Lost and Found: The Legacy of The USS Lagarto

[samgrant]

This PBS program will air this Memorial Day weekend - apparently only in the Chicago, Milwaukee, and Indianapolis markets (for reasons unknown to me).

This is a story about a submarine (USS Lagarto) that was lost in May 1945 and wasn't found till 60 years later in 2005.

My interest is that one of the crewmen was the first husband of my mother (who managed to turn 92 last Friday), and the father of my big sister, Nancy. Imagine living 60 years not knowing just what happened to your father!

Nancy tells me "The doc tells about the building, operations, battles, and bravery of those associated with the lost submarine. It also features three of her crew members - my father, SM1 Bill Mabin is one of them."

The Milwaukee PBS (WMVT) station describes it: "The USS Lagarto was one of 28 submarines built by the Manitowoc Shipbuilding Company during World War II. Weeks before the end of the war in May 1945, it sank in the Gulf of Thailand. The sub was lost in the Pacific Ocean for over sixty years, until May 2005 when it was discovered. Exclusive underwater footage reveals fascinating images of the Lagarto sitting upright in 225 feet of water."

The Indianapolis Station (WFYI) describes it: ""LOST & FOUND: Legacy of USS Lagarto" is the story of one of the Manitowoc, Wisconsin submarines that was built and launched in America's heartland and took her 86 crewmen from the calm waters of Lake Michigan to battles on the Pacific seas-but was lost on war patrol, whereabouts unknown, never to return. Her story lay submerged at the bottom of the Gulf of Thailand for more than 60-years---until she was found by highly skilled divers------a discovery that would finally bring closure to the families of the crew and to the small, Midwestern town that launched her-half a world a way."

My Chicago station (WTTW) merely says: "The story of the recently discovered submarine and the 86 sailors who lost their lives when it sank in May 1945."



Chicago

Sunday May 24, 6p WTTW Channel 11 (HD) Comcast 191, RCN 611

Monday May 25, 2:30p WTTW Prime Channel 11.2 (SD) Comcast 243

Tuesday May 26, 3:30am WTTW Channel 11 (HD) Comcast 191, RCN 611

(That's regular WTTW on Sunday and Tuesday for those of you without Digital TV)


Milwaukee

Sunday May 24 8pm WMVT-36 and 36.1

Sunday May 31 noon WMVT-36 and 36.1

Indianapolis


Thursday May 21, 9pm WFYI-20




samgrant

[RoadDog]

I am interested in World War II history, especially naval. I'd never heard of the USS Lagarto before.

Glad to see it was found after all those years.

Austrailia is getting ready to search for the hospital ship Centaur which was sunk by a Japanese submarine off Australia.

A short while back, they also found the wreck of the HMAS Sydney and German raider Kormoran which were involved in quite a battle in which both were sunk.

This story is quite interesting with lots of theories.

I'll be tuned in Sunday.

[ole]

Silliness is setting in. USS is United States Ship. HMS is his/her majesty's ship. AMB applies to the Italian navy: at's a my boat.

Ole

[diddyriddick]

Submariners assume the risk of an anonymous death because of the nature of their work. I hope that your sister gains some peace from this find.

[gary]

Closure for one of the 52 subs that we lost in World War II. Ours subs was one of the three reasons cited by Tojo for the defeat of Japan. They help to wipe out over 90% of the Japanese merchant marine. This denied supplies and foodstuff to the Japanese mainland from her conquered territories.

[diddyriddick]

Closure for one of the 52 subs that we lost in World War II. Ours subs was one of the three reasons cited by Tojo for the defeat of Japan. They help to wipe out over 90% of the Japanese merchant marine. This denied supplies and foodstuff to the Japanese mainland from her conquered territories.

Indeed, Gary. The carrier war may have been more glamorous, but subs were HUGE. Most of us have heard of the exploits of Yorktown/Hornet/Enterprise at Midway, but few have heard of Dace and Darter off of the Phillipines.

[samgrant]

For Memorial Day:




USS Lagarto signalman William Mabin of LaGrange holds his daughter Nancy Mabin Kenney before setting sail on the submarine that would be lost for 60 years.


http://www.pioneerlocal.com/1580117,...109-s1.article

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[samgrant]

I just viewed this documentary, and it is well worth watching, should it be broadcast in other markets.

It was better than I had expected.

I hadn't expected, tho I might have, that the program would feature some photos of my mother from the early 40's that I had never seen before.

Of course that made the program special for me, but I can say objectively that it is an excellent documentary, especially for those interested in WWII submarines in the war in the Pacific.

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[atthelevy]

Samgrant. Thanks for mentioning it. Just in time to Tivo it.
Also, I bet you love your Big Sister Nancy.

[samgrant]

Also, I bet you love your Big Sister Nancy.

I sure do, and I just emailed her to that effect!

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[atthelevy]

Samgrant,
I knew it. Is that your sister in the picture? Thanks for sharing. Its like a time capsule. Thanks for sharing that with us.