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Meaning “Swallow Bird” in Japanese, the Heian Maru cost $15,000,000 and was launched on 16 April 1930 and went into service on 24 November 1930. Built by Osaka Iron Works, Osaka Japan, for Nippon Yusen KK, the Heian Maru was 155 metres long (511.6 feet), 20 metres (66 feet) wide and had a gross tonnage of 11,614 tons. Powered by two eight-cylinder Burmeister and Wain diesel motors giving a total of 13,404 hp, she was capable of a maximum of 18.4 knots.
The interiors of the lounge, reading room, writing room and dining saloon were decorated in 'old English' style, which was considered quite an achievement at the time. The ship was opened up to the Seattle public for tours, which saw almost 15,000 people visit the ship, and 100's turned away. In August 1941 the Heian was taken over by the Japanese Imperial Navy and in the Yokohama shipyards was converted to a submarine tender. After October 1941 she was a tender to 12 submarines and was based in Kwajalein. These submarines sank one carrier (USS Wasp), one cruiser, two destroyers, and one submarine and damaged a carrier and a battleship. The Heian was anchored Northwest of Dublon Island, between Dublon and Weno Islands, with the hospital ship Hikawa Maru (her sister ship) and a cargo ship, when the attaches begun. Dive bombers from the USS Yorktown CV10 reported attacking the Heian and hitting her in the bow causing a fire. Later 2 Curtis Helldivers attacked dropping 2 x 1,000 and 1 x 1,600lbs bombs - all of which missed. On the 17th dive bombers attached the still burning Heian scoring two hits aft and a near miss. About 2 hours later torpedo bombers scored two near misses to the starboard bow breaking off sections of the superstructure. The final attack on the Heian was made by Grumman Avenger Torpedo Bombers who scored direct hits. The Heian sunk on 17th February at 3.05pm killing two and wounding 28. Wreck DescriptionThe wreck is lying on its port side in 33 metres of water, with the side of the hull in about 12 metres, which can be seen from the surface. The name of the ship is clearly visible on the bow. It was this ship which first sparked the interest in Chuuk Lagoon when Jacque Cousteau filmed these letters. The Heian was used as a submarine tender and contains loads of submarine related artefacts, including torpedos and periscopes. The holds contain a large quantity of plates, the blue painted artwork on them can still be seen. The propellers are huge.
This page was last updated on 20-Apr-2008. |
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The ship was a passenger and cargo vessel and her maiden voyage was from Hong Kong to Seattle in the U.S.A. where she set a new transpacific speed record for NYK Ships. 
