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Oceans Enterprises. Victoria Australia. 1st edition 1994. Within Rabaul's magnificent harbour lie over fifty shipwrecks. On 23 January 1942, the tranquil town of Rabaul on the Gazelle Peninsula, East New Britain was invaded by Japanese troops. An air and sea blockade was sufficient to render the base ineffective. By 1945, the 97,000 remaining Japanese led a subsistence life, each having no effect on the fate of the war. Stranded ships lined the palm-fringed shores; others lay at depth beneath the waters of the deep harbour. Valuable scrap metal attracted the salvage operators, first the Australian Navy, then the Commonwealth Salvage Board, followed by the commercial operators, including the Japanese intent on recovering some of their lost material. The popularity of wreck diving grew during the 1980's and now attracts divers to Rabaul from allover the world. The authores are familiar with each wreck as they would be of their own home. With the assistance of publisher and writer Peter Stone, also a Rabaul enthusiast, they have documented fifteen major shipwrecks and aircraft - and a floating crane. Pristine condition. Paperback 150pp 250 x 180mm