Find US submarine "Albacore" sunk off Hokkaido
Comment from academist staff
Intensive survey using an autonomous surface vehicle
宮内諭
Research Background
The purpose of the Society La Plongée for Deep Sea Technology, which was established in 2017, is to “research the deep sea for scientific and technical activities, and conduct activities related to dissemination and promotion of undersea activities including deep sea such as undersea observation and development of equipment.” The Society will contribute to the improvement of the people's understanding of the ocean.
In August 2017, the society operated a remotely operated vehicle (ROV) to survey 24 submarines that had been abandoned by the U. S. navy off the Goto Islands, and showed the current features of the submarines about 70 years after the Pacific War. Then, in 2018, we discovered three additional submarines, including a U-boat (U-511, which was given to Japan and renamed as "Ro 500"), that were also abandoned in Wakasa Bay, and the wartime conscription ship "Taiyo Maru" in the South China Sea. Using our technology, we reintroduced the past history of those vessels sleeping in the deep sea. And we aslo deepened the general public's understanding of the ocean and related technology. Based on these successful results, we will proceed with the next survey. The submarine "Albacore (SS-218)," that we are going to investigate this time is the 7th Gato-class submarine that was built in the U. S. Navy during the Pacific Wars. She was lost, probably by a mine, on November 7th, 1944, off the coast of Esan, Hokkaido.
Research Significance
In order to find a wreck on the seafloor, it is necessary to investigate a wide sea area using a multi-beam echo sounder (MBES) at the beginning of the project. Covering a large area of ocean takes a lot of time. If the approximate position is known, the survey area will be narrowed. If the water depth is deep, the horizontal resolution of the survey data becomes poor resulting in difficulty to distinguish whether it is a wreck or a rugged seafloor. The ROV should be deployed for confirmation. But, when it gets deeper, a larger ROV is required, and an appropriate large support vessel for deploying the ROV should be hired. Based on such a background, we should consider the expenses that can be incurred and select the target. We chose Albacore as our fourth target, which can narrow down the sinking position at a depth of about 200 m. Albacore is a submarine that attracts attention because she was credited with sinking 13 Japanese ships including two destroyers, a light cruiser, and the aircraft carrier Taiho.
The United States lost 52 submarines during World War II. The photo is an inscription at the Pacific War Museum in Texas. Pacific Fleet Commander Nimitz wrote the deeds and roll call of submarines on "Eternal Patrol." Eleven submarines have been discovered: Grayback (SS-208) was discovered as the 11th (http://www.lost52project.org/index.html) off Okinawa in June 2019. Albacore is still in Eternal Patrol. By the way, Japan lost 127 submarines during the Pacific War, and 58 remained and were destroyed after the war. We have identified 27 submarines that were abandoned in the ocean after the war.
Research Method
First, we will survey the seafloor topography with MBES around the estimated sinking position and find ledges. In this survey, measurement equipment such as MBES will be attached to an unmanned surface vessel (USV) and also a fishing boat (No. 18 Jin-ei Maru). The USV can be operated remotely or automatically. Next, a towed vehicle equipped with a side scan sonar will be deployed from the Jin-ei Maru. After getting an image of the seabed, we will search for an artifact and select the candidates for Albacore. If the Albacore is not broken into small pieces, we will be able to see the shape of the slender body in the image. Then, we will deploy the ROV from the Jin-ei Maru to check what the artifact is and take its picture. The ROV position is measured in real time by an SSBL (Super Short-BaseLine acoustic system) also installed on the Jin-ei Maru. By mosaicking the captured images, we will be able to identify the wreck.
The major difference between this and previous surveys is that we introduce the USV in order to improve efficiency in the MBES survey and try to discover the Albacore in a short period of time. The efficiency of the survey will be doubled if the survey is carried out by sharing the sea area survey with the USV and the fishing boat.
Why we need your support
The three previous surveys have been conducted with donations, mainly using crowd funding. We believe that our wreck surveys, conducted on a volunteer basis, are meaningful only with the support and cooperation of many people. We believe that it is important to raise all participants' awareness by disclosing all data information, and broadcasting our action live. We would like to do the same again this time. Furthermore, by targeting the U.S. submarine, we would like to get international attention. Research funds collected by crowd funding will be used for charter, transportation, public relations, etc. Thank you for your support and encouragement in our fourth survey.
After finding Albacore, we will proceed to the next survey. There are many sunken ships around Japan that we should find and show their location and features on the seafloor.
Profile
浦 環
Project timeline
| Date | Plans |
|---|---|
| Monday, August 24, 2020 | arrive at Todohokke Port in Hakodate City, Hokkaido. Accommodation is Hotel Keifu. |
| Day 1 (25th) | At the Todohokke Port, we will outfit the No. 18 Jin-ei Maru with acoustic and radio communication equipment, and also equip it with the USV. |
| Day 2 (26th) | The No. 18 Jin-ei Maru carries the USV to the survey area, deploys it, and conducts an MBES survey by automatic navigation. At the same time, an MBES survey will also be conducted by the No. 18 Jin-ei Maru. |
| Day 3 (27th) | Same as the second day. If necessary, the towed vehicle will be operated from the No. 18 Jin-ei Maru at about 1 knot to perform side scan measurements. If we have found the target the day before, we will shorten the day and carry out the following 4th day |
| Day 4 (28th) |
The ROV is loaded on the No. 18Jin-ei Maru and deployed to confirm the sunken ship’s name.
|
Pledge Rewards
We will send you a summary of the survey results.
Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Thank You Message
3 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will send you a detailed report of the entire survey.
Thank You Message / Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Detailed Survey Report (PDF)
72 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
At the earliest possible time after the survey is completed, the results will be compiled and a lecture meeting that also serves as a report will be held in the evening at Tokyo.
Thank You Message / Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Detailed Survey Report (PDF) / Participation ticket of special report meeting (@ Tokyo)
30 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will schedule an online drinking party with everyone on Saturday around October. Let's have a great drink and enjoy an exciting time while talking about the story of the Albacore, the inside story of the survey, future prospects, and your requests. There will be about 10 participants at each drinking party, and it will be held several times so all donators can participate. Lubricants (beverages) and additives (nuts) should be prepared by yourself.
Thank You Message / Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Detailed Survey Report (PDF) / Participation ticket of special report meeting (@ Tokyo) / Online drinking party ticket
1 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will send you a digest video of the survey, including underwater images.
Thank You Message / Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Detailed Survey Report (PDF) / Participation ticket of special report meeting (@ Tokyo) / Online drinking party ticket / Survey Video Digest Version
5 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
We will send you a detailed video image of the survey results.
Thank You Message / Summary of Survey Results (PDF) / Detailed Survey Report (PDF) / Participation ticket of special report meeting (@ Tokyo) / Online drinking party ticket / Survey Video Digest Version / Detailed Survey Video Version
0 supporters are supporting with this reward. （No quantity limit）
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Summary of Survey Results (PDF)/Thank You Message
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supporters
back
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Detailed Survey Report (PDF) and others
72
supporters
back
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Participation ticket of special report meeting (@ Tokyo) and others
30
supporters
back
（No quantity limit）
Online drinking party ticket and others
1
supporters
back
（No quantity limit）
Survey Video Digest Version and others
5
supporters
back
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Detailed Survey Video Version and others
0
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