Sunken Sub Appears to be USS Lagarto

Navy Newsstand ^ | 6/16/2006, 8:00:00 PM | Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Public Affairs

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii (NNS) -- Navy divers completed six days of diving operations June 16 on wreckage in the Gulf of Thailand believed to be that of the lost World War II submarine USS Lagarto (SS 371).

Divers will send photographs and video of the submarine to the Naval Historical Center in Washington for further analysis.

The divers' observations appear to confirm the discovery made in May 2005 by British wreck diver Jamie MacLeod.

"Without a doubt, it's a U.S. submarine, a Balao-class," said U.S. 7th Fleet Diving Officer, Cmdr. Tony San Jose.

San Jose and his fellow divers reported identifying twin 5-inch gun mounts both forward and aft, a feature believed to be unique to Lagarto. They also reported finding serial numbers and the word "Manitowoc" engraved on the submarine's propeller. Lagarto was one of 28 submarines built in Manitowoc, Wisc.

The operations were conducted from the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52) with embarked divers from Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit (MDSU) 1, based in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. The Japan-based mine countermeasures ship USS Patriot (MCM 7) assisted by first pinpointing the location of the wreckage with its SQQ-32 sonar and remotely-operated Mine Neutralization Vehicle.

The mission to positively identify Lagarto was carried out as part of the Thailand phase of the exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training, or CARAT. A Royal Thai Navy liaison officer was embarked aboard Salvor to assist during the mission.

San Jose said that the diving operations were very challenging because of short bottom times, strong currents and limited visibility. Due to the depths involved, the dives had to be conducted with mixed gas.

"We are deeply grateful to the divers of MDSU 1 and USS Salvor for their efforts to confirm this discovery and bring closure to the families of Lagarto's crew," said Pacific Submarine Force commander, Rear Adm. Jeffrey Cassias.

For 60 years, crew members' families did not know the exact circumstances surrounding the 86 submariners who perished. Lagarto was last heard from May 3, 1945, as it was preparing to attack a Japanese convoy under heavy escorts. Japanese war records later revealed that the minelayer Hatsutaka reported sinking a U.S. submarine at roughly the same time and location.

Cassias met May 6 with Lagarto family members at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum in Manitowoc, where a memorial service was held to honor the lost crew. Last year, Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle signed a proclamation making May 3, the day the craft was presumed sunk, as USS Lagarto Remembrance Day in perpetuity.

“We owe a great debt to these men, and to all of the World War II submariners,” said Cassias. “In the world's darkest hour, they faced the greatest risks, and demonstrated the most noble courage to preserve the freedom of our nation.”

Lagarto was one of 52 submarines lost on patrol during World War II.

For related news, visit the Commander, Submarine Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet Navy NewsStand page at www.news.navy.mil/local/subpac/.

[Excuse_My_Bellicosity]

060612-N-3483C-002 Gulf of Thailand (June 12, 2006) - Chief Navy Diver Russell Ciardiello stands by to be called to the stage aboard the rescue and salvage ship USS Salvor (ARS 52) with the help of Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Rick Parizal and Quartermaster 2nd Class Jason Tangalin. He will be diving on what is presumed to be World War II-era USS Lagarto (SS 371). Salvor divers are assisting the Naval Historical Center in attempting to positively identify the wreck. The diving operation is part of the Thailand phase of the Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training (CARAT) 2006 Exercise series. CARAT is an annual series of bilateral maritime training exercises between the U.S. and six Southeast Asia nations designed to build relationships and enhance the operational readiness of the participating forces. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Robert S. Cole (RELEASED)

[bitt]

ping

[Blueflag]

More info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Balao_class_submarine

[359Henrie]

Still on patrol.

[BIGLOOK]

Lost and found .....one ping only.

[potlatch]

I don't think I could 'take' being on a sub, I'd get claustrophobic with the knowledge of all that water 'out there'!

[devolve]

Living in a shoebox 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea

I forwarded this to Bud in Pompano

USS POMPANO - SS-181 - still on patrol

[potlatch]

I once got to go through a submarine so I have an idea of what it must be like to be stuck in one!.

[nickcarraway]

Thank you to the men of the USS Lagarto.

[devolve]

We took a troop of Boy Scouts up the New London - tight quarters in those subs

[potlatch]

"tight quarters " - and all those metal stairs, up, down. Better be surefooted on those things! Of course, the one I saw was a LONG time ago, might be better now.

[JOE6PAK]

[Jotmo]

I spent the night on the USS Blueback (SS 581) in Portland with our Boy Scout troop, a few years ago. Glad I only had to sleep in that tiny rack once.

[Paladin2]

A little research 0n the web sh0ws that the T0rsk that I g0t t0 visit in 1959 0utside the Buffal0 harb0r is still afl0at and available t0 revisit in the Baltim0re harb0r. C00l.

[devolve]

Overnight on a sub

I missed that little thrill


T hear those subs shrink over the years

[magslinger]

Friends of mine took a group of cub scouts aboard the USS Silversides (SS-236) in Muskegon, Mi. She thought it was a little tight but not too bad, in officers country. He's over six foot, slept in an enlisted rack and wouldn't do it again, ever.

[GATOR NAVY]

San Jose and his fellow divers reported identifying twin 5-inch gun mounts both forward and aft, a feature believed to be unique to Lagarto.

WTF? Poorly worded. I think they mean two5 inch mounts both forward and aft, which would be uncommon enough on U.S. subs. The idea of twin 5 inch mounts on a sub is ridiculous. It sucks this comes from Navy Newsstand.

[armydawg1]

Men have always taken risks for this country and always will, so long as they arent treated like a certain group of Marines are being right now.

Rest in peace brave warriors.

[Rodney King]

Domo arigato SS Lagarto

[nickcarraway]

Thanks.