C-3(class) I-53 with Kaiten “Kamikaze”
Torpedoes Commissioned in 1944, the I-53, one of three
in its class, was launched in 1943 from Kure Naval
Dockyard. C3 boats were fitted with inferior engines due
to wartime shortages, resulting in a reduced surface
speed of 17.75 knots and 6.5 knots submerged; however,
additional fuel tanks made it possible for long-range
cruises. A Japanese version of a snorkel was first used
on these class subs.
With modifications, the I-53 was converted into a kaiten
carrier in November, 1944. Initially, four kaiten could
be carried, later it was increased to five. I-53 carried
19 torpedoes with six each 21” torpedo tubes on the bow.
On July 24, 1945, in the Philippine Sea, a kaiten of the
I-53 sank the Navy destroyer Escort USS Underhill (DE
682), the only warship sunk from this type of weapon.
I-53 survived the war, and was scuttled by the US Navy
off of Goto, Japan, in April, 1946.
The Japanese began development of the Kaiten (“Turning
of the Heavens”) in early 1944. The kaiten torpedo
program was not accorded high priority until after the
Imperial Japanese Navy’s failure to defend the Marianas
in 1944. The kaiten featured the combination of a Type
93 oxygen-powered 48’4” X 24” torpedo with a large
warhead guided by a human pilot. The warhead contained a
charge of 3300 lbs. of high explosive with a maximum
speed of 30 knots.
The first Kaitens required the pilot to enter while the
mother submarine was surfaced. Later modifications
allowed for entry through a lower hatch fitted in the
kaiten. Once inside, the pilot received target data by
telephone (with break-away line) before being launched.
Actual successes were few and heavy losses were suffered
as there was no way to return to the mother ships. It
was a “one way “ mission, part of the “Kamikaze —
Special Attack” tactics. All, a failed attempt, to
destroy the enemy.
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