Is it proper to call it a submarine? I always thought that this was a "submersible vessel," not a submarine.
Posted on 06/16/2006 6:04:48 PM PDT by 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/.
What a thrill! I was surprised at how little molly-coddling of the civilians there was. I got to sit up on the sail, just holding onto the railing as we headed out past the bay bridge-tunnel, and I was manning the fairweather planes as we dove after reaching the continental shelf. Later we dove to about 800 feet, and also did "angles and dangles". The strange banking to the outside of a turn surprised me, until I figured out why it worked that way.
All in all, a memorable day. Must have been, because there's not that much from ... oh ... let's see ... about 22 years ago!!!!!
The first Silversides, Gato class, is in honored retirement at Great Lake Naval Memorial and Museum
“We owe a great debt to these men, and to all of the World War II submariners,” said Cassias.
Thank you for giving your last full measure USS Lagarto (SS 371)!
Thank you to the crew and their families of all subs, but today to the crew of the Lagarto.
Anchors Away.
Brave men, may they RIP.
I served on the USS Jallao (SS368) back in the early 60's.
Thanks for the ping!
LoL, I had to order a new keyboard a month ago (I am picky, had to have one of those curved contured keyboards)... Smile, keep FReeping buddy.
Oh --- I didn't know there had been a WW2 "Silversides". The boat I was on was a 60's vintage nuclear fast-attack sub.
Is it proper to call it a submarine? I always thought that this was a "submersible vessel," not a submarine.
USS Lagarto
http://www.historycentral.com/navy/Submarine/lagarto.html
Lagarto (SS-371) was laid down 12 January 1944 by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co., Manitowoc, Wis. launched 28 May 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Paul H. Douglas Congresswoman from Illinois and wife of Capt. Paul H. Douglas, USMCR, (later U.S. Senator from Illinois); and commissioned 14 October 1944, Comdr. F. D. Latta in command.
After trial tests and training in Lake Michigan, Lagarto entered a floating drydock 3 December 1944, was floated down the Mississippi River, and 2 days later departed New Orleans for the Pacific.
Lagarto sailed from Pearl Harbor 7 February 1945 for her maiden war patrol in waters around the Nansei Shoto. In a coordinated attack 13 February with Haddock' (SS-231) and Sennet (SS-408), she engaged four heavily armed picket boats in a gun battle, sank two, and damaged the others. On 24 February Lagarto sank small freighter Tatsumono Maru off Bungo Suido and not long afterward spotted a Japanese submarine. She torpedoed and sank enemy submarine I~71 in a day periscope attack. Lagarto arrived Subic Bay 20 March.
Lagarto departed Subic Bay for the South China Sea 12 April and late in April was directed to patrol in the Gulf of Siam, where Baya (SS-318) joined her 2 May. That afternoon Baya signaled that she was tracking a tanker traveling under heavy escort. That night Baya tried to attack but was driven off by enemy escorts equiped with radar. The two submarines met early next morning to discuss attack plans. Baya made a midnight attack but was again driven off by the unusually alert Japanese escorts. Early next morning, 4 May, when Baya tried to contact her teammate, Lagarto made no reply. Since Japanese records state that during the night of 3-4 May mine layer Hatsutaka attacked a U.S. submarine in that location, it is presumed that Lagarto perished in battle with all hands.
Lagarto received one battle star tor World War II service.
This sub is also the same class as the Bowfin, which on display at that same memorial at Pearl. Very interesting visit to that museum.
Bless the site and then, please, let them rest.
USS Batfish (SS-310) is in Muskogee, Oklahoma:
Click the link to the Great Lakes Naval Museum at my post #23. You can read some of the original USS Silversides' history.
would most of those in the photo have been the same ones in May 1945?
One ping. Just one.
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