What Were the Hellships?

During World War II, the Imperial Japanese military transported thousands of Allied prisoners of war (POWs) and civilian internees across the Asia-Pacific in unmarked cargo ships. These vessels, later known as “Hellships,” became infamous for their inhumane conditions and staggering death tolls.

Cramped into cargo holds with little air, food, or water, POWs endured extreme heat, disease, and suffocation. Many died before even reaching their destination. Most of these ships bore no markings to indicate they carried POWs, making them targets for Allied submarines and aircraft. The result was catastrophic: over 20,000 Allied prisoners—American, British, Dutch, Australian, and others—were killed during transport.

Some of the worst incidents include the Arisan Maru, where 1,773 U.S. POWs perished in a single sinking—the deadliest maritime disaster in American military history. The Oryoku Maru, attacked in Subic Bay, and the Hofuku Maru, sunk in Lingayen Gulf, are also among the most tragic examples.

Despite their scale, the story of the Hellships remains little known to the public. Survivors’ testimonies, ship logs, and postwar investigations have helped piece together the horrors endured aboard these vessels. Still, many remain missing, and families continue to seek answers.

The Hellships Memorial in Subic Bay was established to honor these victims and ensure their suffering is not forgotten. The engraved names and plaques serve not only as a tribute, but as a reminder of the brutal cost of war and the resilience of those who endured it.

By remembering the Hellships, we give voice to those who had none—and ensure that such tragedies are never repeated.