Jundeér ‘the dori F.: AerAgl7 ‘ ney Assassination ‘Records: Collection Act “of 1992" ue UsC Fi0T Hote con r oo : eo, - FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION Date 6/14/68 Commander ROGER MADSON, United States Coast Guard, Captain of the Port, Tampa, Florida advised that it was his opinion that the explosion aboard the Japanese freighter, “Asaka Maru", moored at Port. Sutton, ‘Tampa, Florida which explosion occurred at approximately 9:23 p.m. on the night of May 30, 1968 should be investigated by the Federal Bureau of Anvestigat ion. His opinion is. based on the fact that it appears that the explosion occurred as a result of Someéne placing a bomb in the rudder post area of this vessel. The act is. a criminal act, further that his’ agency is not equipped to conduct a "criminal investigation as. such. Commander: MADSON was. informed that the facts of this matter would be immediately discussed with the. United States Attorney, Tampa for his opinion as to the - gection of the Federal Statute under which this particular violation would fall. . 7 Shortly thereafter on this Same date, May 31, ‘1968, Commander MADSON was informed that Assistant United ; States Attorney ROBERT H, MACKENZIEaat Tampa, Florida Ao had advised that the facts. as known to date in regard to the explosion of 'the “Asaka Maru" would be covered under section 2275, Title 18, United States Code with regard to Crime on "the High Seas = Firing. or Tampering With Vessel. Conmatider MADSON was further advised that the FBI would immediately undertake the investigation in this matter. N | On 5/31/68 Tampa, Florida File# TP 45-143 "this document contatns nefther recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It ts the. property of the FBI and Is loaned to your, agency; : ree it ond tts. contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. : I TT, SVEN | Docld: 322947582 Page 3
é fased* under” the” Toh “‘Rénniedy Assassiriation’ Records Coltection: Het of 1992" (iF Use Ce “FEDERAL ‘BUREAU ‘OF INVESTIGATION Date 6/13/68 __ On May. 31, 1968, W. K. ABERNATHY, Lieutenant , United States Coast Guard’ turned over to ‘SA JOHN E, BUTENSCHOEN the following pieces of evidence that had I been gathered at the scene of an explosion that occurred on May 31, 1968 at Port Sutton, Florida aboard the Japanese freighter “Asaka Maru™.,. The following items are herein described: Bits of hemplike material. a Small amount granulated substance. One dpon bar approximately 6", - One piece of hemp 4", Three ‘pieces. of wire approximately 12", ~ One rocklike piece of apparent insulation. a, _ ee —————__— Five pieces of rt related metal substance, On May 31, 1968, SA JOHN E. BUTENSCHOEN had been in. receipt. of a pipe approximately three feet in length that had been in possession-of Commander ROGER MADSON, U.S. Coast Guard, Captain of Port, Tampa, — Florida. Commander MADSON: advised that this. pipe’ had been part of. -the evidence obtained at the scene of the explosion as above. described. On__ 6/1/68, Tampa, Fléptda File# TP 45-143 . SA Som R, BUTENECHOMN:bap Date dictated : 6/7/68 This document! contains neither recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FBI and Is loaned to your ‘agency: it and Its contents are not to be e distributed outside your agency.. // ‘S \a-No SPRES a ~ on ee ~ we oe eee wee eee ee Docld: 322947582 Page 4
nnder “Che renn-F.” a I ROE LEE ESE IES taste ae es oo - : 7 CY cee oy .., © * FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION. . . ae 7 . “s ly - Date_ 6/14/68 Lieutenant ROBERT GANECEK, United States Coast Guard, Tampa, - Florida advised that when he: initially interviewed Captain 8S. TANINO of the Japanese freighter “Asaka Maru", it. was the belief of the Captain that the explosion aboard? his vessel was Caused by a mine or some external force which blew into the ship while moored at’ the pier of Port ‘Sutton, Tampa, Florida on the night of ‘May 30, 1968, “Commander GANECER. informed that he had @ifficulty in the course of his interviéw with the Captain .in view of the language barrior and since the Captain spoke. very little English. : Rupa “Commandér® “GANECEK said it was his opinion _ initally that the bomb caused | .the explosion placéd there - from within the vessel as opposed from being placed into the rudder post: area from the outside, He said hé based. this. opinion initially on the fact that it had been determined that the 17 or 18 nuts sécuring the hatch cover — in the rudder post area appeared to have been removed recently as they were loosened in the presence of two of his officers, with very little effort. He said normally removal of this hatch would require quite a bit of exertion and one would normally hase to have a hammer ‘and. wrench to. loosen the nuts. t S aEEnEnEnEnEnSn RY Sa | He. stated, however, that the possibility exists. . “that the bomb could’ have been placed through the aperture around the rudder post as the apérture area on Japanese vessels around the rudder post is from anywhere. from three to four inches. “Commanddr GENECEK said it was his opinion that. eon. ‘American vessels when the. rudder post plating or ‘rudder post splash plating is secured around the rudder post, thé aperture: around the rudder: post is nerely ,. approximately one’ hal# inch to one inch, and — accordingly it would ‘appear to be impossible for Someone t9 place a bomb outside the vessel. Filed. TP 45-143 Date dictated : 6/10/68 This document contatns nefther recommendations nor conclusions of the FBI. It ts the. property of the | FBI and ts loaned to’ your ‘agency; it and Its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. / 6 SVAN, << Docld: 322947582 Page 5
that he in: “company. ‘with Wisutenant RUSSEL a I, “Chie? : LUTHER. BATSON, ROBERT LOCKLIN, BM2: and CARL‘ RAMSDILL, ‘EMS, all United States. Coast Guard, had arrived: aboard the . Japanese freighter "Asaka Maru™ shortly after the. explosion on the ight of May 30, 1968. He said: during his examination at the outset, it appearéd that the bomb might have peen placed in the: rudder section of the. vessel from within the vessel as opposed to being attached from. the outside of the vessel. He said he. ‘pased this belief initially on the fact that he and Chief BATSON were present when the Japanese crewman, believed. to be the -éngineer, removed. a hatch cover cont approximately 17 or 18 nuts which cover was in the immediate vicinity of the explosion area. He said it was opserved that the hatch cover was renoved with very. little exertion required: which indicated ‘ to him that the. nuts on this hatch cover had been recently removed. He said nornally. one would: itave to use a wrench and a hammer to loosen: the nuts on this particular hatch cover inasmuch as one would ‘not normally have: occasion to enter this particular “area. more. than. twice. a. year. Ga: dune: 3, 1968; ABERNATHY advided that | t “received a. call at, approximately 11:15 a. Ml. ate from Lieutenant €J.. G.) MILLER, Unitea ~~ ast z ) of the. Port Galveston, _ Texas who informed his offi “Mikagegan Maru" moored at Galveston, Texas ‘had suffered an xP Sion at approxima y 3:50 p.m. on Saturday, +>. 1968, which explosion was Similar to that’ ‘May 30, 1968, He informed the explosion was in the: rudder post area, however ,. damages were not as severe as those occurred -by the. "Asaka Maru". This document contains ‘neither, ‘recommendations « nor conclusions of the FBI. It is the property of the FB and is loaned to” your agenc _itand its contents are not to be distributed outside your agency. 9 ” Vm AF =p \OONSD DS oo . 7 | Docld: 322947582 Page 6 that the Japanese frezéhtef d by the “Asaka Maru” in Tampa on the hight of