On The 19th of February 1942, just before 10.00am, 188 Japanese aircraft descended upon Darwin. The first raid lasted 45 minutes and the second only 20-25 minutes, but in that short time more bombs were dropped on Darwin than in the more infamous attack on Pearl Harbour. In just over an hour a total of 243 people were killed, most of them on the 8 ships that were sunk in Darwin Harbour.
After WWII the Japanese salvage company Fujita won the contract to salvage the remains of the wrecks, but were not allowed to remove any of the American-owned cargo that still lies on the wrecks today. Below is some minor information in relation to each.
USAT Miegs Depth 18 mtrs
11,358 tons. 430 ft in length and was the largest ship in the harbour during the 1942 raid. Loaded with ammunition and accoutrements she was heavily bombed and gunned by Japanese aircraft. She now lies in 18mtrs of water and is orientated in a north/south direction. Salvaged by the Japanese in 1959, divers can now spot trucks, jeeps, Bren Gun Carrier, ammunition, and rail way lines amongst the obvious ribs and bulkheads. Common fish life includes large Estuarine Cod, Pigmy Barracuda, Golden Snapper and Angel Fish to name a few. She is one of Darwin's greatest WWII wreck dives.
USAT Mauna Loa Depth 18 mtrs
5,436 tons. 410 ft in length the Mauna Loa lies just one kilometre from the Miegs in 18 metres. Hundreds of .303 and .50 calibre ammunition is scattered over the wreck along with trucks, motorcycles and Bren Gun Carriers. Schools of fish often frequent the bow section of the wreck.
USS Peary Depth 27 mtrs
11,190 tons. 314 ft in length the Peary was struck by five bombs during the Bombing of Darwin with a result of 80 men killed and 13 wounded. She went down stern first with guns blazing. She has been heavily salvaged by the Japanese in the 60's and offers superb fossicking, divers are best kept busy probing small sections of the wreck but she is relatively deep and dark so bring a torch.
MV Zealandia Depth 19 mtrs
6,600 tons. 410 ft in length the Zealandia was a multi deck ship used for carrying passengers and freight. Ammunition started exploding in the holds and she gradually settled on the bottom. Again heavily salvaged in 1960. She was salvaged to the point that there is primarily rubble only left however the wreckage is a haven for fish.
MT British Motorist Depth 20 mtrs
6,891 tons. 440 ft in length the British Motorist was refueling the Peary at the time of the attack. Struck by two bombs she eventually capsized and sunk with two lives lost of the crew of 61. She was later refloated by the Fujita salvage co. and used as storage and quarters for the salvage crew. The engine room was left on the bottom, as it was too heavy to refloat. Portholes and gauges are still visible, however the bottom is easily silted up.
Kelat (Coal Barge) Depth 12 mtrs
1,849 tons. 260 ft. As the name suggest, the Kelat was used to ferry coal to the ships in Darwin Harbour during the war years. She is now well and truly spread out and offers divers an interesting dive with myriads of small fish and the occasional Wobbegong Shark.
Catalina Sea Planes Depth 12 mtrs
Three Catalina "Flying- Boats" are situated in the East Arm area with the most diveable one in about 12 meters. Other than one of the wings and the nose broken off she is relatively in tact, controls visible and all. A good dive for small groups.
