IJN
Submarine Tender
Tons
11,614
Dimensions
510 / 66 / 30
Crew
150 crew
285 passengers
Ship History
Originally, she was a three deck passenger ship designed for luxury
service between Yokohama and Seattle.
Sinking History
USS
Yorktown planes hit the ship and started
fires aboard the vessel. It smoldered and was attacked all day until
it finally sank in Truk Lagoon on February 17, 1944.
Shipwreck
Large 18" Roman letters spell "Heian" are still visible on the forward hull
with the Japanese Kanji characters above it. Ammunition, guns, torpedo
and submarine parts are among lots of debris. Exploration of the ship is difficult form its sideways
orientation.
Dan E. Bailey adds:
"The most interesting artifact I have seen is
an optical signaling device. It is a rare find and its
presence on the ship belies the importance of the Heian Maru as
a sub-tender for the 6th Submarine Fleet."
50'
