Wreck of Raifuku Maru

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Wrecksite of the general cargo freighter Raifuku Maru which foundered in storm-driven heavy seas in April 1925.

Responding to distress calls issued by the radioman aboard the Raifuku Maru, the steamers RMS Homeric and British-flagged SS King Alexander attempted to render assistance to the heavily-listing freighter but were kept away by heavy seas. Despite having rescue crews at the ready in longboats from both ships, none of the Raifuku Maru's crew of 38 survived the ship's sudden capsizing and sinking.

Made famous by Japanese Government accusations of racism on the part of the two British crews playing a part in the total loss of the ship and crew, the sinking later became embroiled with the Bermuda Triangle phenomenon as many believed that the ship's loss was due to UFO or other paranormal activity. These claims persist despite photographic and documentary evidence that other vessels were in the immediate area of the unfortunate ship at the time of her and her crew's loss.