A TRUE TREASURE STORY

elkman13

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Not many treasure stories are true, but I have one that is. I will pass it on for I don’t know of a way to get at any of it and my efforts to work with someone has not worked well.

At the end ow WWII my brother ship was in Yokohama Japan. That found a cave with a lot of Japanese currency , gold and large silver bars. the loot was placed in a warehouse on the dock. Members of the ship were put on guard duty. Every one on duty came up with a plan of their own. My brother and his guard buddy decided to take a large bar of silver ( large enough it required both to carry) up the beach and buried it. A few days latter the ships captain went to show off his prize and found all the gold an silver gone. It may very well have went the same way as the one large bar of silver. The ship was searched from top to bottom, threats where made but nothing ever turned up.

Fast forward 50 years: I worked with a Japanese engineer. He was from Yokohama and I explained I needed a map of the bay now and a 1945. We could maybe figure out the place to start looking for what might be buried some place around the bay. To my surprise the idea of treasure hunting was a foreign idea to him I guess. I could get no action from him or a couple others I met.

The bay has change a lot in 60 years I’m sure. My brother has passed on. The ship could be found in records. The gold and silver??? Lost in time...
 

Hmm,

Interesting, yes I believe it. So much loot was found in Japan and surrounding areas.

Well, I think the first thing is to get the ships records and find out where it was berthed when everyone decided to grab some souvenirs.

Next, get a good metal detector and comb the beaches that would be most likely around that ship and where twos guys could cart it off and bury it.

In regards to the Japanese... they are very reluctant to do things that are not considered normal or mainstream. They are very reluctant to talk of or speak of WWII or anything about it. That might be why the engineer did not want to take any action regarding it. Also, there is a lot of Japanese Mafia and gov't, ahhhhhhh, shall we say understanding. That loot is probably also eyed by the gov't and mob there and any involvement would be being noticed by them.

I am sure some has been found and maybe most over the years by accident or other people looking for relatives---- old deposits. But it sure would be worth a look if you could get those maps.

Good luck
Jim
 

Thats a good story,I really liked it,and Im guessing very true. I stopped in Yokohama in 1967 for a few days before going overseas to korea,and I can say it is very built up, especially the harbor areas. My guess is its all been found already through construction projects,or by accident.It is possible some of the loot may have been dropped straight down into the harbor itself,where it still is today covered by decades of bottom layers of silt. You really need to develope a map,and try to sell it to some Japanese treasure hunters,and all things being un- equal ,you most likely wont see a dime anyways, with the exception,of the map sale. COOL STORY THOUGH
 

Great story, don't forget to Post photos if you find anything ;)
 

I found a Navy web site. Now trying to find members of the USS Shackle.
 

=SWR . I would hate to think your Brother and his friend left his post to steal the bar of silver.
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Shehs SWR, you are a bit naive.
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Typically, product would be inventoreid at every guard change.
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Once, in the Philippines I was invoved in a similar situation, the materiel was NOT inventoried at each change of guard, everyone was only interested in getting home or back to bed if on the night watch..
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Nice story, but kind of insulting to the military men who guarded it.
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In normal times yes, but at the end of a long war? Normal. Lots of looting went on, some unofficially sanctioned.

Two wars qualifies me to make this remark.

Tropical Tramp



[/quote]
 

Realde Tayopa:

You are right. it as not normal times. His job as a diver was to blow anything out of the way that would impede shipping. I guess loot and scoot was the norm for the day. I remember rifle, pistol and other he brought home. I still have a sword. Things you could never do to day. As to the scoot part, he was scared they would be delayed coming home. That was one of the one of the threats.

I have the name of a person who was on the Skackle in 1945. I’m trying to contact them and get their slant on the story
 

Eisenhower General took home importent nazi documents,and a solid gold luger pistol. General Mcarthuer took home millions of dollars in gold coins that the president of the Phillipines gave him,that belonged to the Japanese. Military officers took war trophys from the regular inlisted to keep themselfs, U.S. postal employees stole war trophys going through the mail system,for themselfs,and for the most part war is not only hell,but very confuseing at times,and military rules do not adhere to their on call,another words, booz and drugs,and general crazyiness rule the day and night.
 

Gentlemen: I forgot to add that the commanding officer may just have retired to the Bahamas later after blaming the enlisted men, but then you covered it incely guys., thanks.

Tropical Tramp
 

During every war, people bury their coins and other items.
 

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