Underwater Photo Location: Chuuk Lagoon

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Oil and aviation fuel dribble from this 454 foot cargo vessel in 200 feet of water. Ship lies with a 45 degree list to the port side. She was attacked by nine planes from Bunker Hill, and was hit by a 1,000 lbs bomb and a solid torpedo hit. She burned and quickly sunk. The No.1 hold contains only a few crushed 55 gallon drums and there is a large car too. There is a 10 foot long aileron (paravane) used for mine sweeping hanging off the port side. There is a large hole from the torpedo hit on the starboard side of the hold. There is a stern gun, and the ship's planking is burned from the fire. The ship's safe was salvaged in recent time, but its contents were not publicized.

Today the Amagisan Maru lies on a gentle slope with the bow in less than 30 metres and the stern in 58 metres. The wreck has a 45 to 50º list to the port and faces back towards the southern end of Uman Island.

This is an interesting wreck, it's only a pity it is in such deep water. There was a fuel tanker truck on the deck when the ship went down. It has slid off the deck and lies on the sand next to the forward hold. The forward masts has fallen over and hit the cabin of the tanker, crushing it.

There is a large bow gun still intact, and the anchor can be see lying out on the sand with the chain running all the way back into the ship. The forward number 1 hold is mainly empty except for a few empty fuel drums. Hold number 2 contains some aircraft wings and more barrels. At the rear of the hold is a car with its cab mostly intact.

Facts about Chuuk Lagoon