Aaron Bunch Journalist with Australian Associated Press | Collection of published work | + 61 484 008 119 | abunch@aap.com.au
Dive on Sydney’s last Japanese sub-wreck
More than 75 years after a Japanese midget submarine attacked Sydney, the public has been permitted to dive on the wreck.
February 15, 2018
Ten lucky divers have been granted rare access to the wreckage of a World War II Japanese midget submarine off Sydney’s northern beaches.
The group was allowed to dive the M24 wreck, the last remaining in-situ, some 75 years after the submarine attacked Sydney Harbour during World War II.
Diver Richard Nicholls won a spot in the public ballot to access the otherwise restricted site.
He said conditions were fantastic and the group enjoyed amazing visibility.
“One of the great joys of diving is being able to go back into the past and it was a terrific experience to see the submarine wreck teeming with fish — new life that’s come from a tragedy,” Mr Nicholls said in a statement on Thursday.
The wreck, which is in 54 metres of water, remains the grave for two Japanese submariners.
The M24 in 1942 was one of three midget Japanese subs – each with a two-member crew – to enter the harbour.
The two others were detected but the M24 sank the navy depot ship HMAS Kuttabul killing 21 Australian sailors.
The submarine, which was discovered in 2006 by a group of divers, is now a protected Commonwealth Government Historic Shipwreck and is listed on the NSW State Heritage Register.
There are penalties of up to $1.1 million for disturbing the site.