The Story of the WWII USS Dorado Enigma Lost Beneath The Ocean

The disappearance of USS Dorado remains one of the most puzzling submarine losses of World War II. The vessel, a Gato-class submarine, was newly commissioned and lost on her first major mission in October 1943. Despite extensive searches, no wreckage was ever recovered, leaving several theories behind her fate.

The USS Dorado’s Design and Purpose

USS Dorado was a Gato-class submarine built by the Electric Boat Company in Groton, Connecticut. Commissioned on August 28, 1943, the Dorado was part of a new fleet of long-range submarines designed to strike enemy shipping. The vessel was equipped with ten torpedo tubes, a 76mm deck gun, and had a range of over 11,000 nautical miles.

Her crew was still undergoing training when Dorado received orders to sail from New London, Connecticut, to the Panama Canal Zone. This routine trip was meant to position her for combat in the Pacific. On October 6, 1943, the submarine departed for her mission but never arrived.

German Threats and Allied Precautions

By late 1943, the waters of the Caribbean were dangerous. German submarines, including U-214, were actively placing mines near the Panama Canal to disrupt Allied supply routes. In response, the U.S. Navy ordered aircraft patrolling the region to attack any unidentified submarines on sight.

With these orders in place, a U.S. Navy PBM Mariner bomber spotted a submarine in the area on October 12, 1943. Believing it was an enemy vessel, the crew attacked with depth charges. The submarine failed to resurface, leading to speculation that it may have been the USS Dorado. However, no German submarines were reported destroyed that day, increasing the likelihood that the bomber mistakenly targeted the Dorado.

Possible Theories Behind the Disappearance

While friendly fire remains a strong possibility, some historians believe Dorado may have struck a German mine. Records confirm that U-214 had recently laid mines in the area Dorado was scheduled to pass through. If Dorado unknowingly drifted into one of these traps, it could have been destroyed without leaving visible debris.

Another theory suggests that Dorado may have been damaged in the initial bombing attack, causing her to drift into a mined area. Some reports even speculate that the submarine may have strayed off course due to miscommunication or navigation issues, placing her in unexpected danger.

The Aftermath and Search Efforts

When Dorado failed to arrive in Panama by October 14, the U.S. Navy launched a search. For days, ships and aircraft scoured the Caribbean, but no sign of the submarine or her crew was ever found. The lack of wreckage, survivors, or distress signals added to the mystery.

With no confirmed cause, historians have continued to debate Dorado’s fate. Most believe the loss resulted from either a mistaken attack by U.S. aircraft or a German mine. Less likely theories suggest mechanical failure or other unknown factors.

The disappearance of USS Dorado claimed the lives of all 77 crew members. Though her fate remains uncertain, the story of Dorado continues to be studied as one of the most unexplained losses of World War II.