Picture on top showing the submarine I 68 in somewhere in the Pacific in 1934.
Thanks to Harald Bolten for the underwaterpicture.

 

Information provided by Harald Bolten;
The I-169 participated in the attack at Pearl Harbor together with her sister ship I-170, which was lost during the attack. The story of I-169 is a sad story of war. It participated in operations against Pearl Harbor, but became entangled in an antisubmarine net, and was nearly lost. On April 2, 1944 it was in Truk replenishing supplies. There was a warning issue about an impending B-24 raid. The sub submerged at 1100 hours, as was standard procedure to sit out the raid at the bottom. This was standard procedure for submarines at Truk because there were no submarine pens. When the sub failed to resurface, a rescue tug and diver were sent to the sub. A valve had either come loose, or was never secured, flooding the control room, and the sub was not able to blow air and surface. The rest of the had sealed off the flooded area and were alive, and able to signal to respond to the diver's hammering. The next day, a repair ship with a 30 ton crane was dispatched to hoist the bow to the surface. One of the crane's cable broke, indicating that the flooding was more extensive than estimated. By this time, tapping responses from the crew were only coming from the aft compartment. Air hoses were next lowered and drilled into the blow and ballast tanks, but it was impossible to signal the crew to open the air valves to the ballast tanks. By 2300 hours, none of the crew responded to rescuers. All the crew members had suffocated, and nighttime B-24 raids interrupted any further investigations. Over the next six weeks, Japanese divers investigated the wreck to determine the cause of the sinking. 32 bodies were recovered. Their investigations did not reveal the reasons for the tragedy. With the threat of invasion by US forces, the wreck was bombarded with depth charges to prevent the sub's technology from falling into American hands. In 1971, the wreck was discovered by divers with film equipment. They entered the sub through an engine room hatch and filmed the interior of the submarine with the skeletal remains of its crew. When this footage was shown in Japan, it caused much concern and nearly $100,000 was donated to recover these remains. In August 1973, a professional diving team using a dredge located personal effects and about 70 skulls. Photos, books, clothing, cameras and other personal effects along with the bones were cremated as part of the Shinto rites. The remains of nearly 100 were removed, indicating that there were more people on the sub than the normal crew of 70. Probably the support personal and workmen loading the sub On April 2nd were aboard when it made its final dive. The salvage team welded the sub's hatches shut before leaving. Very little marine growth grows on the wreck. The water quality in this area is poor. The bow and conning tower have been heavily damaged from the depth charges that were fired to destroy it. Wreckage and debris is strewn about, and the 3.9 inch deck gun is lying in a pile of wreckage off to the side. The wreck is in 130 to 150 feet of water. Hoses and cables from the rescue efforts are along the side of the hold. The stern is also heavily damaged from depth charges. Two divers were killed in April 1974 while exploring the wreck...

 

Information provided by Bob Hackett & Sander Kingsepp;
4 April 1944:
NW of Dublon Island, Truk. The I-169, under LtCdr Shinohara Shigeo, is replenishing supplies at her anchorage in the lagoon. In addition to her crew some workmen are also aboard, but the CO and 20 other sailors are at Dublon. About 0900 (JST) an air raid warning is issued. The watch officer orders the I-169 to dive immediately, although most deck hatches are still open. The I-169 submerges to avoid the first wave of PB4Y "Liberator" bombers. Since the main induction valve is not secured, the aft compartments flood immediately despite a desperate attempt to re-surface. The submarine settles in 125 feet of water. The rest of the crew seals off the flooded area. After the raid, an unsuccessful attempt is made to contact the I-169. Only then is it realized that she is in trouble. A diver is sent down who contacts the survivors, tapping on the hull.
5 April 1944:
Headquarters, Sixth Fleet issues an order to rescue the survivors. A repair ship with a 30-ton crane and the tug FUTAGAMI are dispatched to hoist the bow to the surface. At first, they fail to locate the submarine. Once they find her they attempt a lift, but the flooded submarine is too heavy and the crane's cable breaks. Tapping comes only from the aft compartment. Air hoses are lowered and holes are drilled in the ballast tanks, but it is impossible to signal the crew to open the air valves to the ballast tanks. By 2300 hours, there are no further responses from the entombed crew. All suffocate. Night bombing raids interrupt further investigation. LtCdr Shinohara, who was not aboard, survives the sinking. Later, the Japanese informally name the I-169 the "Shinohara".
April-May 1944:
In the next six weeks, 32 bodies are recovered from the forward compartments. With the threat of invasion imminent, the wreck is bombarded with depth charges to prevent the submarine's technology from falling into American hands. The bow and conning tower are heavily damaged by the depth charges.
10 June 1944:
Removed from the Navy List.
February 1972:
The wreck is rediscovered. Six divers enter the sub and film its interior.
August 1973:
The remains and personal effects of the I-169's crew are returned to Japan where they are cremated as part of Shinto rites. The I-169's bell is displayed at the Yasukuni Shrine in Tokyo.