Japanese submarine I-401

Japanese submarine I-401

The "Sen Toku"-class "I-401" was once the largest submarine in the world. It was commanded by Lieutenant Commander Nambu. Capable of carrying three two-seat Aichi M6A1 "Seiran" (Mountain Haze) float torpedo bombers, the "Sen Toku"s were built to launch a surprise air strike against the Panama Canal.

ervice history

When the "I-401" was completed and commissioned on 8 January 1945 at the Kure Naval District, the Second World War was almost over. This left the fate of "I-401" uncertain. After several attempts to launch, the "I-401" set route to its first target, but was stopped by Emperor Hirohito's broadcast, calling for an end to all hostilities on 15 August 1945.

On 26 August 1945, the "I-401" hoisted a black flag of surrender. Its unmanned planes were catapulted into the sea, all 20 Type 95 torpedoes were destroyed, and all codes, logs, charts and secret documents were also destroyed.

Three days later, on 29 August 1945, the "I-401" was picked up by radar by USS|Segundo|SS-398|6. "I-401" surrendered to the "Segundo". Lieutenant Commander Nambu delivered two samurai swords, as a symbol of surrender, to Lieutenant J.E. Balson, the "Segundo"'s Prize Crew officer.

The "I-401" was finally sunk, while used as a target ship, off Pearl Harbor on May 31 1946.

Rediscovery

On 17 March 2005, the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory's (HURL) deep-diving submersibles "Pisces IV" & "Pisces V" located the "I-401" off the coast of Kalaeloa. The "I-401" lies about 820 meters (2665 feet) off the coast of Barbers Point. The bow is broken off just forward of the aircraft hangar. The two pieces are not far apart and are connected by a debris field. The main hull is sitting upright on the bottom and the numbers "I-401" are clearly visible on the sides of the conning tower. Her 25 mm antiaircraft guns seem in almost perfect condition.

Commanding Officers

* Lt. Cmdr. Nobukiyo Nambu - 8 January 1945 - 1 September 1945

External links

* [http://www.soest.hawaii.edu/HURL/I-401.html HURL I-401 page]
* [http://www.pacerfarm.org/i-400/ Account of the I-400 by a member of her US prize crew]


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