IJN Oite

The IJN Oite was a Kamikaze-Class destroyer built in 1924 and participated at Wake, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. On 16 FEB 44, Oite was escorting the damaged cruiser Agano when Agano was sunk by USS Skate. Oite pulled 523 of the Agano crew from the water and returned to Truk. As Oite entered the lagoon on 18 FEB, it was spotted and struck as part of Operation Hailstone, with the loss of 172 of her own crew and all 523 survivors of Agano. Only 20 survived. The wreck sits at just over 200' and is in two large parts, the damaged stern upright, and the upside-down bow section about 30 yards from the stern. There's a section of engine room that appears to be missing and has not been found. Our dive had about 50 minutes of bottom time, but almost 2 hours of decompression.

Paul, Mous, and I on the express elevator to the sand.
Paul, Mous, and I on the express elevator to the sand.
A large sting ray at 201' in the sand.
A large sting ray at 201' in the sand.
Paul shooting the aft gun on the stern.
Paul shooting the aft gun on the stern.
Smaller anti-aircraft gun.
Smaller anti-aircraft gun.
Aft breakpoint on over-turned bow, most likely forward bulkhead of engine room.
Aft breakpoint on over-turned bow, most likely forward bulkhead of engine room.
Mous along the bow section.
Mous along the bow section.
Dave Chapman emerging from the bow section.
Dave Chapman emerging from the bow section.
Shane outside the broken bow section.
Shane outside the broken bow section.
Pete Mesley working data collection for Truk Wreck Baseline Project.
Pete Mesley working data collection for Truk Wreck Baseline Project.
Zebra Shark hanging on the bottom.
Zebra Shark hanging on the bottom.
There's still artifacts in these wrecks.
There's still artifacts in these wrecks.
Not the culprit, but most of us were dealing with very small jelly fish stings on deco.
Not the culprit, but most of us were dealing with very small jelly fish stings on deco.
Deco Party. Almost two hours of fun on the lines.
Deco Party. Almost two hours of fun on the lines.
Trying some photos of the small translucent animals while on deco.
Trying some photos of the small translucent animals while on deco.

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