I just realize, for the so-called terror of the Japanese Fleet, it only took one naval mine to sunk her.
Well, I don't know about that. Officially, they have no idea what happened to her. When struck from the Naval Register, the listed reason was 'lost at sea, presumed sunk'. That actually doesn't mean much.
There's actually a story/rumor that I'd heard about a group searching for her final resting place if you care to read it.
Show
Recently, I heard about an archeologist/treasure hunter (seeking knowledge as the real treasure) group that were looking for her (no real idea as to when this event occurred though, only when I heard of it). Apparently, they had been dredging the area that she was presumed mined when they found something... very interesting.
A sheet of metal, presumed from the hull of a ship, with 'CCCP Дa'(rest illegible) emblazoned on it.
Ye-e-a-ah, that's not the Albacore. The other scrap they pulled up also didn't match with the components used in the Gato-class's construction. (It also caused quite a lot of confusion for the hunters as neither they nor I were aware that Russia had any submarines during the war...)
Unfortunately, after off-location research they did think they found what had happened to her. Records at Pearl Harbor, where her last maintenance was performed (just a few days before she went missing), indicated that her oxygen control system was 'reported slightly damaged, checked and found okay'. So, out of curiosity, they hunted down the mechanics who had gave the damage report back then... and what his son told them (he had passed on) would seal the case.
He showed them some of his father's logs, he had been keeping track of what he had done (he really shouldn't have been doing that). The entry for the Albacore contained a note something to this effect: "Oxygen Control system totaled; inc/nlt: Valves busted, Gauges stuck at 'high', pump dest. System will hold for 25/3000mi. Needs immediate replacement. Recommend complete ship overhaul." ... In other words, in no way was that a bill of clean health.
However, apparently, he was the only one who thought all that damage was there, if the record is any indication. Or, as the more likely case is, you had a lazy mechanic somewhere who didn't want to do his job and just told the Captain that they were good to go.
If the inspector was correct, then the crew of the ship would have died from lack of air and they'd have never known. Meaning that the ship would have sunk somewhere in the 'middle' of the Pacific Ocean, out in blue water... meaning that we'll never find her.
Now, I'm not going to try and verify/disprove this story (not my area of expertise), but it does make one wonder.
Well, I don't know about that. Officially, they have no idea what happened to her. When struck from the Naval Register, the listed reason was 'lost at sea, presumed sunk'. That actually doesn't mean much.
There's actually a story/rumor that I'd heard about a group searching for her final resting place if you care to read it.
Show
Recently, I heard about an archeologist/treasure hunter (seeking knowledge as the real treasure) group that were looking for her (no real idea as to when this event occurred though, only when I heard of it). Apparently, they had been dredging the area that she was presumed mined when they found something... very interesting.
A sheet of metal, presumed from the hull of a ship, with 'CCCP Дa'(rest illegible) emblazoned on it.
Ye-e-a-ah, that's not the Albacore. The other scrap they pulled up also didn't match with the components used in the Gato-class's construction. (It also caused quite a lot of confusion for the hunters as neither they nor I were aware that Russia had any submarines during the war...)
Unfortunately, after off-location research they did think they found what had happened to her. Records at Pearl Harbor, where her last maintenance was performed (just a few days before she went missing), indicated that her oxygen control system was 'reported slightly damaged, checked and found okay'. So, out of curiosity, they hunted down the mechanics who had gave the damage report back then... and what his son told them (he had passed on) would seal the case.
He showed them some of his father's logs, he had been keeping track of what he had done (he really shouldn't have been doing that). The entry for the Albacore contained a note something to this effect: "Oxygen Control system totaled; inc/nlt: Valves busted, Gauges stuck at 'high', pump dest. System will hold for 25/3000mi. Needs immediate replacement. Recommend complete ship overhaul." ... In other words, in no way was that a bill of clean health.
However, apparently, he was the only one who thought all that damage was there, if the record is any indication. Or, as the more likely case is, you had a lazy mechanic somewhere who didn't want to do his job and just told the Captain that they were good to go.
If the inspector was correct, then the crew of the ship would have died from lack of air and they'd have never known. Meaning that the ship would have sunk somewhere in the 'middle' of the Pacific Ocean, out in blue water... meaning that we'll never find her.
Now, I'm not going to try and verify/disprove this story (not my area of expertise), but it does make one wonder.
