The Hanakawa Maru was built in 1943 as special transport for the Japanese Imperial Navy. This Standard B freighter served from 25 October 1943 until being sunk on the second day of the “Hailstone” raids in 1944.
During the air strikes, Hanakawa Maru was attacked by aircraft from carriers Bunker Hill and Cowpens. An Avenger torpedo bomber from the Bunker Hill sunk her with a torpedo hit on her starboard bow setting her cargo of chemical gasoline drums ablaze. Like the Hoki Maru, the chemical substances were toxic and she was not dived for years until bubbles finally ceased to rise.
She has many soft and brilliant corals on her topsides and masts, although often a murky location at her upright position with depth of 110 fsw to her keel.
Displacement: 4,793 tons
Length: 112m (368 feet)
Beam: 16m (52 feet)
Engine: 1 coal fired turbine
Max Speed: 15 kts.
Water depth: 34m
The dive
I scanned the wreck on Feb.19th 2025 during one dive. The visibility was poor and the wreck is covered in plants and bushes that made it quite difficult.
