O 16 was an advanced one-off Dutch design that influenced Poland's Orzel class and was lost after striking a mine in December 1941. Before its loss, the submarine damaged one Japanese transport and sank several others in a concentrated attack on troop shipping. A wreck matching O 16 was identified in the 1990s, but a crane vessel was later reported removing its low-background steel. That reported damage helps explain why archaeologists sometimes conceal exact wreck coordinates when authorities cannot protect underwater war graves.
Chapter · 52:43-56:12
O 16 attacks Japanese troopships before its wreck is looted
O 16 damaged and sank several Japanese transports in December 1941; the later destruction of its wreck helps explain why war-grave locations may be withheld.