Tulamben Diving – USAT Liberty, also known as the USS Liberty (now a wreck), was a United States Army cargo ship that was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-166 in January 1942. The ship was beached on the island of Bali, Indonesia. Liberty had been built as a Design 1037 ship for the United States Shipping Board during World War I and had served in the United States Navy in that war as animal transport USS Liberty (ID-3461). The ship was also notable as the first ship constructed at Federal Shipbuilding in Kearny, New Jersey. In 1963, a volcanic eruption moved the ship off the beach, and Liberty’s wreck is now a popular dive site.
A little history on USS Liberty
During World War 1
After being built in just 28 days, the Liberty ship was launched on June 19th, 1918. It was then acquired by the United States Navy and commissioned on October 7th, 1918.
The very next day, it departed from the New York Navy Yard bound for Brest, France carrying a cargo of horses. It arrived in France on November 8th, 1918. Over the next 6 months, the Liberty ship made two additional trips from New York to France. It carried both animal and general cargo on these trips. On its final voyage, the ship carried 436 tons of U.S. Army cargo and 2,072 tons of steel rails. It arrived in Newport News, Virginia on April 30th, 1919. The ship was decommissioned on May 7th and returned to the United States Shipping Board on the same day.
World War 2
In 1939, the Liberty was owned by the United States Maritime Commission (a successor to the USSB). However, it was employed by the Southgate-Nelson Corporation of Norfolk, Virginia. This corporation operated several packet lines, including the American Hampton Roads Line, the Yankee Line, and the Oriole Lines. It’s unclear for which of these services the Liberty sailed. In November 1940, the Liberty was one of ten ships taken up by the United States Army for defense service.
When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, the USAT Liberty was in the Pacific. In January 1942, she was sailing from Australia to the Philippines carrying railway parts and rubber. On January 11, the Japanese submarine I-66 torpedoed her about 10 nautical miles southwest of the Lombok Strait, near position 08°54′S 115°28′E. The US destroyer Paul Jones and the Dutch destroyer Van Ghent took the damaged ship in tow, trying to reach Celukan bawang harbour at Singaraja, the Dutch port and administrative center for the Lesser Sunda Islands, on the north coast of Bali. However, she was taking on too much water, so they beached her on the eastern shore of Bali at Tulamben so that the cargo and fittings could be salvaged.
Becoming the famous Tulamben Diving – USS Liberty Wreck Today
In 1963, the tremors from Mount Agung’s eruption caused the vessel to slip off the beach. Now, it lies on a sand slope in 25 to 100 feet (7.6 to 30.5 m) of water, providing one of the most popular dive sites off Bali. The wreck of USAT Liberty is often misidentified as USAT Liberty or identified by the misnomer, USS Liberty. The wreck is sometimes incorrectly referred to as a Liberty ship, through confusion of the ship’s name with the class of World War II-built standard design cargo ships.
The detailed historical journey of the USS Liberty is thoroughly engrossing! It’s intriguing to understand how such a significant ship has transformed into one of the most coveted diving sites today. Beautifully narrated!
I find the history and transformation of the USS Liberty truly fascinating. It’s amazing how it has now become a remarkable dive site delivering a unique experience of history and natural beauty.
I’ve heard of this wreck before, but never knew the full story behind it. Thanks for sharing! It’s incredible how much history lies beneath our oceans.
Hi Evelyn, thanks for stopping by and sharing your thoughts about our blog post on the USS Liberty wreck. We’re thrilled to hear that you found the story interesting! At Pebble & Fins, we’re passionate about not just providing an amazing diving experience but also learning more about the history of these incredible wrecks. Our training facilities are designed to educate our local staff and provide job opportunities for the community around us. Revisit us soon and join us in our mission to change the world, one resort at a time! If you have any questions or would like to learn more, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us at [email protected] or +62 857 3891 8262.
Fascinating to learn about the USS Liberty’s history! I didn’t know it was a cargo ship that served in both World War I and II. The fact that it’s now a popular dive site is amazing. Would love to see it with my own eyes!
Hi Aisha Tan, thank you for sharing your interest in the USS Liberty’s history! We’re thrilled to hear that you find it fascinating. Our resort is proud to be a part of preserving this piece of history by offering diving experiences at the Tulamben Diving site. If you ever visit us, we’d be happy to take you on a guided dive to explore the wreck and learn more about its significance. Feel free to contact us at [email protected] or +62 857 3891 8262 for any questions or bookings.
Wow, what a journey this ship has had! From being built in just 28 days to its eventual fate as a dive site. I’m impressed by the level of detail in this post.
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts about our blog post on the USS Liberty! We’re thrilled to hear that you were impressed by the level of detail. It’s indeed a fascinating story, and we’re proud to share it with our readers. As a resort in Bali, we believe that our location provides not just a beautiful backdrop for diving but also an opportunity to make a positive impact on the local community through education and job opportunities. We’d love to learn more about your interests and experiences in diving and exploration! Please feel free to contact us at [email protected] or +62 857 3891 8262.