The Ship

The Rakuyo Maru was a Japanese passenger-cargo ship converted into a wartime transport vessel. In September 1944, it became one of the infamous "hellships" when it was used to transport Allied prisoners of war—primarily British and Australian soldiers—from Singapore to Japan.

The Sinking

On September 12, 1944, while sailing in convoy through the South China Sea, the Rakuyo Maru was torpedoed by the American submarine USS Sealion II. Unaware that the ship held POWs, the submarine struck the vessel mid-voyage. Over 1,300 prisoners were on board. Hundreds died in the explosion and many more were left to perish in the water.

"We floated for days, clinging to wreckage, unsure if help would come." — British POW, Rakuyo Maru Survivor

Unexpected Rescue

Several days after the sinking, American submarines returned to the site and rescued 159 survivors from the water. For many, the voices of American sailors pulling them from the sea brought a bittersweet relief—they had been attacked by their own side but were now being saved.

Legacy

The Rakuyo Maru stands as a powerful symbol of the tragedy and chaos of war. It reminds us that many hellships were unmarked and vulnerable, carrying human lives in unthinkable conditions. The Hellships Memorial honors the men who died and those who lived through this harrowing journey.

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