We’ve talked about the I-400 and her sister the 401, Japan’s underwater aircraft carriers in past Warship Wednesdays. These lurking submarine sneak attack leviathans could tote a few seaplanes and, it was planned, for them to attack such strategic targets as the Panama Canal. Well, the funny thing about super weapons is that they often aren’t given a chance to be that super.
In the end, the 400 and 401 were captured by the Navy and, to prevent the Soviets from getting a look at these tasty treats, were scuttled in very deep water off Barber’s Point. In 2013 one was found, but was missing its famous hangar.
Well it looks like researchers from the University of Hawaii and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration got the funding for one more dive and it proved worthwhile
