I think it's fair to say that most people view stories of sunken ships with a sense of awe and intrigue. But if you were to ask the average person to name a WWII shipwreck, most would only be able to respond with Arizona, Bismarck maybe Yorktown or Hood.

Merchant freighters, troop ships and countless other Naval ship's litter the Pacific Ocean bottom in places like the Marshalls, Caroline's, Mariana's, Solomon's and Philippines. These wrecks may not seem as significant or glamorous as the mighty capital ship's, but they all played key roles in the war effort with their own stories (some tragic) and place in history. I feel fortunate to be able explore these underwater museums.

Books and film are valuable sources of information, but they cannot give you the same eerie sensation as swimming past antiaircraft guns still pointing skyward... or swimming through cargo holds full of ordnance.. or swimming through berthing compartments and engine rooms where only a few were able to abandon ship. But this soon turns to a sense of irony as you swim along a deck covered with beautiful coral gardens full of marine life. Incredible!