Seeking records about HMS Electra survivors & USS S-38

Dear Ms. Craven,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located the U.S. Submarine War Patrol Reports, 1941 - 1945 in the Records of the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations (Record Group 38) that includes the report USS S-38, February 1942 - May 1942.  This report has been digitized and can be viewed online using the Catalog. The events of 28 February and 1 March are described on images 12 through 15, and a list of HMS Electra survivors is on image 47. We also located World War II War Diaries, Other Operational Records and Histories, ca. 1/1/1942 - ca. 6/1/1946 in Record Group 38 that contains USS S-38 - War Patrol Report No 4 (Enc A-C). For the most part this is a duplicate copy of the previously linked war patrol report, although you may find this copy easier to read. The events of 28 February and 1 March are described on images 11 through 14, and a list of HMS Electra survivors is on image 46. Weather on these dates is described on image 29. The track sheet map for these dates is on image 44.  In addition, the rest of the report to be of general interest.

Next, we located the Logbooks of U.S. Navy Ships and Stations, 1941 - 1983 in the Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel (Record Group 24) that include the deck logs of the USS S-38  for February and March 1942. Plus, we located World War II Action and Operational Reports in Record Group 38 that may include additional reports submitted by the USS S-38. These records have not been digitized and are not available online. For more information, please contact the National Archives at College Park - Textual Reference (RDT2) via email at archives2reference@nara.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT2. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

In addition, we searched online and located the following articles. Some of these have citations that may suggest further avenues for research:

• https://www.usni.org/magazines/naval-history-magazine/2015/october/edge
• https://thedockyard.co.uk/lest_we_forget_able_seaman_peaceful_and_hms_electra/
• https://pacificwrecks.com/ships/hms/exeter.html
• https://uboat.net/allies/warships/ship/4833.html
• https://www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/ship-histories/danfs/s/s-38.html
• https://navaltheater.com/ships/hms-electra-h27

Among the citations in some of the above listed articles is the book H.M.S. Electra by T.J. Cain as told to A.V. Sellwood, published in 1959. According to WorldCat, a copy is available at the British Library. We also located a listing of the book in the collections of the Australian War Memorial. There may be copies in other libraries.

Service records of British military personnel that served during the Second World War and later are still held by the British Ministry of Defence. Visit the Get a copy of military service records website for further information.

Finally, we suggest that you contact The National Archives of the United Kingdom, the Imperial War Museum, and the National Museum Of The Royal Navy for further assistance.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!

Hi

Interested to read you input concerning HMS Electra.

My uncle Lt Cdr Tim Cain served throughout the war on HMS Electra and was the senior surviving officer when it was sunk during the Battle of the Java |Sea in February 1942.

He describes the eventful active war record of HMS Electra and the subsequent rescue by the American submarine described in the article in the book he Wrote "HMS Electra as told to A V Selwood" which is still available second hand in paperback or hard cover.

The only part he does not dwell on is life as a prisoner-of-war of the Japanese. I have found out seperately that he spend most of the imprisonment in a POW camp near Nagasaki and was used, presumably as forced labout, in some sort of ink factory.

He survived the war though my Mother often said that he was very emancipated when eventually repatriated. After writing the book he featured as a subject on This is Your Life.  I vaguely recall a guest was one of the three survivors of HMS Hood. Unfortunately no recording of the programme survives.

What is really galling is that the wreck of HMS Electra has been plundered by scrap metal dealers..

I hope the above is of some interest to you both in your search for some facts.

Chris

Hello Ro

Thanks for your e-mail and welcome to the world of busy retirement..

Since I wrote that post I've come across some detailed information from  the"This is Your Life"

programme which was largely based on the wartime exploits of HMS Electra and was probably instigated by the book of the same name that he had written.

As guests on the programme were a number of the surviving crew, a survivor from HMS Hood, and incredibly the Captain of the US Submarine SS38. It ended with a short film clip contribution from the mother of the Captain  that  went down with her.

I should be most interested to hear your grandfathers name and I will cross check  if his name appears in the book if you do not have a copy.

Hope the above is useful - I have odds and ends of info. that I've picked up over the years if you want any further details I would be glad to be of assistance.

Best wishes

Chris