Museum

Kaiten

Kaiten - "Turn Toward Heaven"

The Human Torpedo

The design of the Japanese Kaiten was originally based on the highly successful surfaced-launched Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo. Nearly 400 Type 1's were built, and were the only type used operationally. The Type 4 oxygen-kerosene engine produced 1,500 horsepower on one shaft. Top speed was 40 knots. Range for Type 4 is listed as 38.52 miles at 20 knots, 23.61 miles at 30 knots, and 16.78 miles at 40 knots. The warhead contained 3,960 pounds of TNT. Approximately 45-50 Type 4's were built in 1945, but were never used operationally. An escape hatch was not provided for Kaiten built late in the war, and in any case, no pilot is known to have attempted to escape from his speeding torpedo as it approached its target. Many Type 4 weapons were found at the Kure Naval Base after the War.

Kaiten were carried piggyback aboard mother submarines, and possibly aboard a few surface ships adapted for that purpose. At least three could be carried at a time on one mother sub; some I-boats carried as many as six Kaiten. Maximum depth was 264 feet, which placed that limit on the mother boat. The most successful attack was the sinking of the fleet tanker Mississinewa in Ulithi anchorage on 20 November 1944; the destroyer escort Underhill was also sunk on 24 July 1945. A few other ships were damaged. In the Japanese human torpedo program, eight mother submarines and almost 900 lives were lost.

Secrets of the Sub

Hawaii Themed Submarines

USS Kamehameha (SSBN-642) was launched on 16 January 1965 and commissioned on 10 December 1965. This submarine holds the name for King Kamehameha the Great. It is fitting that one of our submarines bear the name of this striking figure in Hawaiian history. His people were intrepid seafarers and knowledge of stars, winds and currents still arouse wonder and admiration. For much of USS Kamehameha's service, she was based in Rota, Spain conducting deterrence patrols during the Cold War. Commissioning gifts to the submarine are on display at the museum.

USS Honolulu

USS Honolulu (SSN-718), a Los Angeles-class submarine, was the third ship of the United States to be named for Honolulu, Hawaii. She was launched on 24 September 1983 and commissioned on 6 July 1985. Honolulu’s patrols are commemorated by ten surfboards signed by the crews aboard her at the time. One of the four surfboards held at Bowfin Park is on display in the museum.

USS Hawaii

The USS Hawaii (SSN 776) is the first commissioned vessel of its name. Launched June 17, 2006 and Commissioned May 5, 2007 she is fortunate to be homeported in her namesake state. The submarine was named to recognize the tremendous support the Navy has enjoyed from the people and state of Hawaii, and in honor of the rich heritage of submarines in the Pacific.

Hawaii is the third of the Virginia Class submarines. The Virginia-class of attack submarines surpasses the performance of any current projected threat submarine, ensuring U.S. undersea dominance well into the next century.

Bowfin Museum collections include models of all three submarines.