U.S.S. Lagarto video R.I.P.

Freiwillige · 11-12-10, 01:50 PM

Allot of interesting speculation here.

Was the pressure hull breached? Why didn't the men try to escape?

hotrod1525 · 11-13-10, 09:11 AM

Thank you for that Link.

Fish40 · 11-13-10, 09:53 AM

Funny, but I don't think they mentioned the possability of a circular running torpedo that may have done the damage. The empty open tube shows a torpedo was fired. The position of dive planes and rudder show a drastic attempt to get away from something. Then again, a torpedo may have caused even more severe damage, breaching the pressure hull as well.

Armistead · 11-13-10, 10:29 AM

If that would've been a torp hit, the damage would've been drastic, that's why they say it was a charge, same damage pattern a charge would cause.

Still, I find it strange they took such on such a deep angle, almost like they were on the surface diving. Highly doubtful they would've gone to that extreme angle already dived. The tactic sure appears to be dodging, but no doubt they were hit when in the dive turning. Just so strange, you would think without the hull being broached they could've pulled out of the dive unless the planes got stuck. Surely all the doors were closed. Be interesting if they could look through the sub, bet that would give a lot of answers.

How fearful it must be to die like this, seems they had some time to ponder a coming death. Think I would just put a bullet in my head. Brave men and most so young.

Bubblehead1980 · 11-13-10, 10:55 AM

Lagarto's story has fascinated me since I heard it, just struck me for some reason.

Japanese records indicate the Minlayer Hatsutaka conducted a depth charge attack on 3 May, 1945 in the area where Lagarto went down and reported sinking.However, Japanese reported sinking a lot of submarines they did not.

Perhaps Lagarto attacked, then being in shallow waters with the escort barrelling in, tried a down the throat shot? This would explain the empty tube.After firing, they went ahead flank, tried to put some depth on and turn to get out from under.This would explain the dive planes and rudder position. Then the lucky depth charge exploded near.

As to why no one escaped, who knows.Maybe some did but no one survived.Quite a few escaped Tang but not many lived through the night in the water.

Armistead · 11-13-10, 12:15 PM

I agree Bubble. I think they had to be on the surface. I think it said the planes were at full dive. If they would've been dived, hitting full planes would've been crazy in shallow water. Wonder if that escort came up on them and they just got under....never know. With only one tube fired it was obvious they tried to attack something quick. I would think if they were gonna fire on a convoy other tubes would be open and ready. Maybe they tried a shot on the escort and missed and just got under....

The escorts the US subs fought all appeared to have radar and put up some good gun battles driving the subs off.

I understand not wanting to pry around in the sub, but would be amazing to know how it is inside, but obvious the JP's didn't lie about this one, that was a fairly close hit. Think that shows they probably saw where it dived.

11-12-10, 01:50 PM	#1
Freiwillige The Old Man Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx. Az Posts: 1,458 Downloads: 24 Uploads: 0	U.S.S. Lagarto video R.I.P. Allot of interesting speculation here. Was the pressure hull breached? Why didn't the men try to escape?

11-13-10, 09:11 AM	#2
hotrod1525 Seaman Join Date: Aug 2009 Posts: 33 Downloads: 91 Uploads: 0	USS Lagarto Thank you for that Link.

11-13-10, 10:55 AM	#5
Bubblehead1980 Navy Seal Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Florida USA Posts: 7,130 Downloads: 606 Uploads: 44	Lagarto's story has fascinated me since I heard it, just struck me for some reason. Japanese records indicate the Minlayer Hatsutaka conducted a depth charge attack on 3 May, 1945 in the area where Lagarto went down and reported sinking.However, Japanese reported sinking a lot of submarines they did not. Perhaps Lagarto attacked, then being in shallow waters with the escort barrelling in, tried a down the throat shot? This would explain the empty tube.After firing, they went ahead flank, tried to put some depth on and turn to get out from under.This would explain the dive planes and rudder position. Then the lucky depth charge exploded near. As to why no one escaped, who knows.Maybe some did but no one survived.Quite a few escaped Tang but not many lived through the night in the water. Last edited by Bubblehead1980; 11-13-10 at 04:45 PM.

11-13-10, 12:15 PM	#6
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	I agree Bubble. I think they had to be on the surface. I think it said the planes were at full dive. If they would've been dived, hitting full planes would've been crazy in shallow water. Wonder if that escort came up on them and they just got under....never know. With only one tube fired it was obvious they tried to attack something quick. I would think if they were gonna fire on a convoy other tubes would be open and ready. Maybe they tried a shot on the escort and missed and just got under.... The escorts the US subs fought all appeared to have radar and put up some good gun battles driving the subs off. I understand not wanting to pry around in the sub, but would be amazing to know how it is inside, but obvious the JP's didn't lie about this one, that was a fairly close hit. Think that shows they probably saw where it dived. Last edited by Armistead; 11-13-10 at 12:29 PM.

11-13-10, 09:53 AM	#3
Fish40 The Old Man Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Yonkers, NY U.S.A. Posts: 1,507 Downloads: 154 Uploads: 0	Funny, but I don't think they mentioned the possability of a circular running torpedo that may have done the damage. The empty open tube shows a torpedo was fired. The position of dive planes and rudder show a drastic attempt to get away from something. Then again, a torpedo may have caused even more severe damage, breaching the pressure hull as well.

11-13-10, 10:29 AM	#4
Armistead Rear Admiral Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: on the Dan Posts: 10,880 Downloads: 364 Uploads: 0	If that would've been a torp hit, the damage would've been drastic, that's why they say it was a charge, same damage pattern a charge would cause. Still, I find it strange they took such on such a deep angle, almost like they were on the surface diving. Highly doubtful they would've gone to that extreme angle already dived. The tactic sure appears to be dodging, but no doubt they were hit when in the dive turning. Just so strange, you would think without the hull being broached they could've pulled out of the dive unless the planes got stuck. Surely all the doors were closed. Be interesting if they could look through the sub, bet that would give a lot of answers. How fearful it must be to die like this, seems they had some time to ponder a coming death. Think I would just put a bullet in my head. Brave men and most so young.