Dive Diary: Unkai Maru

Dive diary

The Unkai Maru was originally a British steam ship with the name of S/S Venus built in 1903. She was bought by the Japanese in 1911 by Nakamura-Gumi Ltd. Being requisitioned by the Japanese Navy on January 5th 1944 she arrived in Truk on the 30th of January. She was sitting there nearly empty waiting…

Dive Diary: Kikukawa Maru

Dive diary

This is actually not a victim of Operation Hailstone. She was lying at anchor, somehow caught fire and then exploded on October 7th 1943. About 50 to 250 (depending who you are asking) men, most trying to get the fire under control went with her plus some tugs and landing crafts. The wreck lies in…