The Peace Memorial, atop the high plateau of Mt. Sabana, is dedicated to peace
between Japan and the Chamorro people. It was dedicated in 1973.
between Japan and the Chamorro people. It was dedicated in 1973.
Over the crest of Mt. Sabana from the Peace Memorial is Rota's only other gun
still in place. This 12mm cannon is forever pointing out to the Pacific Ocean,
covering beaches and coastal plains that were never threatened by boots on the
ground.
still in place. This 12mm cannon is forever pointing out to the Pacific Ocean,
covering beaches and coastal plains that were never threatened by boots on the
ground.
Concluding our Japanese historic hike on Rota's northwestern
corner, we find the other narrow-guage locomotive that was once so
important to the sugar and phosphate industries on island. (Click the
above image and the image to the right for a larger view).
corner, we find the other narrow-guage locomotive that was once so
important to the sugar and phosphate industries on island. (Click the
above image and the image to the right for a larger view).
To give you an idea how small these
locomotives are, look at the self-portrait of
me next to it (left). I am 6'3" tall--almost
as tall as the locomotive! I had to stoop
considerably to enter the cab.
locomotives are, look at the self-portrait of
me next to it (left). I am 6'3" tall--almost
as tall as the locomotive! I had to stoop
considerably to enter the cab.
(Left) The engineman's access to the
wood-fired boiler. (Right) This
particular artifact rests on its original
rails. Apparently it was abandoned
here as the war went on. What, with
the blue and grey and red paint, it is
obvious the local people do their best
to preserve this piece of their heritage.
A word of caution: "boonie bees", as
they are called (very nasty wasps), nest
in the boiler's front end, so don't get
too close!
wood-fired boiler. (Right) This
particular artifact rests on its original
rails. Apparently it was abandoned
here as the war went on. What, with
the blue and grey and red paint, it is
obvious the local people do their best
to preserve this piece of their heritage.
A word of caution: "boonie bees", as
they are called (very nasty wasps), nest
in the boiler's front end, so don't get
too close!
| Although our hike is concluded here, you are free to roam the island some more on your own. As with all Pacific islands, there are more features to be found, more gun emplacements and ruins you can track down. This tour has featured the major pieces. This tour has not ventured into the depths of Sasanhaya Harbor off Rota's southern shore. Under the sea you will find the freighter Shoun Maru, which was sunk by U.S. naval aircraft in mid-1944. Two Japanese auxiliary submarine chasers, both sunk shortly after the Shoun Maru, also lie on the bottom within scuba depth. Again, this explorer would like to extend a great deal of gratitude to Mr. Dave Lotz. Mr. Lotz's book "World War II Remnants (Guam, Northern Mariana Islands)" has been the greatest help in locating these artifacts and learning a background history on them. "World War II Remnants", 2nd Edition, was published in 1998 by the Arizona Memorial Museum Association in conjunction with the National Park Service. |
