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| IJN Cargo 5,873 Tons |
Ship History India Maru was built in 1920. Wartime History On April 6, 1943 at 4:30pm convoy "Hansa No. 28" departs Palau bound for Hansa Bay. The convoy includes Subchaser CH-26, Subchaser CH-34 destroyers Tanikaze and Amatsukaze escorting Teiryu Maru, India Maru, Toho Maru, Sydney Maru, Taisei Maru and Taiyu Maru. On April 12, 1943 the convoy arrives at Hansa Bay and is attacked by U.S. planes with Sydney Maru sunk. The next day at 9:00am the remaining convoy depart Hansa Bay. The convoy splits with Teiryu Maru, Toho Maru and Amatsukaze and CH-34 proceed back to Palau, arriving April 18, 1943. The remaining ships: CH-26, Tanikaze and Taisei Maru and Taiyu Maru proceeded to Wewak arriving April 14, 1943 and unload their remaining supplies. Sinking History On April 15, 1943 while underway for Palau, the India Maru was bombed by American aircraft and sunk, reportedly five miles east of Kairuru Island. Shipwreck This shipwreck has never been found. Some claim the shipwreck of the Taisei Maru in Victoria Bay is this vessel, but this is incorrect. Tale of Gold It is popularly believed, but unconfirmed that the 'India Maru' was carrying a cargo of 150 tons of gold. This story is false, as it was in a combat are and never had any such cargo recorded in Japanese records. Why would gold be transported in a war zone? Why would the Japanese records lie about its manifest? Despite the fact that no proof or historical evidence supports this point, tales of gold associated with this ship have done wonders for the Wewak area diving and charter dive boat business! Contribute
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