Loss of the Sealion

The USS Sealion (SS-195), a proud Sargo-class submarine, began her journey with promise. Launched on May 25, 1939, and commissioned on November 27, 1939, at the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut, she represented the cutting edge of American submarine design. Armed with state-of-the-art systems and designed for long-range patrols, the Sealion was an integral part of the U.S. Navy’s forward defense strategy in the Pacific. However, her story—marked by tragedy, resilience, and sacrifice—would come to a sudden and tragic end on December 10, 1941.

The submarine’s early career was overshadowed by the tragic death of her first commanding officer, Lieutenant Julian H. Knox. On February 11, 1940, Knox died after an accident aboard ship, when the weapon he was attempting to clear discharged, killing him.

After Knox’s death, Lieutenant Commander Eli T. Reich assumed command, bringing focus and determination to the Sealion. Assigned to Submarine Division 202 of the Asiatic Fleet, she was stationed in the Philippines by late 1940. Based at Cavite Navy Yard on Manila Bay, the Sealion conducted patrols around Luzon and the Sulu Archipelago, a critical area as tensions with Japan escalated. Cavite, a major hub for repairs, logistics, and operations, was strategically vital to the U.S. Navy’s presence in the Pacific. Yet, as war loomed, the yard’s exposed location would prove to be its greatest vulnerability.

When Japan launched its attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the Philippines became the next target. Japanese forces moved swiftly, bombing airfields and military installations across Luzon on December 8. By December 10, the enemy’s sights were set on Cavite Navy Yard, home to much of the Asiatic Fleet’s infrastructure. The Sealion was berthed at Machina Wharf, undergoing scheduled repairs alongside her sister ship, USS Seadragon (SS-194), and the minesweeper Bittern. This left her in a vulnerable position, unable to dive or maneuver.

The attack began around noon on December 10, when 54 Japanese Mitsubishi G3M “Nell” bombers, flying in two formations of 27, descended on Cavite from high altitude. Their bombing run lasted approximately 30 minutes, a precision assault designed to cripple the U.S. Navy’s operational capabilities in the Philippines. With little effective anti-aircraft defense at the yard, the bombers faced minimal resistance. The explosions were devastating, engulfing warehouses, dry docks, and repair facilities in flames. The destruction of the dry docks alone dealt a crippling blow, rendering the yard incapable of repairing damaged ships or submarines.

The Sealion bore the brunt of the attack. The first bomb struck her conning tower, destroying her machine gun mount and damaging the pressure hull. Fragments from the explosion tore into her interior, leaving critical systems vulnerable. The second bomb proved catastrophic. It penetrated her main ballast tank and detonated in the maneuvering room, flooding the aft engine room and killing four crew members: Chief Electrician’s Mates Sterling Foster and Melvin O’Connell, Third Class Electrician’s Mate Vallentyne Paul, and Machinist’s Mate Ernest Ogilvie. These were among the first submarine casualties of World War II.

The Seadragon, moored alongside, was also hit by shrapnel. Ensign Sam Hunter, aboard the Seadragon, was killed instantly—the first officer of the U.S. submarine force to die in the war. The Bittern, caught in the open, was completely destroyed. Meanwhile, the flames consuming Cavite created an apocalyptic scene, with explosions echoing across Manila Bay as personnel scrambled to extinguish fires and salvage what they could.

The loss of the Sealion was not immediate, but it was inevitable. With her engine room flooded and the yard in ruins, repairing her was impossible. Recognizing the risk of her falling into Japanese hands, Lieutenant Commander Reich made the painful decision to scuttle the submarine. On Christmas Day 1941, U.S. Navy personnel set depth charges within her hull, sending the Sealion to her final resting place in the mud of Manila Bay.

The Sealion’s loss marked a grim milestone: she was the first U.S. submarine rendered inoperable due to enemy action during World War II. It is important to note, however, that her loss was not the result of a submarine-versus-ship engagement but rather an air raid while she was defenseless at port. This distinction highlights the vulnerability of forward-deployed submarines during the early days of the war.

The attack on Cavite Navy Yard had far-reaching consequences for the Asiatic Fleet. The destruction of the yard’s facilities left U.S. submarines in the region without a base for repairs or resupply. Submarines had to rely on more distant outposts, such as Darwin, Australia, significantly complicating logistics. Despite these challenges, the submarine force adapted, using their mobility and stealth to wage a relentless campaign against Japanese shipping.

The legacy of the USS Sealion and her crew is one of resilience and sacrifice. Lieutenant Commander Eli Reich, who survived the attack, later commanded the second USS Sealion (SS-315) with distinction. In a fitting tribute, Reich named four of the torpedoes used to sink the Japanese battleship Kongō after the crew members who perished aboard the original Sealion. Their names—Foster, O’Connell, Paul, and Ogilvie—became symbols of the submarine force’s determination to honor their fallen comrades.

The Sealion’s story also underscores the strategic importance of Cavite Navy Yard. Its destruction marked a turning point for the Asiatic Fleet, forcing a shift in operations and highlighting the need for greater flexibility in naval logistics. The attack demonstrated the devastating effectiveness of Japanese air power and the challenges of defending exposed forward bases.

Today, the remains of Sealion stand as a silent witness to the opening chapter of the Pacific War. Her loss, while tragic, served as a catalyst for the submarine force’s evolution into a decisive element of the Allied victory. Her story reminds us of the courage and ingenuity of the men who served beneath the waves, forging a legacy that endures to this day.