Franko's Guide Map of Chuuk Lagoon
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Side One: Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, February 17-18, 1944
Side Two: Franko’s Chuuk Lagoon Dive Map
Side One, Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, depicts Truk Lagoon on February 17th to 18th, 1944, when US forces bombed one of Japan’s most important bases during World War II. This side of the map features descriptions of the tremendously successful attack, called Operation Hailstone, as well as descriptions of each and every Japanese ship that was sunk and how it was sunk. Also featured are many photographs of Operation Hailstone.
Side Two, Franko’s Chuuk Lagoon Dive Map, depicts present day Chuuk (Truk) Lagoon, with information on the many wrecks. The ships (and planes) that were sunk during Operation Hailstone over 60 years ago now comprise the world’s greatest wreck diving, making Chuuk Lagoon a must-visit for the world’s scuba divers.
On the title block of Side One of Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, February 17-18, 1944, is a tribute to Kimiuo Aisek:
TRIBUTE TO KIMIUO AISEK - When Operation Hailstone unfolded on February 17-18, 1944, Truk native Kimiuo Aisek was there to eyewitness the terrifying events. The 17 year-old became a walking history of the battle, and he knew every event of the attack. Years later Kimiuo's memory came in handy as he began scuba diving and finding the shipwrecks in the lagoon. Kimiou gained legendary fame as a great fisherman and a dive master, the founder of the Truk Lagoon (Chuuk) underwater diving industry. He is called the greatest diver in the Pacific, a great man of the sea with a big heart.
At the bottom of Side One, Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, February 17-18, 1944 is the story of Operation Hailstone, called The Battle of Truk Lagoon “Operation Hailstone”, Februrary 17-18, 1944:
Truk Lagoon was a major Japanese logistics center as well as the operating home base for the Imperial Japanese Navy's Combined Fleet. The atoll had been in the hands of the Japanese since World War I and was closed to foreigners. War planners had little information to go on, so on February 4, 1944 a pair of PB4Y reconnaissance aircraft gathered aerial photographic intelligence of the Japanese military installations in Truk Lagoon. The recently conquered airstrips in the Marshall Islands were within range of the PB4Ys. The flyover found that Imperial Fleet warships were present, including the super battleship Musashi, their Second Fleet's flagship. There were also carriers, destroyers, submarines and hundreds of aircraft on Truk's airfields. It appeared that Truk would be very costly to destroy, but U.S. and Allied Forces air superiority in the Pacific would depend on it. Admiral Raymond Spruance ordered the attack by Task Force 58 (TF58), a U.S. Fleet Carrier Force/Battle Group consisting of five fleet carriers and four light carriers able to fly 500 aircraft. Assisting the carriers was a large fleet of seven battleships, and numerous cruisers, destroyers, submarines, and other support ships. The battle group was tasked to destroy Japanese opposition and establish air supremacy over Truk Lagoon. To do this the operation was to make the airfields in Truk Lagoon unusable by bombing runways and air installations on the islands, and to destroy all Japanese shipping within Truk Lagoon. It was also hoped that the Japanese Combined Fleet's battleships, carriers and heavy cruisers would be confronted and destroyed. However, fearing that the base was becoming too vulnerable, these warships had largely withdrawn from Truk Lagoon and had been moved to Palau just a week before the attack. A large number of important auxiliary ships and other combat vessels critical to the Japanese war effort were still in the atoll, along with hundreds of aircraft at the airfields.
The U.S. attack involved a combination of airstrikes, surface ship actions, and submarineattacks over two days, and appeared to take the Japanese completely by surprise. Airstrikes employed fighters, dive bombers, and torpedo bombers in attacks on Japanese airfields, aircraft, shore installations, and ships in and around the Truk anchorage. A force of U.S. surface ships and submarines guarded exit routes from the lagoon.
Before the break of day February 17, TF58 carriers launched a squadron of F6F Hellcats to ensure no hostile aircraft would be in the skies. Since Truk Lagoon had been in Japanese control since WWI, American pilots were flying into unknown skies. Reconnaissance photos showed warships and attack aircraft on the ground that the Hellcat pilots would have to confront. At daybreak the fighters were surprised to find the skies virtually unprotected and the Japanese Combined Fleet gone. Truk's airfield personnel were attempting to start a defense, but they had too little too late. The American pilots were able to control the airspace over Truk Lagoon.
As the Hellcat Fighters began their engagement, US Fleet Carriers were launching bombers to begin the destruction of shipping and shore facilities. Dauntless Dive Bombers and Avenger Torpedo Bombers had armor piercing bombs to attack Japanese warships expected to be encountered. The Americans also carried incendiary and fragmentation clusters to destroy, burn and blast aircraft on the ground. A Hellcat Fighter formation protected the bombers against an expected enemy defense, as they escorted them to their targets.
During the two-day operation Japan lost ships with a combined 220,000 tons, including a pair of light cruisers, four destroyers, an armed merchant cruiser, a torpedo boat, three sub-chasers, and 3 auxiliary ships. As many as 17 ships were damaged, but not sunk, including a submarine tender, a seaplane tender, a fleet repair ship, an escort, and others. Over 250 Japanese aircraft were destroyed, mostly on the ground. Many of the aircraft were in various states of assembly, having just arrived from Japan is disassembled form aboard cargo ships. Very few of the assembled aircraft were able to take off in response to the U.S. attack. Several Japanese aircraft that did take off were claimed destroyed by U.S. fighters or gunners on the U.S. bombers and torpedo planes.
The U.S. lost 25 aircraft due to intense anti-aircraft fire, but 16 U.S. aircrew were rescued by submarine or amphibious aircraft. A nighttime torpedo attack by a Japanese aircraft damaged the intrepid and killed 11 of her crew. Another Japanese air attack damaged the USS Intrepid, and killed 11 of her crew, although that attack did not come from Japanese forces at Truk Lagoon.
Yet another Japanese air attack slightly damaged the Battleship USS Iowa.
The Japanese later relocated about 100 aircraft from Rabaul to Truk, but these aircraft were attacked by U.S. carrier forces in another attack April 29-30, 1944, destroying most of them. The April 1944 strikes found no shipping existing in Truk lagoon and were the last major attacks on Truk during the war. It was apparent that Operation Hailstone was a tremendous success. Thousands of Japanese forces were marooned on the islands of Truk Lagoon and had to await the end of the war and fend off starvation as they were cut off from their countrymen.
And here are the descriptions of the Japanese ships and planes lost during Operation Hailstone, as described on Side One, Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, February 17-18, 1944:
BETTY - Mitsubishi G4M3 Navy Type 1 Attack Bomber - This Japanese Navy tactical bomber first took to the air in 1939, with mass production starting in 1940. Her shape gave her the name "Flying Cigar", but she would also light up when shot, because of her unprotected fuel tanks. This aircraft could also carry torpedoes. It appears that the BETTY was landing at the Eten Island airstrip, but went down just a few hundred meters short, breaking off her nose, starboard wingtip, and engines, which were tossed forward nearly 100 meters off the port side. No one knows whether she was shot down or if her demise was a result of the American Operation Hailstone assault of 17-18 Feb., 1944.
EMILY - Kawanishi H8K Navy Type 2 Flying-Boat - Called the "Flying Porcupine" because she was armed with five 20mm cannons and four machine guns, plus she could carry two torpedoes and either eight 250 kilo bombs or sixteen 60 kilo bombs. This formidable opponent could also cruise at 334 kph (207 mph) for 4,500 nautical miles (8350 km). She had self-sealing fuel tanks and a fire extinguisher system. This plane was heading east from Palau to the Dublon Island Sea Plane Base with several high ranking Japanese officers on board. Mid-flight she was ambushed by American fighters, who shot her up, killing many of those on board, including the co-pilot, but she lost the Americans in the clouds and managed to limp back to Truk Lagoon. After crash landing she sank, but the rest of the crew was saved.
AMAGISAN MARU - 450' (137m), 7,620-ton Passenger Freighter sailed the Japan to New York route via the Panama Canal in the 1930's, but was placed into Navy service in 1941. On February 14, 1942 she narrowly survived a torpedo attack by the submarine USS Swordfish. On August 17, 1943 she survived being strafed and bombed by nine B-24's, which killed her Commander. She was in Truk Lagoon with a convoy unloading cargo when, on February 17, 1944, she was attacked by five Curtis Helldiver dive bombers, and Four Grumman Avenger torpedo bombers, from USS Bunker Hill, ripping her and igniting her fuel oil. The smoldering hulk went down in a hurry.
TACHIKAZE - 337' (103m), 1,215-ton Destroyer was built post-World War I based on British design, and was becoming obsolete in World War II. Apparently she accidentally ran hard aground against the Kuop Atol in early February, 1944, where she was stuck. USS Intrepid, USS Essex and USS Bunker Hill aircraft attacked and their bombs shook her off the reef into deeper water where she sank on February 17, 1944. Although she suffered many casualties, the captain and 114 crewmen were rescued. She also reportedly shot down three of the 34 attacking aircraft.
SANKISAN MARU - 370' (113m), 4,776-ton Army Cargo Ship. The origins of this ship are a mystery, although it is said tha she was originally called the Red Hook, and was an American vessel doing Northwest trade during the depression. Captured by the Japanese in 1942, she arrived in Truk on February 12, 1944. The ship was bombed on both February 17 and 18, and it appears that the cargo of munitions was either struck by a bomb direcly, of reached by a fire. Nevertheless it resulted in a tremendous explosion, fragmenting the entire midship superstructure and flinging the whole stern section into deeper water.
FUJIKAWA MARU - 433'(132m), 6,983-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1938 and served in routes to North America, South America and India, until being taken for war use by the Japanese Navy in 1940. In September, 1943 she was nearly sunk heading from Truk to Kwajalein by a torpedo from the USS Permit, but she limped back to Truk Lagoon in three days, and was later repaired and returned to service in January, 1944. The renovated ship was struck by a torpedo during Operation Hailstone Strike 3E-1 at 1420 hours by aircraft from the USS Bunker Hill and USS Monterey. She finally went down the next morning.
RIO DE JANEIRO MARU - 461' (140m), 9,626-ton ship was built in 1930 and was originally a beautiful eight-deck passenger liner. Requisitioned by the Japanese Navy in 1940, she was converted into a submarine tender. In July, 1942 sailing off of Viet Nam she was struck by torpedoes and received medium damage, but was repaired and returned to duties. On February 17,1944 she was struck by one or two 1,000-lb bombs during the first phase of Operation Hailstone. She was seen languishing at her anchorage and sank by morning.
HOKUYO MARU - 368' (112m), 4,739-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship served the Far East until the war, when she became a Naval Miscellaneous Auxiliary Ship. She was carrying cement bags when she was torpedoed to the sea floor during Operation Hailstone. Little is known about this ship or her pre-Truk Lagoon actions.
KIKUKAWA MARU - 384' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-Cargo ship was built in 1938, but found duties of transporting military supplies such as ammunition and personnel. She was apparently attacked at Kwajalein in 1943, and was towed to Truk lagoon, only to succumb to an accidental fire and a resultant explosion of munitions on October 7, 1943. Her entire aft half was obliterated by the violent blast and she went to the bottom before the smoke could even rise.
GOSEI MARU - 272' (86m), 1,931-ton Costal Freighter was anchored off of Uman Island in the Sixth Fleet Anchorage when she was struck by two Avenger Torpedo Bombers from the Carrier USS Monterey. Godei Maru went down immediately. Her holds were virtually empty, however, carrying only torpedo bodies, and empty oil and gas drums.
HINO MARU No. 2 (aka Dai Na Hino Maru, or One Gun Boat) - 200' (66m), 998-ton Naval Miscellaneous Auxiliary Ship began life as a small Transport in 1936, then was converted to a Gunboat in 1942, and finally was made into an Auxiliary Ship in 1943. She showed up in Truk Lagoon after Operation Hailstone, but was sunk in shallow water after numerous strafing attacks that set her afire, and bombings on April 29, 1944.
UNKAI MARU NO. 6 - 331' (101m), 3,220-ton Cargo Ship was originally a "Venus" class vessel built in Great Britain in 1905. The Japanese bought six such ships in 1911. No. 6 did not get drafted into war use until just a few weeks before Operation Hailstone. She was bombed by aircraft from both the USS Yorktown and the USS Bunker Hill, but it wasn't until an attack the next day when USS Essex planes sank the fire-gutted ship. Three crew members perished.
JAPANESE CONVOY - Hellcat's Dive Bombers from the USS Intrepid hit a Japanese convoy 90 miles west of Truk Lagoon as they headed to the atoll. The Zukai Maru and the Tatsiha Maru, both carrying men and equipment of the 52nd Army Division were sunk, with heavy casualties. A third ship, the Ryko Maru was damaged, but escaped, struggling to arrive in Truk on Feb. 19, 1944.
TAIHO MARU - 321' (98m), 2,827-ton Cargo Ship was used for auxiliary assignments and was in Truk Lagoon with a load of aviation gasoline drums on February 17, 1944. A pair of atacking aircraft from the USS Yorktown CV10 hit her with bombs at the bow and midships, igniting her fuel drums into an immense explosion, ripping her apart, with the bow of the ship being cast 200 meters away from what remained of the aft half of the ship. Four crew members died.
YUBAE MARU - 344' (105m), 3,217-ton Army Cargo Ship built in 1919, arrived in Truk with as escorted convoy just one week before Operation Hailstone. She was used by the Japanese Navy to transport troops and cargo, although she had only a few men on board when a pair of of planes from the Carrier Bunker Hill CV17 attacked with a 1000-lb bomb and a torpedo hit, which sank her in one hour. One troop died, and two were wounded.
HOKI MARU - 450' (138m), 7,113-ton Cargo Ship was built in 1921 for the Union Steam Ship Co. of New Zealand for trans-Pacific trade, mostly to Australia. In July, 1942 she was ambushed by Japanese armed merchant cruisers Hokoku Maru and Aikoku Maru and captured, with her crew sent to the horrible Ofuna POW Camp in Tokyo. On February 17, 1944 she was repeatedly attacked by USS Essex and USS Yorktown bombers and then torpedoed by planes from USS Bunker Hill CV17. She burned and sank before the next day's attacks.
OJIMA - 161' (49m), 812-ton Tategami Class Salvage Tug built in 1937. On October 7th, 1943 the Ojima was assisting the Kikukawa Maru, which had a fire onboard. Attempts were being made to extinguish the fire when a tremendous explosion erupted and both vessels were sent to the bottom with many lives lost.
YUBAE MARU - 344' (105m), 3,217-ton Army Cargo Ship built in 1919, arrived in Truk with as escorted convoy just one week before Operation Hailstone. She was used by the Japanese Navy to transport troops and cargo, although she had only a few men on board when a pair of of planes from the Carrier Bunker Hill CV17 attacked with a 1000-lb bomb and a torpedo hit, which sank her in one hour. One troop died, and two were wounded.
TAIHO MARU - 321' (98m), 2,827-ton Cargo Ship was used for auxiliary assignments and was in Truk Lagoon with a load of aviation gasoline drums on February 17, 1944. A pair of atacking aircraft from the USS Yorktown CV10 hit her with bombs at the bow and midships, igniting her fuel drums into an immense explosion, ripping her apart, with the bow of the ship being cast 200 meters away from what remained of the aft half of the ship. Four crew members died.
JAPANESE CONVOY - Hellcat's Dive Bombers from the USS Intrepid hit a Japanese convoy 90 miles west of Truk Lagoon as they headed to the atoll. The Zukai Maru and the Tatsiha Maru, both carrying men and equipment of the 52nd Army Division were sunk, with heavy casualties. A third ship, the Ryko Maru was damaged, but escaped, struggling to arrive in Truk on Feb. 19, 1944.
HANAKAWA MARU - 368' (112m), 4,739-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1942 and carried troops and aviation gasoline drums. On February 18, 1944 a foursome of attack aircraft from USS Bunker Hill and USS Monterey circled Truk Lagoon and came up on Tol Island from the south with the Hanakawa Maru in their sites. The first torpedo hit her midships and ignited her aviation fuel into a massive explosion. In a moment there was nothing left except burning fuel. Two more torpedoes were expended on her, although they weren't needed, and a fourth torpedo missed and hit the island, burning a fuel dock and a church. Fortunately, the priest was being held captive on Udot Island and escaped the inferno. 216 crewmen and soldiers were killed aboard the ship.
KIYOSUMI MARU - 450' (87m), 8,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1934 and provided service to New York from Kobe, Japan. In 1941 she was converted into an armed auxiliary cruiser, with eight anti-aircraft guns and a pair of torpedo launchers. US Submarine Balao attacked Kiyosumi Maru with a half dozen topedoes, three of which nailed her, but she didn't go down. A sister cruiser Oyodo towed her To Truk Lagoon, where she was being repaired at the time of Operation Hailstone. Douglas dive bombers from USS Yorktown CV10 and USS Enterprise did her in. 43 crewmen died in the attacks.
HOYO MARU - 475' (145m), 8,691-ton Naval Tanker built in 1936 as a commercial oiler and requisitioned by the Japanese Navy in 1941. The ship was struck by a torpedo and a fire erupted on November 6th, 1943. The ship made it back to Truk where it was undergoing repairs when it was bombed again on February 17, 1944 by planes from the carriers USS Enterprise and USS Yorktown CV10. The ship capsized and sank with the loss of six crewmen.
PATROL BOAT NO. 34 - Approx 300' (91m), 935-ton Patrol boat (ex-Destroyer, ex-Sutsuki) was built in 1919, but retrofitted in 1939 for Patrol Boat use. Retrofitting of aft end later enabled her to carry a pair of landing craft. In March, 1943 she collided with Japanese Destroyer Yakaze near New Guinea, and had to be towed to Truk for repairs. However, she was not sunk during Operation Hailstone, but was done in under mysterious circumstances on July 3, 1944 instead.
SHOTAN MARU - 286' (87m), 1,999-ton Cargo Ship was used for auxiliary duties and was less than a year old when it was anchored at Truk Lagoon with a cargo of Zero aircraft components. After attackers from the USS Enterprise hit her on Feb. 18, 1944, her captain tried to run her into shallow water toward Fanamu Island to prevent sinking. But a huge hole aft of midships flooded the ship too quickly and she went down in deep water before she could get there.
KENSHO MARU - 384' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-Cargo ship was struck by a bomb and set afire in December, 1943 in Kwajalein Lagoon, at which time she was run aground to keep from sinking. On February 17, 1944 she was hit on the stern by a bomb dropped by aircraft from USS Yorktown CV10. On February 18, 1944, aircraft from USS Enterprise, USS Monterey and USS Bunker Hill CV17 attacked the Kensho Maru. A torpedo hit amidships, and she promptly sank.
REIYO MARU - 400' (122m), 5.446-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship served from Tokyo to New York beginning in 1920, but was assigned for Army troop transfers. Her assignment for Navy use began in late 1943, as she was carrying miscellaneous provisions, tools, bombs, coal, landing craft and passengers to Truk Lagoon as part of a convoy which lost a ship during the trip to submarine USS Snapper. Early in the morning on February 17, 1944 she was hit by American dive bombers from USS Intrepid, which set her ablaze. Multiple explosions occured when the munitions hold caught fire. She sank two days later. Eight crewmen were killed.
FUMITSUKI - 320' (98m), 1,913-ton Mutsuki Class Destroyer built in 1926 was one of only two real Navy ships in Truk Lagoon. She was capable of over 33 knots fully loaded, but was under repair at the time of her demise, when around the middle of the day on February 17, 1944, three 500-lb bombs were dropped on her as she tried to evade. The ship was engulfed in flames and began to sink and list to port. She dropped anchors, but went down by the next morning.
SHINKOKU MARU - 500' (152m), 10,102-ton Naval Tanker was built in 1940 and was one of eight tankers refueling the ships used for the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In August, 1942 a US submarine torpedoed her, but the damage was minor enough for repairs. In July, 1943 she was torpedoed again, but was repaired in just five weeks. She met her final match on February 17, 1944 when a Dauntless dive bomber from the USS Yorktown CV10 hit her amidships, and then the next morning she was torpedoed by Grumman Avengers, which opened a huge hole into her engine room. At last she went down.
I-169 SUBMARINE - 337' (103m), 1,400-ton Cruiser-Submarine launched on February 15th, 1934 and one of a class of six. This submarine was present at the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941. On April 2nd, 1944 while in Truk an air raid took place, and the submarine submerged. Afterward it failed to resurface, and a diver discovered that the upper valve of the storm ventilation tube in the aft part of the conning tower was open a couple of inches. Attempts to raise the sub failed, and the crew suffocated to death.
NAGANO MARU - 345' (105m), 3,824-ton passenger-cargo ship received bomb damage in Cebu, Philippines in April 1942, but was repaired and in action again between Japan and Singapore. Finally, she was the target of planes from the Carrier Essex on February 17 and 18, 1944. On February 17th she was struck by at least two 500-lb bombs, and the next day was struck by two 500-lb bombs, one amidships and one on the stern. When the planes departed, fires aboard were raging aboard the doomed ship.
YAMAGIRI MARU - 439' (134m) 6,438-ton passenger-cargo ship, built in 1938, was en route to Palau in August 1943 and was located by the submarine USS Drum, which fired two torpedoes. The ship was heavily damaged and was taken to Rabaul, New Guinea for repairs, and then to Truk. She would remain under repair for two months until Operation Hailstone. On February 18, 1944 she was struck by one 1,000-lb and one 500-lb bomb, by Curtis Helldivers from USS Bunker Hill CV17, resulting in a huge explosion and fire. She sank rapidly.
SEIKO MARU - 394' (120m), 5,385-ton Cargo Ship was built for world-wide cargo hauling, but she was brought into the Navy for auxiliary duties, serving Japan's conquests in the Pacific. This ship proved very difficult to conquer as she survived attacks by submarines USS Pogy and USS Steelhead, which listed Seiko Maru as officially "known sunk" on July 31, 1943. After massive morning attacks on February 17, 1994 by aircraft from USS Enterprise, followed by afternoon attacks by bombers from USS Essex, she still remained afloat, finally sinking the next day, with the loss of only one man.
SAN FRANCISCO MARU - 385' (117m), 5,831-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1919 as part of a fleet involved in world trade operations. She arrived in Truk on February 5, 1944. After escaping her inevitable demise on day one of Operation Hailstone, on February 18, 1944 she was struck by six 500-lb bombs dropped by aircraft from the Carrier Essex, after which she burned and sank. Five crewmen were killed.
KATSURAGISAN MARU - 285' (87m), 2,427-ton Cargo Ship was formerly a tramper serving the China trade. Requisitioned by Japan's Navy on December 17, 1943, she was promptly loaded with war materials and headed for Truk Lagoon via the Northeast Pass. Unfortunately, on January 7, 1944 she hit a mine intended to protect from enemy invasion and sank with the loss of five crewmen.
TONAN MARU 3 - 535' (163m) 19,209-ton Tanker was built in 1938 as a whaling factory, but was converted into a tanker for war use. She was the largest ship sunk in Truk Lagoon. Tonan Maru 3 was attacked several times in the years before, but mostly because of eight defective torpedoes fired by the USS Tinosa, this prime target did not go down. American torpedo design had to be corrected because of this failure. However, the damaged ship was in Truk Lagoon being used as a refueling station when attacked and finally sunk, with the loss of 315 lives. Oddly, in 1951, she was refloated, fixed, towed back to Japan, and again became a whaling factory.
FUJISAN MARU - 512' (156m), 9,524-ton Naval Tanker was one of the largest ships in Truk Lagoon at the onset of Operation Hailstone. It appears that Fujisan Maru was under way, with her anchors up, and outside of the crowded anchorages. Nevertheless, she suffered severe athwartship bomb damage, mostly on the aft end port side, and went down in a hurry.
MOMOKAWA MARU - 354' (108m), 3,829-ton Cargo Ship built in 1940 for transport of Siberian timber. Since the route is icy, she was reenforced with steel, essentially making her armor plated. She was requisitioned by the Japanese Navy in 1943. Momokawa Maru was bombed on February 17, 1944, but was not in danger of sinking until it was struck again the next day by a 1,000-lb bomb amidships which caused a huge fire and explosion. The Momokawa Maru burned as she sank stern first.
NIPPO MARU - 354' (107m), 3,764-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was launched in Kobe, Japan in 1936. In 1941 Nippo Maru was requisitioned by the Japanese Navy for transport. On February 17, 1944 she was at anchor, carrying water, firewood, troop armaments, a battle tank and a truck to various Pacific Islands. She was set ablaze and sunk by a trio of 500-pound bombs from TBF Avengers from the Carrier Essex.
HEIAN MARU - 510' (155m), 11,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship was built in 1930 at a cost of $15,000,000. On her maiden voyage she set a trans-Pacific speed record on a trip to Seattle with passengers traveling in English-style luxury. She was converted into a Navy submarine tender in 1941. On February 17, 1944 a dive bomber from the USS Yorktown CV10 hit near the bow exploding the superstructure in a fiery inferno. On the 18th two torpedo bombers from USS Bunker Hill scored near misses, but damaged the ship. The ship was then hit by Avenger torpedo bombers, which caused an explosion, sinking the ship.
OITE - 327' (100m), 1,523-ton Kamikaze Class Destroyer built in 1924 in Tokyo. In February 1944 Oite was on her way to Japan from Truk with the Agano, and a U.S. Submarine torpedoed the Agano. Survivors were brought aboard the Oite, and the Oite was ordered to return to Truk while the Agano sank. The Oite arrived on February 18th, 1944 while Truk was under attack, and was struck amidships by a torpedo. The destroyer was blown in half and immediately sank.
AIKOKO MARU - 492' (150m), 10,437-ton Ex-Armed Merchant Cruiser & Raider never worked as an African-Japan ocean liner as intended. She and two sister ships were Japan's best, able to cruise at 17 knots and out-distance most ships of her time. Pressed into naval service, an unknown Avenger either bombed her or crashed into her forward hold setting off a magazine explosion so violent that she was obliterated from midships forward and she sank in seconds.
JAPANESE CONVOY No. 4215 - Japanese destroyers, MAIKAZE and NOWAKE, Light Cruiser KATORI, and Armed Merchant Cruiser AKAGI MARU attempted to convoy out of Truk Lagoon on the morning of February 17, 1944. U.S. Aircraft strafed these ships just inside of North Pass, but were met with anti-aircraft fire. The ships were again attacked northwest of the pass, with Katori being torpedoed and bombed, stopping dead in the water. Maikaze was also bombed and strafed, stopping her advance. Akagi Maru was bombed and sunk. Somehow, Nowake eluded the bombing and torpedoes, all while fiecely firing anti-aircraft guns. Battleships USS NEW JERSEY & USS IOWA arrived and immediately sunk the Maikaze & Katori, but the fighting, fleeing Nowake drew away, even under fire by 16-inch guns. Nowake escaped.
Japanese sub-chaser was approaching Truk Lagoon from the north when it was discovered and sunk by U.S. Aircraft.
CH 24, a small sub-chaser was discovered by the same patrolling aircraft that had just put down SHONAN MARU NO. 15. Having been damaged by the attacking aircraft, the small ship was then sunk by the USS BURNS.
SHIGURE & HURUSAME, a pair of Japanese destroyers were attacked by aircraft in the northern part of Truk Lagoon, and then just outside of North Pass. Both escaped.
Additionally, Side One of Franko’s Map of Truk Lagoon, February 17-18, 1944 has photographs from Operation Hailstone with the following captions:
Battleship Iowa helped in the search and attack on the fleeing Destroyer Nowake. Iowa raised her 16-inch main battery and unloaded, but missed. Nowake fled at flank speed and escaped to Yokosuka, at the entrance to Tokyo Bay.
Vought OS2U Kingfisher aircraft is brought onto USS Baltimore after the rescue of Lt. Goorge M. Blair (seated in back) on Feb. 18, 1944. Radioman, ARMC Reuben F. Hickman is on the wing hooking the hoist, while pilot Denver F. Baxter waits. Blair's F6F Hellcat from the USS Essex had been shot down by anti-aircraft fire. U.S. aircraft, submarines or boats rescued almost every airman who was shot down over Truk Lagoon.
Side Two, Franko’s Chuuk Lagoon Dive Map, has pictures of many of the ships at present day, and has descriptions of scuba diving sites at the wrecked ships from Operation Hailstone:
OITE - 338' (103m), 1,520-ton Kamakaze Class Destroyer was torpedoed midships and broken in two just south of North Pass. The forward half is upside-down and the depth-charged aft half is right side-up in 202' (61m) of water. To dive this wreckage is very demanding and no penetrations are available. There is a large hole cut into the hull where the remains of the crew plus the crew of the Agano, which Oite had previously rescued, were removed.
I-169 SUBMARINE - 344' (105m), 1,400-ton I 168 Class Kaidai 6A Cruiser-Submarine was sunk while fleeing submerged. Sitting upright at 144' (44m), the crew perished when she could not be raised. The Japanese then depth charged the subs sail and forward part, leaving it a scattered wreck, but the aft part was untouched. Divers in the 1960's found the remains of the crew, which were removed and cremated. Corrosion and damage is extensive, so there are no dive penetrations. Depth makes this a technical dive.
YAMAGIRI MARU - 436' (133m), 6,438-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship rests on her port side in the Repair Anchorages, where she was undergoing repairs and nearly empty at the time of her demise. Divers reach her starboard side at just 30'-50' (9-15m) and can penetrate engine room and aft holds, where 35.6cm (14") shells use by second-line Japanese Battleships are found, plus a steamroller, construction equipment, and a propeller. Since she is shallow her marine growth is astounding. She is almost intact from bow to stern.
FUMITZUKI - 338' (103m), 1,193-ton Destroyer, with the Destroyer Oite, is the only actual warship sunk in Chuuk Lagoon. Although she was under repair and not seaworthy, she hurriedly pulled out of Repair Anchorages to escape the day raid, only to succumb to the night raid by USS Enterprise's Avengers. She lists to port at 125' (38m), with her deck at 100' (30m). She is all bent, dished, wrinkled and broken, and presents no penetration opportunity for divers. Externally divers see her guns, torpedo launchers, depth charge throwers, propellers and rudder, and an encrustation of wonderful corals and sponges, and lots of fish.
SHINKOKU MARU - 500' (152m), 10,020-ton Naval Tanker is regarded as Chuuk's most popular and a "must-do" wreck. Shinkoku was sunk upright with a huge bomb hole on her aft port side. Her superstructure is just 40' (12m) deep, her deck is 60' (18m), and she bottoms out at 125' (38m). The aft ship has crew quarters, engine room, propeller, rudder and rudder engine. Her galley with dishes, stove top and utensils can be seen in the forward s'structure. The bridge with wheelhouse, engine telegraph sick bay and operating table are easily dived. The bow gun and most exposed structures are completely encrusted with colorful, luxurious corals, hydroids and sponges, plus host a myriad of tropical fish.
KIYOSUMI MARU - 450' (137m), 8,614-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship rests on its port site due north of Fefan at just over 100' (30m). The starboard side rises to 45'(14m), and the surroundings can be dived beyond 100' (30m). This ship is an ex-armed (i.e., its armament was removed) Merchant Cruiser. One of Chuuk's common dives, her foreship has been blown up by a torpedo, and the bridge and s'structure has been bombed and is partially caved-in. The huge torpedo hole has nice marine growth including black corals. The engine room is wide-open, with catwalks and massive engine cylinders, but is not easily accessible. Divers find corroded and encrusted artifacts including a/a guns, aft torpedo launchers, range finders, and bicycles.
KENSHO MARU - 381' (116m), 4,862-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship sits upright with a list to port at 120' (36m) depth. This popular wreck is a common dive in the lagoon, located in a sheltered spot in the middle of the Repair Anchorages area. Her deck is at 80' (24m) and her s'structure is at 60' (18m). She was under repair at the time of the attack, but still holds many artifacts, including bottles, plates, medical tables, binoculars, a sextant, and a set of deer antlers. The cabins, galley and helm are all superb, as is the aft repair station, but the main attraction is the easily accessible engine room.
HEIAN MARU - 510' (155m), 11,614-ton Submarine Tender and former Luxury Liner-Cargo ship lies on her port side at 120' (36m) near Tonoas Island. Divers reach the superstructure at 40' (12m). She gained fame in the 1970's when Jacques Cousteau showed her off on TV, with her name in Japanese and English still readable on the bow. Heian carried supplies for Japanese subs. Periscopes line the upper companionway, and 14 Long Lance torpedoes are found in the fwd hold. Aft holds also carry sub supplies and timbers. The whole ship is a coral garden with lots of fish and zig-zag oysters, and a shark may pass by. This ship is Chuuk's largest wreck.
KATSURAGISAN MARU - 285' (87m), 2,427-ton Cargo Ship rests upright on sand at 235' (70m), having accidentally been blasted by a Japanese mine as she headed out of the lagoon in January, 1944. Discovered by Klass Lindermann in 1994, she is deep, corroded, and collapsing, so diving is rarely attempted.
PATROL BOAT 34 - 300' (91m) (approx.), 1,162-ton No. 31 Type Patrol Boat, Ex-Kuri Type Momi Class Destroyer sits right offshore in water ranging just 20' to 40' (6 to 12m). American bombs dropped from high altitude destroyed this boat, but the guns were subsequently brought ashore, since she sank sticking out of the water. Snorkelers explore this rusting hulk, while scuba divers check out the propellers, rudder, troop quarters and engine room at the stern.
FUJISAN MARU - 512' (156m), 9,524-ton Naval Tanker with bomb damage, mostly on the aft end port side. Somehow the stack survived the blast and the sinking. She sits upright with a sharp list to port sloping 170' to 200' (51m - 66m). Her deck is at 150' (45m), and her s'structure is at 120' (36m). Experienced skill level is required for penetration, and this is a very deep, technical dive. The ship's anchor hangs from the bow. Forward cargo tanks caved in under pressure when the ship went down. The bridge is open, as is the galley and aft starboard s'structure.
NIPPO MARU - 351' (107m), 3,764-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship rests upright with a slight list to port. This extraordinary wreck lies in 150' (45m) of water, with her masts rising to 70' (21m). She was a war-time Auxiliary Water Carrier, with many big water tanks aboard. She was also loaded with seven 12cm (5") guns in hold 5, four anti-tank guns on the starboard deck at hold 4, and a battle tank on the port deck at hold 2. Her galley and aft s'structure are accessible, as is her exceptionally photogenic bridge and helm, complete with engine telegraph. A truck's remnants hang overboard on port and another lies on the bottom.
AIKOKO MARU - 492' (150m), 10,437-ton Ex-Armed Merchant Cruiser & Raider rests upright. This is a favorite deep wreck dive, with depths ranging from 130' (39m) and the s'structure, to 160' (49m) on the deck, and 210' (64m) at the bottom. The foreship is all but disintegrated, with the remnant of the bow flung 600' (183m) forward. The bridge is also destroyed. The remains of hundreds of Japanese troops were wound in first hold aft of the s'structure (they've been removed). Penetration of this wreck is discouraged.
REIYO MARU - 400' (122m), 5,446-ton went down upright in 210'+ (63m+) of water in the Fourth Fleet Anchorage having been hit by a huge bomb aft, and another near the bridge, but the Japanese managed to remove her cargo before she went under. This is the deepest wreck in the lagoon, and she is breaking up as she corrodes. Reiyo Maru is too deep for all but the most technical of divers, and there are few desirable features or artifacts to be found.
HOYO MARU - 469' (143m), 8,691-ton Naval Tanker lies capsized and broken in two forward of midships. The forward section lies at 50' (15m), and the aft section slopes to 125' (38m). Penetration is not an option. The marine growth of corals and anemones is beautiful, and you may find clown fish. The bow features torpedo damage prior to Operation Hailstorm.
HANAKAWA MARU - 367' (112m), 7,620-ton Passenger Freighter sits upright at 110' (33m), with deck at 75' (23m), and s'structure at 50' (15m). Her cargo holds contain fuel drums, many of which were set afire by a devastating torpedo to the starboard bow. Shallow waters mean much marine growth but also a high rate of corrosion.
AIRCRAFT WRECKS EMILY, ZERO 2, & BETTY - A huge Emily four-engine flying boat sits largely intact just off of Tonowas. This is a 1/2-tank dive to 50' (15m). The other half of your tank is spent diving on the magnificent Betty twin-engine bomber which crashed just short of the former Japanese Eten Airfield. If you have more air or would like to snorkel, the Japnese Zero wreck is upside-down just a few hundred feet away in only 20' (6m) of water.
FUJIKAWA MARU - 433'(132m), 6,983-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship is called "THE WRECK" and a "Must-Dive!" Truk Lagoon wreck. This Ex-Aircraft Ferry rests upright on an even keel in 112' (34m) of water, with her s'structure at 30' (9m), and her deck at 60' (18m). "The Fuji's" stack rises to 20' (6m), and her rear mast is seen near the surface. Her holds contain shells, machine guns and airplane wings in the first hold, and a Zero fuselage. The Fuji is famous for fighter planes in hold 2. Other holds contain ammo for the bow gun, prop blades, and aircraft parts. The s'structure pilothouse, baths, staterooms, galley and engine room are accessible. The bow gun is covered by colorful sponges and coral, and the bow wears soft corals and sea fans. By virtue of being shallow, The Fuji is rapidly corroding.
YUBAE MARU - 344' (105m), 3,217-ton Army Cargo Ship sunk onto a hill and slid downslope while rolling over onto her top side at 120' (36m). The broken structure does not permit entry but divers enjoy finding tableware and an anchor nearby.
TAIHO MARU - 305' (93m), 2,827-ton Cargo Ship lies in 158' (48m) of water broken in two, with most of the middle obliterated. The aft lies port-side-down, with two holds with fuel drums and a photogenic cannon. The bow lies upside down. The main attraction is the underwater terrain and marine life.
ONE GUN BOAT (DAI NA HINO MARU; HINO MARU NO. 2) - Small, 998-ton Cargo Ship was the unofficial "Symbol of Truk Lagoon" with its photogenic bow gun in just a few feet of water. Located just offshore west of Uman Island in 3' to 40' (1m to 12m) of water, this wreck is good for snorkeling too. The freighter was blown inside out by two bombs midships, so other than the bow little is recognizable.
SANKISAN MARU - 367' (112m), 4,776-tons Freighter suffered a bomb right in an ordinance-filled aft hold, which obliterated her aft end, her aft fragments scattering into an 80' (24m) deep explosion crater on the 80' deep bottom. Her forward end went down upright 600' (183m) away. The deck is 50' (15m) deep, with dense soft corals and other marine growth, and with her masts rising toward the surface, this is a popular dive with snorkelers. Several trucks chassis and other cargo remain in hold 2.
SHOTAN MARU - 285' (87m), 1,999-ton Cargo Ship lies upright on a slope at 167' (52m). Her s'structure is at 129' (36m), and her deck is 150' (45m). This deep wreck features two anchors on the bow, trucks in hold 1, anti-aircraft guns, an accessible galley and mess, plus the bridge with its helm and telegraph. Marine growth makes the aft gun photogenic.
NAGANO MARU - 344' (105m) length, 50' (15m) beam, 3,824-ton Pasenger-Cargo Ship lies upright with a slight list to port. Due to extreme depth, she is out of range for most divers. She sits at 220' (66m) deep, with her superstructure at 140' (42m), and her deck at 165' (50m). Her smoke stack and her forward mast broken. There is a truck in the forward hold, and the mess and galley is full of china, glasses and bottles. The engine room is accessible for the very rare deep dive groups who go there. Bow, stern and anti-aircraft guns are on the ship.
HOKI MARU - 450' (137m) , 7,112-ton Cargo Ship was sunk when bombs were dropped into a cargo of aviation gasoline, devastating much of the foreship. Hoki Maru is the Ex-New Zealand ship M/V Hauraki, captured by the Japanese. She sits upright at 175' (53m) depth, with her deck at 140' (42m), and her superstructure at 110' (33m). Hold 5 is full of bulldozers, trucks, tractors and a steam roller. Hold at midship has munitions. The bow and forecastle are still in good shape, but lie beyond a debris field separated from the rest of the ship. Brightly colored sponges dress the masts and superstructure.
KIKUKAWA MARU - 358' (109m), 3,833-ton Freighter was demolished and sunk by a horrific munitions explosion, which tore her aft half apart. Her forward half lies on her starboard side at 125' (38m), and her accessible s' starts at 65' (20m). The forward holds are full of aircraft supplies and munitions, and her aft is scattered widely.
OJIMA - 160' (49m), 812-ton Tategami Class Salvage Tug lies broken in two in 120' (36m) of water. She was blasted, bent and torn apart by the tremendous explosion that rocked and sank the Kikukawa Maru. Ojima's own boilers blew up due to the extreme heat. This is a deep dive with no penetrations. She was also used for firefighting duties. Scuba divers check out the propellers, rudder, troop quarters and engine room at the stern.
MOMOKAWA MARU - 351' (107m) length, 50' (15m) beam, 3,820-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship lists severely to port as she lies in 130' (39m) of water. Her s'structure is at 70' (21m) and her deck at 120' (36m), making it accessible to most skilled sport divers. A crude field gun on a swivel adorns her poop deck, and a second gun lies on the sea floor with ammunition. Forward holds are full of cargo including aircraft parts, artillery shells, and trucks. Fine china still fills the crew's quarters and galley. The bridge helm and engine telegraph are accessible, as is the engine room.
HOKUYO MARU - 354' (108m), 4,216-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship rests upright on an even keel in deep waters at 210' (63m), with her deck at 165' (50m), and superstructure at 130' (39m) in the Fourth Fleet Anchorage. She sports deadly bomb damage port aft and starboard midships, but these holes provide ship access. Depth puts this wreck beyond sport diving limits, and ship peneration at this depth requires training and skill. The helm, binnacle and telegraph are in open water on deck. The highlight within is the engine room, which is reached via the boiler room. Forecastle has lush marine life.
SAN FRANCISCO MARU - 384' (117m), 5,831-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship is known as "The Million Dollar Wreck" because it is packed with war stuff, including mines, bombs, munitions, Long Lance torpedoes, and, best of all, a trio of genuine Japanese battle tanks. It also has oil and petrol barrels, aircraft engines, and trucks. Major damage to the stern indicates that she sank quickly. She sits upright in water just over 200' (60m) deep, with the shallowest superstructure at 160' (48m), and the deck at 175' (53m), making this ship well beyond sport diving limits. It is an advanced, technical, deep dive, with highly trained wreck skills required to explore.
RIO DE JANEIRO MARU - 463' (141m), 9,626-ton Naval Transport, also used as a Sub Tender, and formerly a Passenger-Cargo Liner, rests on her starboard side at 115' (35m). The diveable s'structure ranges from 40'to 80' (12m-24m). The huge bow gun is sagging to the bottom as the fire-gutted bow structure collapses. The stern is in good shape with its big gun, stern helm compass and engine telegraph on the way aft (poop deck). Cargo includes beer bottle in aft hold, and coastal defense guns, plus a load of coal.
GOSEI MARU - 126' (82m), 1,931-ton Costal Freighter rests on her port side on a steep incline right off the shore on the NW side of Uman Island in the Sixth Fleet Anchorage area. She sits at only 8' (2.5m) at the stern and 100' (30m) at the bow, giving her the nickname, "Stern-High Wreck" Shallow-water propellers provide photo opportunity. Remaining cargo includes drums for oil and gas, plus torpedo bodies. Explosives, including torpedo warheads and depth charges, have thankfully been removed. Cargo of coal remains in aft hold. Corrosion is advancing rapidly. Marine growth is lush.
UNKAI MARU NO. 6 - 305' (93m), 3,220-ton Cargo Ship sits upright at 130' (39m), with its deck at 100' (30m), and s'structure at 80' (24m), She was almost gutted by fire before sinking. Books and a newspaper in English can be found, but this severely corroded and collapsing structure has no cargo.
AMAGISAN MARU - 450' (137m), 7,620-ton Passenger-Cargo Ship lies in 200'+ (60m+) water, listing severely to port and inclining downward from bow to stern. It is evident that a torpedo hit her aft end. There is also damage midships starboard. The deck is at 120'+ (36m+), and the superstructure is at 100'+ (30m+), making access advanced and technical. A tanker truck rests off the port side near the bow. Cargo holds contain a car, bombs, aircraft parts, and planking wood. The engine room is deep and difficult. The best attraction is the much-photographed bow gun.
