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…
The I-169 Shinohara Submarine was a KD 6 A (I-168) Class submarine built for the Imperial Japanese Navy and launched 15 FEB 1934. She was built by Mitsubishi of Kobe and was renamed for her last Commanding Officer LCDR Shinohara, the only survivor of her ill fated crew. During the war the I-169 Shinohara Submarine…
The Kansho Maru was built in 1938 by the Mitsui Dockyard Company as a passenger/cargo carrier for the Mitsui and Kawasaki Lines. The Japanese Navy took control of her when the war began and she was put to work shuttling supplies between Japan and the Marshall Islands. Eventually she was retrofitted with a deck gun…
The Momokawa Maru was built in 1940, as a timber transport, and near twin to Nippo Maru. They are both remarkable in having steel bridge houses instead of normal wood or aluminum to avoid compass deviations. Her peacetime service consisted of carrying lumber from Siberia to Japan. The Japanese Navy took control of her in…