Japanese Sub Attacks Santa Barbara

February 23, 1942 - This was the night that a Japanese submarine attacked an oil refinery near Santa Barbara, California.

A little after 7PM, the sub surfaced just offshore. Using the 5.5-inch deck gun, the Japanese started shelling. They launched at least 16 shells but the damage to the refinery was minimal. One man was slightly injured the next day while trying to defuse an unexploded shell.

U.S. planes were quickly on the scene, but the submarine had slipped below the surface.

The attack heightened fears of an imminent invasion and coastal defenses were strengthened.