Sunken Sub Appears to be USS Lagarto

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.”

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

The Ling is a Balao class submarine built by the Cramp Shipbuilding Company in Philadelphia. Ling was launched 15 August, 1943 and was moved to the Boston Navy Yard for completion and testing.

One of 119 Balao class submarines, the Ling and her sister ships were an improvement over the earlier Gato class. The use of 7/8 high tensile steel in the hulls enabled boats like Ling to safely patrol at depth as great as 400 feet, 100 feet lower than the earlier class. This enabled Balao subs to stay below the range of most Japanese depth charges, which detonated at 300 feet. Design specifications were similar to those drawn by the Portsmouth Navy Yard, which can be distinguished by the placement of the anchor on the port side near the bow.

Upon completion, Ling was ordered to the Pacific, but the war ended before she crossed the Panama Canal. Ling returned to New London, Connecticut, where she was overhauled and then moored as part of the Atlantic Reserve Fleet in 1946. She remained in storage until she was converted into a training ship at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, where simulated all aspects of submarine operations.

Eleven years later Ling was decommissioned by the Navy and six months later the old 297 was donated to the Submarine Memorial Association. The Submarine Memorial Association is a non-profit organization formed in 1972 with the purpose of saving Ling from the scrap yard. They petitioned the Navy bring the boat to Hackensack to serve as a memorial to perpetuate the memory of our shipmates who gave their lives in the pursuit of their duties while serving their country". Many citizens and corporations contributed time, professional services, and funds toward the restoration of Ling. She has been restored to mint condition--scrubbed, painted, and polished for public tours--through the efforts of the association. The compartments have been refurbished and outfitted with authentic gear that recreates the bygone era of the World War II battle submarine. The USS Ling and N.J. Naval Museum is located on River and Court Streets in Hackensack. Guided tours are conducted between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

For additional information, contact the Submarine Memorial Association, PO Box 395, Hackensack, NJ 07602; 201-342-3268.

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