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{{Short description|Imperial Japanese Navy Type C cruiser submarine of the C1 sub-class}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image
| Ship image = File:Japanese submarine I-18 in 1941.jpg
| Ship caption = ''I-18'', ca. January 1941.
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = 
| Ship country = [[Empire of Japan]]
| Ship flag = [[Image:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|60px]]
| Ship name = ''Submarine No. 38''
| Ship namesake = 
| Ship ordered = 
| Ship builder = [[Sasebo Naval Arsenal]], [[Sasebo]],&nbsp;[[Japan]]
| Ship laid down = 25 August 1937
| Ship launched = 12 November 1938
| Ship renamed = ''I-18''
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = yes
| Ship country = [[Empire of Japan]]
| Ship flag = [[Image:Naval Ensign of Japan.svg|60px]]
| Ship completed = 31 January 1941
| Ship commissioned = 31 January 1941
| Ship fate = Sunk 11 February 1943
}}
{{Infobox ship career
| Hide header = yes
| Ship struck = 1 April 1943
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
| Hide header = 
| Header caption = 
| Ship class = [[Type C submarine#Type-C (I-16 class)|Type C1 submarine]]
| Ship displacement = *{{Convert|2554|LT|t|0|disp=flip}} surfaced
*{{Convert|3561|LT|t|0|disp=flip}} submerged
| Ship length = {{convert|109.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}} overall
| Ship beam = {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship draft = {{convert|5.3|m|ftin|abbr=on}}
| Ship power = *{{convert|12400|bhp|lk=in|abbr=on}} (diesel)
*{{convert|2000|hp|abbr=on}} ([[electric motor]])
| Ship propulsion = *[[Diesel-electric]]
*1 × [[diesel engine]]
*1 × electric motor
| Ship speed = *{{convert|23.5|kn|lk=in}} surfaced
*{{convert|8|kn}} submerged
| Ship range = *{{convert|14000|nmi|abbr=on|lk=in}} at {{convert|16|kn}} surfaced
*{{convert|60|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|3|kn}} submerged
| Ship crew = 95
| Ship test depth = {{convert|100|m|ft|abbr=on}}
| Ship armament = *8 × bow {{convert|533|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} [[torpedo tubes]]
*1 × [[14 cm/40 11th Year Type naval gun|{{convert|14|cm|in|1|abbr=on}}]] [[deck gun]]
*2 × single or twin [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} Type 96]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s
| Ship notes = Fitted to carry 1 × [[Type A Kō-hyōteki-class submarine|Type A midget submarine]]
}}
|}

'''''I-18''''' was one of five [[Type C submarine|Type C]] [[cruiser submarine]]s of the C1 [[ship class|sub-class]] built for the [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]. During [[World War II]], she operated as the [[mother ship]] for a [[midget submarine]] during the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and the attack of [[Diego-Suarez]], conducted a war patrol in the [[Indian Ocean]], and served in the [[Guadalcanal campaign]] before she was sunk in February 1943.

==Design and description==
The Type C submarines were derived from the earlier KD6 sub-class of the {{sclass|Kaidai|submarine|4}} with a heavier torpedo armament for long-range attacks. They [[Displacement (ship)|displaced]] {{Convert|2554|LT|t|0|disp=flip}} surfaced and {{Convert|3561|LT|t|0|disp=flip}} submerged. The submarines were {{convert|109.3|m|ftin|sp=us}} long, had a [[beam (nautical)|beam]] of {{convert|9.1|m|ftin|sp=us}} and a [[draft (hull)|draft]] of {{convert|5.3|m|ftin|sp=us}}. They had a diving depth of {{convert|100|m|ft|sp=us}}.<ref name=b4>Bagnasco, p. 192</ref>

For surface running, the boats were powered by two {{convert|6200|bhp|lk=in|0|adj=on}} [[diesel engine]]s, each driving one [[propeller shaft]]. When submerged each propeller was driven by a {{convert|1000|hp|0|adj=on}} [[electric motor]]. They could reach {{convert|23.6|kn|lk=in}} on the surface and {{convert|8|kn}} underwater.<ref name=c5>Chesneau, p. 201</ref> On the surface, the ''C1''s had a range of {{convert|14000|nmi|lk=in}} at {{convert|16|kn}}; submerged, they had a range of {{convert|60|nmi|abbr=on}} at {{convert|3|kn}}.<ref name=cd3/>

The boats were armed with eight internal bow {{convert|53.3|cm|in|1|abbr=on|sp=us}} [[torpedo tube]]s and carried a total of 20 [[torpedo]]es. They were also armed with a single [[14 cm/40 11th Year Type naval gun|{{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}}/40]] [[deck gun]] and two single or twin mounts for [[Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun|{{convert|25|mm|in|0|abbr=on}} Type 96]] [[anti-aircraft gun]]s. They were equipped to carry one [[Type A Kō-hyōteki-class submarine|Type A midget submarine]] aft of the [[conning tower]].<ref name=cd3>Carpenter & Dorr, p. 104</ref>

==Construction and commissioning==

Ordered under the [[3rd Naval Armaments Supplement Programme]] and built by the [[Sasebo Naval Arsenal]] at [[Sasebo]], [[Japan]], ''I-18'' was [[Keel-laying|laid down]] on 25 August 1937 with the name '''''Submarine No. 38'''''.<ref name=combinedfleetI18>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-18.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-18: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2017|access-date=19 August 2020}}</ref> [[Ceremonial ship launching|Launched]] on 12 November, 1938,<ref name=c5/> she was completed and [[Ship commissioning|commissioned]] on 31 January 1941, by which time she had been renamed '''''I-18'''''.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

==Service history==
===Pre-World War II===
Upon commissioning, ''I-18'' was attached to the [[Yokosuka Naval District]], assigned to Submarine Division 2 in Submarine Squadron 1 in the [[6th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|6th Fleet]]<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> In the autumn of 1941, she underwent conversion into a [[mother ship]] for a [[Type A Kō-hyōteki-class submarine|Type A]] [[midget submarine]].<ref name=combinedfleetI22>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-22.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-22: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2015|access-date=17 August 2020}}</ref><ref name=combinedfleetI24>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-24.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-24: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2017|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> The submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-16||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-20||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-22||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-24||2}} also underwent the conversion.<ref name=combinedfleetI22/> By 15 November 1941, ''I-18'' was a part of Submarine Division 3 — which also included {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-19||2}} and ''I-20'' — in Submarine Squadron 1 in the [[6th Fleet (Imperial Japanese Navy)|6th Fleet]].<ref name=combinedfleetI24/>

At the Kure Navy Club in [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], Japan, on 17 November 1941, the commander of Submarine Division 3 briefed the [[commanding officer]]s of the five converted submarines on the upcoming [[attack on Pearl Harbor]] and on the role of their submarines in it.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> He had been designated the commander of the Special Attack Unit, made up of all five submarines, each of which was to launch a Type A midget submarine off [[Pearl Harbor]] so that the midget submarines could participate in the attack.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI22/> ''I-22'' was to serve as flagship of the Special Attack unit.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

On 18 November 1941, the five submarines moved from Kure to the [[Kamegakubi Naval Proving Ground]], where each embarked a Type A midget submarine.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> At 02:15 on 19 November 1941, the five submarines got underway from Kamegakubi bound for the [[Hawaiian Islands]],<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> taking a direct route that took them south of [[Midway Atoll]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> While at sea, they received the message "Climb [[Yu Shan|Mount Niitaka]] 1208" ({{langx|ja|Niitakayama nobore 1208}}) from the [[Combined Fleet]] on 2 December 1941, indicating that war with the [[Allies of World War II|Allies]] would commence on 8 December 1941 [[Japan Standard Time|Japan time]], which was on 7 December 1941 on the other side of the [[International Date Line]] in [[Hawaii]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

===World War II===
====Pearl Harbor====
At 02:15 on 7 December 1941, ''I-18'' launched her midget submarine, ''No. 17'', south of [[Oahu]] about {{convert|13|nmi}} from the entrance to Pearl Harbor.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''No. 17'' was [[depth charge]]d and sunk with the loss of its two-man crew outside the harbor in [[Keehi Lagoon]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> Its wreck was discovered resting in {{convert|75|ft|m|0}} of water on 13 June 1960, and the [[United States Navy]] [[submarine rescue ship]] {{USS|Current|ARS-22}} refloated it on 6 July 1960, finding no human remains inside.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> At the request of the [[Government of Japan]], the [[United States]] returned the wreck to Japan, where it is displayed at the [[Naval Academy Etajima]] in [[Etajima, Hiroshima|Etajima]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

''I-18'' and the other four "mother" submarines proceeded to the planned recovery area for their midget submarines west of [[Lanai]], where they spent the night of 7–8 December 1941.<ref name=combinedfleetI24/> None of the midget submarines returned.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> Early on 9 December 1941, ''I-18'', ''I-20'', and ''I-24'' received orders to leave the recovery area.<ref name=combinedfleetI24/> ''I-18'' departed the Hawaiian Islands on 12 December 1941 and arrived at [[Kwajalein]] on 22 December 1941.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

====First war patrol====

On 4 January 1942, ''I-18'', ''I-22'', and ''I-24'' departed Kwajalein to begin their first war patrol, assigned patrol areas off the Hawaiian Islands, with the commander of Submarine Division 2 embarked on ''I-18''.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-18'' sighted U.S. Navy [[Task Force 11]], including the [[aircraft carrier]] {{USS|Lexington|CV-2}}, steaming {{convert|550|nmi}} west of Hawaii on 9 January 1942,<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> and on 10 January, while {{convert|130|nmi}} northeast of [[Johnston Island]], she sighted two [[Douglas SBD Dauntless|SBD Dauntless]] [[dive bomber]]s from ''Lexington'' flying west, allowing her to calculate ''Lexington''′s approximate position and report it.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

On 18 January 1942, ''I-18'', ''I-22'', and ''I-24'' received orders to depart their patrol areas,<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI22/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/> the orders calling for ''I-18'' and ''I-24'' to make for the [[Northwestern Hawaiian Islands]] and bombard Midway Atoll.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/> On 24 January 1942, ''I-18'' conducted a [[periscope]] reconnaissance of Midway,<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> and on 25 January 1942, the two submarines surfaced in darkness off Midway to begin their bombardment.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/> ''I-24'' opened fire with her {{convert|140|mm|in|adj=on|sp=us|1}} deck gun,<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/> and [[United States Marine Corps]] [[coastal artillery]] promptly  returned fire, forcing ''I-24'' to submerge after firing only six rounds.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/> ''I-18'' also submerged without ever having opened fire on the [[atoll]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/>

After the bombardment attempt, ''I-18'' and ''I-24'' as well as ''I-22'' set course for Japan. Unknown to them, the U.S. submarine {{USS|Gudgeon|SS-211}} had received [[Ultra (cryptography)|Ultra]] intelligence information alerting her to their activities and routes.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She did not sight any of them, but while searching for them she encountered and sank the submarine {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-73||2}}, which was following the same route, {{convert|240|nmi}} west of Midway on 27 January 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-18'' arrived at [[Yokosuka]] along with ''I-22'', ''I-24'', and the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-4||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-5||2}}, {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-6||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-7||2}} on 2 February 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/><ref name=combinedfleetI24/>

====February–April 1942====
After her port call at Yokosuka, ''I-18'' moved to [[Kure, Hiroshima|Kure]], then departed Kure on 18 March 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She remained in Japan into April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

During ''I-18''′s stay in Japan, the [[Kriegsmarine|German naval staff]] in [[Berlin]] formally requested on 27 March 1942 that Japan begin attacks on [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] [[convoy]]s in the [[Indian Ocean]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> On 8 April 1942, the Japanese formally agreed to meet this request by dispatching submarines to operate off the coast of [[East Africa]],<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> and that day they withdrew Submarine Division 1 of Submarine Squadron 8 from its base at Kwajalein to Japan.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> By 16 April 1942 they had created the "A" detachment within Submarine Squadron 8, consisting of ''I-18'' and the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-10||2}}, ''I-16'', ''I-20'', and  {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-30||2}}, as well as midget submarines and the [[auxiliary cruiser]]s {{ship||Aikoku Maru|1940|2}} and {{ship||Hōkoku Maru||2}}, which were to operate as supply ships for the submarines.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> That morning, the commander of the 6th Fleet, [[Vice Admiral]] [[Teruhisa Komatsu]], the commander of Submarine Squadron 8, their staffs, and the midget submarine crews paid a courtesy call on the commander-in-chief of the [[Combined Fleet]], [[Admiral]] [[Isoroku Yamamoto]], aboard his flagship, the [[battleship]] {{ship|Japanese battleship|Yamato||2}}, at [[Hashira Island|Hashirajima anchorage]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> After the visit with Yamamoto, the detachment got underway at 11:00, bound for [[Penang Island|Penang]] in Japanese-occupied [[British Malaya]].<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

During the detachment's voyage, 16 [[United States Army Air Forces]] [[North American B-25 Mitchell|B-25 Mitchell]] [[bomber]]s launched by the aircraft carrier {{USS|Hornet|CV-8}} struck targets on [[Honshu]] in the [[Doolittle Raid]] on 18 April 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> The detachment received orders from the 6th Fleet that day to divert from its voyage and head northeast, passing north of the [[Bonin Islands]], to intercept the U.S. Navy [[task force]] that had launched the strike.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> The detachment failed to find the U.S. ships and soon resumed its voyage.

''I-30'' and ''Aikoku Maru'' called at Penang from 20 April to 22 April 1942 before heading into the Indian Ocean to conduct an advance reconnaissance of the "A" Detachment's planned operating area.<ref name=combinedfleetI30>{{cite web |url= http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-30.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-30: Tabular Record of Movement |first1=Bob |last1=Hackett |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=combinedfleet.com |year=2012|access-date=18 August 2020}}</ref> The rest of the "A" Detachment reached Penang on 27 April 1942, where the [[seaplane carrier]] {{ship|Japanese seaplane carrier|Nisshin||2}} — which had undergone modifications allowing her to carry Type A midget submarines — rendezvoused with it.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-16'', ''I-18'', and ''I-20'' each embarked a midget submarine at Penang.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

====Indian Ocean operation====

''I-18'' and the other "A" detachment units got underway from Penang on 30 April 1942, headed westward into the Indian Ocean with ''I-10'' serving as the detachment's flagship.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> The submarines [[Underway replenishment|refueled at sea]] from ''Aikoku Maru'' and ''Hōkoku Maru'' on 5, 10, and 15 May 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-18'' suffered a mishap on 17 May when her [[Port and starboard|port]] [[diesel engine]] flooded in heavy seas and four of its [[Cylinder (engine)|cylinders]] seized, damage which prevented her from reaching the launch area for the midget submarines on schedule.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

''I-10''′s [[Yokosuka E14Y]]1 (Allied reporting name "Glen") floatplane began reconnaissance flights over ports in [[South Africa]] by reconnoitering [[Durban]] on 20 May 1942, followed by flights over [[East London, Eastern Cape|East London]], [[Port Elizabeth]], and [[Simon's Town]] over the next week.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> On the night of 29 May, the plane flew over [[Diego-Suarez]], [[Madagascar]], sighting the battleship {{HMS|Ramillies|07|6}} among the ships [[anchor]]ed there.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> The "A" detachment commander selected Diego-Suarez as the target for a midget submarine attack, scheduled for 30 May 1942.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-16'' and ''I-20'' launched their midget submarines {{convert|10|nmi}} off Diego-Suarez on 30 May, but ''I-18''′s midget suffered engine failure and she could not launch it.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

After the midget submarine attack, the "A" detachment began anti-shipping operations.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-18'' sank the [[Norway|Norwegian]] 2,158-[[gross register ton]] [[merchant ship]] ''Wilford'' in the [[Mozambique Channel]] at {{coord|20|20|S|036|47|E|name=''Wilford''}} on 8 June 1942, then jettisoned her midget submarine on 9 June.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> On 1 July 1942, she heavily damaged the Dutch 1,805-ton merchant ship ''De Weert'', and ''De Weert'' sank on 3 July at {{coord|25|12|S|035|56|E|name=''De Weert''}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

On 2 July 1942, ''I-18'' attacked the [[United Kingdom|British]] 7,406-ton armed merchant ship ''Phemius''.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> Her [[torpedo]]es detonated prematurely, and ''Phemius'' opened fire on ''I-18''′s periscope.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''I-18'' escaped undamaged.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She was in the Indian Ocean south of [[St. Lucia Bay]], South Africa, on 6 July 1942 when she torpedoed the 7,341-ton [[British India Steam Navigation Company]] [[Steamship|steamer]] {{SS|Mundra||2}}, which was carrying a large number of survivors of other ships.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She then attacked ''Mundra'' with gunfire, sinking her at {{coord|28|45|S|032|20|E|name=SS ''Mundra''}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> One hundred fifty-five men survived ''Mundra''′s sinking, which prompted a large number of [[Royal Air Force]] and [[South African Air Force]] [[sortie]]s to find ''I-18'', but ''I-18'' went undetected.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

''I-18'' conducted a reconnaissance of [[Rodrigues]] on 20 July and of [[Diego Garcia]] on 31 July 1942, then proceeded to Penang.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> As she neared Penang on 2 August 1942, she detected an unidentified enemy — probably [[Royal Navy]] — submarine stalking her, but she arrived at Penang safely later that day.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She later set course for Japan, arriving at Yokosuka on 23 August 1942 to undergo an overhaul.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

====Guadalcanal campaign====
By mid-November 1942, the Japanese had decided to organize a system of submarine supply runs to [[Guadalcanal]] in the [[Solomon Islands (archipelago)|Solomon Islands]],<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> where Japanese forces had been fighting in the [[Guadalcanal campaign]] since August 1942. With her overhaul complete, ''I-18'' got underway from Kure on 17 December 1942 and, after a stop at [[Chuuk Lagoon|Truk]], proceeded to [[Shortland Island]] in the [[Shortland Islands]]<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> to begin her supply runs. Early on the morning of 3 January 1943, the submarine {{USS|Grayback|SS-208}} sighted ''I-18'' on the surface in the [[Solomon Sea]] southwest of [[Rendova]] at {{coord|08|49|S|157|09|E}} and launched a torpedo attack.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''Grayback''′s torpedoes detonated, and ''Grayback''′s commanding officer believed she had sunk {{nowrap|''I-18''}}, but the torpedoes apparently exploded prematurely, because ''I-18'' submerged and escaped unscathed.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

''I-18'' made three supply runs to Guadalcanal, in each case dropping her cargo off at [[Cape Esperance]] on the island's northwest coast.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She delivered 15 tons of cargo in supply drums on 5 January 1943<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> and 25 tons in supply drums on 11 January 1943.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> On 22 January 1943, she departed Truk on her last supply run, delivering 18 tons of cargo in a supply container at Cape Esperance on 26 January 1943.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

On 28 January 1943, ''I-18'' was attached to Submarine Force "A".<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She deployed to waters north of [[Rennell Island]] and south of Guadalcanal, where she formed a patrol line with the submarines {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-11||2}} — which served as the force's flagship — ''I-16'', ''I-17'', ''I-20'', {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-25||2}}, ''I-26'', {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-32||2}}, and {{ship|Japanese submarine|I-176||2}}, targeting any Allied naval forces attempting to interfere with [[Operation Ke]], the Japanese evacuation of their forces on Guadalcanal.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> On 2 February 1943, Submarine Force A received orders to intercept a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier [[task force]] {{convert|100|nmi}} southeast of [[Makira|San Cristobal]], but they failed to find the task force.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

The Japanese completed Operation Ke on 8 February 1943. That day, Submarine Force A received orders to intercept a U.S. Navy force {{convert|150|nmi}} south-southeast of Rennell Island.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> Two of the submarines, including ''I-18'', found and engaged the American force before losing contact with it.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> Later that day, the commander of Submarine Force A ordered all its submarines except for ''I-11'' and ''I-17'' to proceed to Truk.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

====Loss====

On 11 February 1943, ''I-18'' reported sighting an American task force in the [[Coral Sea]] {{convert|200|nmi}} south of San Cristobal.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> An [[OS2U Kingfisher]] floatplane of [[VCS-9|Cruiser Scouting Squadron 9 (VCS-9)]] from the [[light cruiser]] {{USS|Helena|CL-50}} sighted her about {{convert|9|nmi}} from the task force, dropped a smoke marker to indicate her location, and summoned the destroyer {{USS|Fletcher|DD-445}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> ''Fletcher'' gained [[sonar]] contact on ''I-18'' directly ahead at a range of {{convert|2,900|yd|m|sigfig=2}} and dropped depth charges at 15:27.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> At 15:39, she saw a large bubble of oil and air reach the surface, and she heard a heavy explosion at 15:43.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She dropped three more depth charges in the center of the oil slick.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> After 15:46, she saw [[Cork (material)|cork]], wood, and other wreckage rise to the surface in what had become a very large oil slick.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> It marked the end of ''I-18'', sunk with the loss of all 102 men on board at {{coord|14|15|S|161|53|E|name=''I-18''}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

The Japanese declared ''I-18'' missing on the day she was sunk.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> She was struck from the Navy list on 1 April 1943.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

After World War II, the U.S. [[Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee]] identified the submarine ''Fletcher'' sank on 11 February 1943 as {{ship|Japanese submarine|Ro-102||2}}.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/> However, ''Ro-102'' conducted patrols from [[Rabaul]] after 11 February and reported to Rabaul until 9 May 1943.<ref name=combinedfleetI18/>

==Notes==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==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=Boyd|first1=Carl|last2=Yoshida|first2=Akikiko|title=The Japanese Submarine Force and World War II|date=2002|publisher=Naval Institute Press|location=Annapolis, Maryland|isbn=1-55750-015-0|name-list-style=amp}}
*{{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 web |url=http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-18.htm |title=IJN Submarine I-18: Tabular Record of Movement |last1=Hackett |first1=Bob |first2=Sander |last2=Kingsepp |work=Sensuikan! |publisher=combinedfleet.com |access-date=19 August 2020}}
*{{cite book|last=Hashimoto|first=Mochitsura|others=Colegrave, E.H.M. (translator)|title=Sunk: The Story of the Japanese Submarine Fleet 1942 – 1945|publisher=Cassell and Company|location=London|year=1954|id=ASIN B000QSM3L0}}
*{{cite book|last=Stille|first=Mark|title=Imperial Japanese Navy Submarines 1941-45| series =New Vanguard|volume=135|year=2007|publisher=Osprey Publishing|location=Botley, Oxford, UK|isbn=978-1-84603-090-1}}
{{Type C submarine}}
{{February 1943 shipwrecks}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:I-018}}
[[Category:1938 ships]]
[[Category:World War II submarines of Japan]]
[[Category:Japanese submarines lost during World War II]]
[[Category:Ships built by Sasebo Naval Arsenal]]
[[Category:Type C1 submarines]]
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[[Category:Warships lost in combat with all hands]]
[[Category:Submarines lost with all hands]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in February 1943]]
[[Category:Attack on Pearl Harbor]]
[[Category:Submarines sunk by United States warships]]

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