Bruce
Attack Analysis 3 and 4 are frames from the HD video 1st and 2nd passes, both on port side. The first is from bow to stern, the second from stern to bow. They give some indication of the hydrostatic damage.
There is one other sighting on the starboard side. Will get that up ASAP. In addition there is a view inside the bow opening which may be helpful in determining why the bow is gone
There have been some truly extraordinard observations and analyses which I plan to put up as soon as I can figure how to present them in an organized way
Question: At what depth was the sub found? I’ve seen/heard several different figures, from 1,000 feet to one mile. Since the site was so close to land, it doesn’t seem it should have been that deep, although I imagine that the sea floor falls away quickly from volcanic islands.
Looking at photo “2nd port side 10” where the area is most visible, I believe I see something rather astounding. The port side stern mooring cleat is visible at the bottom. Most visible is the under-side of that cleat. The drum on the cleat horn is clearly apparent. As I recall only the two stern cleats and the two bow cleats had a drum on one of the cleat horns. This drum was there to provide a ‘fair lead’ for the bow or stern dock lines when led to the respective capstans. Looking just above this cleat in the photo, I believe I see the top of the starboard side stern mooring cleat. Remnants of the decking are also visible below the cleat. If this is indeed the case, the boat in this area is ‘folded up’ in the center area allowing the starboard side to fold over to a position perpendicular to the port side. Like the port side, portions of the starboard side lifeline railings are still attached. Photo “2nd port side 12” shows the same area and the port and starboard lifeline railings are very close to each other. This area would be forward in the After Torpedo Room near or at the bulkhead with Maneuvering Room.
To further clarify locations, and provide some scale, a similar boat’s blueprint shows: The stern mooring cleats are at or near Frame #112. From a compartment standpoint, this area is in the After Torpedo Room approximately 9′ aft of the Maneuvering Room bulkhead. For photo ‘3rd sighting, starboard, stern to bow 9″ the bilge keel is visible; the aft end of the bilge keel would be at or near Frame #99, corresponding to the bulkhead between the After Engine Room and Maneuvering Room. The break in the hull forward of this, appears to be in the area of Frame #96 or #97 and roughly inline with the After Engine Room Hatch. In photo “3rd sighting, starboard, stern to bow 17′ what appears to be the forward end of the bilge keel shows. This location would be at or near Frame #41 corresponding to the middle of the Forward Battery Compartment @ the C.O.’s Stateroom. The break at the bow is at or near Frame #24, approximately 8′ aft of the torpedo tube inner doors.