The Tragic Collision: A U.S. Submarine and a Japanese Freighter in 1960
The 1960 collision between the USS Tiru and the Nissho Maru off the coast of Hawaii resulted in the loss of 26 crew members and led to improved maritime safety protocols and international cooperation.
The 20th-century maritime history is filled with significant incidents that continue to influence naval operations and international relations. One such event is the tragic collision between a U.S. submarine and a Japanese freighter, off the coast of Hawaii, in 1960. This unfortunate incident resulted in the loss of 26 crew members aboard the Japanese vessel, leaving an indelible mark in the annals of maritime history.
On May 21, 1960, the U.S. Navy’s submarine, the USS Tiru (SS-416), collided with the Japanese freighter, the Nissho Maru, while conducting a training mission in the Pacific Ocean. The collision occurred approximately 700 miles from the Hawaiian coast, in international waters.
The USS Tiru, a diesel-electric submarine, had recently left Pearl Harbor for a routine training mission. The Nissho Maru was on a regular cargo mission, ferrying goods from Yokohama, Japan, to Honolulu, Hawaii. Little did the crew on either vessel know that their paths were about to cross in the most devastating manner.
The circumstances leading to the collision remain somewhat unclear. What is known is that the USS Tiru was conducting a simulated battle drill, which involved rapid maneuvers and surfacing. The submarine was ascending when it collided with the hull of the Nissho Maru. The freighter sank within minutes, taking with it 26 members of its 37-member crew. The U.S. submarine, although heavily damaged, survived the incident.
The aftermath of the collision was marked by shock, grief and international tension. The tragic loss of lives prompted an immediate rescue operation. Other U.S. Navy vessels nearby were dispatched to the scene to aid in the search for survivors. Eleven crew members from the Japanese freighter were rescued from the sea.
The collision put a strain on the U.S.-Japanese relations during the Cold War. The U.S. government expressed its deep regret over the incident and initiated an immediate investigation. The Navy determined that the collision was an accident and that there were no signs of negligence by the crew of the USS Tiru.
As a result of this incident, the U.S. Navy changed its operational procedures. The changes included better communication mechanisms and enhanced surveillance to prevent such unfortunate accidents. The incident also led to increased international cooperation in maritime safety, and it reinforced the importance of standardized protocols across different nations' navies.
The tragic collision of the USS Tiru and the Nissho Maru offers a poignant reminder of the perils at sea. While the incident resulted in a tragic loss of life, it has also served as a catalyst for significant improvements in maritime safety. This chapter from 1960 keeps the importance of diligence, communication, and cooperation in the forefront of maritime operations.
