Top: Two torpedoes on the bow of the sunken Japanese midget submarine. Bottom: The conning tower on the sunken Japanese midget submarine.

Approximately an hour before the air attack on Pearl Harbor, the crew of the destroyer USS Ward reported that they fired at and dropped depth charges on a submarine trying to enter the harbor behind a cargo ship. This damage resulted in the sinking of the submarine, which came to lie upright in 1,200 feet of water off the entrance to Pearl Harbor.

In a partnership with other federal agencies, NOAA is playing a key role in the protection and management of the midget submarine under the provisions of U.S. policy on sunken vessels and historic preservation laws and policies. "NOAA continues to work closely with the National Park Service, the Navy, the Department of State and others to ensure that our management plans focus on the submarine as both an historic vessel and a war grave," said Richard Spinrad, assistant admidgetstrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service. "Through our National Marine Sanctuary Program we will continue our efforts to preserve this important piece of our nation's marine heritage."

Environmental monitoring devises will be placed near the hull of the submarine to obtain baseline data on the condition of the hull and its rate of corrosion. This will help scientists to model the submarine's rate of deterioration, thus allowing for the long-term management and protection of the vessel. A thorough visual survey (non-excavation) will be conducted to assess structural integrity. There are currently no plans to salvage the midget submarine, instead the preferred plan is for preservation in place.

For more information on midget submarines please click here and here.