USS Harder (SS-257)
History of the USS Harder Submarine
The USS Harder was ordered for the U.S. Navy before the United States entered World War II. Her keel was laid down by the Electric Boat Company in Connecticut on December 1, 1941. She was launched on August 19, 1942 and commissioned on December 2, 1942 under the command of Commander Samuel D. Dealey.
The USS Harder began her first war patrol off the coast of Japan on June 7, 1943. Her torpedoes damaged the Japanese oiler Koyei Maru No. 3 on June 21. Two days later, she damaged the seaplane carrier Sagara Maru, which was later destroyed by the USS Pompano on Independence Day. This first patrol ended on July 7 at Midway.
From Midway, the USS Harder sailed to Pearl Harbor, which served as the starting point for her second war patrol off Honshu on August 24. She sank the cargo ship Koyo Maru on September 9, two days before she sank the troop transport Yoko Maru. On September 19, the submarine sank the merchant cargo ship Kachisan Maru. Three days later, her torpedoes sank the merchant tanker Daishin Maru and the cargo ship Kowa Maru. She sank the enemy trawler Shosei Maru No. 3 with her gunfire on September 30 before ending her patrol on October 8 at Pearl Harbor.
Her third war patrol began on October 30, and the USS Harder sailed for the Mariana Islands. On November 12, she sank the auxiliary minesweeper Misago Maru No. 11 and damaged the motor sailing vessel Hei Maru with her gunfire. Exactly one week later, her torpedoes sank the troop transports Hokko Maru and Udo Maru. The submarine then sank the troop transport Nikko Maru the following day. She returned to Pearl Harbor on November 20 before proceeding to Mare Island Navy Yard in California for overhaul.
When her overhaul was complete, the USS Harder returned to Pearl Harbor on February 27, 1944. She began her fourth patrol on March 16, this time in the Caroline Islands. The submarine sank the Japanese destroyer Ikazuchi on April 13 and the cargo ship Matsue Maru four days later. She pulled in at Fremantle on May 3.
On May 26, the USS Harder began her fifth war patrol in the Celebes Sea. She sank the Japanese destroyers Minazuki and Hayanami on June 6 and 7, respectively. The next day, she helped evacuate six British coast-watchers from North Borneo. The submarine sank the destroyer Tanikaze the following day. She ended her patrol on July 3 at Darwin.
The USS Harder began her sixth and final patrol on August 5 with a wolf pack that included the USS Hake and USS Haddo, heading for the South China Sea. On August 22, her torpedoes sank the Japanese frigates Matsuwa and Hiburi in the Battle of Dasol Bay. Two days later on August 24, while the submarines attempted to attack a small convoy, the USS Hake witnessed the depth charge attack that sank the USS Harder with all hands. The submarine earned six battle stars and the Presidential Unit Citation for her service in World War II.
The use of asbestos was common in shipbuilding components for much of the 20th Century because of its resistance to heat, fire, water and corrosion. Because of their asbestos exposure onboard ship and in the shipyards, seaman, shipyard workers and longshoreman are at risk for developing asbestos-related diseases like mesothelioma.
Sources include:
Asbestos and Ship-Building: Fatal Consequences, by John Hedley-Whyte and Debra R Milamed
