Both the conning tower and the twin propellers have become miniature reefs… Hosting a variety of marine life and sea whips, which make them very photogenic spots. It sits bolt upright on the sandy sea bed in 22m of water. It seems clear that the Sanko Maru was probably the “mother ship” for the New Hanover submarine.ĭiving the submarine is very easy as there is a thick rope laid out between it and the mast area of the Sanko Maru. The prototype Type B and production Type C submarines were fitted with a diesel engine to recharge their batteries.Īlthough no Japanese records on the Type C’s survived the war. The Type A was capable of high speeds of up to about 20 knots, but with a very limited range. With the original Type A displacing 46 tons and 78 feet in length, armed with two torpedoes and driven by battery powered electric motors. There were three versions of the submarine. Diving aboard a SEAmagine sub is like nothing you have experienced before. Including the infamous 1941 surprise attack on Pearl Harbor and the 1942 raids on Sydney. Japanese Midget Submarine – Special Operations…ĭuring the Second World War, the midget submarines were deployed for special operations against ships in enemy harbors. Where they would disrupt its operations with torpedo attacks. They were to be deployed in the path of an enemy fleet. Originally designed to be carried by larger Japanese ships. The Imperial Japanese Navy built a total of 76 midget submarines for combat use between 19. Ironically the limited visibility in the general area meant that the salvage divers who had plundered the Sanko Maru had missed what is probably the only diveable midget submarine in PNG, and possibly anywhere! When the Sanko Maru came under attack by the B25’s. Reinforcing the theory that the crew had scuttled the submarine back in 1944. Significantly the main hatch on the conning tower was open. Complete with its periscope and twin counter rotating propellers, but missing its torpedoes. One can only imagine his delight when he swam straight into a Japanese midget submarine!īaldwin found the submarine in excellent condition. Baldwin decided to swim out from the wreck to see what debris was in the area. Halstead was diving the New Hanover area from his liveaboard the MV Telita and he and Kevin Baldwin had been diving the Sanko Maru. Ingredients 3 tablespoons mayonnaise 4 hot dog buns, split 4 slices process American cheese 1/4 pound sliced deli ham 1/4 pound sliced deli turkey 4. The submarine was literally stumbled upon by PNG diving legends Kevin Baldwin and Bob Halstead. Located just 50m away from the wreck of the Sanko Maru. The Japanese midget submarine… Type C Midget Submarine – Image courtesy of Fumiyo Nozaki
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