Submarine vanished during a combat mission in June 1944.
US Submarine “Herring”. Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command
The U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) has confirmed the discovery of the submarine USS Herring (SS-233), which sank in June 1944 during a combat mission near the Kuril Islands. The vessel was found on the Pacific Ocean floor, not far from the Japanese island of Matsua.
This was reported by the publication Popular Science.
According to NHHC, the submarine rests at a depth of over 300 feet (more than 90 meters) and is in relatively good condition. The official confirmation of its identification was released 82 years after its sinking.
The submarine USS Herring entered service with the U.S. Navy in the spring of 1942. During its combat career, it completed eight patrol missions in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. During its final deployment, the crew sank seven enemy vessels, including four Japanese transport ships.
The last known whereabouts of the USS Herring were at the end of May 1944. At that time, the submarine rendezvoused with another American submarine near the Kuril Islands to coordinate patrol zones. On June 1, sailors from that submarine heard a series of depth charge explosions in the area where the USS Herring had been operating.
According to Japanese historical records, the submarine sustained two direct hits from coastal artillery during the engagement. Following this, the vessel disappeared. When the USS Herring failed to arrive at Midway Atoll on its scheduled date in July 1944, it was declared lost. All 83 crew members perished with the submarine.
Initial reports of the discovery of the sunken submarine in the area of its loss emerged in 2017. However, NHHC only officially confirmed that the recovered wreckage belonged to the USS Herring on June 1, 2026.
During an inspection, damage was found on the submarine’s hull near the conning tower, consistent with the known circumstances of its sinking. Traces of the bow’s contact with the shallow seabed were also recorded.
Today, the site of the USS Herring’s demise is protected under U.S. law and falls under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of the Navy. The department emphasizes that the sunken vessel is a war grave, and any activities in its vicinity must be conducted with respect for the memory of the fallen sailors.
Recall that archaeologists previously discovered evidence of the existence of real Caribbean pirates in the harbor of Nassau.
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