Wreck of USS Harder Found in South China Sea

[huntertrw]

Title edited for brevity. Original: "Wreck of USS Harder (SS-257), a Gato-class WWII Submarine, Found in South China Sea"

The wreckage of the USS Harder (SS-257), a submarine that served during World War II, has been found at a depth of nearly 3,000 feet in the South China Sea off of Luzon, a Philippine island. The Harder, whose Skipper was Cmdr. Samuel Dealey, earned the distinction of sinking more Japanese warships than any other submarine. It vanished on Thursday, August 24, 1944.


In addition to Cmdr. Dealey, the Harder carried a crew of 78 sailors.

Here is a link to an on-line article from the Fox News Website about the finding of the wreckage.


May God bless the souls of these sailors who gave their lives in the defense of our country, and may He comfort their relatives and surviving loved ones who now know their final resting place.

Amen.

Here is a link to a citation on Wikipedia.org regarding the USS Harder (SS-257).

 

[pappymac]

Thanks for posting this story.

 

[bluegrassbrian]

As a minor claustrophobic, I couldn't live on a sub. Nope. No way.

 

[jttnk]

Thank you for sharing And honoring these servicemen. History, discovery, science and research are so important.

 

[captpat]

As a minor claustrophobic, I couldn't live on a sub. Nope. No way.

As a submariner with 28 years of service I never once came across a sailor that showed signs of claustrophobia. My theory is that they were way too busy to let their fears dominate what needed to be done.

 

[Flatfish]

As a minor claustrophobic, I couldn't live on a sub. Nope. No way.

But, and please correct me if I'm wrong. Seasickness is not a thing.

I'm not familiar with the story of the USS Harder. I'll look it up tonight.

Amazing sonar photo.

 

[georged]

As a submariner with 28 years of service I never once came across a sailor that showed signs of claustrophobia. My theory is that they were way too busy to let their fears dominate what needed to be done.

True or false (in the WWII era, anyway)... there was a limit on crew member physical size?

If so, what was it?

 

[bluegrassbrian]

True or false (in the WWII era, anyway)... there was a limit on crew member physical size?

If so, what was it?

I always considered that too.. I'm 6'2 and bump my head on shit all the time in the civilian world.

Now, I've got a friend who was a sailor for nearly 20 years that is easily 6'5 maybe 6'6. Don't think he ever did time on a sub though.

 

[Sig]

As a minor claustrophobic, I couldn't live on a sub. Nope. No way.

I toured one from that era in Charleston SC a few years ago.
It would not have been fun, especially during combat.
And im not claustrophobic!

 

[jpberg]

True or false (in the WWII era, anyway)... there was a limit on crew member physical size?

If so, what was it?

Indeed, it was a relative measurement taken while bent over to pick up the soap.

Signed,
Army guy.

 

[georged]

Indeed, it was a relative measurement taken while bent over to pick up the soap.

Signed,
Army guy.

Really?

I always thought that was a myth, because of how hard it would be to steer one of those big metal water taxis they love so much while looking down.

Signed,
Marine Corps guy

 

[captpat]

True or false (in the WWII era, anyway)... there was a limit on crew member physical size?

If so, what was it?

I'm unaware of any size restrictions in the WW2 era, there weren't any restrictions in the 70's - 2000. There's no reason to pick up the soap as the showers were where the carrots and potatoes were stored.

 

[kcghost]

My dad was in the submarines in the fifties (1956 - 1958). Did his 20 years then never looked back. He retired from the Navy in 1960. Dumbest decision he ever made.

We lost a lot of brave men in the war. Both sides were playing for keeps. RIP for USN Harder.

 

[Donald Horst Jr.]

My dad served aboard the USS Harder on its first war patrol. Of course I was quite surprised by this discovery noted here in the PIPESMAGAZINE.com of the Harder's final resting place. My father always considered Mr. Dealey as one of the finest, truest and most honorable gentlemen to have served in the United States Navy. Dad was serving as dive officer, when on a training dive, on their way to the Pacific, the Harder nosed in "too steep" sending it into a "nose-dive"; all personnel were rushed to the rear of the sub. Needless to say, when dad entered Mr. Dealey's wardroom soon after, Dad told me that he could not hold his coffee cup because he was trembling too much. Mr. Dealey, aware of my father's trembling, was able to soothe over the situation in a truly unforgettable manner. Dad is mentioned in Admiral Lockwood's book "Through Hell and Deep Water", & dad had nothing but the highest respect for all the Harder's officers and crew. I am already tearing up.

 

[jpmcwjr]

What a story! Can you say what was said that soothed your father?

 

[keith929]

I always considered that too.. I'm 6'2 and bump my head on shit all the time in the civilian world.

Now, I've got a friend who was a sailor for nearly 20 years that is easily 6'5 maybe 6'6. Don't think he ever did time on a sub though.

I went through Army basic training with a guy who was 6'4.(Funny/Not funny) his nickname was target.

 

[Donald Horst Jr.]

What a story! Can you say what was said that soothed your father?

To the best of my recollection, he simply mentioned to my father not to let that episode happen again. Dad also served with Cmdr Hugh "Screwy" Lewis aboard the USS Sterlet. And I've also heard that diving mishaps are not viewed lightly by the crew. I, myself, served four years in the Army.

 

[Donald Horst Jr.]

I also had to mention that dad also served with John H. "Jason" Mauer aboard the Harder. Dad alternated with Mr. Mauer as the OOD. Mr. Mauer retired as an Admiral. I have lots of submarine OOD stories... but some of them are... a bit grim.

 

[Donald Horst Jr.]

My favorite OOD story was when the crew of the USS Sterlet rescued a Korean sailor from a torpedoed Japanese freighter. And in the mess, the crew spend the entire nite preparing this sailor on how to properly greet an OOD who would be arriving from the "night shift". He was told that my father was from the most honorable "Beech" family, and that he was "Number one son" of the family. So when my father finally appeared, the Korean sailor bowed very slowly while saying loudly and broadly, "Gooood Moooorning Nuuumber Woooon Soooon of Beeeeech". Even my father said he was desperately fighting back tears a delirious laughter.

 

[Donald Horst Jr.]

Dad was the gunnery officer aboard the Sterlet. Upon spotting a small Jap freighter, lookouts would carefully watch for Jap escorts and especially for Japanese aircraft, and of course the sub's radar operator was constantly scanning the scope. After carefully "coming into range", the entire crew would pass shells up thru the sub to the 3-inch deck gun. Firing of the gun was methodical until enough shells hit below the waterline and the ship sank. And the crew was always relieved to see the "Rising Sun" emblem sinking beneath the setting sun.