The Kiyozumi Maru was built in 1934 by the Kawasaki Dockyard as a freighter with luxurious passenger accommodations. The Japanese Navy took control in November 1941 converting the Kiyozumi Maru to an armed merchant raider. Six inch guns, cannibalized from old cruisers, two twin torpedo launchers and various anti-aircraft machine guns were added. Her success…
The Amagisan Maru was originally built as a cargo/passenger ship serving the Japan-New York Line. The Japanese Navy took her over in 1943 for use as a special transport. In February 1942, she was torpedoed by the USS Swordfish near Davao sustaining damages she went over to repair at Rabaul. She was later one of…
The Fujikawa Maru was built in 1938 by the Mitsubishi Company as passenger/cargo carrier for the Toyo Kaiun Line. Her peacetime duties consisted of carrying raw silk and cotton between South America and India. The Japanese Navy took control in December 1940 converting her to an aircraft ferry. As part of her conversion she was…
The Fujisan Maru was built in 1931 by the Harima Dockyard as an oil tanker for the Iino-Kaiun Line. Her peacetime duties consisted of carrying crude oil from the US to Japan. The Japanese Navy took control of her in late 1941 to utilize as a “Fleet Oiler.” She participated as part of the Aleutian…
The IJN Fumizuki Destroyer was a Mutsuki Class destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy and launched 16 FEB 1926. She was built by Fujinagata Zosen of Osaka and was nearly obsolete when sunk. The ship’s name means “Month of Rice Ears” in Japanese. During the war the IJN Fumizuki Destroyer participated as part of…
The IJN Futagami was a Hashima Fleet Class salvage tug built for the Imperial Japanese Navy and launched 1939. She was built by Harima Sanbashi Company of Aioi. The vessel was equipped with two 2-ton and one 5-ton salvage derricks. She was fitted with de-watering salvage pumps and many hoses still stored in aft hold.…
The Gosei Maru was built in 1937, by the Tsuromi Iron Works Dockyard as a medium coastal freighter for the Koun Kisen Line. Her lines are unconventional, but were adopted as the Standard D Freighter, built in quantity during the war. The Japanese Navy took control and utilized her as a supply ship for Sixth…
The Hanakawa Maru was built in 1943 by the Kawasaki Dockyard as special transport for the Japanese Imperial Navy, similar in construction to Nippo and Momokawa. This Standard B freighter served from 25 October 1943 until being sunk on the second day of the “Hailstone” raids, while over replenishing the garrison at distant Tol Island…
The Heian Maru was built in 1930, by Osaka Iron Works for the Nihon Yusen Kaisha Line (NYK) as one of three identical large passenger cargo liners. Her maiden voyage was from Hong Kong to Seattle. While on a routine voyage in August 1941, she was abruptly recalled to Japan, where Japan’s Navy took her…
The Hokuyo Maru was built in 1937, by the Uraga Dockyard Senryu as a medium coastal freighter for the Kita Nikon Kisen Line. She was designed to operate between North Korea, Hokkaido and other Japanese islands and as a result had a very strong bow to penetrate ice flows. During the “Hailstone” attack, Hokuyo Maru…