In his book "Wanderer" Sterling Hayden refers to an incident where Japanese spies stole the plans to an American battleship which they built but it turned upside down when launched. He places this event between the World Wars. Is there any historical basis for this?

by isle_say
isle_say

Early on (chapter 13) he is talking about his childhood

Dino_Geek

I haven't read Wanderer in years but it's on my shelf. Where in the book is this reference? Thanks