E-book SHIPWRECKS OF THE PHILIPPINES by TOM Bennett
The book is now only available as an ebook and for convenience of downloading as an email attachment it has been split into two sections
The most popular pages are those covering the Pacific War (WWII) and this has been compiled in a 145 page book entitled WWII wrecks of the Philippines. No less than 970 vessels are detailed with their name, tonnage and loss position (if known). This is the first time a detailed Chronological List of Shipwrecks has been published for the Philippine area.
At the end of the book is an INDEX of Philippine ship losses Over 1,280 wrecks are listed. Thumbnail pictures are given of many of the ships including some Pacific War photographs from the Naval History and Heritage Command in Washington, USA.
The wreck entries are in Date order with some additional content of each wreck. Ship’s name, date of loss, type of vessel with previous names, tonnage and dimensions, route taken and cargo, location including GPS (if known). Cause of sinking and if salvage has taken place, also if it is a popular dive site. Such a complete list has not been published before and has been compiled to be a valuable reference source for historical research, salvage and recreational divers and of general historical interest. The index includes all the Japanese and American WWII losses (above 500 tons) known to have occurred within Philippine waters, well over 800 vessels.
Of interest to the recreational diver and the Dive Centers, details of more than 50 wreck dive sites are included. All within the 40 meter depth. Amongst the text are also dive spots that may reveal new wreck sites.
During 1944 at the height of the Pacific War there were appproximately 800 ships lost in the Philippines alone.
This is a photograph of a Japanese Fast Transport T-11 that was sunk only one month after being commissioned.
After being attacked by US Fighter bomber planes she ran onto a coral reef in San Isidro Bay, Leyte and partly sank. 375 men killed. 7 December 1944. Photo: Naval History and Heritage Command. Washington, USA.
The small photo at the top of this page is the IRAKO sinking, a Japanese supply ship sunk in WWII and now a popular dive site in Coron Bay.
To look at sample pages, click the box on the top left of this page
During 1944 at the height of the Pacific War there were appproximately 800 ships lost in the Philippines alone.