On 21 September 1944, a Japanese convoy traveled off the western coast of Luzon with the vessel Hofuku Maru acting as the second ship in the formation. Onboard were 1,289 British and Dutch prisoners of war, many of whom were already physically fragile after enduring forced labor on the Burma–Thailand “Death Railway.”
Life aboard the vessel was defined by horrific conditions, including a lack of light, minimal ventilation, no sanitation, and food rations that were barely enough to sustain life. Furthermore, the ship displayed no markings to indicate it was transporting prisoners. When US Navy Task Force 38 aircraft intercepted the convoy, they targeted the ships as legitimate military assets. A torpedo struck the hull of the Hofuku Maru, causing the vessel to fracture and sink in less than three minutes. Approximately 1,000 prisoners remained trapped in the holds, while those who managed to reach the shore were eventually recaptured by Japanese forces. In total, 1,047 of the 1,289 prisoners aboard perished.
For eight decades, the wreck remained lost. Post-war records were contradictory, Allied reports provided only vague coordinates, and accounts from survivors varied significantly, leaving families without a place to memorialize their lost loved ones. During the war, the Japanese Empire converted over 130 cargo and passenger vessels to transport prisoners between labor camps. Roughly 20,000 of the 125,000 Allied prisoners moved on these “hell ships” died during their transit.
A breakthrough occurred in 2025 when researcher John Duresky, working with the Hellships Memorial Foundation, discovered a digitized Japanese document previously overlooked. The document, written by flagship officers, provided a map and timeline of the attack, confirming the Hofuku Maru’s position in the convoy. By cross-referencing this with records from the USS Bunker Hill, the team realized the wreck sat more than 50 kilometers south of previous search areas. Randy Anderson, founder of the foundation, noted that finding the Japanese source material was a defining moment for the investigation.
Using these coordinates, a team led by explorer Josh Gates, imaging specialist Evan Kovacs, and archaeologist Calvin Mires deployed sonar off the coast of Zambales province. The ship was located at a depth of 50 meters. Despite 1991 volcanic ash from Mount Pinatubo covering parts of the vessel, the team utilized hundreds of photographs to create a 3D model, confirming the ship’s identity through its mast layout and hull dimensions. The wreck was found in pieces, consistent with historical accounts of the sinking.
Human remains discovered at the site mean the area is now officially designated as a war grave under international conventions. While exact coordinates remain confidential to protect the site, the Netherlands has stated it will coordinate with other nations to honor the victims. For the families of the dead, the discovery of the Hofuku Maru brings a measure of closure 80 years after the tragedy.
