Dive Diary: Gosei Maru

The Gosei Maru was built in 1937 for the Koun Kisen Y.Y. as a coastal freighter. To maximize hold-carrying capacity she had no amenities but was a work ship. She transported coal, Zero Plane parts, torpedoes and other things between Kure, Yokosuka, Rabaul, other destinations and Truk. She arrived in Truk on the 12th of…

Dive Diary: Emily Flyboat

Ohhh there is a great story here. I have to go a little further to get it all in. There were some ships in Rabaul that needed repairing and being constantly attacked the officers asked to take them to Truk Lagoon for that purpose. One of the admirals (Vice admiral) made his way down there…

Dive Diary: Seiko Maru

The Seiko Maru was built in 1940 for the Dairen Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha. She initially had civilian cargo duties but after being requisitioned she served as a war material transporter between the Empire and the Inner South Seas. She was attacked on July 31st 1943 and hit by the U.S. Submarine Pogy and later the…

Dive Diary: Yamagiri Maru

The Yamagiri Maru was built in 1938 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a Passenger-Cargo freighter for the Yamashita Kisen (Steamship) Company. The submarine U.S.S. Drum attacked and heavily damaged her on August 28th 1943. She was taken back to Rabaul but daily air strikes made repair there impossible and she was moved to Truk Lagoon…