Australian Wreck

This dive site features the wreck of the Dutch ship, SS De Klerk, previously thought do be an Australian ship sunk by the Royal Australian Air force, when in fact it was scuttled by the Dutch in 1942 and then recovered by the Japanese who renamed it Imabari Maru. Imabari Maru then struck a mine and sunk about 23 kilometers to the southwest of Labuan in 1944. It now lies at a 50-degree angle on its portside, with just the metal framework left. It is believed that 339 passengers died during the sinking, most of whom were prisoners of war and workers. The wreck is very easy to access and one should definitely take a look at the stunning steam engine. The ship now lies in 35 meters of water with its high side going up to 25 meters. The starboard side has a very large hole in it and at the stern is the steel propeller which is covered in sand.