Lost in the Gulf of Siam
Departing Subic Bay, P.I. April 12 1945 on her second patrol, Lagarto proceeded to the Gulf of Siam to operate with Baya (SS-318). The two submarines rendezvoused on May 2, and immediately began an approach on a convoy of one tanker, one auxiliary and two destroyers. ... With this attack thwarted by the enemy’s radar and subsequent gunfire, they withdrew until the following morning. Lagarto submerged on the convoy’s track to make the initial attack, while Baya submerged ten to fifteen miles further along to follow up. ... A prolonged attack later in the day by Baya was driven off, and she received no further communication from Lagarto. ... Post-war review of Japanese records indicates a successful attack on a submarine on 3 May 1945 on the convoy’s track. This attack is the most probable cause of Lagarto’s loss.
