SENSUIKAN!

© 2006-2020 Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp

27 May 1945:
Sasebo Navy Yard. Laid down as the Sen-Taka Sho (High-speed Small Type) class Submarine No. 4926.

7 June 1945:
Renumbered HA-216 and provisionally attached to Sasebo Naval District.

15 June 1945:
Lt Yasoshima Keizo (71)(former navigating officer of I-369) is appointed the Chief Equipping Officer (CEO).

19 June 1945:
Launched as HA-216.

16 August 1945:
Completed and officially commissioned in the IJN. Assigned to SubDiv 52 under Cdr Tagami Meiji (former CEO of I-351). A skeleton crew under Lt Yasoshima remains aboard for the following few days.[1]

23 August 1945:
Lt Yasoshima is reassigned to Sasebo Sailor Corps.

2 September 1945:
Sasebo. HA-216 is surrendered to the Allies.

30 November 1945:
Removed from the Navy List.

26 March 1946:
Washington, DC. At a Submarine Officer's Conference, attended by former ComSubPac Vice Admiral Charles A. Lockwood, it is decided to dispose of all remaining captured Japanese submarines by sinking.

5 April 1946:
Off Sasebo Bay. HA-216 is scuttled by the USN with RO-31, HA-207, HA-210, HA-215, HA-217, HA-219 and HA-228.

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Authors' Notes:
[1] According to Lt Yasoshima's own memoirs, he did not receive an order to assume command of HA-216 following its completion.

Special thanks for help in preparing this TROM go to Dr. Higuchi Tatsuhiro of Japan and to fellow submarine enthusiast Steve Eckardt of Australia.

– Bob Hackett and Sander Kingsepp.

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