The Deep-Sea Search For Two American Submarines Lost In 1944

The video "The Deep-Sea Search For Two American Submarines Lost In 1944" chronicles the efforts of a team of divers, led by Mike and Warren Fletcher, to locate the wreckage of two American submarines, the USS Robalo and USS Flyer, which disappeared in the South China Sea during World War II. The search is driven by survivor accounts and personal connections to the submarines, particularly from Steve Jacobson, whose father was a crew member on the USS Flyer.

Scientific Concepts and Discoveries:

• Submarine Search Techniques:
  • Use of sidescan sonar technology to map the seabed and identify potential wreckage.
  • Hookah diving technique employed by local fishermen to explore underwater.
• Deep-Sea Diving Challenges:
  • Divers face extreme conditions, including pressure and the need for gas mixtures to avoid nitrogen buildup and oxygen poisoning.
  • Importance of careful decompression to prevent the bends (decompression sickness).
• Historical Context:
  • Exploration of the circumstances surrounding the sinking of the submarines, including survivor accounts and the impact of wartime conditions.

Methodology:

• Preparation for Expedition:
  • Assemble diving gear and ensure everything is operational.
  • Prepare for unexpected challenges during dives.
• Search Process:
  • Conduct dives in specific areas based on historical data and survivor accounts.
  • Use sidescan sonar to create a grid over suspected wreck areas.
  • Engage local fishermen for insights and information on potential wreck sites.
• Diving Protocol:
  • Switch gas mixtures during deep dives to manage pressure and oxygen levels.
  • Limit dive time to avoid nitrogen buildup in the body.

Key Findings:

• Discovery of a wreck that matches the dimensions of a submarine, but initial assessments suggest it may not be one of the lost subs.
• Successful identification of the USS Flyer after detailed dives, revealing significant structural damage consistent with eyewitness accounts of a mine explosion.

Featured Researchers and Sources:

• Mike Fletcher
• Warren Fletcher
• Steve Jacobson (son of Al Jacobson, a survivor of the USS Flyer)
• Marlon Aosta (Filipino diver)
• Dennis Hunter (former US Navy sailor, provided information before passing)
• Jim Bradford (expert in sidescan sonar, former Lieutenant Commander in the Canadian Navy)
• Al Jacobson (survivor of the USS Flyer, whose accounts guided the search)