Wrecks of Taisyo Maru & Type C Ha-62-76 Midget Submarine

 Second World War 1939-1945  Add category

Built as a commercial steamship for the commercial trades during the 1930's, the Taisyo Maru was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy for use as a cargo transport ship and eventually a Destroyer Tender during the later years of the war. Operating out of the Rabaul and Kavieng area in early 1944, the Taisyo Maru received orders in early February to make for Three Island Harbor where she would replenish a Japanese Fleet Submarine and its cargo of two Type C Midget Submarines for service.

Steaming with her escort Subchaser CH-39, the Taisyo Maru arrived at her destination as planned and began servicing the three subs in the evening of February 15th, a process which continued through the night and into the following morning. As the first of the two Midget Subs was uncradled and prepared to be dropped into the water, lookouts sighted American bombers approaching in the distance. All cargo operations ceased and crews raced to their battle stations and to disconnect the two ships before they came under attack. Electing to sacrifice the midget sub, the Submarine was untied and quickly submerged to make it's escape, leaving the Taisyo Maru and the Midget Sub to their fate.

American B-25's swooped down from the mountains of New Hanover at low altitudes and began strafing attacks on the anchored and lightly armed Taisyo Maru, offering an easy target. Despite her gunners fighting back with her AA weaponry and the flak put up by her escort the CH-39, the Taisyo Maru was struck by no fewer than four 500lb bombs and quickly became a listing inferno. Crews abandoned ship before the flames reached the torpedoes and other munitions stored in the ships cargo hold's, but the Taisyo Maru rolled onto her side and quickly sank, taking most of her crew with her.

The unmanned Type C sub was repeatedly strafed by no fewer than three flights of US planes before it eventually sank approximately 100 yards from the Taisyo Maru, and is now a popular dive site.

www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/maru/taisyo.html
www.pacificwrecks.com/ships/subs/type-c.html