restricted area and Honolulu entrance, inshore of combatant ships. As it was apparent that the continued presence of the Antares off shore was placing the ship and personnel in constant jeopardy, authority was requested to enter Honolulu Harbor. This was received from the Harbor Control Officer at 1054 and at 1146 the ship was moored to Berth 5-A, Honolulu Harbor.
4. No casualties to personnel or material were received. Personnel reacted to the emergency in an exemplary manner. Men disconnecting the tow and others on exposed stations were calm and steady.

[signed]
L.C. GRANNIS.
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