YAMAGIRI MARU

Passenger & Cargo6,438 Tons 436.4' / 58.3' / 32

Ship History Built in 1938 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries as a passenger/cargo carrier for the Yamashita Kisen Line. Launched on May 3, 1939. The Japanese Navy took control of her in September 1941 and converted her to a military transport for use in moving special cargo. Wartime HistoryServed transporting war material between the Solomons and the Carolines until she was hit with two torpedoes from the USS Drum in 1943. The repair of this damage can still be seen on the port side of hold number two. Sinking History The Yamagiri Maru was sunk by dive bombers from the carriers USS Yorktown and Bunker Hill in Truk Lagoon. American aircraft dropped bombs from 500', hits rocked the ship with a huge explosion sinking. They reported several hits and left a huge hole amidships that certainly finished off Yamagiri Maru. ShipwreckThe wreck is at 50 - 110'. No. 5 hold contains 18.1" armor piercing shells for Yamato and Mushashi. Each shell weighs 3219 lbs and could be hurled 23 miles. Also, loading equipment, machinery, air compressors. The aft hold has only 55 gallon drums. The bridge is empty, except for some beer bottles, and a large encrusted bronze ship whistle. The forward holds are empty but ship's name is clearly visible on the bow and there is a large gun.

 El telegrafo,ya casi ni se aprecia ,los corales lo han invadido por completo

 Lo mas interesante de este buque son los enormes obuses que alberga en sus bodegas...

 Es complicado adentrarse en las diferentes estancias,pero con paciencia vamos avanzando....

 un encuentro inesperado,cara a cara con la muerte,varios restos humanos descansan en el interior de la sala de maquinas,estos no han sido recuperados ni incinerados como la mayor parte de huesos y calaveras.....

 hace unos años los japoneses rindieron culto a sus muertos en "combate",e hicieron una gran hoguera con muchos de los restos de sus familiares

 motores diesel