Bow of the mini-sub sunk by the Ward. Image credit: University of Hawaii/HURL via NOAA
December 7, 2016 marks the 75th anniversary of the day Japanese forces bombed the Pearl Harbor naval base in Hawaii. In addition to the two U.S. vessels still sitting at the bottom of the harbor, two Japanese mini-subs can also be found in the waters nearby. On the anniversary of the attack, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) will provide a live stream of their briny, barnacled remains to viewers online, Live Science reports.
The first Japanese submarine was sunk by U.S. troops before it could successfully penetrate the harbor. After it was seen partially submerged in the surrounding waters, the USS Ward destroyer brought it down about an hour before the first bombs fell on Pearl Harbor. Those shots were the first ones fired by the U.S. during World War II, and marked the country’s entry into the conflict. In 2002, the University of Hawaii’s Undersea Research Laboratory (HURL) stumbled upon the two-man submarine in about 1200 feet of water.
The second sub also vanished that morning before the attack officially began. After it was found in 1951 the Navy raised the sub and transported it to deeper waters. It laid there undisturbed until it was rediscovered (also by HURL) in 1992.
On December 7 web users around the world will have a chance to see both historic vessels up close. A remotely operated vehicle (ROV) will be deployed from NOAA’s Okeanos Explorer ship to capture the footage, with the live stream set to begin at 11:30 a.m. EST.
[h/t Live Science]
December 6, 2016 – 2:30pm