Wreck of Japan's WWII 'Hellship' carrying Allied POWs found off Philippine coast after 80 years

The wreck of the Japanese "Hellship" transport Hōfuku Maru, notorious for its inhumane conditions during World War II, has been identified off the coast of the Philippines. The discovery, made 80 years after the ship sank, was announced by the Hellships Memorial Foundation and featured on the Discovery Channel's "Expedition Unknown."

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We were absolutely stunned that Japanese sources had information on where the convoy was attacked and what ships were hit – this was a smoking gun

The Hōfuku Maru was sunk by an Allied torpedo on September 21, 1944, in less than three minutes. The tragedy claimed the lives of over 1,000 British and more than 200 Dutch prisoners of war, making it one of the deadliest Hellship incidents. These vessels were used by the Japanese to transport Allied POWs and forced laborers in brutal conditions, with an estimated 20,000 of the 125,000 transported prisoners dying on board.

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The story of the Hellships is a chapter in the history of WWII that demands to be brought to light. The research and dives that led to this groundbreaking discovery can hopefully offer closure to the families of more than a thousand servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Researchers from the Hellships Memorial Foundation, led by John Duresky, utilized rediscovered US and Japanese military archives to pinpoint the shipwreck's location. They found a shipwreck consistent with the Hōfuku Maru's last known position and characteristics off the coast of Zambales province in Luzon, at a depth of 160 feet. This location was more than 30 miles from where the ship was previously believed to have been lost.

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It’s a privilege to work alongside the Hellships Memorial Foundation to honor their memories; they are lost no more.

"We were absolutely stunned that Japanese sources had information on where the convoy was attacked and what ships were hit – this was a smoking gun," said Randy Anderson, founder of the Hellships Memorial Foundation. The "Expedition Unknown" team, including co-executive Josh Gates, underwater imaging specialist Evan Kovacs, and maritime archaeologist Dr. Calvin Mires, confirmed the wreck's identity through deepwater dives, the discovery of human remains, and aligning measurements with the Hōfuku Maru's specifications. "The story of the Hellships is a chapter in the history of WWII that demands to be brought to light," Gates stated, hoping the discovery offers closure to the families of the servicemen lost.

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The pieces all fit. The vessel is the right size, in the right place and from the correct period. I am convinced this is the Hōfuku Maru.