Hawaii Dive O! Military vehicles dumped in the Pacific Ocean.

on August 16, 2012 at 13:39

We are grateful to STEVEN L PRICE and his colleagues at the Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory for the opportunity to share these remarkable images of military vehicles dumped in the Pacific Ocean.

Although they are actually carrying out a deep sea scientific and research mission, finding wrecks is proving an interesting sideline. Steve tells us the team have found submarines, landing craft and aeroplanes in the past and have recently found some classic cars but these amazing discoveries are predominantly Great War period vehicles.

Landlubber TIM GOSLING owner of the worlds second largest collection of WWI lorries describes the aquatic treasures.
Quite remarkably this FWD landed on all four wheels when it hit the ocean bottom. It lies at a depth of four-hundred metres a few miles south of Oahu.

Although the wooden body, steering wheel, seat and fuel tank have rotted away it does appear to be in remarkable condition. The radiator, engine and even the rubber tires are clearly visible and appear to be little affected by its long immersion under the sea. It looks as if it was deliberately parked in this position and is awaiting the return of it’s driver.

With its radiator gone this FWD is hardly recognisable. All the thin sheet steel and the seat have rotted away leaving the engine exposed. A large orange fish appears to find this wreck as interesting as we do. The marine life is steering clear of the copper gills of this FWD ‘Model B’ truck’s radiator. In the top centre of the radiator can be seen the letters ’LLE’ being the last three letters of Clintonville, where the truck was made. Although the steering wheel is long since gone, the hand throttle can still be seen on the side of the steering column.

This interesting photograph shows a World War One period Mack AC truck fitted with a dumper body. Most of the body has rotted away, but the front half remains as does the hydraulic tipping mechanism which sticks up behind the cab. These trucks were used by the US Corps of Engineers and this probably has a military heritage.

The fine products of the Dodge Corporation like this World War Two T207 also ended up in the sea it seems. With the bonnet and grill all rotted away the copper radiator appears quite miniscule in comparison to the enormous fender in front and the scuttle behind. The first image of how it should look.

Although hardly recognisable now this was once a WW2 Jeep. To the right of the picture can be seen the back of the body (complete with jerry can bracket,
grab handle and bumperette), while to the left can still be made out the petrol tank. Directly above that can just be made out the gauges from the dashboard.

With the rear seat and side panels gone this Holt is not immediately identifiable. The tracks and wheels which run from left to right are only just visible under plenty of marine growth. One of the engine covers has dropped open allowing a slim view into the engine compartmen.

The armour protecting the engine on this Holt has survived the passage of time and defines the armoured five ton Holt’s unique shape.

A good view of a whole Liberty B chassis with the radiator and engine clearly identifiable to the left. The later Liberty had steel wheels which are still identifiable. Sadly, not much remains of this truck. Although the drop to the ocean floor and eighty years of corrosion have taken away the bonnet, scuttle, seat and fuel tank of this Liberty B, it is amazing to see that the mudguards are still in place.