| IJN
Cargo
Tons
3,535
Dimensions
340 / 48 / ? |
Ship History
Heavily damaged left floating low in the water by Task
Force 50 aircraft on December 4, 1943. She was towed towards Roi-Namur, with
the intention of being sent to Truk Lagoon or Japan for repairs.
Sinking History
On January
29, 1944 Battleship North Carolina was bombarding shore installations
on Roi-Namur, when the damaged ship was spotted. A direct hit was
scored, and the ship began to burn furiously after 16 rounds were fired.
Eiko was firing Anti-Aircraftfire at the spotting plane from the battleship.
Soon afterwards, the ship sunk at Kwajalein Northern Atoll, only her mast was above water.
Shipwreck
The wreck is close to shore and full of varied fish life,
sharks barracuda, groupers, rays and turtles. A inch deck gun is on
the bow at 50'. The anchor chain is extending off the bow.
The forecastle is a storage area for tools, hoses, ropes and cables.
A spare anchor is mounted by the starboard entrance.
No.1 Hold
Contains 55 gal. drums, most crushed due to the pressure.
A large towing barge lies on the opposite side of the wreck, with several
motorized barges that were apparently tied to the ship now lie across
the No. 2 hold.
The Bridge
Gutted by gunfire. Bullet holes are everywhere. The radio
room is full of scattered remains of equipment. The main deck can be
entered from two doors on the aft side of the superstructure. The pharmacy,
latrine and storage space are in this area, their partitions have since
fallen down. A foot of muck is on the floor. In it are bottles, medicine,
instruments, and cases of china.
No. 3 Hold
Can be entered aft of the mid-ship superstructure. A skeleton
of one of the crew is here. The skull has a bullet hole in it, and the
rifle he used to commit suicide is to his side. Coal and two spare propellers
are also in this hold. More 55 gal drums and other equipment are in
this hold. At one time a mortar and shells were recovered from this
hold. The engine room can be entered through a bomb hole. There is little
room to move among the catwalks, gauges and controls and it is very
dark here. The port side of the extended cabin was the crew's mess.
Dishes, bottles plates are here. Down the hall are oven and sinks and
a beer and saki locker.
No. 4 Hold
Contains more 55 gal drums. The poop has two levels of crew¼s
quarters. The lower has skeletal remains of several of the crew. The
masts and funnels were blown off during the US occupation to clear the
channel and now rest along side the ship.
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