IJN
David Paulley 1982
Justin Taylan 2000
Wartime History
This is one of four Daihatsu landing craft placed in a large tunnel along Blanche Bay near Rabaul, to protect them from aerial attack. From this tunnel, the barges could be winched along a path, and down a ridge to place them into the Bay.
Wreckage
This tunnel has come to be known as Barge Tunnel (Landing Craft Protection Cave). This is the first sub in the tunnel, closest to the entrance. Over the decades most removable parts have been removed. It is badly rusted, only the stern remains largely intact. The ramp portion is rusted away and is nearly level with the floor. The pilot's wheel is still present.
