Location
Dublon Seaplane Base was located on the southern coast of Dublon Island (Tonoas) bordering Truk Lagoon in Chuuk State (Truk) in the Federated States of Micronesia. Also known as "Dublon Island Seaplane Base".

Construction
Beginning in 1939, Chitose, Kamoi and Kinugasa Maru transported construction materials, crews and technicians to Dublon Island (Tonoas) to build a seaplane base, ramp and facilities, completed by 1940. Once completed, the base had three seaplane ramps and a "T" shaped service area. A hammerhead crane and 5,000 feet of waterfront allowed easy serving of seaplanes.

The 104th Naval Air Arsenal was attached to the base, and had repair shops for engine, structural, propeller, welding, carpentry, electrical, oxygen generation, welding, smelting and weapons storage. Five barracks, three warehouses and a power plant. Reportedly, the facility could overhaul 15 airplane engines a month at its height.

Wartime History
This was the main seaplane base of the 902 Kokutai.

American missions against Dublon
March 15, 1944 - May 27, 1945

Hammerhead Crane
The base of the hammer-head crane, that has fallen off the cement wharf on the south side of the air headquarters.

H8K2 Emily
Sunk upside down several hundred yards off southwest of Dublon Seaplane Base.

References
World War II Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon pages 28-29, 30 (map Dublon Seaplane Base), 173, 186, 207-209, 211-213, 215-216, 221-223, 235, 245.

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Last Updated
July 19, 2024