--- title: "The wreck of WWII submarine USS Albacore was identified off the coast of Japan" description: "On February 16, 2023, the Naval History and Heritage Command confirmed the identity of the wreck of WWII submarine USS Albacore (SS-218)." date: "2023-03-09" modified: "2023-03-09" authors: - name: "Miguel Ortiz" job_title: "Senior Contributor, Army Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/miguelortiz/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/wwii-submarine-uss-albacore/" categories: - "History" - "Navy" - "Ships" - "Tactical" - "War History" --- # The wreck of WWII submarine USS Albacore was identified off the coast of Japan ![wwii submarine]() On February 16, 2023, the [Naval History and Heritage Command]() confirmed the identity of the wreck of the USS *Albacore* (SS-218). The WWII submarine was found off the coast of Hokkaido, the northernmost of Japan's main islands. *Albacore* was lost at sea with all hands on November 7, 1944. ![uss albacore off groton]() **USS* Albacore *off Groton, CT in 1942 (U.S. Navy)** A [*Gato*-class submarine](), *Albacore* was launched on February 17, 1942. During WWII, she sunk 13 Japanese ships (10 confirmed, 3 possible) including two destroyers, a light cruiser and the aircraft carrier *Taihō*. *Albacore* sank six enemy warships, making her one of the most successful U.S. submarines in terms of enemy tonnage sunk. Over the course of her 11 patrols, she earned nine battle stars and four Presidential Unit Citations. ![bow view of wwii submarine uss albacore]() **A bow view of* Albacore *(U.S. Navy)** On November 7, 1944, Japanese records show a patrol boat report of a submarine striking a mine off the northeast coast of Hokkaido with oil and debris floating to the surface. The records were reviewed after the war and the submarine was presumed to be *Albacore*. ![wwii submarine uss albacore wreck]() **The NHHC used documented modifications like the radar dish and mast to identify* Albacore *(U.S. Navy/Dr. Tamaki Ura, University of Tokyo)** In May 2022, approximately 7 kilometers east of the city of Hakodate, a submarine wreck was discovered by a team from the University of Tokyo led by Dr. Tamaki Ura. The wreck was located with sonar and surveyed using a remotely operated underwater vehicle. Battling strong currents, marine growth and poor visibility, the team captured footage of the wreck for identification purposes. ![wwii submarine uss albacore off mare island]() **USS* Albacore *off Mare Island, CA in 1944 (U.S. Navy)** The [NHHC's Underwater Archaeology Branch]() used information and imagery provided by Dr. Ura to confirm the identity of the wreck as *Albacore.* "As the final resting place for Sailors who gave their life in defense of our nation, we sincerely thank and congratulate Dr. Ura and his team for their efforts in locating the wreck of Albacore," said NHHC Director Rear Adm. Samuel J. Cox (retired) in a press release. "It is through their hard work and continued collaboration that we could confirm Albacore’s identity after being lost at sea for over 70 years." ![albacore crew party]() **The* Albacore *crew party, May 1944 (U.S. Navy)** *Albacore*'s wreck is a war grave and remains the final resting place of her crew who perished aboard when she sank. As such, the wreck is protected by U.S. law and is under the jurisdiction of the NHHC. ## Author Miguel Ortiz is a Senior Contributor for We Are The Mighty covering primarily military news and history with an emphasis on weapons technology. He is a former active duty Army officer and remains a member of the Army IRR. After commissioning through San Diego State University Army ROTC, Miguel served with the 10th Mountain Division at Fort Drum, NY. He has written for We Are The Mighty since 2020, drawing from his passion for the military community and history. Miguel’s work has also been seen on Business Insider and The Blast. He remains an avid shooter, competing in local USPSA matches. Miguel’s other hobbies are traveling and watch collecting. ### Author social links [LinkedIn]()