The wreck of this vessel is located near the Salute and has a World War II connection as well.
It is often referred to as the Australian Wreck, while the Salute is the American Wreck. The ship, however, was never in Australian service.
The ship was built in Britain around 1890 as a typical Far East passenger-cargo ship. It was operated by the Dutch in the Far East as the SS De Klerk. During World War II, the Dutch government took it over in January 1942 to convert it into a troop transport.
Before that could happen, it was scuttled at Tandjong Priok March 2, 1942. The Japanese Navy raised it Nov. 28th, renovated it and it entered service as the Imaji Maru. Fleeing Borneo, it was sunk by the Australian Air Force September 16, 1944 (or 1945).
Many female prisoners, serving as "comfort ladies" for Japanese troops, drowned. Several divers attest that the wreck is haunted by them.
A Floating _____ _____. --Cooter
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