Inspecting giant shells on the Yamagiri Maru
Propellers still in place
There have been quite a few ‘ wreck tour ’ type articles about Truk , and the Rod MacDonald book is a great guide to the wrecks . So instead I ’ ll focus on what to expect in a more general manner .
The Japanese ships that were moored in the safe anchorage were there for a variety of reasons – in the Repair Anchorage , they were generally emptied of cargo and awaiting some sort of work to make them seaworthy . Out in the Fleet Anchorages , they were ships that were loaded with cargo waiting to depart . The Second World War Japanese military fleet was out of the lagoon at the time of Operation Hailstone , so there are only a couple of destroyers to dive , with the majority armed merchantmen .
The Repair Anchorage ships are generally shallower ( around 35m ) with visibility of around 20m and are done in the afternoon . The Fleet Anchorage is further out so has clear blue visibility but are generally deeper in the 50 – 60m range .
When diving the wrecks , there are three things to look at :
1 . Maritime History
Unlike the accessible UK wrecks , the ships in Truk all have their main features such as helms , telegraphs , compasses and gauges left on them . If they ’ re mounted on deck in the light , they ’ ll have a coating of marine growth , or if under cover , they are a bit cleaner . China , cookware , bottles , tools and personal effects are scattered around , along with all the things on a boat to keep a crew going such as pots and pans in the galley , tiled baths , sinks and toilets .
Most of these ships were built in the years between steam ships and diesel ships , so have a steamship type hull with a diesel engine or two in a huge engine space , making them very accessible . Just follow the companionways down from the open skylights , and you ’ ll find repeater telegraphs , gauges and other engine controls . Alongside you ’ ll usually find an engineering workshop with drills , lathes and spares all neatly racked in storage .
The type of ship will vary – cargo ships will have the typical strucrture of bow – hold – hold – superstructure – engine – hold – hold – stern layout , while tankers will have the engine at the stern with the superstructure in the middle . All the buoys are tied in at the superstructure on the shallower side , as the wrecks usually have a list to them . There are a couple of steamships in the lagoon , and those familiar with the Shuna in the Sound of Mull will find similar in Truk . The destroyers are turbine driven , with UK-made Parsons turbines , and there is a merchant ship with these too .
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