WWII submarine wreck is Fort Miles lecture topic April 13

Author and historian David L. Johnston will appear at the Fort Miles Museum in Cape Henlopen State Park at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, April 13, to speak about the discovery and survey of the wreck site of the submarine USS Albacore (SS-218), lost with all crew members in November 1944.

One of 52 U.S. submarines lost during World War II, Albacore’s wreck was found off the coast of Hokkaido by a Japanese researcher in 2022. Johnston and fellow researcher Steve Katona, a member of the Fort Miles Historical Association, conducted an extensive analysis of the wreckage and wrote a report for the Naval History and Heritage Command that was the key factor confirming the wreck’s identity. The lecture will cover the discovery, the work that confirmed the wreck’s location, and the process used to analyze the video recordings and photographs of the wreck. The presentation will also include information about the 10 Navy personnel from Delaware who were lost on WWII submarines, including one from the crew of the Albacore.

Retired Chief Petty Officer David L. Johnston, a 21-year Navy veteran, is a qualified submariner who lives in Norfolk, Va. He is co-author of the book, “A Good and Favorable Wind: The Unusual Story of a Submarine Under Sail.” Johnston is the webmaster of PigBoats.com, a website devoted to the history of the submarine service from 1900 to 1940. He is a volunteer researcher for the Naval History and Heritage Command, and a historian for the Lost 52 Project, an organization devoted to finding all 52 U.S. Navy submarines lost in World War II. He has contributed research to the discoveries of 11 lost submarines.

Seating in the Fort Miles Museum’s media room is limited to 65 attendees, so reservations are recommended.

To reserve a seat, go to fortmilesmuseum.org. Admission to the lecture is free, although a small donation to the Fort Miles Historical Association would be appreciated.