U.S. Navy Confirms Lost WWII Sub Found Off Aleutians

[Mr Brownstone]

PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii — The U.S. Navy has confirmed the wreckage of a sunken vessel found last year off the Aleutians Islands is that of the USS Grunion, which disappeared during World War II.

Underwater video footage and pictures captured by an expedition hired by sons of the commanding officer, Lt. Cmdr. Mannert L. Abele, allowed the Navy to confirm the discovery, Rear Adm. Douglas McAneny said Thursday in a news release.

McAneny said the Navy was very grateful to the Abele family.

"We hope this announcement will help to give closure to the families of the 70 crewmen of Grunion," he said.


The Grunion was last heard from July 30, 1942. The submarine reported heavy anti-submarine activity at the entrance to Kiska, and that it had 10 torpedoes remaining forward. On the same day, the Grunion was directed to return to Dutch Harbor Naval Operating Base. The submarine was reported lost Aug. 16, 1942.

Japanese anti-submarine attack data recorded no attack in the Aleutian area at the time of the Grunion's disappearance, so the submarine's fate remained an unsolved mystery for more than 60 years, the Navy said.

Abele's son's, Bruce, Brad and John, began working on a plan to find the sub after finding information on the Internet in 2002 that helped pinpoint USS Grunion's possible location.

In August 2006, a team of side scan sonar experts hired by the brothers located a target near Kiska almost a mile below the ocean's surface. A second expedition in August 2007 using a high definition camera on a remotely operated vehicle yielded video footage and high resolution photos of the wreckage.

FOXNews.com - U.S. Navy Confirms Lost WWII Sub Found Off Aleutians - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News

[Nick VR]

Hi Brownstone


Welcome to the forum and thank you for sharing this interesting article...


Greetz

Nick VR

[Mr Brownstone]

Quite welcome, Nick.
I wish they had linked to some of those high res pics mentioned in the article.
Always fascinating to see an old engine of warfare, now forever at peace in the deep.

Many subs from both sides on permanent patrol, never to be found.

[packin9]

Thanks for the story. I hadn't heard of it before. We'll have to keep our eyes open for a follow up.

[Mr Brownstone]

Heres a load of info and pics concerning the USS Grunion for anyone interested, including names and pics of the 70 souls lost with the vessel, and many shots as she rests on the ocean floor today.

Search for the USS Grunion - Lost WWII Submarine near Kiska Alaska