Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory Archive

IN THE SCHOOL OF OCEAN AND EARTH SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HAWAI'I AT MANOA

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SBB-18: Sampan (dilapidated)

Mosaic: SampanSurvey: sampanSurvey: sampanSurvey: sampanSurvey: sampanSurvey: sampanHistoric photo: Captain Ricks big sampanHistoric photo: Hawaiian sampan at dockHistoric photo: Hawaiian sampan bowHistoric photo: Kula KaiHistoric photo: Kula Kai-Kewalo 2012Historic photo: Kula Kai-Kewalo 2012Composite: SampanHistoric photo: Mura Maru 1977 33Historic photo: Sampan Detroit diesel


HURL Artifact No. SBB-18 *Denotes approximations and speculations
Name: Sampan Lost: Unknown
Artifact Type: Light Vessel Found: 16-Aug-98
Nationality: *USA Dive No: PV-360
Class or Make: *Sampan Location: Ewa
Model: *Hawaiian Depth (m): 219m
Purpose: *Fishing HURL crew: T. Kerby, C. Holloway, B. Benumut
Serial Number: Unknown Additional Dives:
Built/Launched: Unknown
Length: *33'
Width: *8'
Height: *6'
Circumstance of Loss: Unknown Crew Personnel/Position: Captain and 3 Crew
Reason of Loss: Unknown Crew Survivals/Fatalities: Unknown
Artifact History: *The sampan Diakoko Maru was lost at sea out of Kewalo pier in 1929. The 32B90 sank "off Oahu" in 1946 with 4 missing. There are likely several other sampans lost in the vicinity that were never recorded.
Artifact Condition: The wooden hull and superstructure have deplete away. Only the engine survives, along with a trough-like hold on the stern. The general shape of the vessel can still be distinguished. The engines intake and exhaust piping are visible although the exhaust stack has fallen over. There are many fish around the wreckage.
Additional Information: In 1899 Gorokichi Nakasugi brought the first Sampan to Hawaii on a steamer. Through the 1920's & 30's the vessels evolved from the Yamato-style sampan with square sails to diesel engines with cabins. However the distinctive shape carried on. In WWII many were confiscated because they were Japanese owned. The Navy purchased others to supplement a boat shortage. They added larger 3-cylinder engines and depth charge racks. After the war their numbers declined. Today only a handful survive.