Page 167 - Micronesia
P. 167
SHINKOKU MARU 500’ (152m), 10,020-ton Naval Tanker is regard- torpedo damage prior to Operation Hailstorm.
ed as Chuuk’s most popular and a “must-do” wreck. Shinkoku
was sunk upright with a huge bomb hole on her aft port side. AIRCRAFT WRECKS EMILY, ZERO 2, & BETTY A huge Emily four-
Her superstructure is just 40’ (12m) deep, her deck is 60’ (18m), engine flying boat sits largely intact just off of Tonowas. This is
and she bottoms out at 125’ (38m). The aft ship has crew quar- a 1/2-tank dive to 50’ (15m). The other half of your tank is spent
ters, engine room, propeller, rudder and rudder engine. Her gal- diving on the magnificent Betty twin-engine bomber which
ley with dishes, stove top and utensils can be seen in the forward crashed just short of the former Japanese Eten Airfield. If you
s’structure. The bridge with wheelhouse, engine telegraph sick have more air or would like to snorkel, the Japnese Zero wreck
bay and operating table are easily dived. The bow gun and most is upside-down just a few hundred feet away in only 20’ (6m) of
exposed structures are completely encrusted with colorful, luxu- water.
rious corals, hydroids and sponges, plus host a myriad of tropical
fish. FUJIKAWA MARU 433’(132m), 6,983-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship is
called “THE WRECK” and a “Must-Dive!” Truk Lagoon wreck. This
HANAKAWA MARU 367’ (112m), 7,620-ton Passenger Freighter Ex-Aircraft Ferry rests upright on an even keel in 112’ (34m) of
sits upright at 110’ (33m), with deck at 75’ (23m), and s’structure water, with her s’structure at 30’ (9m), and her deck at 60’ (18m).
at 50’ (15m). Her cargo holds contain fuel drums, many of which “The Fuji’s” stack rises to 20’ (6m), and her rear mast is seen near
were set afire by a devastating torpedo to the starboard bow. the surface. Her holds contain shells, machine guns and airplane
Shallow waters mean much marine growth but also a high rate of wings in the first hold, and a Zero fuselage. The Fuji is famous
corrosion. for fighter planes in hold 2. Other holds contain ammo for the
bow gun, prop blades, and aircraft parts. The s’structure pilot-
HOYO MARU 469’ (143m), 8,691-ton Naval Tanker lies capsized house, baths, staterooms, galley and engine room are accessible.
and broken in two forward of midships. The forward section lies The bow gun is covered by colorful sponges and coral, and the
at 50’ (15m), and the aft section slopes to 125’ (38m). Penetra- bow wears soft corals and sea fans. By virtue of being shallow,
tion is not an option. The marine growth of corals and anemo- The Fuji is rapidly corroding.
nes is beautiful, and you may find clown fish. The bow features
