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Shane_Currie

The Momokawa Maru was launched in 1940 as a timber transport for the Siberia to Japan route. Because ice flows were common in the northern waters in which she operated, there was substantial re-enforcing undertaken on her hull.

She was attacked on the first day, and although hit was in no danger of sinking. On the morning of the 17th she was attacked again by Curtis Helldivers and was hit by a 1,000lbs bomb amid ships causing an explosion and huge fire; only the bow remained above water when the plane left.

She was found in 1982, making her one of the most recent wrecks uncovered in Chuuk.

Wreck Description

The wreck is lying on its port side in about 45m of water, South of Dublon Island near the San Francisco and Aikoku. Unfortunately, we have only dived the Momokawa once; on our 2003 trip. I say unfortunately because this is a fantastic wreck in fairly deep water; 21m to the bridge and 37m to the holds.

The forward holds contain several interesting artefacts.  The nose section of a Betty Bomber along with several nose wheels, wings and propeller blades. There are also a couple of small trucks and loads of empty shell casings.

My UWATEC Aladdin Air Dive Profile for the Momokawa Maru