Is it or isn't it? If something is there and you don't see it, does

it exist? Do loose lips sink ships? These are the questions of

legends. Previously, we did a "Tip" on one urban legend in Coronado,

here's another nearby that has been causing waves since 1945.

Built in 1918, the USS S-37 submarine was commissioned in July 1923.

This submarine served the United States in World War II and earned

five battle stars. At one time, she was responsible for sinking a

Japanese destroyer, the Natsushio, and she torpedoed and sank the

Japanese Tenan Maru merchant freighter. Those were her glory days.

Back then, though the S-37 had some success, she wasn't the best

tool in the Navy toolbox.

In 1943, after leaving Pearl Harbor, war-ravaged with stories of

electrical fires, an oil leak, and other mechanical issues over her

23 years in service, she came into San Diego to be re-tooled as an

anti-submarine training vessel near San Diego.

At this point, her resume was going from bad to worse. The Navy

decomissioned her in 1945. Lucky her, she was to retire in San Diego

with an oceanview.

She'd live out her remaining functioning days as a target for aerial

bombing exercises. Can't imagine that was what all retiring Navy

vessels aspired to. As her fate would have it, things got worse.

Just as the ol' girl was being taken to her final resting place,

she got pummeled by nasty weather. With the pounding rain and surf,

she finally lost her grip and her towline broke. Adrift in the

choppy waters, and before the Navy could re-attach the towline, the

S-37 became hopelessly lodged nose-first in the sand of Imperial

Beach, San Diego's southern most beach before Tijuana. Even the

Navy finally gave up on her and left her to the barnacles and sea

creatures for decades to come.

At one point, even the Navy declared the legend to be untrue, but

then retracted their denial. As legends and

lore go, this one is true.

She can be seen on days of low tide and high surf. You'll want to

check the tides (online, newspaper, TV) before having a look

otherwise you'll be sunk. Her position is close to shore in about

25-feet of water. Look for the her cone tower reaching skyward, but

leaning to left.

Remember, she's been down under since 1945 and is covered in a thick

coat of barnacles and silt. It is hard to make out her original

dimensions. Still, after all these years, divers, kayakers and even

strong swimmers have fun just having a look.

Hey, you might even want to grab a sub-sandwich or stop at the chain, Submarina, and take a picnic. (oh.. you know we had to do that!)

Up for the adventure? Head down to the Silver Strand State Beach

in Imperial Beach. You can go via Coronado by taking the bridge to

Coronado. Turn left on Orange Avenue (Highway 75). Follow Orange

Avenue past the Hotel Del Coronado and beyond to the Silver Strand.

It is 4.5 miles from Coronado. Parking will cost you $8.00. The front

gate opens year-round at 8 a.m. Closing times can change, so you

might choose to call: 619-435-5184

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