More WW2 Japanese submarines located off Hawaii

Researchers on Thursday announced the discovery of two World War II Japanese submarines, including one meant to carry aircraft for attacks on American cities and the Panama Canal, in deep water off Hawaii, where they were sunk 63 years ago.

The submarines, among five that were captured by American forces at the end of the war and taken to Pearl Harbor for study, were found off Oahu at a depth of about 2,600 feet using submersibles from the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory, which is financed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and located at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. The five were towed to sea in 1946 and torpedoed, and the researchers said one probable reason for that was to avoid having to share any of the technology with the Russian military.

From the NY Times. We posted about the initial discovery some five years ago, with further posts here and here.

The latest search has been sponsored by National Geographic, which will be broadcasting a documentary on the subs on Tuesday the 17th. Read more at their website, including photos and video.

Posted by David on November 14, 2009 8:37 AM