Location
Simpson Harbor is the flooded caldera of an ancient volcano that forms the eastern tip New Britain with Rabaul along its north shore and Matupit Island to the southeast. To the west are the Dawapia Rocks "The Beehives". Simpson Harbor is connected to Karavia Bay and Blanche Bay to the south.

Wartime History
After midnight of January 23, 1942 the Japanese Army's 'South Seas Detachment' built around 144th Infantry Regiment landed and several places around the Rabaul area: Raluana Point and west of Kokopo. Also at Kerawun, north of Vulcan, Malaguna, west of Praed Point and Nordup. Immediately, the Japanese developed Simpson Harbor into their principal Navy anchorage in the South Pacific, and developed seaplane bases at Sulpher Creek and Matupit Island.

The last Japanese ship to enter the harbor was the Kokai Maru that arrived on February 19, 1944 and unloaded barges, ammunition and food, then departed on February 25, 1944. After that date, only submarines managed to land smaller quantities of essential cargo. Reportedly, during the war 54 ships were sunk in Simpson Harbor and the surrounding area, But only 10 are accessible to divers.

Allied missions against Simpson Harbor
Listing of air raids specifically against ships in the harbor

Surrender Ceremony
On the September 6, 1945, the Japanese surrendered all remaining Japanese Forces in New Guinea, New Britain and the Soloman Islands. The ceremony took place aboard aircraft carrier HMS Glory. Representing the Japanese were General H. Imamura, Commander Eight Army Area, Admiral J. Kusaka, Commander South East Area Fleet.

Postwar
At least two former submersible barges abandoned after the war survived, and were used as tankers around East New Britain and Duke of York Islands well into the 1990s! But, they remained strictly on the surface after the war, by expatriort Pat Roberts who ran an inter-island shipping business from Rabaul.

Brian Bennett recalls:
"Pat Roberts (his place was known just as Pat's wharf and is situated at the end of Dawapia Road. Also known as Rabaul Shipping. Pat and his wife from Buka are long gone now. After the war a chap named Pat Roberts who ran a fuel and fresh water provider business for many years for visiting ships acquired several of these vessels and at least one was still in use at the time of the eruption in 1994. Pat also did metal salvage and his place was always a delight to search for old brass fuese and stuff. I remember that after he died his house became a bit run down and out in the front yard he had the glass reflector dish out of the biggest of the Japanese Naval search lights."

Don Robinson adds:
"From 1952 to 1962, I operated a transport in Rabaul and transported all of the scrap out of Rabaul, including hundreds of Japanese planes cut up for scrap. They were sold back to Japan to make cars. It was so common, I took no photos."

Dawapia Rocks "The Beehives"
Pair of volcanic rock outcroppings in Simpson Harbor, that look like a pair of beehives. Located in roughly the center of the harbor, west of Matupi Island and east of Malaguna.

Komaki Maru (Wreck Wharf)
First Japanese ship confirmed sunk by Allied aircraft in Simpson Harbor

Hakkai Maru
Sunk by B-25s on January 17, 1943. Covered by the 1994 volcano eruption

Kanshin Maru
Sunk on Janary 17, 1944 covered by the 1994 volcano eruption

Kisargel Maru
Salvaged post war

Manko Maru
Sunk near the present day wharf area

Italy Maru
Largest ship sunk in the harbor

Suzunami
Sunk on November 11, 1943. Hit by air attack, exploded loading torpedos

Yamamoto Maru
Sunk April 18, 1943

TBF-1 Avenger Bureau Number 24264
Pilot Boyden crashed February 14, 1943 near the present day Yaght Club

Oogata Unkato No. 1 (Large Type Cargo Transporting Tube)
Japanese submersible fuel barges survived the war and was in use untilt the early 1980s

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Last Updated
November 2, 2012