The Wreck of the Ward Minisub – First Loss of Pearl Harbor

To kick off my traditional Pearl Harbor Week, we have a wreck related to that attack. The first loss that December morning in 1941. And a *Japanese* wreck, not an American one.

Because the first ship- or boat, in this case -lost was a Japanese midget submarine. A small vessel, intended to infiltrate the harbor. This one, in particular, was spotted by USS Ward.

And that destroyer's crew landed a single hit, that doomed the submarine. For the longest time, that story was filled with skeptics. But, in 2002, the wreck of the submarine was located.

With a hole *exactly* where Ward's crew said it would be.

In today's video, we'll be looking at that wreck and it's rapid deterioration.

2002 Survey Video:
https://youtu.be/kVR5B2X-wys

2016 Survey Video:
https://youtu.be/Z-pS6WPlUoI