Weekend Long Read: Salvaging History From a Sunken Prisoner of War Ship

On September 27, 1942, the Lisbon Maru, an armed merchant ship, set sail from Stonecutters Island in Hong Kong to Japan, carrying 1,816 British Commonwealth prisoners of war (POWs) from the Battle of Hong Kong. Alongside them were 778 Japanese soldiers and 25 guards. Unfortunately, the vessel, unmarked as a POW transport, was mistaken by U.S. forces for a Japanese strategic ship. Four days later, the USS Grouper from Submarine Division 81 of the U.S. Pacific Fleet torpedoed and sank the vessel near Zhoushan, Zhejiang province. This tragedy resulted in 828 POW deaths and left a lasting impact on the surviving submariners [para. 1][para. 2].

Years later, documentary director Fang Li became deeply involved with the Lisbon Maru's story, despite never intending to make films. He felt compelled by what he called a “historical complex” and aimed to preserve this segment of history before it was too late [para. 3][para. 4][para. 5]. Fang even launched a comprehensive search for survivors and descendants through efforts like radio interviews and advertisements in major British newspapers [para. 6].

Fang Li, holding dual careers as a filmmaker and marine technology expert, discussed his new documentary, “The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru,” during a visit to Qikeshu Creative Park. At 70, Fang is also known in various professional communities, earning him the nickname “Crazy Fang” in China for his work in marine technology, geophysics, and earthquake prediction [para. 8][para. 10]. His impressive resume includes support for many of China's sixth-generation filmmakers, driven by his belief in the future value of impactful films [para. 12].

Although primarily a scientist, Fang was deeply influenced by his passion for literature and film, which began in his youth. His love for history and film continued while he studied for an MBA in the U.S. from 1987 to 1989, where he consumed numerous documentaries on various conflicts, including the World Wars. This historical curiosity fueled his documentary-making [para. 20].

“The Sinking of the Lisbon Maru” took eight years to materialize and faced numerous challenges, particularly in filming the wreck due to jurisdictional issues and poor underwater visibility. Despite the difficulties, Fang collaborated with underwater photographers to capture footage of the ship [para. 23]. The documentary chronicled the human tragedy of the Lisbon Maru, including the rescue efforts by Chinese fishermen and the regrettable lack of humanitarian intervention by the Japanese forces, who sealed the POWs' holds, leading to unnecessary deaths [para. 28][para. 29].

Notably, historian Tony Banham and retired British Major Brian Finch significantly aided Fang in making the documentary. Banham, who had published a book on the Lisbon Maru, provided contacts and valuable insight [para. 33]. Fang faced challenges in confirming the accurate numbers of participants and rescuers involved in the event, making detailed historical validation a core aspect of his project [para. 32].

The film faced hurdles in its release, largely due to tepid interest from British authorities and sparse Western media coverage. Fang himself rented the British Film Institute for the premiere but noted the lack of media attention. Despite expecting financial losses and limited screenings, Fang remained undeterred. His primary concern was ensuring that the historical tragedy of the Lisbon Maru did not fade into obscurity once more [para. 36][para. 39][para. 40].

Fang highlighted the moral and emotional significance of preserving the historical record, particularly given that all three elderly interviewees—survivor Dennis Morley from the U.K., survivor William Banfield from Canada, and Lin Agen, a fisherman who participated in the rescue—passed away before the film's release. Their testimonies validated the documentary's importance, emphasizing Fang's mission to keep this history alive [para. 42][para. 43].