Can you dive Iron Bottom Sound?

Can you dive Iron Bottom Sound?

The Japanese freighter Kasi Maru lies in Iron Bottom Sound. Today, however, Iron Bottom Sound is best known as a mecca for scuba divers, who can explore the dozens of war wrecks that litter its bottom.

Where is the Iron Bottom Sound?

“Ironbottom Sound” (alternatively Iron Bottom Sound or Ironbottomed Sound or Iron Bottom Bay) is the name given by Allied sailors to the stretch of water at the southern end of The Slot between Guadalcanal, Savo Island, and Florida Island of the Solomon Islands, because of the dozens of ships and planes that sank there …

How many ships are at the bottom of Iron Bottom Sound?

14 ships
Ballard, who previously discovered and filmed the sunken wrecks of the Titanic and the German battleship Bismarck, found 14 ships in Iron Bottom Sound, the channel on the north side of Guadalcanal where the most fierce naval engagements were waged.

How deep is Iron Bottom Sound?

On average, the depth of Iron Bottom Sound is roughly 1,967 feet / 600 meters. The eastern end of Iron Bottom Sound is comprised of coral reefs that are divided into three channels: Furthest to the south was Lengo Channel nearest to Taivu Point on Guadalcanal.

Who was Henderson Field named after?

Corps Major Lofton Henderson
The captured airfield was named Henderson Field in honor of United States Marine Corps Major Lofton Henderson, commanding officer of VMSB-241 who was killed during the Battle of Midway while leading his squadron into action against the Japanese carrier forces, thereby becoming the first Marine aviator to perish during …

What ships were sunk at the Battle of Guadalcanal?

Japan lost the battleships Hiei and Kirishima, heavy cruiser Kinugasa, three destroyers (Akatsuki, Yudachi, and Ayanami), plus many valuable transports. Two U.S. light cruisers, Atlanta and Juneau, and seven destroyers (Barton, Monssen, Cushing, Laffey, Preston, Benham and Walke) were sunk.

Who gained Henderson Field?

~· declared secure on February 9, 1943. Conclusion: The defense of Henderson Field from August 8, 1942 toOctober 25, 1942 allowed the US to hold the first ground it had recaptured from the Japanese, to gain and maintain air and naval superiority in the Southern Pacific, and to secure the Southern Solomons.

What is Henderson Field called today?

Henderson Field is a former military airfield on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands during World War II. Originally built by the Japanese Empire, the conflict over its possession was one of the great battles of the Pacific War. Today it is Honiara International Airport.

What happened at the battle of Savo Island?

In a night action, Mikawa thoroughly surprised and routed the Allied force, sinking one Australian and three American cruisers, while suffering only light damage in return. The battle has often been cited as the worst defeat in the history of the United States Navy.

How many Marines died at Guadalcanal?

Marine and Army casualties within the ground forces amounted to 1,598 killed and 4,709 wounded. Of this total, the number of Marines killed or died from wounds was 1,152 along with 2,799 wounded and 55 listed as missing. Marine aviation losses were 55 dead with 127 wounded and 85 missing.

Is Iwo Jima an island?

Iwo Jima, official Japanese Iō-tō, also called Iō-jima, island that is part of the Volcano Islands archipelago, far southern Japan. The island has been widely known as Iwo Jima, its conventional name, since World War II (1939–45).

Why was Guadalcanal so important?

Guadalcanal marked the decisive Allied transition from defensive operations to the strategic initiative in the Pacific theater, leading to offensive operations such as the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and Central Pacific campaigns that eventually resulted in Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II.

What happened to the ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound?

The wartime coordinates for many of the ships sunk in Iron Bottom Sound are only approximate because they sank at night or the positions were not accurately recorded. Kikuzuki (Kikitsku) damaged May 4, 1942 sunk May 5, 1942 salvaged 1943. USS George F. Elliott (AP-13) sunk August 8, 1942.

What is the “Iron Bottom Sound”?

This area is now called the “Iron Bottom Sound” because of the immense amount of twisted metal that lies on the sea floor. Now covered in coral and teeming with marine life, the wrecks attract large number of recreational and professional divers, as well as photographers.

What happened to the WWII shipwreck in the Solomon Islands?

When the wreck was rediscovered more than 50 years later, the 75-year old Dougherty returned to Solomon Island, and donning scuba gear, he swam slowly down to the wreck and sat in the cockpit one last time. Map of the location of World War II shipwrecks in Ironbottom Sound in the Solomon Islands.

Where are the best wreck diving locations in the world?

The small town of Luganville, on Espiritu Santo, was once a major American base during World War II and is now one of the best wreck diving locations in the world. Its main claim to fame is the former ocean liner SS President Coolidge, but there are many more wrecks worth exploring at this destination.