Sinking of the 'Lisbon Maru', 2 October 1942

Oil on canvas by David Furze, 1984.

The Japanese transport ship 'Lisbon Maru' was carrying 1,816 British and Canadian prisoners of war from Hong Kong to Japan when it was tragically sunk by the US submarine 'Grouper'. Around 840 prisoners were killed. Many of them were shot by the Japanese guards as they swam away from the wreck. Others drowned as they were left locked in the hold after the transport started to sink. After the war, the 'Lisbon Maru's' skipper, Captain Kyoda Shigeru, was imprisoned for his role in the killings.