The Sunken Mystery Of The USS Lagarto | Lost & Found: The Search For A US Submarine | Timeline
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- Опубликовано: 23 фев 2024
- A fierce WW2 battle at sea, unreported for more than 60 years, is revealed at the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand. There lies the US submarine Lagarto and the remains of her 86 crewmen, entombed 8,000 miles from the tiny Wisconsin town where the sub was built. This is the powerful story of the last battle of Lagarto and her crew, the families left behind with no graves to mourn, bodies to bury, and the mystery of why no one escaped from the sinking sub.
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I am a U.S. Navy Subamrine Vet. I served on three Ohio Class Submarines in my 20 years career. I did 18 patrols on those boats. I spent about 6 years of my life underwater and 10 years of my life attached to these three submarines. My heart aches for the family members of these 86 Submarine Sailors that lost their life fighting for every other crew member on that boat to get home again. Earning my Dolphins was one of the hardest and proudest moments of my life. Those Dolphins meant I was trusted by everyone on board that I would do the right thing no matter the circumstance. I have tried to live my whole life by those standards. I know these 86 Submarine Sailors did the same thing. They fought with every fiber of their body, heart and soul to survive. Going down fighting is the least they did. They fought bravely. From one submariner to each family member out there from The U.S S. Lagarto, we never stop thinking about getting home to see our loved ones.
Well said sir. Ty
Thank you for serving. My grandfather was navy too. He. Was on a escort carrier cve 31
Thank you for your service.
The military industrial complex is guilty not the ordinary folk following orders no matter how evil.
@@gazmasonik2411 your reply makes no sense to my comment. I never blamed anyone or anything for the loss of the U.S.S. Lagarto.
My father, SM1st Class Bill Mabin, was one of Lagarto's crew. He was 26 when he died, I was 2. When his submarine was found, I was 62. It was a shock, but after looking for and ultimately conversing with many of Lagarto's children, we agreed that knowing where our fathers were gave us peace. I appeared in the doc and will try to answer some of the questions and comment on some others. ❤
This episode was the best of any production I have ever seen about a lost submarine. Lagarto's spirit shines through it.
Are there no talks about recovery? I would be worried of further deterioration from saltwater, coral/sealife, fishing boats, steel salvage, rough currents, etc over time
@@Deep_Dish Several of the Lagarto children and a few of the wives discussed this possibility. Our general conclusion was that we didn't want the sub to be disturbed - that the mates should remain together.
I thank your father for his service. I couldn't imagine the bravery that every one of those men displayed when they closed and locked that hatch. Your father is a hero to me and I absolutely thank you for sharing his story. I can guarantee that he was a great guy. Part of our better generation...
@@user-me3uz1bw9vI would agree 100%. The wreck of USS Lagarto is a war grave and should never be disturbed. I have often wondered why certain wrecks weren't raised, but I could never imagine disturbing a gravesite for so many amazing men. Long live them all, long live the Lagarto! I know that we don't know each other, but your father is a hero of mine.
So nice to see an actual sub commander on film. We didnt get these guys on film enough when we had the chance.
These men and thousands more like them gave their lives for this country, they were truly the greatest generation that ever lived! May God bless them and their families.
Only to have a scumbag non- president like JOEBAMA take it all away from us heh fren?
I dived this with Simon and Charles / Tech Thailand 🇹🇭 in 2012... amazing. I also dived HMS Repulse & HMS Prince of Wales. Best diving of my life ❤ . Truly privileged
HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse are both gone they are illegal being removed from the seabed and scrapped just like the Dutch ships in the Javasea HrMs De Ruyter and some more ships are disappeared from the seabed
@TonyMontana-st7mq yes. This is a great travesty. And a desecration of war graves. They has already taken the propellers when we dived it. And we also scared of some illegal salvagers there too. So so sad 😞
Very sad Repulse is no longer there and was salvaged by the Chinese for it's pre nuclear steel, even though it was a protected war grave. Six torpedoes sunk it and over 500 drowned.
I noticed 5 crew from the state of MI on that Boat. With all due respect to them and every other member of the crew. Rest In peace. Thank You for your sacrifice. From a grateful citizen of a grateful nation. I to am the son of a WWII Veteran.
The 86 sailors.on Lagarto came from 33 different states, although the majority hailed
Sorry. To finish - the majority were midwesterners. ❤️
Her sitting perfectly upright on the bottom, leads me to believe that there was likely a number of survivors, and a room(likely engine?) that still had air in it..
RIP to all those men.
A heroic story for heroes
That was a very well done show that was both informative and respectful. I pray for all the crew members of the Lagarto, and their family members. May they find peace in knowing the fate of their boat has been discovered.
RIP sub crew
When it comes to Submarines - you NEED Quality, and Manitowoc Shipyard didn't build Screen Doors. As for a Crew - you get the best when you train Volunteers, and when the pressure is turned up - they're the Souls that shine the deepest. Respect to the Crew of the 52 on Eternal Patrol.
Also for the 750 German boats on Eternal patrol. They may have fought for a evil leader, but fought for the most part a clean war. Right up to the end.
beautiful way for the skippers son to honor his dad.
I went from feeling happy and nostalgic hearing about the people and their lives in the beginning to feeling like I want to cry hearing those women describe finding out their loved ones were missing. Wow. So tragic for those families.
WOW! Just WOW! I watch a lot of these videos about wars and submarines but this one was extremely heartbreaking and emotional for me. God bless our military and veterans. God bless all who fought in that war. Friend or foe.
omgosh the daughter getting the flag choked me up..god bless and keep all the fighting men and their families who have fought and died for our flag
One of the happiest moments of my life! ❤ Surrounded by over 100 other Lagarto family members.
I agree it is heartbreaking. But it is interesting.
Lagarto is still on patrol❤
Such a heartbreaking documentary and tribute to the men of the Lagarto and their surviving families.
Listening to the submarine Commander's son and the letters of crew members to their wives and family brought me to tears . And Richie fulfilling the request of family to say a prayer while touching the submarine tomb. God bless
I absolutely love history documentaries and this one is the first one in a very long time that has brought tears to my eyes. This was so well done and reminded me what the true American spirit is all about. There aren't enough thank yous in the world to properly express the gratitude I have for these men, their families, and all members of the United States armed forces. The good, the bad, and all the ugly I'm proud to be an American. God bless America 🇺🇸
RIP all the crew.
Largarto is beautiful under the water and on patrol❤
The waving of the flag is neat. Fair winds and following seas. You are not forgotten... From a Usn USMC veteran.
God bless all World War Two submariners still on patrol... From a STS3 USN Vet
This was fantastic, thank you for your wonderful work.
Thank you for sharing the story of a submarine and the men their service and sacrifice to our country.
And the back story of the men and women who built these machines
Crazy to think of all the fishing boats that netted this thing over the years and had no idea.
Much respect
0:35 RIP sub crew
The inner doors on the torpedo tubes are designed to be stronger than the pressure hull!
Respect.
Great video and thank you to all who gave their life for are freedom and the families that lost a very important person in your life ❤
Hope the grave robbers don’t find her a cut her up for the steel. Like the other ships cut up a few years ago.
Only the US Navy has Lagarto's coordinates
@@user-me3uz1bw9v they got it by asking fishermen where their nets were getting caught. the fishermen can tell theres likely a wreck down there. meaning not just the navy knows. if the navy could find her, someone else could. because they're not looking for a spesific wreck. they're looking for any wreck they can salvage. which makes it easier for them to find *a* wreck.
EDIT: they ALSO got it becasue the Families asked the japanese where they sank a sub on that date. and the families did a lot of the legwork. the information is out there. i'm not saying the families would out that. but it wasn't the navy who found it, it was the navy who very reluctantly confirmed it. the information is all out there and public if you know what questions to ask whom.
@@user-me3uz1bw9v depth to Lagarto abt 75+ meter, only certified technical divers would go…. and lotsa divers have been diving around de area….
Great documentary. Rest in peace.
Subs are fascinating and I love the technology of even the old subs. But there's no way I'd go to war in one. Massive respect to those guys.
Same here. That's why I was surface Navy.
@@TPaine1776 I was both. Surface: USS Independence CV-62. Submariner: USS Whale SSN-638.
Lagarto is still on patrol.
I lived in Manitowoc for about a year, back in the early part of 2014, and was not aware of the awesome connection that city had to the war effort, or its role in construction oc submarines.
I am glad I watched this particular episode.
In some very minor part, I feel a connection to these lost heroes that sailed long before I was born.
THANK YOU!
As ex army, I SALUTE ALL OF YOU FOR YOUR HEROISM AND UNSELFISH DUTY TO US ALL, AND TO EACH OTHER!
🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸⚔️
YOUR MEMORY WILL LIVE FOREVER!
WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
YOUR PATROL IS ETERNAL, AND HONORED!
A beautifully made documentary. The human aspect is wonderfully and compassionately covered.
The experience of working with Harvey Moshman and Chuck Coppolla was a real pleasure. They were sensitive to the families and true professionals. Told Lagarto's story beautifully. We worked closely with the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, the Manitowoc/Wisconsin SubVets, Jamie Macleod, Tony San Jose, and many others.
Touching story , and a good video that honors everyone involved
Absolutely❤
So moving truly the greatest generation. Thank you for bringing this story to light
True heroes, may they never be called on again.
Finally one of these I haven't seen before
What a beautiful beautiful story as sad as it is. The love of children and spouses of those men should inspire us all!
Real American heroes. RIP.
Also, I met John Chatterton once and I shook his hand at a Titanic exhibit years ago, and I never told anyone about this, but I was truly honored to have met him. He was a truly warm and honest person and also a greatly respected person. I watched him and Richie Kohler diving the Britannic (yeah, I know, but I have been researching Titanic and maritime history in general for the last 34 years of my life).
I have met both Kohler and Chatterton - wonderful guys. Very real, very smart and compassionate. I love them both.
How far technology has come. I might have not been able to be physically there, but I was able to see my youngest be born from the other side of the world. I was able to read to my older kids at night.
Hero is a meager word. No words can capture what those sailors and families gifted us.
May those who gave their last full measure, who made the ultimate sacrifice, be duly honored by the country they so proudly served. May their spirit and courage live on through their descendants. May they rest in peace in the company of their shipmates.
My father served aboard the USS Flying Fish (II), SS-229 (submarine), Gato Class, the USS Argonaut (II) , SS-475 (submarine) Tench Class, and the USS Kittywake, ASR-13 (submarine rescue vessel).
My father passed August 14, 2023 at the age of 93. He joined Naval duties at the tail end of WWII at the age of 17 and was finishing boot camp and submariner training when Japan surrendered, thus is by technicality, a WWII veteran as they only were able to search for "rogue" Japanese military and personnel after wars end.
He completed 2 terms in the USN. 3 months after leaving the USN, the Korean War was made official. As typical, he was unable to get a written guarantee of submarine duty and joined the USAF. That is a separate story in and of itself.
This and other stories like this touch me deeply.
Wonderful well done video!!!! Just amazing what these people did!!!
Incredible documentary, RIP Lagarto crew and thank you for your service
also want to compliment john and richie, not many more experienced wreck divers or finer gentleman in the world exist than these two
John Chatterton and Richie Kohler were my heroes. In addition to their diving expertise, they are two of the nicest, down-to-earth men you will ever meet. ❤
Rest in peace to all lost.
Stunning episode, great work and thank you.
Not mentioned in the video was the fate of one of its officers, Ensign Allen G. Brewington, who was a mustang (an officer promoted from the enlisted ranks) and a veteran of nine patrols, including one in Haddock for which he had earned the Silver Star. He had been seriously injured in an automobile accident on Saipan along with fellow Lagarto officer Lieutenant Walter R. Shaw (also a mustang with three war patrol credits). Shaw later succumbed to his injuries, but the fate of Brewington is unknown. Both officers were replaced by Lieutenant (junior grade) Walter B. Phelps (four war patrols) and Lieutenant Robert J. Williams (five war patrols). I did not see Williams's name listed among the deceased crew.
Glad the families finally have an answer. Rest easy, Shipmates...
Wonderful account.
Rest easy brothers, heroes all.
Amazing documentary you all should be proud.
God Bless these men and their families. Many familes fought for the nation in several conflicts. The colonial times, Civil War and WWI ,WWII, Vietnam, Korea.
It is still on board beautiful under the waves❤
Great doc. thank you to the men and their families.
I'm a 78 year old retired Marine. Back in 1965 I went to Amphibious Raider Training on Okinawa before my first tour in Vietnam. Part of that training was aboard a WW-2 diesel electric submarine. We spent two days submerging and resurfacing at night and putting our rubber boats over the side and heading to destroy our objective before returning to the sub. I figured out pretty quickly I preferred the Infantry and close fighting as opposed to submarine duty!
Tom Boyte,
GySgt. USMC, retired
Vietnam 1965-66/1970-71
0369, Infantry Unit Leader
Thanks Gunny !
My.brother-in-law was in the Navy and served in Vietnam. I have great respect for.you guys. Thank you. ❤️
I love the literal first hand accounts.
And damn, admission for two adults to the movies, and popcorn for $1 to now, where you can't even get anything from "The Dollar Tree" for a $1.
The workers were getting 39 cents an hour But money bought something back then
@@madmanmechanic8847sounds like good money compared to Britain at the time😊.
Why buy a million dollar sonar system when you can just buy a couple cases of beer for some fishing captains.
Brilliant.
My Dad served aboard one of the Gato Class Boats that were built in Manitowac - the USS Redfin (SS-272). Of all the vessels Dad served on, The Redfin was his favorite vessel.
I love the way men from the ww2 generation spoke. Intelligent but plain and genuine.
Our fallen should be remembered and honored. The worst fate for any sailor or soldier is dying anonymously, it's nerve wracking for their friends and families not knowing. Great appreciation to those finding out what happened to these fallen.
Touching❤
R.I.P a todos estos valientes marinos de esta submarino 😥 Interesante video.
Manitowoc, Wisconsin, happens to be the place of birth of B17 American pilot John Egan, From the book and TV Series Masters of the Air.
The diver John Chatterton has featured on early episodes of The Curse of Oak Island
I pray these men did not suffer. So sad .
In ww 2 the us navy lost 3,506 officers and enlisted men.
German u boat crews, 40,900,
British sub mariners, 3,160, all numbers of casualties in war are best estimates.
Overwhelming the German u-boats lost the most boats.
Awesome vid!
It's a shame one of the guns or something of that sub couldn't have been brought back for the families to touch and feel where their loved ones died, just as they bring up a bell or something from other ships.
A beautiful rendation of a very sad affair. Thank you for youe good work.
What a Great tribute!
Zoo kaw li lom zem kaw nkaug os phooj ywg
Excellent!!!!!*****
Nice introduction video
Congrats to do what you did🎉 that's wonderful. So you can be at peace and it looks much more beautiful even though it is under the water.❤❤❤❤
When You Go Home, Tell Them Of Us And Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.’
Kohima Epitaph:
For your tomorrow, we gave our today.
These seven words help understand the connection between past, present and future and the relationships between
thanksgiving and remembering,
war and peace,
freedom and service,
death and life.
For your tomorrow, we gave our today, articulates the voices of the many who gave their own liberty and life in the service of a future that they would never see.
They gave everything in hope of a future which would be better for everyone.
They are still on board. They are all honorable❤
I dont think the torpedo hatch was open. If they fired the torpedo the torpedo hatch would have been closed and the tube flooded upon firing.
A well done story about the Lagardo and her brave crew. These men deserve our thanks for their bravery and valiant effort during the WW II. Let us not forget these men and the other men who
gave everything to protect the United States and their families.
Yes. As the daughter of one of Lagarto's crew (Bill Mabin), I have felt his loss my whole life. I regret that he died when he had so much to live for, but am also extremely proud of his bravery and sacrifice. ❤ to all of you who recognize and appreciate this!
Those sailors are all FOREVER YOUNG.
To those who served our beautiful country during all of our wars, WWI, and WWII especially, (of course Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, and Iraq), I will forever stand in salute to each and every one of you. The Silent Servicemen sacrificed themselves to protect our freedoms. They knew that every time they closed that hatch that there was a good chance that they wouldn't come back up again, but they served anyway. If you haven't seen any of the series of shows "Silent Service" produced back in the 1950s with Rear Admiral Thomas M. Dykers, I would suggest watching it here on RUclips.
The closed inner door suggests that the torpedo room flooded early enough to equalize the pressure before it could be forced open.
From my experience of being a submarine sailor, that the people tank hull was breached high enough to allow air to escape the people tank and lead to the water acting as a weighted ballast to overcome the neutral buoyancy. There were surely some areas of the ship that had pockets of air but not in areas where submarine escape was capable. I am unsure of WWII submarines but those that came after it that had the we know of today as the modern submarine, there are at least two logistic escape trunks on every submarine. Or at least one in every water tight compartment. There are more for those that deal with special operations forces like the SSGN Ohio class. They have one in the Forward compartment, Missile compartment and Engine room but they also have two more in the missile compartment in what used to be missile tubes 1 & 2 for the lock out chambers that are used by divers and Navy S.E.A.L.s. On the regular SSBN Ohio class submarine there are only the Forward compartment, Missile compartment and Engine room logistic escape trunks
Rip gentleman thank you so very much .
Years ago, while driving through a cemetery just outside of Lima, Ohio I spotted a grave marker with the photo of a sailor on it. It was a cenotaph for a Lagarto crewman. Always wondered about that boat. Thankful for this video. God bless that young man and that crew. Next time I'm down that way I'll get his name and re-edit this comment with it.
This is the best video that Timeline has produced. It is true that the Navy does not look for ships that have been lost in war. Fortunately, we have several projects searching for these gravesites. I could not find a figure on just how many of our submarines have been found; but, I believe it to be a majority. I think many of Lagarto's crew may have survived the sinking. The boat was equipped with watertight doors that should've all been closed and dogged down during combat. Why they escape, we'll never know. We all bow our heads in prayer for all that gave their lives in service to our country. 🙏🙏🙏🙏
I find it interesting that, as I was watching this video, the USS Cod Memorial (Ballao class) uploaded a new video - Depth Charge Dogs and Doublers: Increasing Submarine Survivability in WWII.
God bless our fallen and hero’s that fought to make this country what it is ! GREAT ! GOD BLESS AMERICA ! 👍🏻💪🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸
❤
this is why you stand for the flag and national anthem. rip to lagartos crew and condolences to their family and friends.
The concept of kneeling for the flag was suggested by an Army Green Barrett. People kneel for respect in many ways.
@@JoshuaTootell doesnt matter what the scumbag did before. you stand for the flag. period.
Researched well
R I P all
Could of been done internally from the port side damage broken piping
you will never have that kid of moral and coming together to manufacturing...
God bless those men 🙏 ❤❤❤
Depth-charge that close could have killed people inside and incapacitate many many others
Interesting video and curious name for a sub. Lagarto means ‘lizard’ in Spanish.
The U.S.S. Lagarto was named after a type of Lizard Fish.
*I would ask the new owners of the garage to let me have that initial cut out and professionally patched. Then frame the piece.*
*This brings back memories of my Grandfather.*
My Grandfather Lt Thomas Joseph Cavanagh was KIA just 3 months before my Mother was born and 2 months before the end of WWII. Reading his old letters and especially the last one he wrote. He was so anxious to meet his new little girl.
*🙏🏻Rest In Peace🕊*
to all the Men lost fighting
for Freedom around the World.
Godspeed Fellas 😢
I grew up in LaGrange, IL n went to Lyons Township H.S. its nice to see both represented in a historically patriotic way
The ship that sunk the Lagarto was the Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka. She was equipped with 10cm radar which combined with her depth charges was able to sink the Lagarto with all hands.
Why didn't they just stick a long stick down the tube to find out if it was opened. Didn't need a camera, just a pole. It could have been jarred open and then slightly closed again later as the ships pressures equalized. The question was, is the door sealed closed or does it look closed.
Well the torpedo tube length is 21 feet not including the outer doors. So my guess would be a 30 foot long "stick" to see if the door was shut and locked. Would also need something the push the "stick" since most tines pushing against something in water while you're surrounded by it tends to make the person move. It was found 60 years after it sank, I am sure there it a build up of some crust and rust from sitting in the water, so there would have to be something with enough force to overcome that. Maybe they saw it and just figured since it was shut, it must be shut and locked. I'm not sure about WWII submarines but on the ones I served on the inner door on a torpedo tube has to be shut and locked before the outer door can be opened. In my limited knowledge of WWII submarines, there is a mechanical interlock that ensure both doors cannot be opened at the same time to ensure water tight integrity.