In this episode: December, 1943. Fueled by the loss of mentor and friend Dudley "Mush" Morton, Richard Hetherington O'Kane and his submarine USS Tang set out to assault Japanese shipping. In four patrols O'Kane rises to the ranks of America's top submarine commander. But in the Formosa Strait his last Mark 18 torpedo turns against him. As O'Kane's submarine meets its end, an unforgettable fight to survive begins.
I read that as well. Too bad he wrote another book about how the Wahoo probably also torpedoed herself. Except that a Japanese patrol plane hit Wahoo square with a bomb and sank her.
Those Were Brave Men. A League of their own! They Sailed into Harms way they were the best navigators too no gps radar technology was still beginning using charts and the stars to navigate and compass People I Tip my Hat to those Brave Ladies and Gentlemen who served and keep serving in the U.S Armed Forces
@@briankorbelik2873”Too bad” really? I met O’Kane and corresponded with him for quite sometime while he was writing Wahoo. He shared his experiences on that boat with Morton. He was guessing at her loss as he states. The torpedo problem is legendary. Tullibee was another circular run fish with one survivor CW Kuykendahl. While found to be incorrect by the Russian divers that found her… O’Kanes conjecture can be forgiven given the loss of his boat and crew and the loss of Tullibee. How many others may be answer that Project 52 can provide. Floyd Caverly was a friend of mine and the personal insights he shared with me regarding the loss of Tang were inspirational and terrifying.
The animation of the torpedo is incorrect. the lat torpedo was a type 18 electric torpedo they would not leave the bubble wake. I lost an uncle on the USS Tang.
I served in the Navy way back when. I was a crewman on the USS Morton DD 948. The warship had a ships flag of the raincoat girl with umbrella of the Morton Salt co. on a light blue silk cloth which said, "When it Rains, it Pours." Cool flag. I never new that Mush Morton was from the family that owned Morton Salt co. until saw this series.
Blalblabla, they always come with that. Who cares where you were at. You're on the internet now. No one cares, I was the survivor on that sub that swim to the surface xD Nah man, I wasn't xD I am just messin with ya xD Don't believe everything you read or hear on internet. It's a lying place, full of liars and greedy people.
Agreed. As a former Diesel boat sailor, and retired navy submariner, O'kane was at the top of my list for WW2 heroes. I have an autographed copy of his book "Clear the Bridge"
The sacrifice of those who lost their lives for this nation must never be forgotten. This nation has a chance, the last one, to save this nation and honor those who have it all for our nation. They are all watching from above.
It’s amazing that the survivors of the USS Tang did not lose their heads at the hands of the Japanese? When it to the treatment of POWs the Japanese were notoriously brutal? All I can say, is that the Japanese must have been in a Sunday mood? Falling into Japanese hands would often lead to a painful lingering death.
This sub and crew were fearless, so outstanding until the only thing that could sink them were themselves. No doubt feared tremendously by the enemies.
@@FreeDocumentaryHistory Hell below Season 3 Ep 3. "The Longest Journey On Christmas morning of 1944, the gun crew of a merchant ship fights back against a German U-boat attack and destroys a torpedo destined for their ship. They struggle to survive as the enemy comes back for another shot.
@@colonelx185 I mean if Tang was at PD and O Kane fired the erratic torpedo, Kane can just dive her to get out of the way. Sadly Tang couldn’t get out of the way for her final fight.
@BellaZuikaku4785 it's dangerous, if a big warhead was shook up it would most likely have blown up in peoples faces. Plus torpedos were in short supply and USA needed updated torpedos quickly to replace faulty ones and to restock submarines. Also it's hard to do testing torpedos inside and submarine due to the confined space. And not every submarine has a naval engineer stationed on them. And it's also difficult to test things during wartime, perhaps the navy was too impatient and didn't bother testing them. By the time the issue was known it would've been too late to stop production.
The USS Tang had a brief appearance in the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One in the form of the photo of the damage, used to portray the USS Redfish (SS-395) where instead of being sunk by its own torpedo, it was sunk by Godzilla.
I spent 40 years in manufacturing, including a lot of ordnance. I also spent time in U.S. Army. Failures in the shop kill American Service Men and Women. Its a bomb, a torpedo, a bullet. It only has to work once, but that one time, it better fkn work.
So serious question please don't hang me for this l.. but while they were waiting for the worst of the typhoon in the Formosa strait to pass and were forced back inside off lookout from the winds they started to list 70° from the huge waves.. wouldn't it he safer to dive under water a couple hundred feet so the waves wouldnt toss you and it would be calmer?
How many more ships could Tang have claimed, but for a faulty torpedo? Or would a depth charge attack, or mine strike, later in the war have taken her with all hands? Ifs and buts.... who can say what might have been? Would O'Kane have been more useful to the Silent Service ashore, passing on his experience to up-and-coming sub skippers than in the field, sinking ships? Either way, kudos to the man, for doing what he did and doing it so well.
Seems like firing that last torpedo wasn't necessary but skippers like him were motivated to use everything they had. How was he to know the last torpedo would circle back. The Navy only found out about it after the war. Mark 16 torpedoes had a known defect the caused circling but there was no history on the Mark 18 electric torpedo doing so.
@@MikeHunt-fo3ow There is a hatch at an angle on top of the torpedo room that allowed the torpedoes to be lowered one at a time using ropes and pulleys. Once the torpedoes were loaded, the hatch was secured with dogs just like the hatches that the crew use to enter the sub.
In this episode:
December, 1943. Fueled by the loss of mentor and friend Dudley "Mush" Morton, Richard Hetherington O'Kane and his submarine USS Tang set out to assault Japanese shipping. In four patrols O'Kane rises to the ranks of America's top submarine commander. But in the Formosa Strait his last Mark 18 torpedo turns against him. As O'Kane's submarine meets its end, an unforgettable fight to survive begins.
I read that as well. Too bad he wrote another book about how the Wahoo probably also torpedoed herself. Except that a Japanese patrol plane hit Wahoo square with a bomb and sank her.
Those Were Brave Men. A League of their own! They Sailed into Harms way they were the best navigators too no gps radar technology was still beginning using charts and the stars to navigate and compass People I Tip my Hat to those Brave Ladies and Gentlemen who served and keep serving in the U.S Armed Forces
@@briankorbelik2873”Too bad” really? I met O’Kane and corresponded with him for quite sometime while he was writing Wahoo. He shared his experiences on that boat with Morton. He was guessing at her loss as he states. The torpedo problem is legendary. Tullibee was another circular run fish with one survivor CW Kuykendahl. While found to be incorrect by the Russian divers that found her… O’Kanes conjecture can be forgiven given the loss of his boat and crew and the loss of Tullibee. How many others may be answer that Project 52 can provide. Floyd Caverly was a friend of mine and the personal insights he shared with me regarding the loss of Tang were inspirational and terrifying.
@@Ma_Deuce_338Thank you for this comment.
The animation of the torpedo is incorrect. the lat torpedo was a type 18 electric torpedo they would not leave the bubble wake. I lost an uncle on the USS Tang.
My god these ppl have enormous balls. This is a difficult situation
I served in the Navy way back when. I was a crewman on the USS Morton DD 948. The warship had a ships flag of the raincoat girl with umbrella of the Morton Salt co. on a light blue silk cloth which said, "When it Rains, it Pours." Cool flag. I never new that Mush Morton was from the family that owned Morton Salt co. until saw this series.
Awesome!
Thank you for your service.
Blalblabla, they always come with that. Who cares where you were at. You're on the internet now. No one cares,
I was the survivor on that sub that swim to the surface xD Nah man, I wasn't xD I am just messin with ya xD
Don't believe everything you read or hear on internet. It's a lying place, full of liars and greedy people.
I read his book, "Clear the Bridge". That man had two big brass ones.
Agreed. As a former Diesel boat sailor, and retired navy submariner, O'kane was at the top of my list for WW2 heroes. I have an autographed copy of his book "Clear the Bridge"
May ALL Souls lost at sea RIP
Amen!!!!
What an incredible story and man, with an awesome crew...RIP, SIRS
AMEN
This was an awesome episode, and it is an even more awsome series.. keep them coming! Ive watched every episode so far!
The sacrifice of those who lost their lives for this nation must never be forgotten. This nation has a chance, the last one, to save this nation and honor those who have it all for our nation. They are all watching from above.
I wished they did more seasons or someone else make a new series about submarine warfare
What an absolute legend and an inspiration. This guy had a true set of balls unlike men of the same age today!
It’s amazing that the survivors of the USS Tang did not lose their heads at the hands of the Japanese? When it to the treatment of POWs the Japanese were notoriously brutal? All I can say, is that the Japanese must have been in a Sunday mood? Falling into Japanese hands would often lead to a painful lingering death.
Great series. Enjoyed it. Seen every episode.
excellent!
I remember USS Tang being mentioned when I watching the documentary on USS Batfish
I highly recommend reading his book Clear the Bridge. I recently finished reading it for the sixth or seventh time.
This sub and crew were fearless, so outstanding until the only thing that could sink them were themselves. No doubt feared tremendously by the enemies.
Happy 4th of July. Thanks for the Freedom.
The one of thing not mentioned is that O'Kane had the option to work with a wolfpack he chose to go it alone. I lost an uncle on the USS Tang.
Hollywood should still apologise for U571 etc... Stolen valour.
What a story. What brave men.
The test depth of Tang was 600 feet, and when hounded by a destroyer near Saipan, the sea pressure gauge passed 700 feet.
Complete Terror!!!! Figures the last torpedo malfunctions....
Excellent show...
Read the book. Great, but sad story.
I salute You, Great Wariers!!!
this is great! if possible could you also upload the longest journey pls?
@@jiyuhong5853 it’s a video game we don’t do video games
@@FreeDocumentaryHistory Hell below Season 3 Ep 3. "The Longest Journey
On Christmas morning of 1944, the gun crew of a merchant ship fights back against a German U-boat attack and destroys a torpedo destined for their ship. They struggle to survive as the enemy comes back for another shot.
@@jiyuhong5853 When we get to season 3, it will be available. Not sure when that will be though right now.
@@FreeDocumentaryHistory thx!
According to the official report that torpedo opened up both engine rooms and the aft torpedo room. I lost an uncle when the tang was lost.
Let's goooo
Sometimes it makes me wonder why didn’t O Kane fight this convoy at periscope depth?
It's so if he destroyed the ship he didn't need to surface and waste electricity/compressed air in order to resume at a normal speed
@@colonelx185 I mean if Tang was at PD and O Kane fired the erratic torpedo, Kane can just dive her to get out of the way. Sadly Tang couldn’t get out of the way for her final fight.
@BellaZuikaku4785 yeah but poor kane had no idea that the torpedos could do that since they were recently developed
@@colonelx185 didn’t they do a testing for erratic?
@BellaZuikaku4785 it's dangerous, if a big warhead was shook up it would most likely have blown up in peoples faces. Plus torpedos were in short supply and USA needed updated torpedos quickly to replace faulty ones and to restock submarines.
Also it's hard to do testing torpedos inside and submarine due to the confined space. And not every submarine has a naval engineer stationed on them.
And it's also difficult to test things during wartime, perhaps the navy was too impatient and didn't bother testing them. By the time the issue was known it would've been too late to stop production.
Almost 1/4 of our brave submariners never came home. May they rest in peace and I hope their families came to terms with it within time'
lolol "cocaine and the lookouts" sounds like a band!! thx youtube cc!
The USS Tang had a brief appearance in the 2023 film Godzilla Minus One in the form of the photo of the damage, used to portray the USS Redfish (SS-395) where instead of being sunk by its own torpedo, it was sunk by Godzilla.
OH NO!! IT'S GORZIRRA!
I spent 40 years in manufacturing, including a lot of ordnance. I also spent time in U.S. Army. Failures in the shop kill American Service Men and Women. Its a bomb, a torpedo, a bullet. It only has to work once, but that one time, it better fkn work.
Put the music louder. I still can hear the narrator.
So serious question please don't hang me for this l.. but while they were waiting for the worst of the typhoon in the Formosa strait to pass and were forced back inside off lookout from the winds they started to list 70° from the huge waves.. wouldn't it he safer to dive under water a couple hundred feet so the waves wouldnt toss you and it would be calmer?
I think at that very moment if they tried to dive with that much list they run the risk of rolling their boat over which is actually unrecoverable.
those sneaky bine breakers!
I'm not going to give my dream
How many more ships could Tang have claimed, but for a faulty torpedo?
Or would a depth charge attack, or mine strike, later in the war have taken her with all hands?
Ifs and buts.... who can say what might have been?
Would O'Kane have been more useful to the Silent Service ashore, passing on his experience to up-and-coming sub skippers than in the field, sinking ships?
Either way, kudos to the man, for doing what he did and doing it so well.
Skip to 42 mins and miss all the recaps.
How many faulty electric torpedoes were there use in WW2??? #24 was the last and most used/trained/demoed/abused one in the war load???🤔
It’s a tragic story but there was more than one submarine lost due to torpedoes.
I see a captain of great bravery but an ego that cost the lives of his crew.
Is there a movie made after this story..!
Never mentioned O Kane' s cribbage board.
I hope that grave is protected.
Seems like firing that last torpedo wasn't necessary but skippers like him were motivated to use everything they had. How was he to know the last torpedo would circle back. The Navy only found out about it after the war. Mark 16 torpedoes had a known defect the caused circling but there was no history on the Mark 18 electric torpedo doing so.
How about something from the submarine war in the Mediterranean? British, Italian and German subs turned the Med into a graveyard of their crews!
I wonder if they ever found Wahoo?
Tang. Was that the drink or poon tang? 😂🤷🏼♂️ Sorry I’ll go now…….. 😢
Great leadership enables both success and failure all the while teaching and mentoring....
Should have dived or maneuver when they first seen it.
Why didnt they spew oil and Debris to throw the enemy off
Brandy and not rum?
really dumb question but how did the get the torpedos down into a sub
Loading hatches on the deck above the torpedo rooms.
@@jimjoe9945 are these bolted shut?
@@MikeHunt-fo3ow There is a hatch at an angle on top of the torpedo room that allowed the torpedoes to be lowered one at a time using ropes and pulleys. Once the torpedoes were loaded, the hatch was secured with dogs just like the hatches that the crew use to enter the sub.
@@milwaukeeroadjim9253 ty i looked up a video on it....the torpedos are so long it looks nuts
Greedy.
It’s hard to really fathom of being on that sub and in that scenario but our men went through it.. 🫡