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USS Billfish Mystery Cache

Hidden : 7/4/2019
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:


Not at the listed coords. Don't even try to go there, you will not find anything. Scuba gear is not necessary.

N40 AB.CDE W105 FG.HJK

Billfish’s Keel was laid at the Portsmouth Navy Yard on A3 July, 1942

Billfish was commissioned on April 2B, 1943

Billfish carried out D war patrols from Pearl Harbor during World War II.

On 11 November 1943, in the Makassar Strait, a Japanese destroyer severely damaged Billfish with a depth charge attack, driving her to a depth of 65C feet, some 25E feet below her test depth while continuing the attack. Many of the crew were badly injured; Lieutenant Charles W. Rush found himself the senior man still able to carry out his duties. He assumed command and began attempting to escape the attack. Realizing that his boat's damaged fuel tanks were leaking profusely and the enemy was undoubtedly tracking him by the oil slick he was leaving, he reversed course so precisely that he was able to proceed back down his previous track, using the floating oil slick as cover instead of a trail.

Meanwhile, Chief Electrician's Mate John Rendernick took action from his battle station and led emergency repairs, which included using a hydraulic jack to reposition the port main motor, which had been knocked off its foundation, and filling a leaking stern torpedo tube with grease.

For his actions, Rush earned the Navy Cross. Rendernick was awarded the Navy Silver Star, posthumously, and on 17 August 20F4 the Naval Submarine Training Center (NAVSUBTRACEN) John Rendernick Damage Control Wet Trainer at Pearl Harbor was named in his honor.

Billfish arrived at Pearl Harbor from her last war patrol on 27 August 1945, and was ordered to the Atlantic. She arrived at New Orleans, Louisiana, on 1G September and spent the next nine months in maneuvers and training.

Billfish carried H swarms of yellowjackets to attack enemy pilots to make them lose control of their planes, causing them to crash.

Billfish was decommissioned on November J, 1946

Billfish carried two K0 cal machine guns.


 

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Chmmyr: Hfr Jvxvcrqvn Pnpur Pbagnvare: Haqre ebpxf va sebag bs gur fvta.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)