Pacific Wrecks

Missing In Action (MIA)

Prisoners Of War (POW)

Unexploded Ordnance (UXO)

Chronology

Sapporo Maru

IJN
Fishing Trawler

361 Tons
145' / 24' / 14'

Brian Beltz 2005

Ship History
Built by Nippon Suisan Kabushiki Kaisha in 1930. Used as a fishing trawler.

Wartime History
During the Pacific War, requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). Used as a auxiliary provision store ship based at Truk Lagoon.

Wartime History
On April 4, 1944 in Truk Lagoon bombed by B-24 Liberators that scored a near miss that damaged the engines.

Sinking History
On May 29, 1944 sank into Truk Lagoon near the Kiyosumi Maru.

Shipwreck
Postwar, the shipwreck was bouyed, then lost. Rediscovered by Dan Bailey. The ship's bell is displayed at the Blue Lagoon Dive shop.

References
Thanks to Dan Bailey for historical information and rediscovery information. This ship's history is detailed in WWII Wrecks of the Truk Lagoon the rediscovery of this shipwreck is the topic of an Australian National Geographic documentary.

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Last Updated
June 15, 2021

Interviews & Oral Histories