There are some references on the chuukese language, treating guests, and on beliefs in the scifi book reefsong from carol severance. The padi encyclopedia of recreational diving lists four meccas of wreck diving, and truk lagoon is one of the four in 1944 the us navy conducted operation hailstone, the largest surface bombing campaign in history, wiping out a japanese fleet stationed at the island. Chuuk lagoon also previously known as truk lagoon is a sheltered body of water in the central pacific. More than 60 ships and 200 planes were sunk in the lagoon during world war ii. Part of the austronesian language, chuuk means mountain which describes the atolls and protective reef. In this book, author tim rock, has improved greatly his previous work on truk lagoon in 1994. About 1,800 kilometres northeast of new guinea, it is located midocean at 7 degrees north latitude, is part of chuuk state within the federated states of micronesia. A micronesian war memorial and wreck divers heaven. However, many scuba divers and resort operators still refer to it as truk lagoon. Today, many of these stories are at risk of being lost. It is a great destination for wreck and reef diving and for upclose encounters with sharks. Today, people think of the bombing of hiroshima and nagasaki were payback for pearl harbor, but that is wrong. The atoll consists of a protective reef, 225 kilometres 140 mi around, enclosing a natural harbour 79 by. As an alternative, the kindle ebook is available now and can be read on any.
World war ii sites in truk lagoon, chuuk, federated states of. A womans guide to diving chuuk lagoon by guest author sep 5, 2016 the wrecks of chuuk lagoon offer an upclose view of world war ii history and a perfect opportunity for adventuresome women to explore. But late 1800 the voyagers,who sailed the sea to explore and trade came ashore and pinpoint the islands to the modern expose civilized world. The ghost fleet of chuuk lagoon the photographer and filmmaker recently returned to one of the most storied locations for wreck divers, chuuk lagoon in micronesia. Chuuk islands, cluster of 16 mucheroded high volcanic islands in the federated states of micronesia, western pacific ocean. What to do in chuuk, the complete guide to wreck diving. Of the 40 municipalities of the state, 16 fall within the chuuk lagoon and 24 in the outer islands. We flew from thailand to guam for a few nights and then continues on to chuuk aka truk, micronesia to go wreck diving. Today, 50 wrecks are available for divers to explore. Outside the protective reef, there are over 30 coral sand islands. Truk lagoon a cultural geography by robert awana evans. Finally, the overview of the area given in the first few chapters is a nice touch.
While chuuk truk lagoon has a variety of diving environments including some coral reefs, the focus of liveaboards in the country is the ghost fleet. The japanese wwii pacific shipwrecks by macdonald, rod isbn. If you are more interested in the history, this is worth a further read. The best dive wrecks in chuuk lagoon once in a lifetime. Lonely planet diving and snorkeling chuuk lagoon, pohnpei. War in paradise world war ii sites in truk lagoon, chuuk, federated states of micronesia.
This coral atoll is still in its coral formation stages. The name chuuk means high mountains in the chuukese language, one of several malayopolynesian languages that are used in the islands. More than 100 vessels and aircraft still lie at the bottom of the shallow truk lagoon and many ships are aground on the reefs. The largest vessel sunk in chuuk lagoon, the 11 600ton heian maru was drafted from nyk line, shown here. Aside from diving and these two historical sites, there is very little else to do so bring a few good books if youre staying more than a day or two on. Chuuk lagoon was original a misinterpretation of ruk, which then led to the popular name truk lagoon as you know today. The dive deck, located at the back of the middle deck offers. Its one of chuuks deepest wrecks, with the deck at 140 feet 42 m and the hull at 210 feet 64 m. They are important to military history, an important part of chuuk history and are the. Wreck diving odyssey adventures liveaboard truk lagoon, chuuk, federated states of micronesia the odyssey is very well setup for divers with every need catered for such as the availability different gas mixes as required or 100% oxygen for technical divers, large camera table, dedicated washing tanks and a compressed air nozzle for drying. Many of you probably best know chuuk lagoon as truk lagoon or ruk. National park service public domain via wikimedia commons. Chuuk lagoon was a base for much of the japanese fleet. A womans guide to diving chuuk lagoon scuba diver life.
A major shipwreck site from wwii, truk lagoon is unquestionably the worlds best shipwreck diving destination. It contains a brief history of the area, information for travelling to chuuk, items to bring, weather, food, shopping etc. Chuuk, with its vast, shallow, beautiful lagoon is a mecca for wreck divers. Chuuk lagoon is a group of 11 major islands and approx. About 1,800 kilometres northeast of new guinea, it is located midocean at 7 degrees north. This will be to enjoy superb coral reefs and steep walls which are busy with pelagic marine life. Side one is the chuuk lagoon dive map, depicting present day chuuk truk lagoon, with detailed information on. The following world war ii shipwrecks of truk lagoon list was created by the u.
The atoll consists of a protective reef, 225 kilometres 140 mi around, enclosing a natural harbour 79 by 50 kilometres 49 by 30 mi, with. Diving in truk lagoon, micronesia bluewater dive travel. This segment depicts some of the events leading up to operation hailstone which was the us raid on truk lagoon during wwii. A majority of the studies of chuuk and the federated states have focused on the anthropology, ethnography, and archeology of the indigenous micronesians. Riddled with torpedo holes, the ships have released some of. Observations presented in the book include the daily activities. Operation hailstone a little history of truk lagoon. This ghostly fleet remains mostly intact, now a vast underwater war museum, richly encrusted with life and. With over 60 wrecks, including supply vessels, planes, trucks and submarines all in close proximity to deep channels and amazing coral reefs, diving the truk lagoon is a fantastic experience. Here, more than 50 hulks have been transformed into ship reefs, holding the very best of the undersea world and maritime history at one site. In the table below, each is followed by its population at the census held on 1 april 2000. It is the main population centre of the state of chuuk in the federated states of micronesia understand get in. As the center stage of operation hailstone, the 1944 us attack on the japanese combined fleet that was stationed in chuuk lagoon, the waters of this peaceful nation are filled with the remnants of this deadly attack. We were part of a group on a dive holiday to truk lagoon and dived with blue lagoon dive shop.
Sixtyeight years later, the wrecks lie on the sandy bottom of chuuk lagoon and still retain much of their structure and history and have become home to an incredible amount of marine life. Chuuks recent history is bloody, tragic and infamous. Chuuk lagoon is a sheltered body of water in the central pacific. It is a chance to dive into history and see how these sailors and soldiers lived and died. Chuuk lagoon diving, quite simply, is the best wreck diving in the world.
The 37m truk master delivers year round diving trips to the incredible wrecks of truk lagoon. In 1944 the us navy conducted operation hailstone, the largest surface bombing campaign in history, wiping out a japanese fleet stationed at the island. The book documents the natural histories, and home and school experiences of 12 casestudy children ranging in age from 6 to 14. Ship graveyard in truk lagoon, stunning pictures and informative article on the ghost fleet of chuuk. Japan took control of micronesia from 1914 and under a. During world war ii, the lagoon was the japanese stronghold in the pacific. This is a superb book, the finest presentation of a warwreck history that i have. List of all shipwrecks in truk lagoon argunners magazine. Chuuks sunken vessels remain in the lagoon, comprising the worlds largest ship graveyard. Truk lagoon has attracted thousands of divers from all over the world to this. Children of chuuk lagoon examines the everyday lives of schoolaged children in the chuuk lagoon island of romonum in the federated states of micronesia. Truk lagoon chuuk 2020 all you need to know before you.
Chuuk formerly called truk or truk lagoon is one of four states which comprise the federated states of micronesia. The book features a thorough understanding about its development. Here is an excerpt from the documentary film, the wrecks of truk lagoon. The chuuk lagoon, also known as truk lagoon, is a sheltered archipelago with mountainous islands and is fringed by a barrier reef which stretches for 140 miles 225km. Chuuk lagoon, also known as truk lagoon, is a sheltered body of water in the central pacific. Ghost fleet of truk lagoon copy link facebook twitter reddit flipboard pocket for two days in 1944, allied bombers rained destruction on the beaches of the caroline islands in the south pacific. Chuuk lagoon project gutenberg selfpublishing ebooks. These are japanese wwii wrecks and offer arguably the. The most famous of all the shipwrecks in chuuk lagoon, the san francisco maru sits completely upright with a bow gun, tanks, mines and even trucks still fully intact. Shipwrecks of truk lagoon, list with all known shipwrecks in chuuk. At night we would read the history of the ships that we were to dive the next day. Ghostly japanese shipwrecks at the bottom of chuuk lagoon the.
About 1,800 kilometres 1,100 miles northeast of new guinea, it is located midocean at 7 degrees north latitude, and is part of chuuk state within the federated states of micronesia. Airplane wrecks in truk lagoon, next to dozens of japanese vessels also japanese airplane wrecks can be found in chuuk lagoon. Ship graveyard in truk lagoon, stunning pictures and informative article on the ghost fleet of chuuk airplane wrecks in truk lagoon, next to dozens of japanese vessels also japanese airplane wrecks can be found in. Dive guide and boat boat were excellent, 14 dives a different wreck every dive, guide very knowledgeable on history of each wreck penetrations into engine rooms and cargo holds. I have written other articles about truk lagoon, for example. Ghost fleet of truk lagoon micronesia atlas obscura. From its history, economy, education, government, language, health, religion, and overall environment, evans individually tackles these aspects. Truk lagoons name was changed to chuuk lagoon in 1990. About 1800 km northeast of new guinea, it is located midocean at 7 degrees north latitude, and is part of chuuk state within the federated states of micronesia. If you planning to dive the world war 2 wrecks of truk lagoon dan bailey book is a must. Chuuk lagoon is an atoll ringed with reefs and containing a number of populated islands. Book your ticket to chuuk international airport tkk on weno island.
Return to the ghost fleet of chuuk lagoon sony alpha. This is the name that is synonymous with what created this mecca for wreck divers. States, some of the chuukese have a very novel way of looking at americans. How to get to truk lagoon travelling from the uk, the us. The main population center of chuuk state is the chuuk lagoon, a large archipelago with mountainous islands surrounded by a string of islets on a barrier reef. Dress includes earrings, belt, sleeveless textile pullover, bracelets. Truk lagoon diving liveaboard is a liveaboard cost. Book a dive vacationfind a local dive centerlearn how to.
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