|
Micronesia is a whole world away, and the island of Truk (re-named "Chuuk") is one of the four states of the newly independent Federated States of Micronesia, following the longest trusteeship in UN history after US defeat of the occupying Japanese. But what is special about this, the world's largest lagoon, is that the 1,000 square miles of Truk Lagoon cradles the Japanese Imperial fleet in 100 feet of tropical clear sea water, nearly ideal for spectacular reclamation of the iron of battleships by soft corals, gorgonians and sponges along with the swarm of colorful life all through these death hulks.
More tonnage was sunk in the fury of these two days of bombardment than in Pearl Harbor's infamous attack, from the first use of nighttime bombing by the US Navy's hellcats. But all is quiet now except for the bubbles, as I swim through the multiple decks of the warships Yamagiri Meru, Francisco Meru and Fujikawa Meru---the first of my Truk lagoon dives entering the operating room of the latter ship--at night! We had motored out into the lagoon at sunset (seen here) and looked to find the wreck 80 feet below. And how was it found? By the oil slick, still coming up after 52 years since its sinking!
The huge Yamoto battleship had the largest Naval guns ever fired, and the shells for these huge weapons were delivered by the Yamagiri Meru--through which I swam followed by the strobe and camera of a videographer--which I might show you if you ever request the "Blue Lagoon" tape. You can see it all without blowing out your middle ears!
