KIAL Unalaska Local News
WWII submarine apparently discovered near Kiska
Charles Homans
http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/
UNALASKA, AK (2006-08-25) A U.S. submarine that disappeared in the Aleutians during World War II apparently has been found off the shore of Kiska Island. A research expedition paid for by one of the commanding officer’s sons spotted what they believe is the U.S.S. Grunion in the mile-deep waters near what was once a Japanese military base in the Aleutians. The team arrived in Dutch Harbor on Thursday, and KIAL’s Charles Homans was there.
(An updated version of this story, from NPR’s Aug. 26 Weekend Edition Saturday, can be heard at
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=5715082
© Copyright 2006, KIAL
Though I am not involved in this project, I have analyzed the the sonar images and scaled as best that could be done from the image without having the raw data . My opinion is there is a very high proability this IS NOT a submarine. But then again sonar image analysis is not an exact science.
I had previously posted my comments but apparently they were removed? [Posted on Oct 4th - You can view it here .ed] I am a professional Image Analyst and have had considerable experience in interpreting side scan sonar imagery as wall as SLAR (side looking airborne radar which is very similar in it\’s characteristices.
Side Scan sonar tends to illuminate objects and depending on the elevation above the bottom the sonar will produce shadows from a hull. These shadows typically coreespond to feature on the the hull such as superstructures, gun turrets, masts, antenna\’s, etc.
They are the principle aid in interpreting these images and very helpful int determining what is being imaged.
In the case of the image presented as the Grunion there is considerable superstructure amidships and a raised element a lot llike a gun on the foredeck very close to the bow. The shadows also show considerable structure on the aft end of the hull which seemingly corespond to depth charge equipment and damages debris.
The image shows a vessel two shoret to be the grunion but perfectly corresponding to the smaller class submarine chasers employed by the Japanese. I maintain that the image does not show the Grunion but a surface vessel as profiled by the soanr shadows.
The Grunion would be longer and narrower. The only stucture woule be the conning tower and the periscope towrs amidships. No structure would be at the bow of the ship and none at the stern.
Now having said that there are scenarios that can be conceived of where the remaining torpedoes in the bow and the stern would have detonated at depth and the hull rended at the stern and bow tubes.
Anyway, in my opinion this is a surface vessel and more likely a Japanese one.
Thank you for reading,
Edward J Cox
Image Interpreter
Mr. Cox,
Actually your post is still there- the comments get a bit hard to find sometimes but it is in the “comments” under ” Whitefish engineer returns from stormy Bering Sea with tale of discovery, By Richard Hanners Whitefish Pilot” which is a couple of pages back. I have a question. I know you have seen the one pic posted on the main Grunion page but have you viewed the other sonar pics? there were several posted back in August. As I understand it, when the “shadow” is on the “uphill slope” like the one on the main ussgruion.com webpage it looks like a surface ship but it “sorta” resembles a sub (or least the only pic I’ve seen of one on the website) when the shadow falls on the downhill slope. That is the one problem- “which is it” but according to all of the posts there is alot more footage that also has to be gone through- hopefully there will be something there to decide it one way or the other or at least make it “lean” one way or the other. Anyway I would like to hear your opinion on those other pics too as I know nothing about sonar except what my uncle tried to explain to me in an email I call “sonar 101″- probably “remedial sonar 101″ would be more like it for me to get the general idea. Thanks for posting!