The FReeper Foxhole Remembers The USS Mount Hood (AE-11) - March 12th, 2004

see educational sources

[Victoria Delsoul]

OK... Samwolf :-)

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks for your response EOD.

[snippy_about_it]

Thanks for the Tinosa profile Phil.

[PhilDragoo]

Rough handling accounts for the majority of ordnance accidents.

HIJMS Submarine I-36

Postwar analysis indicates that one kaiten damaged the ammunition ship USS MAZAMA (AE-9)

USS Current ARS 22 Raising 2-man Japanese sub found in Pearl Harbor 19 years after WW-II. Sunk by depth charge, conning tower door open, 2 torpedoes aboard (Contributed By John Bauer)

At 0700 on January 12, 1944, Current went to general quarters. In accordance with radio communications from Comservron Ten, Current was underway to Ulithi’s Southern Anchorage 528 to render assistance to the ammunition ship USS Mazama AE-9. The Mazama became a battle casualty of a Kaiten, a one-man suicide submarine. After the attack, an investigation revealed the Mazama was attacked by a Kaiten launched by the Japanese submarine I-36. Because the war in the Pacific was going badly for the Japanese by the end of 1944, they formed special Kaiten units comprised of mother submarines that carried four or five one-man midget submarines. Several Kaiten units were dispersed throughout the Pacific to attack Allied ships. Kaiten Force "Kongo" was directed to destroy ships anchored at Ulithi Atoll's Southern Anchorage.

At 0650 on the morning of January 12, Mazama's crew sighted a suspicious object off the starboard quarter. Four minutes later an explosion rocked the ship and the Mazama began to list two degrees to port and was down at the bow. Pumps were immediately started to counteract the flooding. Later, ballast was emptied to reduce the forward draft. The ship was damaged in the number one hold by the concussion of the Kaiten that prematurely detonated 90 feet from the Mazama. The explosion killed one sailor and injured seven others seriously.

While underway to the Mazama, Current prepared two ten inch salvage pumps, a submersible six inch pump, two P-500 pumps with hose and fittings and rigged the forward and after booms for transfer of this equipment to the Mazama. At 0735, Current arrived at the scene of the damaged ammunition ship. Four rescue tugs were already moored to the Mazama. Current proceeded to tie up port side to ATR-34 heading down wind in a position to use the ATR’s booms to pass Current’s equipment to the damaged and settling bow of the Mazama. Current’s fire hoses, fire monitors and foam throwing equipment were manned and ready. The fire fighting party was prepared to board. Lieutenant Commander Duffy, captain of Current was senior officer in charge of the Mazama salvage operation and all vessels on the scene. After inspection, Mazama’s number one hold, containing fifty three hundred tons of ammunition, was found completely flooded and the number two hold partially flooded. At 0935, Current exchanged positions with ATR-34, to be directly alongside Mazama to more effectively use its salvage equipment and to be in a better position to use fire-fighting equipment if a fire ignited. After caulking and plugging of open seams and other damage control work was completed, the Mazama stopped settling and leakage into the number two hold was contained. The flooded holds were pumped out and serviceable ammunition from both holds was unloaded and transferred while damaged munitions were dumped at sea. On January 21, 1945 work on the Mazama was completed.

Example of Japanese Submarine (I-58)

Henk of Holland

This Japanese two-man submarine was part of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7th, 1941.

Returning to Tokyo, it took a wrong turn and wound up here in Bisbee, Arizona, and was detained after a routine traffic stop.

Kaiten

Submarine History 1944

1944 Japan fielded the "Kaiten" suicide torpedo, incorporating elements of the 24-inch, 40-knot version of the "Long Lance" with a control compartment into which the pilot was locked. Range: not more than five hours, no matter what. "Kaiten" were carried into battle by I-class submarines; the record is ambiguous. A fairly large number of "Kaiten" were sent into action; one American tanker and a small landing ship were sunk, perhaps also a destroyer escort, and two transports were damaged.

Japan was not able to field its Godzilla-class boats in time to turn the inexorable tide of defeat by America's determined might.

[U S Army EOD]

The story of the Japanese submarine captured by the local Bisbee, AZ police force is an interesting story on the failure of intelligence on the Japanese Navy. Prior to the attack on Bisbee, the Japanese crew was not briefed by their commanding officer that Americans drive on the right side of the road.

The local police began to get suspicious due to continued reports coming in about a small submarine with funny looking letters on it, cruising at 6 mph on the wrong side of the road. A road block was set up and the submarine stopped. The crew could not produce green cards or proof of insurance for the submarine, therefore they were detained for further investigation. When the VIN number was checked, the Imperial Japanese Navy was notified who in turn refused to pay the towing bill from Bisbee back to Japan. Therefore the Bisbee Police Department impounded the submarine. This is a true story.

[SAMWolf]

Good info the Japanese submarines.

Returning to Tokyo, it took a wrong turn and wound up here in Bisbee, Arizona, and was detained after a routine traffic stop.

LOL!

[snippy_about_it]

Wonderful post Phil, lots of good information and good humor. ;-)

[PhilDragoo]

"I was deeply affected by the blatant racial profiling of the Arizona Highway
Patrol in its arrest and detainment of the Japanese driver and passenger of a
Submaru driving through Bisbee during WWII.

"So much so that I have now instructed the NTSA security personnel to frisk six
grandmothers, five toddlers, four veterans on crutches, three Chihuahuas in
carriers, two nuns and a priest for every person of Middle Eastern appearance."

[SAMWolf]

Hey my wife drive a Submaru. ;-) Maybe that's why she's always getting stopped.

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!!

[E.G.C.]

BTTT!!!!!

[snippy_about_it]

Submaru

LOL. Thanks Phil for my morning laugh!

[U S Army EOD]

Which side of the road does she drive on?

[SAMWolf]

She's a woman, she's all over the road. ;-)