USS Harder found: legendary WWII submarine discovered after decades

It sank at the end of August 1944 and has been sought by numerous researchers since then. Finally, 80 years after it sank, one of the legendary U.S. Navy submarines, the wreck of the USS Harder, was found at a depth of almost 1,000 meters off the coast of Luzon, a Philippine island.

After eight decades of being lost, USS Harder was found deep underwater off the coast of the Philippines. The legendary U.S. military vessel rests in a vertical position and—as noted on CBS News—is "in relatively intact condition." The only exceptions are slight bridge damage (superstructure in the ship's upper part). This discovery results from efforts by Tim Taylor, a researcher responsible for the Lost 52 Project. His goal is to find 52 submarines sunk during World War II.

CBS News notes that the USS Harder has been a legend in the ranks of the American military since World War II for a reason. The vessel made its mark in history primarily due to its commander, Officer Samuel David Dealey, who died during his service on the USS Harder.

The ship earned its legendary reputation during its fifth patrol. Within just four days, it sank three destroyers and seriously damaged two others, forcing the Japanese fleet to abandon the Philippine Sea. This resulted in Japan's defeat in the next battle.

At the end of August 1944, more enemy units had to acknowledge the superiority of the American submarine USS Harder. Still, not for long, as in the final days of the month, the vessel was hit by the Japanese escort ship CD-22, causing the U.S. machine to sink with all 79 sailors onboard. Between 1942 and 1944, USS Harder had sunk 20 ships. However, it lost its fight with a Japanese depth charge.

USS Harder received the Presidential Unit Citation for its first five patrols and six battle stars for its service during World War II. In the history of the American military, it is remembered as the unit that sank the most Japanese structures in "particularly audacious attacks," for which the distinguished Captain Dealey was responsible.

This Gato-class submarine was the first mass-produced type during World War II. Its displacement reached 2,600 tonnes submerged, and its propulsion system consisted of electric motors with diesel generators. On the surface, it could travel at speeds exceeding 20 knots. While submerged, it could travel at about 9 knots.

The armament of the USS Harder included 24 steam-gas Mark 14 torpedoes (with a warhead weight of nearly 300 kg and a total weight of almost 1,500 kg) and electric Mark 18 torpedoes (warhead weight of 270 kg). Additionally, the submarine had one 76 mm calibre gun. It also carried 40 mm and 20 mm calibre anti-aircraft guns.