In‐situ Corrosion Studies on Wrecked Aircraft of the Imperial Japanese Navy in Chuuk Lagoon, Federated States of Micronesia

Abstract

A preliminary in‐situ corrosion survey of the submerged Japanese WWII aircraft in Chuuk Lagoon, in the Federated States of Micronesia, has provided information on the way in which the wrecks interact with the marine environment. The aircraft are characterised by a lack of encrusting marine organisms and are clearly identifiable. The values of pH and the corrosion potentials vary with depth and the voltage depends on the composition of the underlying metal alloys. It is possible that with additional data from these non‐destructive methods techniques it will be possible to provide marine archaeologists with appropriate diagnostic tools.

© 2006 The Author.

Key words:

• aluminium alloys
• WWII aircraft wrecks
• Chuuk Lagoon
• corrosion
• conservation

Acknowledgements

Bill Jeffery provided the inspiration for this work and Andrew Viduka's role as diving buddy was vitally important. Support from the Western Australian Museum and the Hon. Sheila M^cHale, Minister for Culture and the Arts, is gratefully noted. Special thanks go to Ansito Walter, Governor of Chuuk State; David Welle, Arimichy Rudolph and Anerit Mailo from the Chuuk Historic Preservation Office and members of the government workboat team for their safe transport to and from the sites. The project was partly funded by the Historic Preservation fund in partnership with the US National Park Service, US Department of the Interior.