Nippo Maru

IJN
Water Carrier & Cargo

Tons
3,764

Dimensions
353 / 50 / 23

Crew
unknown

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Peter Ording 2000


Sinking History
Sunk in Truk Lagoon

Shipwreck
Discovered by Jacques Cousteau's 1969 expedition, and identified later as the Nippo Maru. Sits upright with a 25 degree port list. She carries a tank, coastal defense guns, mines, munitions, and water tanks. Large wenches and gun platform are at the bow.

A spare anchor is against the forecastle. Inside the forecastle are many personal effects of the crew in the silt. The forward hold contains mines, detonators, artillery shells, large containers, gas masks, oil drums.

Some of these containers contain caustic substances. No. 1 and 2 holds contain large bronze range finders and a Type 97 Tank, minus the turret gun which was how they were sometimes transported. There is a large galley and crew quarters below the bridge. In the bridge are three strong boxes. No riches inside here, in the past when ever strong boxes were recovered and opened, they contained only ordinance and small arms. Three howitzers are on the deck near the No. 4 hold. In the No. 4 hold are hundreds of beer bottles, radio equipment and a variety of items. In the aft most hold are barrels for 5" guns. Two AA guns have fallen off the ship and are on the floor nearby.

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80-150'

Photos
Photos

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