List of shipwrecks of Oceania

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This is a list of shipwrecks located in the region of Oceania.

Australia and Oceania (administrative map)
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Australia

Federated States of Micronesia

Chuuk

During World War II, Chuuk Lagoon (then known as Truk) was the logistical hub of Japan's operations in the South Pacific theatre. In February 1944, in preparation for the forthcoming Battle of Eniwetok, the United States Navy launched an attack on the atoll. Over the course of two days, a series of airstrikes devastated the Japanese fleet, in an offensive codenamed Operation Hailstone. A total of 50 ships were sunk, although many key Japanese warships had been relocated the week before, and thus escaped destruction.

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Aikoku Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 17 February 1944 An armed merchantman that was sunk during Operation Hailstone. The remains of 400 men were recovered from the wreck and cremated in 1984. [ ⚑ ] 07°22′N 151°56′E / 7.367°N 151.933°E / 7.367; 151.933 (Aikoku Maru (1940))
Fujikawa Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 17 February 1944 An armed aircraft transport that was sunk during Operation Hailstone
Fumizuki  Imperial Japanese Navy 18 February 1944 A Japanese Mutsuki-class destroyer that was sunk during Operation Hailstone. [ ⚑ ] 07°24′N 151°44′E / 7.4°N 151.733°E / 7.4; 151.733 (Japanese destroyer Fumizuki (1926))
Heian Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 17 February 1944 A Japanese submarine tender that was sunk during Operation Hailstone.
Sankisan Maru  Empire of Japan A Japanese freighter that was sunk during Operation Hailstone.
Shinkoko Maru  Empire of Japan A Japanese oil tanker that was sunk during Operation Hailstone.
I-169  Imperial Japanese Navy 4 April 1944 A Japanese Kaidai-class submarine that participated in the attack on Pearl Harbor, and sank northwest of Dublon, when it flooded while diving to avoid an air-raid.
Tachikaze  Imperial Japanese Navy 18 February 1944 A Japanese Minekaze-class destroyer that ran aground at Kuop Atoll on 4 February 1944, and remained stranded until it was sunk in Operation Hailstone. [ ⚑ ] 07°03′N 151°56′E / 7.05°N 151.933°E / 7.05; 151.933 (Japanese destroyer Tachikaze)
Umikaze  Imperial Japanese Navy 1 February 1944 A Japanese Shiratsuyu-class destroyer that was torpedoed by USS Guardfish south of Chuuk. [ ⚑ ] 07°10′N 151°43′E / 7.167°N 151.717°E / 7.167; 151.717 (Japanese destroyer Umikaze)

Palau

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Amatsu Maru  Empire of Japan 31 March 1944 A Japanese tanker that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Bichu Maru  Empire of Japan 30 March 1944 A Japanese freighter that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Chuyo Maru  Imperial Japanese Army 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Gozan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army 30 March 1944 A Japanese troopship that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Irō  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese Notoro-class oil tanker that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One. She was the sister ship of Sata.
Kamikaze Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese troopship that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Kibi Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Nagisan Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
USS Perry  United States Navy 13 September 1944 A Clemson-class destroyer that was sunk by a mine off Anguar. [ ⚑ ] 6°53′N 134°10′E / 6.883°N 134.167°E / 6.883; 134.167 (USS Perry (DD-340))
Raizan Maru  Imperial Japanese Army 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Ryuko Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Samidare  Imperial Japanese Navy 25 August 1944 A Japanese Shiratsuyu-class destroyer that was torpedoed by USS Batfish after running aground on Velasco Reef. [ ⚑ ] 8°10′N 134°38′E / 8.167°N 134.633°E / 8.167; 134.633 (Samidare)
Sata  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese Notoro-class oil tanker that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One. She was a sister ship of the Irō.
Teshio Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese freighter (army cargo vessel) that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Urakami Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 31 March 1944 A Japanese repair ship that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One.
Wakatake  Imperial Japanese Navy 30 March 1944 A Japanese Wakatake-class destroyer that was sunk during Operation Desecrate One. [ ⚑ ] 7°50′N 134°20′E / 7.833°N 134.333°E / 7.833; 134.333 (Wakatake)

Yap

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SMS Planet  German Empire 7 October 1914 A survey ship that was scuttled to prevent capture.

Indonesia

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
MV Senopati Nusantara  Indonesia 30 December 2006 A passenger ferry that sank off Mandalika Island.
MV Levina 1  Indonesia 25 February 2007 A passenger ferry that sank several hours from Jakarta.

Kiribati

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
SS Norwich City  United Kingdom 29 November 1929 A British freighter that ran aground at Nikumaroro. [ ⚑ ] 4°39′39″S 174°32′40″W / 4.66083°S 174.54444°W / -4.66083; -174.54444 (SS Norwich City)
Canton  United States A whaling ship that ran aground at Kanton Island.
Golden Sunset  United Kingdom 1866 A British barque that ran aground at Enderbury Island.[1]
President Taylor  United States Army 14 February 1942 After carrying two companies of infantry and two battalions of coast artillery, about 1,100 men, for the Canton (Kanton) Island garrison, and possibly due to loss of an anchor while landing troops and equipment by means of shallow draft craft from outside the lagoon, the ship became firmly grounded on the coral reef. The hull was eventually scrapped by 6 April 1955.

Marshall Islands

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Anderson  United States Navy 1 July 1946 A Sims-class destroyer that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
USS Apogon  United States Navy 25 July 1946 A Balao-class submarine that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test, Operation Crossroads.
USS Arkansas  United States Navy 25 July 1946 A Wyoming-class battleship that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
USS Barrow  United States Navy 11 May 1948 A Gilliam-class attack transport that sustained heavy damage in atomic bomb tests and was scuttled off Kwajalein.
USS Carlisle  United States Navy 1 July 1946 A Gilliam-class attack transport that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
USS Gilliam  United States Navy 1 July 1946 A Gilliam-class attack transport that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
SS Kembu Maru  Empire of Japan 4 December 1943 A Japanese freighter that was sunk by US aircraft at Kwajalein Atoll. [ ⚑ ] 09°19′N 167°25′E / 9.317°N 167.417°E / 9.317; 167.417 (SS Kembu Maru)
USS Lamson  United States Navy 2 July 1946 A Mahan-class destroyer that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
USS LST-545  United States Navy 12 May 1948 An LST-542-class tank landing ship that was sunk at Enewetak Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
USS LST-661  United States Navy 25 July 1948 An LST-542-class tank landing ship that was sunk at Enewetak Atoll in an atomic bomb test.
Nagato  Imperial Japanese Navy 30 July 1946 A Japanese Nagato-class battleship that sustained heavy damage in an atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll, and capsized and sank five days later.
USS Pennsylvania  United States Navy 10 February 1948 A Pennsylvania-class super-dreadnought battleship, that was sunk off Kwajalein after atomic bomb tests.
USS Pilotfish  United States Navy 25 July 1946 A Balao-class submarine that sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test. [ ⚑ ] 30°26′N 140°53′E / 30.433°N 140.883°E / 30.433; 140.883 (USS Pilotfish (SS-386))
Prinz Eugen  Kriegsmarine 22 December 1946 A German Admiral Hipper-class heavy cruiser that was damaged at Bikini Atoll by atomic bomb tests, and later towed to Kwajalein where it capsized and sunk. [ ⚑ ] 8°45′9.85″N 167°40′59.16″E / 8.7527361°N 167.6831°E / 8.7527361; 167.6831 (German cruiser Prinz Eugen)
Sakawa  United States Navy 2 July 1946 A Japanese Agano-class cruiser that sustained heavy damage in an atomic bomb test at Bikini Atoll, and sank the following day. [ ⚑ ] 11°35′N 165°23′E / 11.583°N 165.383°E / 11.583; 165.383 (Japanese cruiser Sakawa)
USS Saratoga  United States Navy 25 July 1946 A Lexington-class aircraft carrier that was sunk at Bikini Atoll in an atomic bomb test. [ ⚑ ] 11°34′53.33″N 165°29′54.78″E / 11.5814806°N 165.49855°E / 11.5814806; 165.49855 (USS Saratoga (CV-3))
Toreshima Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy December 1943 A Japanese supply ship sunk at Maloelap Atoll off Taroa Island by US Navy.

New Zealand

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Anjou  France 5 February 1905 A barque that struck rocks off the Auckland Islands. [ ⚑ ] 50°46′37″S 165°53′15″E / 50.777075°S 165.887516°E / -50.777075; 165.887516 (Anjou (ship))
TSS Arahura  New Zealand 24 January 1952 A passenger and cargo steamer that was sunk for target practice in Cook Strait.
Boyd  United Kingdom October 1809 A brigantine that was attacked by Maori warriors at Whangaroa. The ship was destroyed by fire during the resulting Boyd massacre.
HMS Buffalo  Royal Navy 28 July 1840 A storeship that was wrecked in a storm in Mercury Bay, with two lives lost. [ ⚑ ] 36°49′36.20″S 175°42′20.00″E / 36.826722°S 175.70556°E / -36.826722; 175.70556 (HMS Buffalo (1813))
HMNZS Canterbury  Royal New Zealand Navy 3 November 2007 A Leander-class frigate that was scuttled as a dive wreck in the Bay of Islands. [ ⚑ ] 35°11′38″S 174°17′40″E / 35.1938°S 174.2944°E / -35.1938; 174.2944 (HMNZS Canterbury (F421))
Cowan  New Zealand 9 March 1948 A wooden steam trawler that struck rocks in Lyttelton Harbour.
Darra  New Zealand 1951 A tea clipper, later used as a coal hulk, intentionally beached in Lyttelton Harbour.
Derry Castle  United Kingdom 20 March 1887 A barque that ran aground on Enderby Island. [ ⚑ ] 50°29′04″S 166°18′10″E / 50.484323°S 166.302761°E / -50.484323; 166.302761 (Derry Castle (barque))
Dolphin  New Zealand 9 December 1862 A cutter wrecked near Quail Island, Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand
Dundonald  United Kingdom 7 March 1907 A barque that was wrecked in a storm off Disappointment Island, where the survivors remained for seven months until rescued. [ ⚑ ] 50°36′29″S 165°57′17″E / 50.607938°S 165.954817°E / -50.607938; 165.954817 (Dundonald (ship))
SS Elingamite  Australia 5 November 1902 A steamship that struck West Island (one of the Three Kings Islands) and sank within 20 minutes. [ ⚑ ] 34°11′10″S 172°01′54″E / 34.186047°S 172.031590°E / -34.186047; 172.031590 (SS Elingamite)
England's Glory  United Kingdom 7 November 1881 By getting too close in while waiting the arrival of the pilot.[2] off Nelson
Endeavour II  Canada 22 February 1971 A three-masted auxiliary barque driven onto the bar of Parengarenga Harbour, a few miles south of North Cape. There were no fatalities amongst the crew of thirteen men and one woman.[3] [ ⚑ ] 34°31′18″S 173°00′37″E / 34.521762°S 173.010206°E / -34.521762; 173.010206 (Endeavour II)
General Grant  United States 14 May 1866 A barque that drifted into a cave on the western shore of the Auckland Islands and sank.
Holmbank  New Zealand 21 September 1963 A coastal trading vessel that was lost off Banks Peninsula
MV Holmglen  New Zealand 24 November 1959 A coastal trading vessel that was lost off Timaru. [ ⚑ ] 44°31′20″S 171°41′22″E / 44.5223°S 171.6894°E / -44.5223; 171.6894 (MV Holmglen)
Hydrabad  United Kingdom 24 June 1878 A cargo and passenger sailing ship that was beached in the North Island in a storm.
MV Kaitawa  New Zealand 24 May 1966 A collier that capsized near Cape Reinga.
MS Mikhail Lermontov  Soviet Union 16 February 1986 A Soviet passenger liner that ran aground in the Marlborough Sounds. [ ⚑ ] 41°02′32″S 174°13′10″E / 41.042087°S 174.219496°E / -41.042087; 174.219496 (MS Mikhail Lermontov)
RMS Niagara  United Kingdom 19 June 1940 An ocean liner that struck a mine and sank off Bream Head while carrying a secret consignment of gold from the Bank of England. [ ⚑ ] 35°51′50″S 174°56′38″E / 35.86389°S 174.94389°E / -35.86389; 174.94389 (RMS Niagara)
Novelty  New Zealand Unknown date 1877 A steam ship wrecked off Quail Island, Lyttelton Harbour, New Zealand
HMS Orpheus  Royal Navy 7 February 1863 A Jason-class corvette that ran aground on the Manukau Heads, with 189 lives lost. [ ⚑ ] 37°04.1′S 174°28.3′E / 37.0683°S 174.4717°E / -37.0683; 174.4717 (HMS Orpheus (1860))
SS Penguin  New Zealand 12 February 1909 A ferry that foundered off Cape Terawhiti.
SS Port Kembla  New Zealand 18 September 1917 A cargo ship that was sunk by a mine off Farewell Spit.
HMNZS Puriri  Royal New Zealand Navy 14 May 1941 A coastal cargo boat that was converted into a minesweeper, and hit a mine off Bream Head 25 days after being commissioned. [ ⚑ ] 35°46′15″S 174°43′00″E / 35.77083°S 174.7166667°E / -35.77083; 174.7166667 (HMNZS Puriri (T02))
Queen Bee  United Kingdom 7 August 1877 A barque that ran aground on Farewell Spit.[4] [ ⚑ ] 40°30′00″S 172°52′00″E / 40.5°S 172.8666667°E / -40.5; 172.8666667 (Queen Bee (ship))
Rainbow Warrior  Netherlands 2 December 1987 A fishing trawler that was purchased by Greenpeace in 1978 for use as a fundraising and protest ship. She was sabotaged and sunk by the French secret service at Auckland on 10 July 1985, and although later refloated, was found to be beyond repair and finally scuttled in Matauri Bay. [ ⚑ ] 34°58′29″S 173°56′06″E / 34.9748°S 173.9349°E / -34.9748; 173.9349 (Rainbow Warrior (1955))
MV Rena  Liberia 5 October 2011 A container ship that ran aground on Astrolabe Reef, resulting in New Zealand's worst oil spill. The wreck broke apart and sank in January 2012. [ ⚑ ] 37°32′25″S 176°25′45″E / 37.54028°S 176.42917°E / -37.54028; 176.42917 (MV Rena)
HMS Sandfly  Royal Navy 1868 A passenger paddle steamer used as a gunboat during the New Zealand Wars. In 1865 she reverted to civilian use and became the Tasmanian Maid, before being wrecked off New Plymouth.
Sydney Packet  Australia 17 July 1837 A schooner that was wrecked in a storm off Moeraki, Otago.
SS Tararua  New Zealand 29 April 1881 A passenger steamer that struck a reef off Waipapa Point and sank the next day, claiming over 100 victims. [ ⚑ ] 46°40′07″S 168°51′44″E / 46.6686°S 168.8622°E / -46.6686; 168.8622 (SS Tararua)
HMS Torch  Royal Navy 17 November 1924 An Alert-class sloop that ran aground in the Chatham Islands.
Torrington  Australia 27 June 1851 A brig wrecked in a storm in Lyttelton Harbour
HMNZS Tui  Royal New Zealand Navy February 1999 An oceanographic survey and research ship that was scuttled as a dive wreck. [ ⚑ ] 35°35′00″S 174°32′22″E / 35.5832°S 174.5394°E / -35.5832; 174.5394 (HMNZS Tui (1970))
SS Victory  United Kingdom 3 July 1861 A steamship that ran aground off Otago Peninsula. [ ⚑ ] 45°50′33″S 170°43′56″E / 45.8425°S 170.7321°E / -45.8425; 170.7321 (Victory wreck)
Wahine  New Zealand 10 April 1968 A passenger ferry that ran aground and capsized, with 51 lives lost.
HMNZS Waikato  Royal New Zealand Navy 18 December 2000 A Leander-class frigate that was scuttled off Tutukata as an artificial reef. [ ⚑ ] 35°39′10″S 174°32′40″E / 35.6528°S 174.5445°E / -35.6528; 174.5445 (HMNZS Waikato (F55))
SS Wairarapa  New Zealand 29 October 1894 A luxury steamer that hit a reef off Great Barrier Island. [ ⚑ ] 36°04′03″S 175°21′07″E / 36.0674°S 175.3519°E / -36.0674; 175.3519 (SS Wairarapa)
HMNZS Wellington  Royal New Zealand Navy 13 November 2005 A Leander-class frigate that was scuttled off the coast of Wellington. [ ⚑ ] 41°21.18′S 174°46.80′E / 41.353°S 174.78°E / -41.353; 174.78 (HMNZS Wellington (F69))
William and John  New Zealand 27 June 1851 A 10 ton cutter wrecked in a storm in Lyttelton Harbour

Papua New Guinea

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Brownson  United States Navy 26 December 1943 A Fletcher-class destroyer that was sunk by a Japanese dive bomber off Cape Gloucester, New Britain. [ ⚑ ] 5°20′S 148°25′E / 5.333°S 148.417°E / -5.333; 148.417 (USS Brownson (DD-518))
HMAS Geelong  Royal Australian Navy 18 October 1944 A Bathurst-class corvette that collided with the American tanker York north of Langemak Bay. [ ⚑ ] 6°4′S 147°45′E / 6.067°S 147.75°E / -6.067; 147.75 (HMAS Geelong (J201))
Hakaze  Imperial Japanese Navy 23 January 1943 A Japanese Minekaze-class destroyer that was torpedoed by USS Guardfish south of Kavieng, New Ireland. [ ⚑ ] 02°47′S 150°38′E / 2.783°S 150.633°E / -2.783; 150.633 (Japanese destroyer Hakaze)
SS Kyokusei Maru  Imperial Japanese Army 2 March 1943 A Japanese troopship that was sunk by Allied aircraft in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea. [ ⚑ ] 06°46′S 147°10′E / 6.767°S 147.167°E / -6.767; 147.167 (SS Kyokusei Maru)
MV Macdhui  United Kingdom 18 June 1942 A passenger and cargo ship that was sunk by Japanese aircraft in Port Moresby.
Mikazuki  Imperial Japanese Navy 28 July 1943 A Japanese Mutsuki-class destroyer that ran aground on a reef off the west coast of New Island. [ ⚑ ] 5°27′S 148°25′E / 5.45°S 148.417°E / -5.45; 148.417 (Japanese destroyer Mikazuki (1926))
USS Mount Hood  United States Navy 10 November 1944 A Mount Hood-class ammunition ship that exploded in Seeadler Harbor, killing over 300 people and destroying twenty-two smaller boats and landing craft. [ ⚑ ] 2°01′42″S 147°21′18″E / 2.02833°S 147.355°E / -2.02833; 147.355 (USS Mount Hood (AE-11))
SS Pruth  United Kingdom 31 December 1923 A steamship that was wrecked on Natara Reef, off Port Moresby.
Ro-33  Imperial Japanese Navy 29 August 1942 A Japanese Ro-33-class submarine that was sunk by HMAS Arunta off Port Moresby. [ ⚑ ] 09°36′S 147°06′E / 9.6°S 147.1°E / -9.6; 147.1 (Japanese submarine Ro-33)
USS S-39  United States Navy 13 August 1942 An S-class submarine that ran aground off Rossel Island. [ ⚑ ] 11°21′02.74″S 154°08′56.51″E / 11.3507611°S 154.1490306°E / -11.3507611; 154.1490306 (USS S-39 (SS-144))
Tenryū  Imperial Japanese Navy 19 December 1942 A Japanese Tenryū-class cruiser that was torpedoed by USS Albacore off Madang. [ ⚑ ] 05°12′S 145°56′E / 5.2°S 145.933°E / -5.2; 145.933 (Japanese cruiser Tenryū)
W-26  Imperial Japanese Navy 17 February 1944 A Japanese W-19-class minesweeper that was bombed by American aircraft at Karavia Bay, New Britain.
Yūgiri  Imperial Japanese Navy 26 November 1943 A Japanese Fubuki-class destroyer that was sunk in the Battle of Cape St. George. [ ⚑ ] 04°44′S 154°0′E / 4.733°S 154°E / -4.733; 154 (Japanese destroyer Yūgiri (1930))

Polynesia

Samoa

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Staghound Australia 21 November 1862 Drove ashore during a gale.
SMS Adler  Imperial German Navy 16 March 1889 A gunboat that was wrecked in the 1889 Apia cyclone. [ ⚑ ] 13°49′36″S 171°45′53″W / 13.8266°S 171.7647°W / -13.8266; -171.7647 (SMS Adler)
SMS Eber  Imperial German Navy 16 March 1889 A warship that was wrecked in the 1889 Apia cyclone. [ ⚑ ] 13°49′53″S 171°45′07″W / 13.83139°S 171.75194°W / -13.83139; -171.75194 (SMS Eber (1887))
USS Trenton  United States Navy 16 March 1889 A warship that was wrecked in the 1889 Apia cyclone.

Pitcairn Islands

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Wild Wave 5 March 1858 A 1500-ton clipper ship that was wrecked on Oeno Island.
Cornwallis 23 January 1875 A ship that was wrecked on Pitcairn Island.
Khandeish 25 September 1875 A ship that was wrecked on Oeno Island.
Acadia 5 June 1881 A mail ship that was wrecked on Ducie Island.
Oregon 23 August 1883 A ship that was wrecked on Oeno Island.
Bowdon April 1893 A ship that was wrecked on Oeno Island.

Tahiti

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
Lady of St Kilda  United Kingdom A schooner that was wrecked sometime shortly after 1843.

Solomon Islands

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Chicago  United States Navy 30 January 1943 A Northampton-class heavy cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Rennell Island. [ ⚑ ] 11°25′S 160°56′E / 11.417°S 160.933°E / -11.417; 160.933 (USS Chicago (CA-29))
USS Helena  United States Navy 6 July 1943 A St. Louis-class light cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Kula Gulf. [ ⚑ ] 7°46′0″S 157°11′0″E / 7.766667°S 157.183333°E / -7.766667; 157.183333 (USS Helena (CL-50))
Jintsu  Imperial Japanese Navy 13 July 1943 A Japanese Sendai-class light cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Kolombangara. [ ⚑ ] 07°38′S 157°06′E / 7.633°S 157.1°E / -7.633; 157.1 (Japanese cruiser Jintsu)
USS Juneau  United States Navy 13 November 1942 An Atlanta-class light cruiser that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. [ ⚑ ] 10°34′S 161°04′E / 10.567°S 161.067°E / -10.567; 161.067 (USS Juneau (CL-52))
Ro-34  Imperial Japanese Navy 5 April 1943 A Japanese Kaichū type submarine that was sunk by USS O'Bannon (DD-450) (USS O'Bannon) and USS Strong (DD-467) (USS Strong) off the Russell Islands. [ ⚑ ] 08°15′S 158°58′E / 8.25°S 158.967°E / -8.25; 158.967 (Japanese submarine Ro-34)
Yūgumo  Imperial Japanese Navy 7 October 1943 A Japanese Yūgumo-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Vella Lavella. [ ⚑ ] 07°33′S 156°14′E / 7.55°S 156.233°E / -7.55; 156.233 (Japanese destroyer Yūgumo (1941))
Yura  Imperial Japanese Navy 25 October 1942 A Japanese Nagara-class light cruiser that was bombed by US aircraft and scuttled off Savo Island. [ ⚑ ] 08°15′S 159°07′E / 8.25°S 159.117°E / -8.25; 159.117 (Japanese cruiser Yura)

Ironbottom Sound

Ironbottom Sound is the name given to the stretch of water between Guadalcanal and Florida Island, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there during the Guadalcanal Campaign in 1942–43.

Ship Flag Sunk date Notes Coordinates
USS Aaron Ward  United States Navy 7 April 1943 A Gleaves-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese aircraft during Operation I-Go. [ ⚑ ] 9°10′30″S 160°12′0″E / 9.175°S 160.2°E / -9.175; 160.2 (USS Aaron Ward (DD-483))
Akatsuki  Imperial Japanese Navy 13 November 1942 A Japanese Akatsuki-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. [ ⚑ ] 09°17′S 159°56′E / 9.283°S 159.933°E / -9.283; 159.933 (Japanese destroyer Akatsuki)
USS Astoria  United States Navy 9 August 1942 A New Orleans-class heavy cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island. [ ⚑ ] 9°12′33″S 159°52′3″E / 9.20917°S 159.8675°E / -9.20917; 159.8675 (USS Astoria (CA-34))
USS Atlanta  United States Navy 13 November 1942 An Atlanta-class anti-aircraft cruiser that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. [ ⚑ ] 9°23′24″S 159°58′44″E / 9.390°S 159.979°E / -9.390; 159.979 (USS Atlanta (CL-51))
Ayanami  Imperial Japanese Navy 15 November 1942 A Japanese Fubuki-class destroyer that was sunk by gunfire from USS Washington. [ ⚑ ] 9°10′S 159°52′E / 9.167°S 159.867°E / -9.167; 159.867 (Japanese destroyer Ayanami (1929))
USS Barton  United States Navy 13 November 1942 A Benson-class destroyer that was struck by torpedoes from the Japanese destroyer Akatsuki.
HMAS Canberra  Royal Australian Navy 9 August 1942 A Kent-class cruiser that was scuttled after taking damage in the Battle of Savo Island. [ ⚑ ] 9°12′29″S 159°54′46″E / 9.20806°S 159.91278°E / -9.20806; 159.91278 (HMAS Canberra (D33))
USS Colhoun  United States Navy 30 August 1942 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese aircraft. [ ⚑ ] 09°24′S 160°01′E / 9.4°S 160.017°E / -9.4; 160.017 (USS Colhoun (DD-85))
USS Cushing  United States Navy 13 November 1942 A Mahan-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
USS De Haven  United States Navy 1 February 1943 A Fletcher-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese bombers during Operation Ke. [ ⚑ ] 9°9′S 159°52′E / 9.15°S 159.867°E / -9.15; 159.867 (USS De Haven)
USS Duncan  United States Navy 12 October 1942 A Gleaves-class destroyer that was sunk after taking damage in the Battle of Cape Esperance.
Fubuki  Imperial Japanese Navy 11 October 1942 A Japanese Fubuki-class destroyer that was sunk in the Battle of Cape Esperance. [ ⚑ ] 09°06′S 159°38′E / 9.1°S 159.633°E / -9.1; 159.633 (Japanese destroyer Fubuki)
Furutaka  Imperial Japanese Navy 12 October 1942 A Japanese Furutaka-class cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Cape Esperance. [ ⚑ ] 09°02′S 159°33′E / 9.033°S 159.55°E / -9.033; 159.55 (Japanese cruiser Furutaka)
USS George F. Elliott  United States Navy 8 August 1942 A Heywood-class attack transport that was sunk by Mitsubishi G4M bombers. [ ⚑ ] 9°20′45″S 160°8′14″E / 9.34583°S 160.13722°E / -9.34583; 160.13722 (USS George F. Elliot (AP-130))
USS Gregory  United States Navy 5 September 1942 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese destroyers Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki, and Murakumo.
Hiei  Imperial Japanese Navy 14 November 1942 A Japanese Kongō-class battleship that was scuttled after taking damage in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. [ ⚑ ] 9°00′00″S 158°59′59″E / 9°S 158.99972°E / -9; 158.99972 (Japanese battleship Hiei)
Hirokawa Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy A Japanese military transport.
USS Jarvis  United States Navy 9 August 1942 A Gridley-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese aircraft. [ ⚑ ] 9°42′S 158°59′E / 9.7°S 158.983°E / -9.7; 158.983 (USS Jarvis (DD-393))
USS John Penn  United States Navy 13 August 1943 An attack transport that was sunk by Japanese aircraft off Lunga Point.
Kasi Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy 2 July 1943 A Japanese auxiliary minelayer/merchant ship, sunk in Mbaeroko Bay, near Munda, during a bombing raid by USAAF B-25 bombers [ ⚑ ] 8°06′S 157°20′E / 8.1°S 157.333°E / -8.1; 157.333
USS Kanawha  United States Navy 8 April 1943 A Kanawha-class fleet replenishment oiler that was sunk by enemy Vals.
Kinugawa Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy A Japanese military transport.
Kirishima  Imperial Japanese Navy 15 November 1942 A Japanese Kongō-class battleship that was sunk by USS Washington. [ ⚑ ] 9°05′S 159°42′E / 9.083°S 159.7°E / -9.083; 159.7 (Japanese battleship Kirishima)
USS Laffey  United States Navy 13 November 1942 A Benson-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
USS Little  United States Navy 5 September 1942 A Wickes-class destroyer that was sunk by Japanese destroyers Yūdachi, Hatsuyuki, and Murakumo.
Makigumo  Imperial Japanese Navy 1 February 1942 A Japanese Yūgumo-class destroyer that was scuttled after striking a mine. [ ⚑ ] 09°15′S 159°47′E / 9.25°S 159.783°E / -9.25; 159.783 (Japanese destroyer Makigumo)
HMNZS Moa  Royal New Zealand Navy 7 April 1943 A Bird-class minesweeper that was sunk by Japanese aircraft.
USS Monssen  United States Navy 13 November 1942 A Gleaves-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
USS Northampton  United States Navy 30 November 1942 A Northampton-class heavy cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Tassafaronga. [ ⚑ ] 09°12′S 159°50′E / 9.2°S 159.833°E / -9.2; 159.833 (USS Northampton (CA-26))
USS Preston  United States Navy 14 November 1942 A Mahan-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
PT-37  United States Navy An American PT boat.
PT-44  United States Navy An American PT boat.
PT-111  United States Navy An American PT boat.
PT-112  United States Navy An American PT boat.
PT-123  United States Navy An American PT boat.
USS Quincy  United States Navy 9 August 1942 A New Orleans-class cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island. [ ⚑ ] 9°4′32″S 159°58′30″E / 9.07556°S 159.975°E / -9.07556; 159.975 (USS Quincy (CA-39))
USS Seminole  United States Navy 25 October 1942 A Navajo-class oceangoing tug that was sunk off Tulagi by Japanese destroyers. [ ⚑ ] 9°23′0″S 160°13′14″E / 9.383333°S 160.22056°E / -9.383333; 160.22056 (USS Seminole (AT-65))
USS Serpens  United States Navy 29 January 1945 A Coast Guard-crewed Liberty ship that exploded while anchored off Lunga Beach.
Takanami  Imperial Japanese Navy 30 November 1942 A Japanese Yūgumo-class destroyer that was sunk in the Battle of Tassafaronga. [ ⚑ ] 9°14′S 159°49′E / 9.23°S 159.82°E / -9.23; 159.82 (Japanese destroyer Takanami (1942))
Teruzuki  Imperial Japanese Navy 12 December 1942 A Japanese Akizuki-class destroyer that was torpedoed by PT-37 and PT-40. [ ⚑ ] 9°13′S 159°46′E / 9.217°S 159.767°E / -9.217; 159.767 (Japanese destroyer Teruzuki)
Toa Maru  Imperial Japanese Navy A Japanese military transport.
USS Vincennes  United States Navy 9 August 1942 A New Orleans-class cruiser that was sunk in the Battle of Savo Island. [ ⚑ ] 9°7′17″S 159°52′48″E / 9.12139°S 159.88°E / -9.12139; 159.88 (USS Vincennes (CA-44))
USS Walke  United States Navy 15 November 1942 A Sims-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.
MS World Discoverer  Liberia 30 April 2000 A cruise ship that struck a reef in the Sandfly Passage and ran aground in Roderick Bay. [ ⚑ ] 9°01′23.17″S 160°07′22.91″E / 9.0231028°S 160.1230306°E / -9.0231028; 160.1230306 (World Discoverer)
YP-284  United States Navy 25 October 1942 An American yard patrol craft.
Yūdachi  Imperial Japanese Navy 13 November 1942 A Japanese Shiratsuyu-class destroyer that was sunk in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. [ ⚑ ] 09°14′S 159°52′E / 9.233°S 159.867°E / -9.233; 159.867 (Japanese destroyer Yudachi)

References

  1. "Enderbury Island, Phoenix Group, Republic of Kiribati". Janeresture.com. 28 September 2008. http://www.janeresture.com/kiribati_phoenix_group/enderbury.htm. Retrieved 27 April 2010. 
  2. "WELLINGTON.". Queensland Times, Ipswich Herald And General Advertiser (Queensland, Australia) XXII (3002): p. 3. 8 November 1881. http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article122872483. Retrieved 27 April 2017. 
  3. Taylor, Roger (2008-02-01). Voyages of a Simple Sailor. Waltham Cross: The FitzRoy Press. ISBN 978-0955803505. 
  4. 'Wreck of the Queen Bee, from London', pg 2, Nelson Evening Mail, 8 August 1877

Further reading

  • Diggle, Lynton (2014). Shipwrecks of New Zealand: Companion to New Zealand Shipwrecks, 8th edition (2nd ed.). Auckland: Lynton Diggle. ISBN 9780473197247. 
  • Edwards, Hugh (1978). Australian and New Zealand Shipwrecks & Sea Tragedies. Sydney: Currawong Press. ISBN 090800110X. 
  • Ingram, C.W.N.; Wheatley, Percy Owen; Diggle, Lynton; Diggle, Edith; Gordon, Keith (2007). New Zealand Shipwrecks: Over 200 years of disasters at sea (8th ed.). Auckland: Hodder Moa. ISBN 9781869710934. 
  • McLean, Gavin (2007). Full astern!: an illustrated history of New Zealand shipwrecks. Wellington, NZ: Grantham House. ISBN 9781869341039. 
  • Taylor, Peter (2006). The Australian and New Zealand list of vessels lost, missing or taken from active service 1874-1949. Newport, Vic: Scuttlebutt Press. ISBN 9780975175460. 
  • Wilkinson, Doug (1974). Shipwreck : Selected New Zealand maritime accidents. Wellington, NZ: Southern Press. OCLC 1419297. 

External links

  • WRECKSITE Worldwide free database of + 65,000 wrecks with history, maritime charts and GPS positions




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