Ships Bell
Japanese Aircraft Carrier Junyo
Fleet Admiral C.W. Nimitz
Commander in Chief Pacific Fleet
by
Rear Admiral W.L. Friedell
Commandant, Eleventh Naval District
24 November 1945
H.I.J.M.S. Junyo
Built Nagasaki
Commissioned 6 May 1942
Length 277 Meters (908.8 ft.)
Beam 28 Meters (91.9 ft.)
Draft 9.2 Meters (30.2 ft.)
Complement 1367
Complement (Maximum) 1800
On 26 October 1942 the Junyo took the initiative in the aerial operation off the Solomon Islands, sinking the U.S.S. Hornet and several other vessels. She then operated in the sea escort service, and on 29 January 1944 was attacked by an American submarine off the Danjo Islands, West of Kyushu. Struck by a torpedo in her forepart, her starboard steering engine was so seriously crippled that she was returned to Sasebo only with great difficulty. While under repair at Sasebo, the Junyo was so severely attacked and damaged by American air attacks launched from Okinawa that work was abandoned. Her bell was removed and hidden in a cave about five miles East of Sasebo in an area designated by the Fifth Amphibious Corps United State Marines as "Violent Hell Area", where it was found by forces of the United States Navy.
Our records also indicated that planes from the Junyo attacked Dutch Harbor on 4 and 5 June 1942.
Erected 1945.
this page online
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World II • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Historic Bells series list. A significant historical date for this entry is January 29, 1944.
Location. 32° 42.183′ N, 117° 11.646′ W. Marker is in Coronado, California, in San Diego County. It is on McCain Boulevard, on the left when traveling north. North Island Naval Station. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: McCain Boulevard, San Diego CA 92135, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in California’s Peninsular Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The World's First Seaplane Flight (within shouting distance of this marker); C-2A Greyhound (about 300 feet away,
Additional commentary.
1. Actual origin of this bell
Since the visible inscription on the bell reads "U.S." it is highly doubtful that this bell was actually made for a Japanese warship.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 15, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 15, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. This page has been viewed 841 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 15, 2018, by Denise Boose of Tehachapi, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
