Japanese submarine I-22 (1938) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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|---|---|
 Empire of Japan |
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| Name | Submarine No. 47 |
| Builder | Kawasaki Shipbuilding, Kobe, Japan |
| Laid down | 25 November 1937 |
| Renamed | I-22 in 1938 |
| Launched | 23 December 1938 |
| Completed | 10 March 1941 |
| Commissioned | 10 March 1941 |
| Fate | Sunk 6 October 1942 |
| Stricken | 15 December 1942 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Type C1 submarine |
| Displacement |
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| Length | 109.3 m (358 ft 7 in) overall |
| Beam | 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) |
| Draft | 5.3 m (17 ft 5 in) |
| Installed power |
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| Propulsion |
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| Speed |
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| Range |
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| Test depth | 100 m (330 ft) |
| Crew | 95 |
| Armament |
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| Notes | Fitted to carry 1 × Type A midget submarine |
The I-22 was a special type of submarine called a Type C1 cruiser submarine. It was built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. This submarine was unique because it could carry a smaller, special submarine called a midget submarine.
During the war, I-22 played a part in several important events. It acted as a "mother ship" for midget submarines during the attack on Pearl Harbor and the attack on Sydney Harbour. It also helped Japanese forces during the Battle of the Coral Sea and in the Guadalcanal campaign. The I-22 was sunk in October 1942.
What Was the I-22 Like?
Design and Features
The Type C submarines, like I-22, were designed for long-range attacks. They were based on an earlier submarine model but had more torpedoes.
- When on the surface, I-22 weighed about 2,554 tons.
- When underwater, it weighed about 3,561 tons.
- The submarine was 109.3 meters (358 feet) long.
- It was 9.1 meters (29 feet 10 inches) wide.
- It could dive to a depth of 100 meters (328 feet).
How I-22 Moved
For moving on the surface, I-22 used two powerful diesel engines. Each engine turned a propeller shaft. When underwater, electric motors powered the propellers.
- On the surface, it could go as fast as 23.6 knots.
- Underwater, its speed was about 8 knots.
- It could travel 14,000 nautical miles on the surface at 16 knots.
- Underwater, it could go 60 nautical miles at 3 knots.
Weapons and Special Equipment
I-22 had several weapons to defend itself and attack enemy ships.
- It had eight torpedo tubes at the front, which fired 53.3 cm (21-inch) torpedoes. It carried 20 torpedoes in total.
- It also had a large 14 cm (5.5-inch) deck gun on its top.
- For protection against airplanes, it had two 25 mm anti-aircraft guns.
- A special feature was its ability to carry one Type A midget submarine at the back of its conning tower.
Building and Launching the I-22
I-22 was built by Kawasaki in Kobe, Japan. Its original name was Submarine No. 47.
- Work on the submarine started on November 25, 1937.
- While it was being built, its name was changed to I-22.
- It was launched into the water on December 23, 1938.
- The I-22 was finished and officially joined the navy on March 10, 1941.
I-22's War Journey
Getting Ready for War
After joining the navy, I-22 was assigned to the Yokosuka Naval District. In July 1941, it became part of Submarine Division 3.
In October 1941, I-22 went to the Kure Naval Arsenal. Here, it was changed to become a "mother ship" for a Type A midget submarine. This meant it could carry and launch a smaller submarine. Four other submarines also got this special change.
On November 17, 1941, the commanders of these five submarines learned about the upcoming attack on Pearl Harbor. Their job was to launch their midget submarines near Pearl Harbor to join the attack. I-22 was chosen as the lead submarine for this special group.
On November 18, 1941, each of the five submarines took on a midget submarine. They then set off for the Hawaiian Islands. On December 2, 1941, they received a secret message. It told them that war with the Allies would start on December 8, 1941 (Japan time).
The Attack on Pearl Harbor
On December 7, 1941, I-22 reached its launch spot. It was about 9 nautical miles south of Pearl Harbor. At 1:16 AM, I-22 launched its midget submarine, named No. 15.
No. 15 tried to enter Pearl Harbor. It was spotted by U.S. Navy ships like the USS Zane (DMS-14) and USS Curtiss (AV-4). These ships fired at the midget submarine. The submarine fired a torpedo at Curtiss, but it missed.
The destroyer USS Monaghan (DD-354) then rammed No. 15. The midget submarine sank to the bottom of the harbor. Monaghan dropped depth charges, which brought the submarine back to the surface before it sank again. Both crew members of No. 15 were lost.
Meanwhile, I-22 faced many depth charge attacks but was not damaged. It waited for its midget submarine to return, but none of the five midget submarines came back. On December 11, I-22 was ordered to stop searching. It then headed to Johnston Island.
Bombarding Johnston Island
On December 15, 1941, I-22 arrived at Johnston Island. It fired its 14 cm deck gun at the island. Its shots hit an oil storage tank, setting it on fire. It also hit other buildings.
The U.S. Marine Corps on the island fired back, but their shots missed. I-22 left the area without any damage. It then arrived at Kwajalein on December 21, 1941.
First War Patrol
On January 4, 1942, I-22 left Kwajalein with two other submarines. They were assigned to patrol areas near the Hawaiian Islands. I-22 patrolled southeast of Oahu until January 18 or 20.
It then went to the French Frigate Shoals to see if U.S. forces were there. After a quick look on January 24, 1942, I-22 returned to Yokosuka on February 2, 1942.
Supporting the Battle of the Coral Sea
In April 1942, I-22 was part of a group of submarines heading to Truk. On April 18, 1942, while they were traveling, U.S. bombers attacked targets in Japan. This was known as the Doolittle Raid.
The submarines were ordered to chase the U.S. Navy ships that launched the attack. However, the orders were canceled, and I-22 continued to Truk, arriving on April 24, 1942.
On April 30, 1942, I-22 and other submarines left Truk. They formed a patrol line southwest of Guadalcanal. This was to support a Japanese plan to invade Tulagi and Port Moresby.
The Battle of the Coral Sea began on May 4, 1942. I-22's patrol was quiet. On May 11, 1942, it was ordered back to Truk. On the way, another Japanese submarine, I-28, was sunk by a U.S. submarine. I-22 arrived safely at Truk later that day.
Attack on Sydney Harbour
On May 18, 1942, I-22 took on another Type A midget submarine. It then sailed with two other submarines to Sydney, Australia. Their mission was to launch a midget submarine attack on ships in Sydney Harbour.
On May 30, 1942, the submarines arrived off Sydney. Between 5:21 PM and 5:40 PM on May 31, each launched its midget submarine. This event is known as the Attack on Sydney Harbour.
I-22's midget submarine, M21, entered the harbor. It was attacked by Australian patrol boats. M21 was disabled, and its two crew members died. Allied forces later found M21 at the bottom of the harbor. The other two midget submarines were also lost.
I-22 waited off Sydney until June 3, 1942, hoping to recover its midget submarine. When it became clear they wouldn't return, I-22 left the area. It then began patrols to look for enemy ships.
I-22 also performed reconnaissance missions. It used its periscope to observe Wellington and Auckland in New Zealand, and Suva in the Fiji Islands. On June 10, it attacked a small steamer off Portland Island, but its torpedo missed.
I-22 returned to Kwajalein on June 25, 1942. It then sailed to Yokosuka, arriving on July 11, 1942.
Guadalcanal Campaign and Loss
While I-22 was in Yokosuka, the Guadalcanal campaign began on August 7, 1942. U.S. forces landed on Guadalcanal and other islands.
On September 11, 1942, I-22 left Yokosuka for the Solomon Islands. It was ordered to join a patrol line southwest of Rennell Island. On October 1, it reported seeing an Allied convoy. On October 4, it reported its position southeast of Malaita. After this, I-22 was never heard from again.
The Sinking of I-22
On October 6, 1942, a U.S. Navy PBY-5A Catalina flying boat spotted I-22 submerging. This happened in the Coral Sea. The plane dropped four depth charges.
After the attack, oil and bubbles appeared on the surface of the water. This showed that I-22 had been sunk. All 100 men on board were lost.
On November 12, 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy officially declared I-22 lost. It was removed from the Navy list on December 15, 1942.
