Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Tokyo Bay, Japan.
Photographer: Uncredited.
Fresh out of the construction yard with her deck gun visibly missing. Japanese submarine I-58 manoeuvres its 335 feet long hull to part the calm waters of Tokyo Bay during her trial run in 1944. Onboard, an enthusiastic crew keeps a watchful eye to ensure she is completely seaworthy.
Widely known as the submarine that sunk the USS Indianapolis with a volley of six torpedoes. Two out of which hit and toppled the ageing ship in 12 minutes (See Farbound.Net story: The ship that delivered the atom bomb), and ushered in the worst naval disaster of World War II. The I-58 was an innovation of her time and a technologically advanced deep runner of the sea.
Constructed between 1942-43 at the naval arsenal of Yokosuka near Tokyo. The submarine had a cruising range of 15,000 miles and an underwater displacement of 3,000 tons. Moreover, during this phase of the war, she had also been one of the best Japan had possessed in her armoury, and had outmatched her U.S rivals in both weaponry and stealth. Equipped as she was with anti-aircraft radar and an arsenal of advanced Type 95 torpedos. Not to mention four Kaiten suicide submersibles.
Commissioned for service.
The I-58 had begun her service on the 13th of September 1944 with the imperial Japanese submarine fleet at Sasebo in Nagasaki. Which at the time was a major naval base coexisting with a bustling population of 225,000 inhabitants.
Manned by a crew of 105 sailors. Living and working in cramped conditions with just enough room to manoeuvre past each other on daily duties. She had sailed on her first patrol in January 1945, and in the days that had followed, attacked merchant convoys and armed naval ships with her Kaitens. Yet had failed to sink a single one.
Till, on the 30th of July 1945, providence had sailed the USS Indianapolis right in her path in the Philippines sea. Oblivious to her presence inspite of U.S. code breakers having intercepted communication between the I-58 and Japanese headquarters, previously.
Sinnking the Indianapolis.
Though the I-58 may have possibly first sighted the Indianapolis at Okinawa. As the Kamakazi mangled ship had limped into the Japanese fleet anchorage on the island of Kerama Retto and then made a run for repairs to the U.S. With an escort of twelve heavily armed naval ships.
Her success had come about unexpectedly on this day in July. As she had emerged from the depths to exchange her oxygen supply and recharge her batteries in the dark. And had by chance spotted the lone Indianapolis in the distance.
Inaccurately assuming the heavy cruiser in the dark to be an Idaho class battleship. The I-58 had subsequently fired six torpedoes at an interval of four seconds – with each preset to run at a depth of twelve feet and 46 knots per hour.
Keeping with the usual battle drill, she had then submerged to reload and had resurfaced only an hour later to check for flotsam and debris. Immediately afterwards she had fled from the scene, to avoid a counter-attack from any destroyer escort or aircraft that may have been in the vicinity.
Her attack on the USS Indianapolis was spurred neither by any personal motive or vengeance. Nor was undertaken with foreknowledge of the fate that had awaited the sailors left afloat in the shark-infested waters. But was a small encounter in a violent and massive war. Where two opposing sides were viciously locked in combat to damage or kill the other for a greater cause.
A controversial sinking.
While the I-58’s sinking of the Indianapolis remains an undeniable reality. It is sometimes considered to be a controversial one. Especially for the type of torpedoes used to bring down the heavy cruiser.
Although the commander of the I-58 Kaigun-Taisa, Mochitsura Hashimoto, was to later explicitly state and maintain for the rest of his life to the use of conventional torpedoes and making two hits.
His description of the attack and time interval has led some to question, if in reality, the I-58 had actually used the manned Kaitens to bring down the Indianapolis, instead of conventional torpedoes.
Furthermore, the entwined fate of ship and submarine also did not end with the sinking of the Indianapolis or the decommission of the I-58 from the Japanese Navy after the war.
Only Japanese commander to stand in as a witness in a U.S military trial.
Shortly after the surrender of Japan in September 1945. The I-58 had emerged from the depths once more. As her captain, Mochitsura Hashimoto, had made his way to Washington to testify in the case against U.S. Commander Charles Butler McVay III. Who was the Captain of the Indianapolis.
Mochitsura Hashimoto was the only Japanese commander, to stand in as a witness in a U.S. Military trial, during World War II.
This photo of 1944 was possibly taken by the Imperial Japanese Navy or a member of the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. It was donated to Wikipedia and can now be found archived under Public Domain Images.
During the first day of the trial run. Leakage had been discovered on board the I-58 and immediately attended to. Which had led the submarine to function smoothly on the second day.
Presently the I-58 lies at the bottom of the East China Sea, off the coast of the Goto Islands near Nagasaki. Like the Indianapolis does in the Philippines sea. She was scuttled in 1946, by U.S. forces, after her surrender at Kure, Hiroshima, Japan in 1945.
