The Kiyozumi Maru was built in 1934 as a freighter with passenger accommodation. In November 1941 the navy converted her into an armed raider by adding six inch guns, torpedo launchers and anti-aircraft guns. In 1943 the navy reversed course slightly and she was converted to a transport ship. After being torpedoed she was towed to Truk for repairs, a case of out of the frying pan and into the fire. While being repaired she was bombed and sank on her port side in 30 metres of water.
We swam in through the large torpedo hole into the second hold. From there we went through the superstructure where the engine room was wide open. We passed the rear holds and swam past the stern and onto the hull. On the hull there are a number of artefacts that have been placed there for people to see.
Bicycle in Hold #5. Photo by Lau Wing Kee
Kiyozumi Maru
- Displacement: 6,983 tons
- Length: 450 feet
- Beam: 61 feet
- Engine: 1 diesel engine
- Depth: 10 – 32 m.
Our Dive
- Depth: 27.2 m.
- Time: 54 minutes
- Gas: Nitrox 32
Graphic courtesy of Captain Lance Higgs of S.S. Thorfinn.
