07/04/2026
The Four Japanese Hellships in Philippine Waters
When we reflect on the harrowing history of World War II in the Pacific, the tragedy of the Japanese "Hellships" stands out as one of the darkest chapters. Requisitioned to transport Allied prisoners of war (POWs) as slave labor, these unmarked merchant and passenger vessels were unwittingly targeted by Allied submarines and aircraft, resulting in a staggering loss of life.
For historians and marine archaeologists, locating and identifying these vessels is a monumental task. Currently, there are four known Japanese hell ship wrecks lying in Philippine waters. Each site presents a completely different set of issues and challenges for researchers striving to preserve their memory.
1. The Montevideo Maru: Sunk by the submarine USS Sturgeon on July 1, 1942, the Montevideo Maru took the lives of over 1,000 Australian POWs and civilians. For decades, its final resting place remained a mystery until it was finally discovered in 2023, approximately 60 kilometers off the northern coast of Luzon. Locating this vessel required a tremendous logistical effort and cost more than $6 million. Because the wreck lies in exceptionally deep water, the operation pushed the absolute limits of underwater exploration. Consequently, due to the extreme depth and the prohibitive costs of deep-sea diving, no further investigation of the Montevideo Maru is expected.
2. The Hofuku Maru: Closer to the coast, lying in 55 meters of water, is the Hofuku Maru. The primary issue for researchers here was historical inaccuracy: the ship was officially reported to have been attacked and sunk approximately 30 kilometers north of its actual site. For years, a large steel wreck was known to lie just off the coast of La Paz, Zambales. It was reported in a 2017 sonar scan by SSS and had been dived many times over the years by the local MOPE Resort in La Paz. However, because of the erroneous wartime reporting, it was not confirmed as the Hofuku Maru.
Positive identification requires stringent investigation and irrefutable evidence. To solve this issue, the Hellships Memorial Foundation (HMF), with significant support from the government of the Netherlands, conducted a rigorous, months-long investigation. In addition, the Discovery Channel's Expedition Unknown conducted a series of dives utilizing underwater archaeologists, highly experienced divers with specialized equipment, as well as advanced sonar scans and ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle) runs.
3. The Oryoku Maru: The Oryoku Maru is the best-known hell ship wreck in Philippine waters. Sunk in December 1944 following relentless attacks by American aircraft, the vessel went down in Subic Bay. Hundreds of POWs died from suffocation, bomb blasts, and being fired upon while attempting to swim to shore. Today, it rests in relatively shallow waters and was recently the site of a dedicated recovery effort by the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), presenting researchers with the distinct challenge of conducting delicate recovery operations in a highly trafficked bay.
4. The Shinyo Maru: The last of the four is the Shinyo Maru, which was sunk approximately 2 kilometers off the coast at Sindangan, Zamboanga del Norte. John Duresky of the Hellships Memorial Foundation has applied the meticulous process he developed—which was key in building the overwhelming case for the identification of the Hofuku Maru—to this vessel. He believes the actual wreck of the Shinyo Maru lies approximately 2 kilometers from its reported wreck site, resting in 250 meters of water.
This depth presents a massive challenge since procuring this equipment is a massive logistical hurdle because it is incredibly rare and often unavailable locally. Even wrecks situated in much shallower waters, such as the Hofuku Maru at 55 meters, are subjected to a lack of natural light, periodic strong ocean currents, and extremely poor visibility that can range from just 1.5 to 3 meters Additionally, a suitable boat and this specialized equipment are not available locally; the nearest equipment is approximately 300 kilometers away drastically adding to the mobilization costs of the operation.
To overcome this, the Foundation’s approach to the Shinyo Maru is three-fold:
• Mission 1 (Conducted Jun 5-9, 2026): The team reconnoitered the local area in Sindangan to see what logistical resources and boats are available.
• Mission 2 (Starting July 20-24, 2026): The goal of this mission is to capture on video the incredible, untold story of the local Filipinos who, at great personal risk, rescued and cared for the 82 survivors of the sinking until they could be safely repatriated, which remain a largely untold piece of history. If you are interested in further reading, details about the sinking and the evacuation of the 82 survivors can be found in the book Rice and Salt by John McGee
• Mission 3 (Pending): This final phase will be a comprehensive search of the wreck site and the positive identification of the wreck. The date of this mission is solely dependent on the Foundation receiving the necessary funding to conduct the search.
The history of these hell ships is a stark reminder of the immense human cost of war. The Hellships Memorial Foundation continues to fight against time and the elements to ensure these men are never forgotten. If you want to help support the search for the Shinyo Maru, please share this story and follow the Foundation's progress!
Hellshipsmemorial.org
