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| IJN Type A Kō-hyōteki kō-gata 46 Tons (surfaced) 47 Tons (submerged) 78.5' x 6' x 10.2' 2 x Type 97 torpedo 140kg scuttling charge |
Submarine History Built by Karasukojima Naval Armory as the 8th Type A Midget Submarine completed. Delivered to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) as HA-8 Type A Midget Submarine. Mission History On December 2, 1942 at 11:08pm Japanese submarine I-20 launched HA-8 roughly 10.8 miles off Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. The midget submarine is commanded by Lt(jg) Tanaka with crew member Mitani. Sinking History On December 3, 1942 this midget submarine sights several targets including American transports and destroyers but becomes beached for a short time then fires both torpedoes at a transport and hears an explosion. Afterwards, HA-8 is chased by a destroyer but escapes without damage. When it surfaces, the midget submarine was swamped and scuttled by the crew off Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. Fates of the Crew Both of the crew reach shore and join Japanese forces on Cape Esperance. Their ultimate fate is unknown. Shipwreck Possibly this submarine might be Type A Midget Submarine (Cape Esperance 1943) salvaged by USS Ortolan (ASR-5) during May-June 1943 off Guadalcanal displayed at the Submarine Force Museum. Alternately, this submarine might be Type A Midget Submarine (Cape Esperance 1945). On January 4, 1945 USCGC Ironwood (WLB-297) began salvaging this submarine from a depth of 30' off Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. Divers, working from a small boat, use a hose and crowbars to clear a space under the bow and stern of the submarine. On January 9, 1945 a chain sling is rigged around the bow for salvage. The identity of this 1945 salvaged midget submarine is unknown but possibly HA-8, HA-22 or HA-37. References Combined Fleet - Midget Submarines in the Solomon Islands 1942 Historic Naval Ship Association - Japanese HA-8 via Wayback Machine April 28, 2012 "Locally, this submarine has always been labeled as HA-8. Some sources identify the midget as the HA-8, others the HA-10 and still others the HA-30. It came to the SUBASE Groton as part of a country war bond effort in 1943-1944 and has remained in Groton ever since. It is one of four such Type A midgets on display in the world." Contribute
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 Map Dec 2-3, 1942 |
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