Search for Uss Pompano
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FIELD REPORT: 2014 SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO 2014 SURVEY REPORT & SITE INVESTIGATION Unknown Wreck Site, Tsugaru Strait, Japan NOVEMBER 2014 PREPARED BY: Underwater Archaeology Branch Naval History and Heritage Command Department of the Navy Washington Navy Yard, D.C. FIELD REPORT: 2014 SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO TABLE OF CONTENTS EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................................. 1 PARTICIPANTS ............................................................................................................................................... 1 SURVEY PLATFORM & EQUIPMENT .................................................................................................... 1 GEOGRAPHIC & ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS ..................................................................... 2 HISTORY & PREVIOUS INVESTIGATIONS ........................................................................................ 3 History of USS Pompano ................................................................................................................................ 3 Historical Documentation ........................................................................................................................ 3 Previous Investigations ................................................................................................................................. 4 2012 USS Guardian Survey ...................................................................................................................... 4 2013 USNS Salvor Survey ........................................................................................................................ 4 SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS ................................................................................................................... 5 RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS .................................................................................................................... 10 Wreck Site Analysis ..................................................................................................................................... 10 Conclusion .................................................................................................................................................... 12 REFERENCES................................................................................................................................................ 13 APPENDIX: OPERATIONS LOG ............................................................................................................ 14 i FIELD REPORT: 2014 SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO TABLE OF FIGURES Figure 1: MDSU-1 ............................................................................................................................................. 1 Figure 2: USNS Safeguard ................................................................................................................................ 1 Figure 3: Map of Japan and Survey Area ........................................................................................................ 2 Figure 4: USS Pompano (SS-181), 19 December 1942 ................................................................................... 3 Figure 5: Side scan sonar image of the wreck site from the 2013 survey .................................................. 4 Figure 6: Propeller and stern of wreck............................................................................................................ 6 Figure 7: Diver inspecting propeller for any markings ................................................................................. 6 Figure 8: Diver measuring propeller ............................................................................................................... 6 Figure 9: Large double bollard forward of stern ........................................................................................... 8 Figure 10: Capstan, one of two noted on site ................................................................................................ 8 Figure 11: Reduction gears ............................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 12: Winch ................................................................................................................................................ 8 Figure 13: Possible mast ................................................................................................................................... 8 Figure 14: Fish or crab trap .............................................................................................................................. 8 Figure 15: 2013 survey ROV video still of the likely boiler. ........................................................................ 9 Figure 16: View of likely boiler from above. ................................................................................................. 9 Figure 17: Side view of boiler ......................................................................................................................... 9 Figure 18: Opening into boiler ........................................................................................................................ 9 Figure 19: Glass fishing float .......................................................................................................................... 10 Figure 20: Overhead view of wreckage ........................................................................................................ 11 Figure 21: View of the wreck site forward looking aft. .............................................................................. 11 Figure 22: View of lower port side of wreckage looking forward ............................................................ 11 ii FIELD REPORT: 2014 SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Master and Chief Mate of Safeguard were James Driver and Gregory Phillip. MDSU-1 Between 15 and 19 August 2014, the (CO 1 -8) was led by CWO Matthew Stevens and U.S. Navy conducted a survey and investigation Master Diver Somsack Phantahvong. CTF 73 of a wreck site in the Tsugaru Straits (Japan) was represented by LCDR William Sumsion, that potentially represented the remains of JMSDF by Liaison Naval Officer Masayoshi World War II submarine USS Pompano (SS-181). Tamura, and NHHC by Dr. Robert Neyland, The site was discovered during the 2013 Survey underwater archaeologist, and Morgan Wilbur, for Pompano and designated as a target of combat artist. In addition, Combat Camera interest for further examination. The 2014 provided MC3 Daniel Rolston. mission was executed off USNS Safeguard and utilized side scan sonar equipment, remote SURVEY PLATFORM & operated vehicle technology, and Navy divers EQUIPMENT equipped with underwater cameras to conduct a site analysis. The overall objective was to confirm or deny the wreck site as a submarine and further delineate its identification as USS Pompano or otherwise. The mission was successfully executed and it was determined that the site did not represent a submarine wreck. In the process, the expedition was able to provide challenging real-world operational training while supporting the Navy’s dedication to locate its lost sailors and marines, and Figure 2: USNS Safeguard photographed from preserve its submerged cultural heritage. RHIB (Navy Photo: 140814-CN059-N-048). PARTICIPANTS The 2014 Search for USS Pompano was conducted off USNS Safeguard, a Military Sealift Organizational participants in the 2014 Command Safeguard-class rescue and salvage USS Pompano survey included Commander U.S. ship. USNS Safeguard, and her sister ships, have Pacific Fleet, Commander U.S. Seventh Fleet participated in similar missions to locate and (C7F), Commander Naval Forces Japan (CNFJ), identify historic U.S. Navy wreck sites. Commander Task Force 73 (CTF 73), USNS Additionally, Safeguard participated in the June Safeguard (T-ARS-50) officers and crew, Mobile 2014 DIVEX to identify the site of USS Houston Diving and Salvage Unit One (MDSU-1), and (CA-30) off the coast of Indonesia. The vessel is representatives from the Japanese Maritime aptly suited and equipped for survey and diving Self Defense Force (JMSDF), Naval History and operations. Heritage Command (NHHC), and Fleet Combat The survey team used side-scan sonar Camera Pacific. and ROV (SeaBotix LBV300-5) technology, in addition to manned diving operations conducted by MDSU-1. The Rigid-Hulled Inflatable Boat (RHIB) was utilized for both sonar and diving operations. Figure 1: MDSU-1 (UAB Photo: POMP_14-1). 1 FIELD REPORT: 2014 SEARCH FOR USS POMPANO GEOGRAPHIC & ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS Figure 3: Map of Japan (left); close up of the Tsugaru Straits and survey area in red (right). The survey was conducted in the south. The current flows at an average of 1 and southeast corner of the Tsugaru Strait a few 2 knots. (Naval Oceanography [METOC] 2011) miles off Shiria Zaki, Honshu (Fig. 3). Japan is an The climate in this region is temperate. archipelago comprised of four principal islands: Winter weather (November - March) is Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu dominated by clear skies, good visibility, little (Heinrich 1983). Japanese territorial waters precipitation, strong winds and low extend between 3 and 12 nautical miles over temperatures averaging in the 30s and 40s (1 - several straits between the Sea of Japan and 4°C). Sea