Truk lagoons recorded history begins with early spanish domination, followed by german acquisition after the spanishamerican war about 1896, and then a japanese mandate from the league of nations upon germanys defeat in 1918. Snorkeling is alive and well in truk lagoon and while not commonly known, there are than 15 sunken wrecks and planes that are accessible to the nonscuba diver who wants to see and touch our submerged history. The hunt for the worlds very first aerial hijacking at the hands of rogue japanese agents before world war ii comes to a head on the exotic shores of micronesia. According to the united nations there are over three million shipwrecks on the ocean floor. Ghost fleet of truk lagoon micronesia atlas obscura. Truk lagoon micronesia chuuk ghost fleet wreck diving 2017. The wrecks in this most famous of lagoons represent some of the most well preserved shipwrecks in our oceans. Wrecks featuring in the video include fujikawa maru, gosei maru, yamagiri maru and heian maru. Bill stinnett, former hawaii fiveo police investigator and truk lagoon resident, is back this week to tell you his feelings and to give you some background on the tasks. There were more japanese on the key island than natives, demonstrating its strategic interest by japan.
It became a potential roadblock for the american pacific fleet in its advance towards the japanese empire. The chuuk lagoon is the final tomb for more than 100 ships, planes, and submarinesthe legacy of a fierce world war ii battle between the japanese imperial fleet and allied primarily the united. This book is a short history and pictorial history of the us navy strike on truk lagoon, covering the lead up to the us navy operation hailstone strike of february 17, 1944. During world war ii truk was a major japanese logistical base as well as the operating home base for the imperial japanese navys combined fleet. Diving the ghost fleet of truk lagoon part i youtube. Join me to dive the wrecks in truk lagoon in november 2019 or may 2021 in partnership with lust4rust diving excursions. Ghost fleet of the truk lagoon japanese mandated islands an. Chuuk lagoon was used by the japanese military as their main base during world war ii, allied forces were stationed nearby in. More than 60 world war ii japanese war ships and aircraft were sunk during operation hailstone in february of 1944 and now rest peacefully on the floor of truk lagoon. The best dive wrecks in chuuk lagoon once in a lifetime.
Ghost fleet of truk lagoon copy link facebook twitter reddit flipboard pocket for two days in 1944, allied bombers rained destruction on the beaches of the caroline islands in the south pacific. Many contemporary divers cite this film as one of the reasons they became interested in wreck diving. Truk lagoon was regarded by the usa during world war ii as the strongest naval base in the pacific with the exception of pearl harbor. An account of operation hailstone, february, 1944 by william herman stewart.
Truk lagoon micronesia chuuk ghost fleet wreck diving. The truk lagoon is in micronesia and was an important location for part of the japanese fleet. Recommend for those interested in wwii battle stories. The heian was also carrying replacement periscopes. Scores of virtually intact large wwii wrecks filled with cargoes of tanks, trucks, artillery, beach mines, shells and aircraft rest in the crystal clear waters of the lagooneach a manmade reef teeming with life. Chuuk lagoon also previously known as truk lagoon is a sheltered body of water in the central pacific. Tropical paradise strewn with hundreds of world war ii wrecks. Master liveaboards was founded to bring divers to the best dive locations and provide an unsurpassed liveaboard diving experience. Despite the risks involved, divers from around the world consider truk lagoon a mustdo.
Jun 05, 2011 wreck diving the mysterious ghost fleet of truk lagoon 33 pics a photofilled national geographic story on the wrecks of truk i read as a kid is probably part of what got murdoc interested in ships and naval history. Nov 21, 20 chuuks sunken vessels remain in the lagoon, comprising the worlds largest ship graveyard. This is one of the mustdive wrecks in chuuk lagoon as there are many relics and the interior is easy to penetrate. At the truk stop hotel you will enjoy dining at the truk stop restaurant or have a cold beer at the hard wreck cafe and bar. History would not pay much attention to this tropical. Advanced diver magazine ghost destroyer of truk lagoon. Jacques cousteaus 1969 documentary lagoon of lost ships about the shipwrecks of truk lagoon. List of all shipwrecks in truk lagoon argunners magazine. In the pacific ocean is a group of beautiful islands in micronesia known as the chuuk islands. Riddled with torpedo holes, the ships have released some of their contents.
Historic and geographic dive map for the ghost fleet in the truk lagoon, eastern caroline islands, federated states of micronesia, pacific. Dea narcos steve murphy was in micronesia earlier in 2018 as lead investigator on the lost clipper exploration along with the entire team. Part i of our incredible adventure of diving the shipwrecks of truk lagoon, all sunk in 1944 in operation hailstone. The adventures to be experienced and the underwater exploration of the mysterious ghost fleet of truk lagoon remain unparalleled. Chuuk lagoon was used by the japanese military as their main base during world war ii, allied forces were stationed nearby in the solomon islands and new guinea. Fujikawa maru truk lagoon, truk stop hotel at the truk. Today, people think of the bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki were payback for pearl harbor, but that is wrong. Truk lagoon was one of the biggest of these, and had been transformed into a huge naval support and supply center. Wreck diving the mysterious ghost fleet of truk lagoon 33 pics. Little is known about truk also known as chuuk before that point, and even after that point. More than 50 major shipwrecks from wwii litter the seabed, making the.
Truk lagoon is quite simply the greatest wreck diving location in the world. Late in the war american power rapidly removed the japanese. Chuuks recent history is bloody, tragic and infamous. Inside, you can see a torpedo long lance, an innovation of the time in its ability to project the torpedoes much farther. These wrecks including a submarine and betty bomber. Wreck diving the mysterious ghost fleet of truk lagoon 33. As the center stage of operation hailstone, the 1944 us attack on the japanese combined fleet that was stationed in chuuk lagoon, the waters of this peaceful nation are filled with the remnants of this deadly attack. Jun 14, 2018 truk lagoon, a small part of micronesia located about 1,100 miles northwest of new guinea in the western pacific, has been home to several tribes since at least 1528, when spanish explorers made the first recorded sightings there. The shipwrecks and aircraft located in truk lagoon are protected under chuukese, federated states, and united states law. During world war ii, a significant portion of the japanese fleet was based there, with its administrative center nearby. The ghost fleet of truk lagoon once proud japanese warships, are unprepared wrecks. All of these sunken monuments are accessible to the scuba diver most at a depth suitable for the novice or sport diver.
Apr 30, 2012 part i of our incredible adventure of diving the shipwrecks of truk lagoon, all sunk in 1944 in operation hailstone. 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. Although unknown to many people today, for a few days in 1944, the lagoon was the sight of one of. Ship graveyard in truk lagoon, stunning pictures and informative article on the ghost fleet of chuuk. About 1,800 kilometres 1,100 miles northeast of new guinea, it is located midocean at 7 degrees north latitude, and is part of chuuk state within the federated states of micronesia. The photographer and filmmaker recently returned to one of the most storied locations for wreck divers, chuuk lagoon in micronesia. Riddled with torpedo holes, the ships have released some of. Ss thorfinn is one of the worlds best equipped live aboard dive cruisers, having cruised explored micronesian waters since 1982. An account of operation hailstone, february, 1944 by william herman stewart author. Located in depths varying from the surface to in excess of 60 metres. In the second world war chuuk lagoon was japans main base in the south pacific, but in 1944, american forces launched an attack and over.
Truk lagoon chuuk is famous throughout the diving world for its wwii japanese shipwrecks. Within these islands sits the sharkinfested truk lagoon. Although unknown to many people today, for a few days in 1944, the lagoon was the sight of one of the most intense and destructive battles in history. For two days in 1944, allied bombers rained destruction on the beaches of the caroline islands in the south pacific. Wreck diving in truk lagoon, micronesia with truk lagoon. Truk lagoon, known as chuuk a group of tropical paradise islands in the federal states of micronesia offers adrenalinejunky scuba divers a cool yet creepy underwater adventure in sharkinfested pacific waters while wreck diving the mysterious ghost fleet of truk lagoon. Dive with odyssey adventures to see the ghost fleet of truk lagoon, the worlds best shipwreck destination. Scattered mainly around the dublon, eten, fefan and uman islands within the truk group, a number of the shipwrecks lie in crystal clear waters less than fifteen metres 49 ft below the surface. When it was first released, this documentary reveled new discoveries and to this day still inspires awe. Bill stinnett, former hawaii fiveo police investigator and truk lagoon resident, is back this week to tell you his feelings and to. Truk was an important world war ii island stronghold functioning as a vital airbase and headquarters for the japanese navys combined fleet. Ghostly japanese shipwrecks at the bottom of chuuk lagoon. Wreck diving in truk lagoon, micronesia with truk lagoon dive.
A torpedo struck the renovated ship during operation hailstone strike 3e1 at 1420 hours by aircraft from the uss bunker hill. Airplane wrecks in truk lagoon, next to dozens of japanese vessels also japanese airplane wrecks can be found in chuuk lagoon. Dive the galapagos, truk lagoon, french polynesia, the red sea, maldives or the bahamas with more superb diving destinations to follow. Truk is home to over 70 ship wrecks and downed aircraft, a result of operation hailstone in 1944. Search results for map, micronesia, truk lagoon library of congress. As youve seen over the past six weeks, weve teamed up with some heavy hitters in various industries to help us with our research and investigations. During world war ii, japan used truk lagoon as one of their main naval bases, anchoring a large portion of their fleet and stationing some 40,000 men there until one fateful american attack. Operation hailstone february 1944 by erhart aten and william h. There are over 30 really dive able wrecks some might tell you more and w truk lagoon chuuk is famous throughout the diving world for its wwii japanese shipwrecks. Destination truth an american television show did an underwater ghosthunt at truk lagoon based on many of these reports. The shipwrecks and remains are sometimes referred to as the ghost fleet of truk lagoon. Its 70 feet 20 m around uman island the 6th fleet anchorage and around 50 feet 15 m at the repair anchorage. Called truk lagoon until 1990, the body of water is a popular destination for divers, the.
Youll see an abundance of incredible tropical fish. The shipwrecks in chuuk lagoon, also known as the ghost fleet of truk lagoon are certainly no exception. Truk lagoon is recognized as the worlds greatest wreck diving destination and for good reason. Exploring the cemetery of japanese ships from ww2 in truk lagoon, micronesia. Balley and a great selection of related books, art and collectibles available now at. The truk stop hotel has a variety of well appointed accommodations to choose from and all are air conditioned with private bathrooms, refrigerators, phone, built in closet, overhead fan, and tv with dvd player. Truk lagoon still remains one of the great undersea wonders of the world. Ghost fleet of the truk lagoon an account of operation hailstone february 1944. Truk was the base for japanese operations against allied forces in new guinea and the solomon islands. Ss thorfinn liveaboard diving the truk lagoon, micronesia. Ghost fleet of the truk lagoon japanese mandated islands an account of operation hailstone, february, 1944. An account of operation hailstone, february, 1944 9780933126664.
Tagged adrenaline rush, bizarre, chuuk, diving, ghost fleet of truk lagoon, haunted, island, micronesia, nature, photos, pics, pictures, scuba diving, shipwreck, shipwreck diving, truk, truk lagoon, undersea wonder of the world, underwater, wreck diving. There are over 30 really dive able wrecks some might tell you more and w. I dove chuuk lagoon for the first time this year, leading a group of both recreational and technical divers. First published in 1986, this recent printing is the sixth so far, so the book is obviously well accepted. The ship itself is awesome with a beautiful dining room and luxury staterooms king size bed and shower. And, because we are world famous for our wrecks, visitors often forget that the truk lagoon is 40 miles in diameter and this translates. Destruction of truk february 1718, 1944 truk had been the main base for combined fleet since the beginning of the war, and for the first two years of the conflict was considered an unassailable bastion. Dec 16, 2017 join me to dive the wrecks in truk lagoon in november 2019 or may 2021 in partnership with lust4rust diving excursions. Oct 06, 2014 truk lagoon is quite simply the greatest wreck diving location in the world. Truk lagoon, known as chuuk a group of tropical paradise islands in the federal states of micronesia. Nippo maru, aka nichiho maru was torpedoed and sunk in the balabac strait west of the palawan passage. Dive truk lagoon by rod macdonald overdrive rakuten.
Becky will also be including underwater photography workshops. The stunning japanese world war ii wrecks of chuuk truk lagoon, federated states of micronesia. An account of operation hailstone, february, 1944 paperback 1985. It became the imperial japanese navys fourth fleet base from november 1939 and the combined japanese navy fleet were based there from july 1942 to february 1944. An account of operation hailstone, february, 1944 paperback feb 1 1986 by william herman stewart author. Ghost fleet of truk lagoon copy link facebook twitter reddit flipboard pocket. Built of steel, my truk master is the newest liveaboard yacht to ply the waters of this lagoon, welcoming aboard 16 guests for 7 or 10 night truk lagoon dive safaris, whilst on the bikini itineraries availability is limited as my truk master carries 12 divers only. Stewart 1986, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. The best way to dive truk lagoon is on the magnificent odyssey. Many of these divers believe that the lagoon is haunted. First published in 1986, this recent printing is the sixth so far, so the book is obviously well accepted as an historic text on what happened at truk lagoon during world war 2 during operaton hailstorm.
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