Neil Yates: Messages

You want guns, we've got guns. 4 x 5" Mounts, 2 x 40mm Bofors, 7 x 20mm cannons and 5 torpedoes. Sitting upright in 70m of water, the top of the bridge sits at 49m and is 348m long. The Ward is one of the world's premier wreck sites with a visibility on average between 20 and 30m.

A further 5km away from the USS Kanawha, lies the USS Aaron Ward, the only dive-able US Navy Destroyer lost in action. It sits upright in 70 meters of water. Descending down the mooring line to the bridge at 49 meters, you will be awestruck by her splendor. The 4 x 5"guns, 7 x 20mm cannons and 2 x 40mm Bofors are still pointing to the sky to fend off the Japanese air raid that was responsible for her demise, also 5 x 21" torpedoes still wait to be released from their tubes. The wreck is festooned with corals and fish to make it a truly memorable experience.

The first US Fleet oiler 476' long, though it lies in 60m it is only 40m to the forward deck and 45m to the stern deck, excellent dive with lots to explore, this was also a supply vessel for the US Marines. For the wreck enthusiast, Tulagi has, a mere 1800 meters from its wharf, the first American Fleet Oil Tanker. The USS Kanawha is 476' long, dive-able range between 40 and 60 meters. The Kanawha sits upright on the bottom and being an Army supply ship as well, it is full of history and places to explore.

The Kinagawa Maru, also known as the Bonegi 2, is a Japanese transport ship located only 1100m from the Bonegi 1. The engine block protrudes from the water and stern lies in 20m plus, excellent photo opportunities here, particularly in the aft section of engine room (the cathedral). There are lots of blue spotted rays on the sand.