Photo Collection 2
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A group of Japanese WW II aircraft
carrying subs alongside the U.S. Navy tender
USS Proteus (AS-19) at the Yokosuka Naval Base. One of the subs is
identified as the I-400. When built, this class were the largest submarines up to that
time, with a surface displacement of 5,223 tons. Of the proposed 18, only 3 were built,
the I-400, 401 & 402. They carried 3 aircraft. The subs had a range of 37,500 miles
and a top speed of 18 knots. They were armed with 8 -21 inch tubes and 1 - 5.5 inch gun. The living conditions aboard these ships was reported to be poor even
for their size. The boats were coated with a rubber anti-sonar coating. They were equipped
with a rudimentary snorkel. Their catapult was powered by compressed air. These subs were
intended for an attack on the Panama Canal and germ warfare against the continental U.S.
The I-400 & 401 were sunk as gun targets by the U.S. Navy. The I-402 was sunk in April
of 1946 by the U.S. Navy. Official U.S.N. Photo, National Archives, No. 80-G-339853, dated
7 Sept. 1945. USS Proteus was cut in half, lengthened by 65ft for missile silos, and converted to an SSBN tender. She spent most of her time afterwards in Guam, Rota, Spain, and Holy Loch, Scotland. She is now a barracks barge in Suisun Bay, California. |
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This photo shows a 77 foot Elco
boat, PT68, in 1943 on the Morobe River in New Guinea. She carries 2 torpedo tubes, 2 twin 50s and single 50 cal. at the bow. The unusual paint scheme consisted of various shades of green and had been applied by the crew. She was lost on 20 Sept. 1943 |
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The destroyer Pogranitschisk, of the Czar's navy. The date of the photograph is unknown. |
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West German Coastal Minesweeper Skorpion
M 1060. Photo Courtesy H & L Van Ginderen This photo appeared on the cover a 1985 issue of Warship International |
