Japanese submarine I-174 facts for kids
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|} The I-74, later known as I-174, was a special type of submarine called a Kaidai class cruiser submarine. It was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy and started service in 1938. This submarine played a part in many important events during World War II. These included the attack on Pearl Harbor, the Battle of Midway, and battles around Guadalcanal and New Guinea. The I-174 also operated near Australia. It was sunk in 1944 during its ninth war patrol.
Contents
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan |
|
| Name | I-74 |
| Ordered | 1934 |
| Builder | Sasebo Naval Arsenal, Sasebo, Japan |
| Laid down | 16 October 1934 |
| Launched | 28 March 1938 |
| Commissioned | 15 August 1938 |
| Renamed | I-174 on 20 May 1942 |
| Fate | Sunk 12 April 1944 |
| Stricken | 10 June 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Kaidai type (KD6B Type) |
| Displacement |
|
| Length | 105 m (344 ft 6 in) |
| Beam | 8.2 m (26 ft 11 in) |
| Draft | 4.57 m (15 ft 0 in) |
| Installed power |
|
| Propulsion | |
| Speed |
|
| Range |
|
| Test depth | 75 m (246 ft) |
| Complement | 70 |
| Armament |
|
About the I-174 Submarine
Submarine Design and Features
The I-74 was part of the KD6B sub-class of submarines. These submarines were very similar to the earlier KD6A models. When on the surface, they weighed about 1,810 tons. When underwater, they weighed about 2,564 tons.
The submarines were 105 meters (344 feet) long. They had a width, or beam, of 8.2 meters (26 feet 11 inches). Their draft, which is how deep they sit in the water, was 4.57 meters (15 feet). They could dive to a depth of 75 meters (246 feet).
Power and Speed
For moving on the surface, these submarines used two powerful diesel engines. Each engine turned one propeller shaft. When submerged, two electric motors powered the propellers. The submarines could travel at 23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph) on the surface. Underwater, their speed was 8 knots (15 km/h; 9.2 mph).
On the surface, they could travel 10,000 nautical miles (19,000 km; 12,000 mi) at 16 knots. When submerged, their range was 65 nautical miles (120 km; 75 mi) at 3 knots.
Weapons and Armament
The I-74 submarines were well-armed. They had six torpedo tubes inside. Four were at the front (bow) and two were at the back (stern). They carried a total of 14 torpedoes.
They also had one large 120 mm (4.7 inch) deck gun. This gun was used for fighting on the surface. For defense against aircraft, they had two 13.2 mm (0.52 inch) machine guns.
Building and Launching the Submarine
The building of the I-74 began on October 16, 1934. It was built at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal in Sasebo, Japan. The submarine was officially launched into the water on March 28, 1937.
On June 1, 1938, it was given the number I-74. The submarine was finished and officially started service on August 15, 1938.
Service History of I-174
Before World War II
When the I-74 was first put into service, it joined Submarine Division 11. This division was part of the 2nd Fleet. On November 15, 1939, its division moved to Submarine Squadron 3.
In October 1940, the I-74 was part of a huge fleet review in Yokohama Bay. This was the largest fleet review in Japanese history. It celebrated a special anniversary for Japan's first emperor.
In November 1941, the commander of the 6th Fleet met with submarine leaders. They discussed plans for Operation Z. This was the secret plan for the attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This attack would start the Pacific War for Japan.
The I-74 left Japan on November 11, 1941, heading for the Hawaiian Islands. On December 2, 1941, it received a secret message. This message meant that war with the Allies would begin soon. The I-74 arrived south of Oahu on December 4, 1941.
World War II Operations
First War Patrol: Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, the attack on Pearl Harbor began. The I-74 was on lifeguard duty south of Niihau. Its job was to rescue Japanese pilots who couldn't return to their aircraft carriers. However, the I-74 left the area before any damaged planes arrived. One Japanese pilot crash-landed on Niihau and caused trouble there. This event became known as the Niihau Incident.
The I-74 left Hawaii on December 17, 1941. It went to Kingman Reef to check for a U.S. naval base. It found no base there. The submarine then returned to Kwajalein Atoll on December 31, 1941.
Second War Patrol: Doolittle Raid
On April 15, 1942, the I-74 started its second war patrol. It patrolled east of Japan with another submarine, I-75. On April 18, 1942, American bombers launched from the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) attacked Japan. This was known as the Doolittle Raid.
The I-74 rescued the crew of a Japanese guard boat that sank after being damaged. The submarine finished its patrol and arrived back at Kwajalein on May 10, 1942.
Midway Operation
On May 20, 1942, the I-74 was renamed I-174. It then left Kwajalein to help with the planned Japanese invasion of Midway Atoll. The I-174's job was to rescue aircrews if their planes were shot down during a reconnaissance flight over Pearl Harbor.
However, U.S. Navy ships were already at the planned refueling spot for the Japanese planes. Because of this, the reconnaissance flights were cancelled. The Battle of Midway began on June 4, 1942. It ended in a big defeat for Japan. The I-174 did not encounter any enemy forces during this battle. It returned to Kwajalein on June 20, 1942.
Later War Patrols (Third to Sixth)
The I-174 went on several more patrols. Its third patrol was cut short due to an oil leak. It had to go to Rabaul for repairs. Its fourth patrol was off the east coast of Australia and near Nouméa. It then moved to the Solomon Islands when the Guadalcanal campaign began.
The fifth patrol was southwest of Rennell Island. The sixth patrol was also in the Solomon Islands area. The I-174 did not see much action during these patrols. It returned to Truk Atoll for repairs in November 1942.
Seventh War Patrol: Off Australia
On May 16, 1943, the I-174 began its seventh war patrol. It was sent to patrol off the east coast of Australia. On May 28, an Australian aircraft spotted the submarine. The I-174 quickly dove underwater and escaped.
On June 1, 1943, the I-174 tried to attack an American cargo ship called Point San Pedro. It fired four torpedoes, but they all missed. Australian aircraft then searched for the submarine, but could not find it.
On June 4, the I-174 surfaced off Cape Moreton and fired its deck gun at the American transport ship USAT Edward Chambers. All nine shots missed. The Edward Chambers fired back, forcing the I-174 to dive.
Attack on Convoy GP55
On June 16, 1943, the I-174 found Convoy GP55 off Smoky Cape. This convoy had ten cargo ships and three tank landing ships. The I-174 got past the escort ships. It fired two torpedoes at two large transport ships.
One torpedo hit the U.S. Navy tank landing ship USS LST-469. It caused serious damage and killed 26 men. The ship was later towed for repairs. The second torpedo hit the U.S. Army Transport USAT Portmar. This ship was carrying fuel and ammunition. The torpedo caused a huge explosion and fire. The Portmar sank quickly. This was the last ship sunk by a Japanese submarine off Australia's east coast.
Australian escort ships chased the I-174 and dropped depth charges. However, the submarine managed to escape. It returned to Truk on July 1, 1943.
New Guinea Supply Missions
The I-174 was then used to carry supplies for Japanese forces fighting in the New Guinea campaign. It made several trips between Rabaul and New Guinea.
On one trip, it carried a Japanese admiral and sick soldiers. During its return, an Allied destroyer attacked it with depth charges. The I-174 surfaced when its oxygen was low, but no enemy ships were in sight. It was also attacked by an American bomber, but suffered no major damage.
The I-174 made its last supply run to Sio in New Guinea in October 1943. After this, it went to Truk for repairs.
Eighth War Patrol: Gilbert and Marshall Islands
In November 1943, the U.S. began its attack on the Gilbert and Marshall Islands campaign. The I-174 was ordered to attack the U.S. landing forces. It patrolled northwest of Butaritari.
On December 6, 1943, while charging its batteries on the surface, the I-174's lookouts saw a U.S. destroyer. It dove quickly, but the destroyer attacked with depth charges. This caused serious leaks and knocked out the submarine's lights. With its battery low and oxygen almost gone, the I-174 surfaced to fight. It managed to escape into a rain squall. It returned to Truk on December 10, 1943, for repairs.
Final Patrol and Loss
After more repairs in Japan, the I-174 began its ninth and final war patrol on April 3, 1944. It was assigned to patrol in the Marshall Islands. On April 10, 1944, it sent a routine report from south of Truk. The Japanese never heard from it again.
In the early morning of April 12, 1944, a U.S. Navy patrol aircraft attacked a Japanese submarine southeast of Truk. The aircraft claimed to have sunk it. For the next two days, an oil slick and floating debris were seen in the water. Later, Japanese records confirmed that the I-174 was sunk in this attack. All 107 people on board were lost. The Imperial Japanese Navy officially declared the I-174 lost on April 13, 1944.
See also
In Spanish: I-174 para niños
