15. American submarines faced dangers other than those posed by the Japanese
The problematic Mark 14 torpedo, as well as its successor, the Mark 18, which first appeared in 1943, posed considerable dangers to American crews. Both had a tendency to circle back upon the submarine which launched it, and neither contained safeguards to shut down the torpedo in such an event. At least two American submarines sank as a result of circular runs. In March, 1944, USS Tullibee fired two torpedoes at a Japanese target in the Palau Islands. One torpedo circled back and struck Tullibee. Only one member of the crew, who had been topside at the time of the attack, survived, picked up by a Japanese destroyer.
USS Tang, which became the leading US submarine of the war in terms of enemy tonnage sunk, likewise sank itself with a faulty torpedo. On October 25, 1944, Tang fired its last remaining torpedo at an enemy vessel. Immediately upon firing the circular run became apparent, and evasive maneuvers failed to elude the weapon. Nine men of the 87 aboard survived, including the commanding officer, Richard O’Kane. After enduring beatings at the hands of their captors, the men spent the rest of the war in Japanese prisoner of war camps. Prior to sinking itself, Tang accounted for 33 Japanese ships totaling 116,454 tons. It accomplished that record in just five war patrols.