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Shane_Currie

The Nippo Maru was launched on 16 September 1936 from the Kawasaki Dockyard Co Ltd in Kobe, Japan. It displaced 3,764 tons and was 353 feet long and 50 feet wide. She went into service on 9 November 1936 for Okazaki Honten KK and then possibly later Mitsubishi. The new vessel was 3,763 tons gross, 107 metres (353.6 feet) long and just over 15 metres (50.0 feet) wide. Powered by two Kawasaki coal powered steam turbine engines (500NHP total) geared to the one shaft, the Nippo Maru was capable of 16.3 knots.

In 1941 the ship was requisitioned by the Japanese defence force and used for various transport purposes. At the time of its sinking, the Nippo was being used to carry water, fire wood and other supplies as well as armaments to Japanese troops on the many Pacific islands they occupied.

Wreck Description

The Nippo is another of the best dives in Chuuk, parallelling the Shinkoku and Fujikawa, except that it is a little deeper. in her holds you'll find guns, field artillery on wheels, a tank, two trucks, heaps of bottles and loads of shells of assorted sizes.

My UWATEC Aladdin Air Dive Profile for the Nippo Maru September 25th 2001

My UWATEC Aladdin Air Dive Profile for the Nippo Maru April 26th 2003