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SUB-9b: IJN I-201 (main body)

Composite: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodySurvey: I-201 main bodyHistoric photo: I-201Historic photo: I-203Historic photo: I-203 underway 1946Historic photo: I-201 gunHistoric photo: I-201 and I-14


HURL Artifact No. SUB-9b *Denotes approximations and speculations
Name: I-201 (main body) Lost: 23-May-46
Artifact Type: Submarine Found: 16-Feb-09
Nationality: Japanese Dive No: PIV-209
Class or Make: I-200 Location: Barber's Pt.
Model: Sen Taka Depth (m): 778m
Purpose: High Speed Attack HURL crew: T. Kerby, S. Price
Serial Number: n/a Additional Dives: PIV-210/PV-714
Built/Launched: 2/2/45
Length: 190' (259'')
Width: 19'
Height: 18'
Circumstance of Loss: Torpedoed Crew Personnel/Position: 31 Officers and Men
Reason of Loss: Used as target (Sunk by USS Queenfish SS-393) Crew Survivals/Fatalities: n/a
Artifact History: World War II ended before I-201 was ever able to participate. After the war a US submarine crew manned the sub and conducted some sea trials with it, but eventually it was towed with the I-203 to Guam, Eniwetok, and finally to Pearl Harbor. After intelligence studies were completed the I-201 was sunk as a target with a Mk 18 torpedo.
Artifact Condition: The main body is lying on it's port side at about a 45 degree angle. Although the deck guns are retracted, the forward one has been partially pulled out. The Japanese flag, a chrysanthemum, and the "I-201" can be seen on the side of the conning tower. The periscopes are extended. Much of the wood in the top deck is still present unlike the larger subs found. This may confirm claims that this class had a special coating on it for streamlining. Red numbers added for measurement still appear like new.
Additional Information: The Sen Taka class was capable of speeds of 19 knots submerged for 1 hour. Nearly 3 times faster than any US submarine of that era. It carried 4,192 battery cells for it electric motors and had a maximum depth of 360'. Also unique to this design were the retractable 25mm AA craft guns forward and aft of the sail and the retractable capstans providing a sleek profile.

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Revised March 18, 2019 by Meagan Putts
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