The research team never expected this discovery

In June 2019, Tim Taylor and his team decided to investigate an American submarine that once mysteriously disappeared. With a remote-controlled underwater vehicle, they decided to begin their investigation, until they made a bizarre discovery. And believe us: this will make the hairs on your arms stand up.

Accidental error

Tim and his team chose to use a remote-controlled underwater vehicle to investigate the US submarine. While this unit was moving to its destination, an error suddenly occured. Unfortunately, the underwater vehicle had to be retrieved. Just to be sure, Tim checked the data captured by the underwater vehicle, and then he made a bizarre discovery…

The USS Grayback

The submarine that had mysteriously disappeared was called the USS Grayback – or SS-208. The search for this submarine was conducted as part of the Lost 52 project. This project consists of finding 52 American submarines that disappeared in World War II. The Grayback was reported missing by the US Navy in March 1944. That’s quite some time ago.

A message to the base

On February 24, the Grayback embarked on a combat patrol from Pearl Harbor. The submarine sent a message back to base saying they had hit two Japanese freighters. On February 25, they sent another message, with the news that another vessel had suffered serious damage.

Sailing back to Midway Atoll

The Grayback had done well, but now had to sail back to the Midway Atoll for to be resupplied, the February 25 message reported. However, no one expected this to be the Grayback’s last message.

Reported missing

The naval commander expected the Grayback to dock at Midway Atoll around March 7, but nothing could be further from the truth. Three weeks later, the Grayback still hadn’t arrived, so the sub, including its 80 crew members, was reported missing on March 30.

Tragic news

This was of course extremely tragic, as dozens of men had left their families and loved ones alone as a result. The Grayback had also been a real asset to the US Navy, but the vessel had disappeared into thin air.

Colossal

The Grayback was one of 74 submarines built during World War II. The Grayback was a Tambor-class vessel – of which twelve were built. The Grayback was a large vessel. At its widest point, the vessel was about eight meters wide and 90 meters long. At low speed, the submarine could remain submerged for about 48 hours.

Giant equipment

The Grayback was well equipped too. There were ten torpedo tubes on the vessel and several 50-caliber machine guns and cannons. These weapons were intended to defend against airborne attacks, but could also be used to attack enemy ships when the Grayback surfaced.

Many missions

After construction of the Grayback was ‘finished’, it took off on multiple missions across the ocean. The Grayback won many battles with other ships and managed to get through everything. Until the Grayback left for its tenth mission, which turned out to be its last.

Last mission

This was on January 28, 1944. During this last mission, the Grayback single-handedly sank no less than 21,594 tons of Japanese vessels.