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Maritime Heritage Trail
LocationSaipan, Northern Mariana Islands, United States [1]
UseSCUBA Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Kayaking
Elevation gain/loss14 m (46 ft) max. depth (Tanapag Lagoon) with an average < 3 m (9.8 ft)through to Garapan Lagoon [2]
Lowest pointChalan Kanoa Lagoon
DifficultySuitable for all levels and age groups
SeasonYear Round
SightsShipwrecks, Sherman Tanks, LVTs, Daihatsu Landing Craft, Aircraft

The WWII Invasion Beaches Underwater Heritage Trail, is located within the protected waters of Saipan's lagoon, off the west coast of "the big island" in the Northern Marianas archipelago. The majority of the sites can be found under the clear waters between Garapan, Tanapag Harbor, and Mañagaha Island. Trail down to Chalan Kanoa Lagoon to see the Sherman Tanks just off shore, with their turrets sticking right out of the water.

Maritime Heritage Trail edit

Each of the dive sites along the trail are associated with the Battle of Saipan and include wrecked or discarded vehicles which were in use during World War II, representing one of the most pivotal battles fought in the Pacific Theatre. Each of the stops along the trail are unique because they showcase a number of different underwater sites including airplanes, landing craft, tanks, and ships. These sites are significant to both the Japanese and US nations but also to Korean, Chamorro, Carolinian and Phillipino peoples who were involved in the conflict. These underwater sites represent wartime activities that added to Saipan's rich maritime cultural heritage.[1]

Tanapag Lagoon edit

Tanapag Lagoon (Puetton Tanapag in Chamorro) has been Saipan's primary harbor from prehistoric times through to the present day. Due to its deep waters and natural barriers against the forces of the ocean, the lagoon has been an important maritime resource since prehistoric times. Mañagaha and the surrounding barrier reef form a natural breakwater making these waters an ideal haven for watercraft of all shapes and sizes. It was significant to the invasion of World War II. The Japanese Imperial Navy had a base here and launched decisive attacks against the Allied forces from this strategic position. After seizing the island, the United States Navy took possession of the lagoon and expanded its harbor facilities substantially. Today it is home to 9 of the 12 sites that were chosen to be part of the maritime heritage trail.

Chalan Kanoa Lagoon edit

The Sites edit

Aircraft edit

The airplane is an invention from recent history. Born during the industrial age they have been heavily mass-produced. During WWII naval aircraft were mass-produced in the thousands by both the US and the Japanese forces. The archaeological significance of surviving underwater military aircraft is growling fast. The aircraft of World War II are popular attractions on land and underwater and unfortunately are often the subject of collectors looking for a souvenir.

The WWII Maritime Heritage Trail includes four submerged aircraft. Providing examples of various war planes, they include a Japanese Kawanishi H8K (Allied named "Emily"), a Japanese Aichi E13A (Allied named "Jake"), a US Martin PBM Mariner, and a US TBM Avenger.

 
PBM Mariner aboard USS Norton Sound


Auxiliary Vessels edit

A large number of ships designed for commercial use were commissioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy for military service as auxiliary forces. These ships played a large role in the battles of the Pacific. At least two dozen merchant vessels are known to have sank in in the waters surrounding Saipan during the war, several of which can be found in the lagoon.

The sites included in the heritage trail are a Japanese Merchant Vessel (presumably Shoan Maru), and a possible Japanese Auxiliary Submarine Chaser.

Landing Vehicles edit

Amphibious vehicles including US LVTs (Landing Vehicle, Tracked) and Japanese Daihatsu Landing Craft played pivotal roles in the Battle of Saipan. LVTs were used in the initial invasion forces by the US. They were also know to have provided artillery support during the taking of Garapan, before the U.S. forces moved on to Tanapag (Chapin 1994).

There are three Landing Vehicles on the WWII heritage trail and they include two Japanese Daihatsu Landing craft and a US LVT(A)-4 (known as the "Marianas Model").

Sherman Tanks edit

Three US Sherman Tanks, located within swimming distance of Oleai and Susupe beaches, played a significant role in the initial invasion by US forces. The three tanks are semi-submerged and are a prime attraction for both locals and tourists due to their striking nature with turrets above the water. The area in which the tanks are located has been designated a National Historic Landmark associated with the action that took place on these beaches.

Significance of the Trail edit

Saipan is roughly 10 miles long by 5 miles wide and the waters immediately surrounding this small island are home to 8 known marine protected areas, some of which fall within the boundaries of the cultural heritage trail.

Offical Name Location Protected Area!
Lighthouse Reef Trochus Reserve 15.188014 145.707369, Saipan Beginning at the Garapan channel marker (Lighthouse) and extending south for one mile. The area encompasses the barrier reef from the innermost edge bordering the lagoon out to the offshore side,
Bird Island Sea Cucumber Reserve 15.257489 145.813726, Bird Island Coral Reef and tidal pools surrounding limestone rock-island on the North Western side of Saipan
Managaha Marine Conservation Area 15.21806 145.697, Mañagaha The boundary forms a diamond that encompasses the Mañagaha Islet, a portion of the barrier reef to its end, and the waters surrounding the Islet. The southern landward boundary abuts the Port of Saipan shipping channel.
Laulau Bay Sea Cucumber Reserve 15.132239 145.745714, Saipan Protected crescent shaped bay containing numerous tide pools and fringed by coral reefs. Beginning at (point) Puntan Hakmang & extending south to Puntan Dandan, the area runs from the mean high water mark seaward to the 40 foot depth contour.
Tank Beach Trochus Reserve 15.173888 145.786720, Saipan Cresent shaped bay on the Eastern side of the island, near the town of Kagman.
Kagman Conservation Area 15.185359 145.782236, Saipan The site consists of 330 acres. Tangantangan forest atop cliff line and adjacent to overlook. Excellent visibility within the coastal waters and fringing reefs.
Forbidden Island Sanctuary 15.1505 145.791, Forbidden Island, Saipan Fringing coral reefs, volcanic cliffs, and Island plateau habitat.
Bird Island Marine Sanctuary 15.2578 145.814, Bird Island The site consists of 220 acres of land, including the Grotto, extending from the Bird Island Marine Sanctuary to the Saipan Upland Mitigation Bank

the boundaries of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument.

File:Mariana Trench Marine National Monument map.pdf

World War II edit

 
Red Beach D-day Landing

Military history of the United States during World War II#Pacific Theater Campaigns

Operation Forager

Battle of Saipan

Post-War Operations edit

 
PBM USS Norton Sound Guam 1945

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b McKinnon; Carrell 2011
  2. ^ Amesbury et al. 1996

References edit

  • Alden, John Doughty (1989). US Submarine Attacks During WWII : Including Allied Submarine Attacks in the Pacific Theater. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0870217674.
  • Carrell, Toni L., ed. (1991). Micronesia Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment. Santa Fe, New Mexico: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, Southwest Region, Southwest Cultural Resources Center, Submerged Cultural Resources Unit.
  • Carrell, Toni L., ed. (2009). Maritime History and Archaeology of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. Submitted to the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Historic Preservation
  • Farrell, D. (2009). Carrell, Toni L. (ed.). "Operation Tearaway and Tattersalls" in Maritime History and Archaeology of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. pp. 269–343. Submitted to the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Historic Preservation
  • Wood, L. J. (2007). [http:/www.mpaglobal.org "A database of the world's marine protected areas"]. Sea Around Us Project, UNEP-WCMC & WWF. MPA Global. Retrieved May 31, 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help) [1]

http://www.pbif.org/participants/northernmarianas.html Pacific Biodiversity Information Forum: Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands

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  • McKinnon, Jennifer (2011). Saipan WWII Invasion Beaches Underwater Heritage Trail. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links edit


Category:Maritime Archaeology Category:History of the Northern Mariana Islands Category:Saipan Category:Underwater diving sites Category:Maritime incidents in 1944 Category:Conflicts in 1944 Category:World War II Category:United States Marine Corps in World War II Category:Battles and operations of World War II involving Japan Category:World War II Pacific Theatre Category:Pacific Ocean theater of World War II Category:Naval Aircraft Category:World War II auxiliary ships

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COLUMN1 COLUMN2
ROW1 ROW1/COL2
ROW2 ROW2/COL2

{{Infobox hiking trail 

| name = Maritime Heritage Trail
| embed = 
| cellstyle = 
| title = 
| photo = [[:
| caption =

Submerged and partially submerged sites as located within the WWII Invasion Beaches Heritage Trail, Saipan, CNMI ("Japanese freighter" site shown in the background) 

| location = Saipan Lagoon, Northern Mariana Islands, United States [1]
| designation = Marine National Monument and Protected Battlefield
| length = 
| trailheads = 
| use = SCUBA Diving, Snorkeling, Swimming, Kayaking
| elev_gain_and_loss = 14 m (46 ft) max. depth (Tanapag Lagoon) with an average < 3 m (9.8 ft)  [2]
| elev_change = 

| highest = 
| lowest = 
| Grade
| difficulty = Easy
| season = Year Round
| months = 
| sights = Shipwrecks, Sherman Tanks, LVTs, Daihatsu Landing Craft, Aircraft
| hazards = 
| surface = wet
| ROW = 
| website =

}}

WWII Invasion Beaches Underwater Heritage Trail, is located within Saipan's lagoon near Garapan and Tanapag Harbors which are off the West coast of Saipan, CNMI. Each of the sites along the trail are associated with the Battle of Saipan and include wrecked or discarded vehicles which were in use during WWII, representing one of the most pivotal battles fought in the Pacific Theatre. Each of the stops along the trail are unique because they showcase a number of different underwater sites including airplanes, landing craft, tanks, and ships. These sites are significant to both Japanese and American cultures and represent wartime activities that added to Saipan's rich maritime cultural heritage.[1]

Maritime Heritage Trail edit

Photo Galleries edit

Aircraft edit

Auxiliary Vessels edit

Significance of the Trail edit

The underwater cultural heritage trail is situated within the boundaries of the Marianas Trench Marine National Monument. These reefs and waters are among the most biologically diverse in the Western Pacific and include the greatest diversity of seamount and hydrothermal vent life yet discovered. They also contain one of the most diverse collections of stony corals in the Western Pacific, including more than 300 species, higher than any other U.S. reef area.

World War II edit

Mariana and Palau Islands campaign Battle of Saipan

American

Beginning of the end in the Pacific

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_of_America#World_War_I.2C_Great_Depression.2C_and_World_War_II

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pacific_War#Beginning_of_the_end_in_the_Pacific.2C_1944

Post-War Operations edit

______________________________________________________

Tanapag Harbor (15°13′36″N 145°44′12″E / 15.22667°N 145.73667°E / 15.22667; 145.73667)

_____________________________________________________________

Landing Beaches, Aslito-Isley Field, and Marpi Point, Saipan Island
Nearest cityChalan Kanoa, Saipan
Coordinates15°6′59″N 145°43′41″W / 15.11639°N 145.72806°W / 15.11639; -145.72806
Built1944
NRHP reference No.85001789
Added to NRHPFebruary 4, 1985

__________________________________________________________________

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b McKinnon; Carrell 2011
  2. ^ Amesbury et al. 1996

References edit

  • Carrell, Toni L., ed. (1991). Micronesia Submerged Cultural Resources Assessment. Santa Fe, New Mexico: U.S. Dept. of the Interior, National Park Service, Southwest Region, Southwest Cultural Resources Center, Submerged Cultural Resources Unit.
  • Carrell, Toni L., ed. (2009). Maritime History and Archaeology of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. Submitted to the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Historic Preservation
  • Farrell, D. (2009). Carrell, Toni L. (ed.). "Operation Tearaway and Tattersalls" in Maritime History and Archaeology of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research, Inc. pp. 269–343. Submitted to the CNMI Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, Division of Historic Preservation

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________

  • McKinnon, Jennifer (2011). Saipan WWII Invasion Beaches Underwater Heritage Trail. Corpus Christi, Texas: Ships of Exploration and Discovery Research. {{cite book}}: Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)

External links edit

Gallery edit

  •  
    Mitsubishi "Betty" bomber
  •  
    Bow gun of the Fujikawa Maru
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    1930's truck in the hold of the Hoki Maru
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    2-man tank on the deck of the Nippo Maru
  •  
    Light artillery piece on the deck of the Nippo Maru
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    Divers next to the mast of the Unkai Maru
  •  
    Diver photographing 14-inch artillery shells in the Yamagiri Maru
  •  
    Diver and soft corals next to the mast of the Hoki Maru
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