View source for Japanese submarine I-185

{{Short description|1st class submarine of the Imperial Japanese Navy}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image= I-176.jpg
| Ship caption=[[Sister ship]] ''I-176'' at sea, 1942
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=
| Ship country=[[Empire of Japan]]
| Ship flag= {{shipboxflag|Empire of Japan|naval}}
| Ship name= ''submarine No. 163''
| Ship ordered=
| Ship awarded=
| Ship builder=[[Yokosuka Naval Arsenal]], [[Yokosuka]],&nbsp;Japan
| Ship original cost=
| Ship yard number=
| Ship way number=
| Ship laid down=9 February 1942
| Ship renamed=*''I-85'' on&nbsp;unknown&nbsp;date
*''I-185'' on 20&nbsp;May&nbsp;1942
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=yes
| Ship launched=16 September 1943
| Ship sponsor=
| Ship christened=
| Ship completed=23 September 1943
| Ship fate=Sunk 22 June 1944
| Ship notes=
| Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header=yes
| Ship struck=10 September 1944
| Ship notes=
| Ship badge=
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header=
| Header caption=
|Ship class=[[Kaidai type submarine|''Kaidai'' type]], [[Kaidai type submarine#Kaidai VII (I-176 class)|''KD7''-class]]
|Ship displacement=*{{Convert|1833|LT|t|0|disp=flip|abbr=on}} surfaced
* {{Convert|2602|LT|t|0|disp=flip|abbr=on}} submerged
|Ship length={{convert|105.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam={{convert|8.25|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship draft={{convert|4.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
|Ship power=*{{convert|8000|bhp|0|lk=in|abbr=on}} ([[diesel engine]]s)
* {{convert|1800|hp|0|abbr=on}} ([[electric motor]]s)
|Ship propulsion=*[[Diesel-electric]]
* 2 × [[diesel engine]]s
* 2 × [[electric motor]]s
|Ship speed=*{{convert|23|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
* {{convert|8|kn}} submerged
|Ship range=*{{convert|8000|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|16|kn}} surfaced
* {{convert|50|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|5|kn}} submerged
|Ship endurance=
|Ship test depth={{convert|80|m|0|abbr=on}}
|Ship complement=86
|Ship armament=*6 × {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tube]]s (all bow)
* 1 × [[12 cm 11th Year Type naval gun|{{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[deck gun]]
* 1 × twin [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|abbr=on|1}} Type 96]] [[AA gun]]
}}
|}
'''''I-185''''' (originally '''''I-85''''') was an [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] [[Kaidai type submarine|''Kaidai'' type]] [[cruiser submarine]] of the KD7 [[ship class|sub-class]] [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] in 1943. During [[World War II]], she served in the Central and Southwest Pacific Ocean before she was sunk with all hands by an American [[destroyer]] in June 1944.

==Design and description==
The submarines of the KD7 sub-class were medium-range [[attack submarine]]s developed from the preceding KD6 sub-class. They [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{Convert|1833|LT|t|0|disp=flip|sp=us}} surfaced and {{Convert|2602|LT|t|0|disp=flip|sp=us}} submerged. The submarines were {{convert|105.5|m|ftin|sp=us}} long and had a [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|8.25|m|ftin|sp=us}} and a [[Draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|4.6|m|ftin|sp=us}}. They had a diving depth of {{convert|80|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} and a complement of 86 [[Commissioned officer|officers]] and [[Enlisted rank|crewmen]].<ref name=cd3>Carpenter & Polmar, p. 105</ref>

For surface running, the submarines were powered by two {{convert|4000|bhp|0|lk=in|adj=on}} [[diesel engine]]s, each driving one [[propeller shaft]]. When submerged, each [[propeller]] was driven by a {{convert|900|hp|0|adj=on}} [[electric motor]]. They could reach {{convert|23|kn|lk=in}} on the surface and {{convert|8|kn}} submerged. On the surface, the KD7s had a range of {{convert|8000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|16|kn}}; submerged, they had a range of {{convert|50|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|5|kn}}.<ref name=c5>Chesneau, p. 199</ref>

The submarines were armed with six internal {{convert|53.3|cm|in|1|abbr=on|sp=us}} [[torpedo tube]]s, all in the [[Bow (ship)|bow]]. They carried one reload for each tube, for a total of 12 [[torpedo]]es. They were originally intended to be armed with two twin-gun mounts for the [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|abbr=on|1}} Type 96]] [[anti-aircraft gun]], but a [[12 cm 11th Year Type naval gun|{{convert|120|mm|in|abbr=on}}]] [[deck gun]] for combat on the surface was substituted for one 25&nbsp;mm mount during construction.<ref name=b4>Bagnasco, pp. 183, 186</ref>

==Construction and commissioning==
''I-185'' was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] at the [[Yokosuka Naval Arsenal]] in [[Yokosuka]], Japan, as '''''Submarine No. 163''''' on 9 February 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185>[http://www.ijnsubsite.info/I-Sub%20Details/I-185.htm I-185 ijnsubsite.com 2 November 2018 Accessed 19 June 2022]</ref><ref name=combinedfleetI185>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-185.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-185: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |date=1 October 2011|access-date=19 June 2022}}</ref> She soon was named '''''I-85''''',<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/> and she was renamed '''''I-185''''' on 20 May 1942.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/> She was [[Ceremonial ship launching|launched]] on 16 September 1942<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> and completed and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 23 September 1943.<ref name=cd3/><ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

==Service history==
===September 1943–January 1944===
On the day of her commissioning, ''I-185'' was attached to the [[Sasebo Naval District]] and assigned to Submarine [[Squadron (naval)|Squadron]] 11 in the [[1st Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|1st Fleet]], an element of the [[Combined Fleet]], for workups.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> Submarine Squadron 11 was reassigned to the [[6th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|6th Fleet]], another element of the Combined Fleet, on 25 November 1943.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/>

''I-185'' arrived at [[Sasebo]], Japan, on 2 December 1943.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> On 20 December 1943, she was reassigned to Submarine Squadron 22 in the 6th Fleet <ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> along with the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-177||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-180||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-181||2}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

''I-185'' departed Sasebo on 5 January 1944<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> bound for [[Chuuk Atoll|Truk Atoll]] in the [[Caroline Islands]], which she reached early on the morning of 12 January 1944, entering [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk Lagoon]] via North Pass.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

===Southwest Pacific===

On 22 January 1944, ''I-185'' was reassigned to the [[Southeast Area Fleet]].<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She took aboard stores from the auxiliary [[submarine tender]] {{ship||Heian Maru|1930|2}} on 23 January 1944<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> and got underway from Truk on 25 January bound for [[Rabaul]] on [[New Britain]] in the [[Bismarck Archipelago]], but a mechanical failure forced her to return to Truk the same day.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> After repairs, she got back underway on 27 January 1944<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> and arrived at Rabaul on 31 January 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

On the day ''I-185'' arrived at Rabaul, preliminary actions preceding the [[Battle of the Green Islands]] began when a 360-man [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] raiding force landed on [[Nissan Island]] in the [[Green Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The commander of the Southeast Area Fleet, [[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] [[Gunichi Mikawa]], immediately ordered ''I-185'' and the submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-169||2}} to take aboard the Wada Detachment — a 123-man [[naval infantry]] force — to reinforce the Japanese garrison on Nissan.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> {{nowrap|''I-185''}} immediately began to embark 77 of the naval infantrymen and load food and ammunition for the Japanese forces on Nissan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

''I-185'' and ''I-169'' departed Rabaul on 1 February 1944 and headed for Nissan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The submarines arrived at Nissan at 05:00 on 3 February 1944, but heavy seas prevented them from disembarking all of the naval infantrymen.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> After disembarking 77 men between them, they headed back to Rabaul with a combined 46 naval infantry personnel still aboard.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> ''I-185'' arrived at Rabaul on 4 February 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

At 12:00 on 12 February 1944, ''I-185'' departed Rabaul to carry supplies to Japanese forces at the [[Iboki Plantation]] on New Britain.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She arrived at the [[plantation]] on 13 February 1944, unloaded her cargo, and immediately headed back to Rabaul, where she arrived on 16 February 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

''I-185'' set out from Rabaul on 24 February 1944 on another supply run, this time bound for [[Buka Island]] in the northwestern [[Solomon Islands (archipelago)|Solomon Islands]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> While at sea, she received orders on 28 February 1944 to abort her supply run and search for a [[United States Navy]] [[task force]] reported to be in the vicinity.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She encountered no American ships and returned to Rabaul on 1 March 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

On 4 March 1944, ''I-185'' again got underway from Rabaul to transport supplies to Buka Island.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> While she was on the surface east of [[New Ireland (island)|New Ireland]] recharging her [[Electric battery|batteries]] on 5 March 1944, an Allied [[bomber]] — probably a [[Lockheed Ventura]] of the [[Royal New Zealand Air Force]]′s [[No. 2 Squadron RNZAF|No. 2 Squadron]]<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> — attacked her, scoring near-misses which knocked out her [[gyrocompass]] and caused a serious fuel leak that contaminated a quarter of her [[battery cell]]s.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The damage prompted ''I-185'' to abort her supply run and turn back toward Rabaul.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> During her return voyage a fire broke out in her [[Battery room#Submarines and ocean-going vessels|battery compartment]] on 10 March 1944, and when she contacted Rabaul that day, she received orders to make for Truk rather than Rabaul because of a recent Allied air raid on Rabaul.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She arrived at Truk on 17 March 1944 and began emergency repairs.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

''I-185'' departed Truk on 22 March 1944 to head for Japan, but a malfunctioning gyrocompass forced her to put back into port at Truk for repairs.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She again got underway on 23 March 1944 bound for Sasebo, which she reached on 31 March 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She underwent repairs at Sasebo.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/>

===Central Pacific===

With her repairs complete, ''I-185'' departed Kure on 11 June 1944 on a supply run to [[Wewak]], [[New Guinea]], her decks piled high with [[Drum (container)|drums]] of [[rice]] intended for Japanese forces fighting in the [[New Guinea campaign]].<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> Heavy seas washed most of the drums overboard.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

On 13 June 1944, amid indications of an imminent American invasion of the [[Mariana Islands]], the commander-in-chief of the Combined Fleet, [[Admiral]] [[Soemu Toyoda]], activated Operation A-Go for the defense of the Marianas.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The same day, the commander of the 6th Fleet, [[Vice admiral|Vice Admiral]] [[Takeo Takagi]], ordered all available submarines under his command to deploy in the central Pacific Ocean east of Marianas as part of the defense.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The [[Mariana and Palau Islands campaign|Marianas campaign]] began with American [[Amphibious warfare|amphibious landings]] on [[Saipan]] on 15 June 1944.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> With the [[Battle of Saipan]] underway, Takagi's ability to command the 6th Fleet from the fleet's headquarters on Saipan was disrupted, and command of the fleet passed to the commander of Submarine Squadron 7, [[Rear admiral|Rear Admiral]] [[Noboru Owada]] at [[Chuuk Atoll|Truk Atoll]] in the [[Caroline Islands]].<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> ''I-185'' transmitted her last routine situation report at 22:30 [[Japan Standard Time]] on 15 June 1944.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

On 16 June 1944, ''I-185'' received orders to abort her supply run and join the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-5||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-6||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-41||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-184||2}} in forming a north–south picket line in the Pacific Ocean {{convert|300|nmi}} east of the Marianas, with ''I-185''′s picket station at the northern end of the line.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The [[Battle of the Philippine Sea]] which followed on 19–20 June 1944 resulted in a major defeat of Japanese naval forces.

===Loss===

At 09:03 on 22 June 1944, the U.S. Navy [[destroyer]] {{USS|Newcomb|DD-586}} — serving as [[flagship]] of the screen of a [[convoy]] of [[Troopship|troop transports]] bound for Saipan — gained [[sonar]] contact on ''I-185''.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> She conducted a [[Depth charge|depth-charge]] attack, then lost contact.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The [[fast minesweeper]] {{USS|Chandler|DMS-9}} joined the action and made a depth-charge attack at 10:23 which resulted in oil coming to the surface.<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> ''Newcomb'' made another attack, without any visible results, but a final depth-charge attack by ''Chandler'' at 11:44 resulted in a large explosion deep underwater, followed by [[Cork (material)|cork]] slabs, wood, [[diesel oil]], and human [[entrails]] reaching the surface at {{coord|15|50|N|145|08|E|display=inline,title}}.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> It marked the destruction of ''I-185''.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

Later on 22 June 1944, Owada ordered ''I-185'' and all but six of the other Japanese submarines in the Marianas area to withdraw from the Marianas,<ref name=combinedfleetI185/> but ''I-185'' did not acknowledge the order. On 12 July 1944, the Imperial Japanese Navy declared ''I-185'' to be presumed lost with all 95 hands in the vicinity of Saipan.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/> The Japanese struck ''I-185'' from the [[Navy List]] on 10 September 1944.<ref name=ijnsubsiteI185/><ref name=combinedfleetI185/>

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
* {{cite book|last=Bagnasco |first=Erminio |title=Submarines of World War Two |year=1977 |publisher=Naval Institute Press |location=Annapolis, Maryland |isbn=0-87021-962-6}}
* {{cite book|last1=Carpenter|first1=Dorr B.|last2=Polmar|first2=Norman|title=Submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1904–1945|year=1986|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=London|isbn=0-85177-396-6|name-list-style=amp}}
* {{cite book|title=Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946|editor1-last=Chesneau|editor1-first=Roger|publisher=Conway Maritime Press|location=Greenwich, UK|year=1980|isbn=0-85177-146-7}}
* {{cite book| last = Jentschura| first = Hansgeorg| first2 = Dieter |last2=Jung|first3=Peter |last3=Mickel| year = 1977| title = Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945| publisher = United States Naval Institute| location = Annapolis, Maryland| isbn = 0-87021-893-X|name-list-style=amp}}

{{Kaidai type submarine}}
{{March 1944 shipwrecks}}
{{June 1944 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I-185}}
[[Category:1942 ships]]
[[Category:Ships built by Yokosuka Naval Arsenal]]
[[Category:Kaidai-class submarines]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Japan]]
[[Category:Ship fires]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in March 1944]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in June 1944]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Philippine Sea]]
[[Category:Japanese submarines lost during World War II]]
[[Category:Submarines sunk by United States warships]]
[[Category:Warships lost in combat with all hands]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]