Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(ASO MARU, prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)

IJN ASO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2020 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

20 November 1931:
Kobe. Laid down by Mitsubishi Zosen K.K shipyard as a 703-tons refrigerated cargo ship for Osaka Shosen K.K.
26 March 1932:
Launched and named ASO MARU. [1]

15 April 1932:
Completed and registered at Osaka with a GRT (registered gross tonnage) of 703-tons and a NRT (registered net tonnage) of 368-tons. [2]
1934:
In service on the Kobe, Takamatsu, Usuki, Totoro, Utsumi, Aburatsu, Fukushima, Nami route.
28 May 1938:
Requisitioned by the IJN as a general transport (Ippan Choyosen).
27 August 1938:
At Anqing, China. Lies alongside the starboard bow of auxiliary transport KINUGASA MARU. Unloads and loads cargo.
20 September 1938:
At Anqing. Lies alongside the port stern of auxiliary transport KINUGASA MARU. Unloads and loads cargo.
1 February 1939:
Navy (Resv) (unknown rank) Okada Kiichiro is appointed supervisor.
20 March 1939:
Arrives at Anqing.
21 March 1939:
Departs Anqing.
22 March 1939:
Arrives at Anqing.
28 July 1939:
Departs Shanghai, China and returns there later.
1 August 1939:
Departs Shanghai and returns there later that day.
5 August 1939:
Departs Shanghai.
18 October 1939:
Supervisor Kiichiro is relieved.
22 October 1939:
Arrives at Anqing. Departs later.
29 October 1939:
Navy (Resv) (unknown rank) Inoue Kotaro is appointed supervisor.
6 December 1939:
Arrives at Shanghai. Departs there later this month.
31 December 1939:
Arrives at Dinghai, China.
6 December 1940:
Prepares for conversion to military duty at Osaka Iron Works Sakurajima Shipyard.
16 December 1940:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Maizuru Naval District under Cabinet Instruction No. 980. That same day, Navy (Resv) Lt Kojima Koichi is appointed CO.
15 January 1941:
Osaka. Attached to 3rd Gunboat Division under instruction No. 28. Operates as Ship No. 4 in Vice Admiral (Fleet Admiral posthumously) Koga Mineichi’s (34) Second Fleet, 2nd Base Force, 3rd Gunboat Division, 2nd Squadron. Rated as auxiliary gunboat No. 34. Completes conversion to military duty at Osaka Iron Works Sakurajima Shipyard.
16 January 1941:
Departs Osaka.
17 January 1941:
Arrives at Kure. Loads ammunition.
18 January 1941:
Loads fuel and food.
19 January 1941: Loads equipment.
20 January 1941:
Loads fresh water and food.
21 January 1941:
Departs Kure on trials at Hiroshima Bay.
22 January 1941:
Arrives at Hyogo Pier, Kobe. Loads consignment goods.
23 January 1941:
Departs Kobe and arrives at Shimotsu later that day.
24 January 1941:
Departs Shimotsu and arrives at Tachibana-Ura later this day.
3 February 1941:
Departs Tachibana-Ura for various sailing training and turning radius measurement. Returns there later that day.
5 February 1941:
Departs Tachibana-Ura for various sailing training, speed test and ellipticity test. Arrives at Shimotsu later this day. Loads fresh water.
6 February 1941:
Departs Shimotsu for various sailing training, sailing in formation training and navigating in fog training. Arrives at Tachibana-Ura later that day.
7 February 1941:
Performs searchlight illumination training.
10 February 1941:
Departs Tachibana-Ura on various sailing training, torpedo attack protection training and sailing in formation training. Returns to port later this day.
12 February 1941:
Departs Tachibana-Ura on navigation training. Arrives off Urato later that day.
13 February 1941:
Departs Urato waters on Combined Fleet 4th Basic Exercise. Arrives at Suzaki later this day.
14 February 1941:
Departs Suzaki on Combined Fleet 4th Basic Exercise.
15 February 1941:
Arrives at Ariake Bay. Loads fuel and fresh water.
16 February 1941:
Departs Ariake Bay on depth charge training, sailing in formation training and anti-submarine alert training. Returns there later that day.
17 February 1941:
Departs Ariake Bay on depth charge training and returns there later this day.
19 February 1941:
Departs Ariake Bay.
20 February 1941:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
22 February 1941:
Loads fresh water.
24 February 1941:
Departs Kagoshima and arrives at Yamakawaoka Kogamizu Bay, Kagoshima Prefecture later that day.
25 February 1941:
Departs Yamakawaoka Kogamizu Bay.
26 February 1941:
Takes part in Combined Fleet 5th Basic Exercise.
27 February 1941:
Arrives at Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa.
2 March 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay on trials and returns there later this day.
3 March 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay on her first gunnery training and returns there later that day.
5 March 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay.
8 March 1941:
Arrives at Saeki Bay.
10 March 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel and fresh water.
13 March 1941:
Departs Saeki Bay on guard duty outside the bay and returns there later this day.
16 March 1941:
Departs Saeki Bay on minesweeping work and patrol.
17 March 1941:
Performs her second gunnery training exercise. Arrives at Sasebo later that day.
20 March 1941:
Departs Saeki.
21 March 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
22 March 1941:
Loads fresh water.
24 March 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
26 March 1941:
Arrives at Si Jiao Shan, China.
31 March 1941:
Departs Si Jiao Shan.
1 April 1941:
Takes part in the 1st special exercise.
2 April 1941:
Arrives at Akune, Kagoshima Prefecture.
4 April 1941:
Departs Akune.
6 April 1941:
Takes part in a Joint Auxiliary Unit training. Arrives at Tomioko Bay, Tachibana Bay later this day. Loads fresh water.
8 April 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay on a Joint Auxiliary Unit training and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
10 April 1941:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Third Fleet, 2nd Base Force, 3rd Gunboat Division. Departs Sasebo later that day.
12 April 1941:
Arrives at Maizuru.
26 April 1941:
Anchors at Maizuru Naval yard, No. 4 pier.
5 May 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel.
9 May 1941:
Departs Maizuru on speed test and compass calibration. Returns there later this day.
10 May 1941:
Loads fresh water.
12 May 1941:
Departs Maizuru on speed test and compass calibration. Arrives at Miyazu later that day.
13 May 1941:
Departs Miyazu.
14 May 1941:
Arrives at Yuya Bay. Departs there later this day.
15 May 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu. Operates as ship No. 2 in First Squadron. Rated as auxiliary gunboat No. 34.
21 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on various trainings and returns there later that day.
23 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on various trainings and returns to port later this day. Loads fresh water.
25 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on various trainings.
26 May 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu.
28 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on various trainings.
29 May 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu.
31 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on various trainings.
2 June 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu.
4 June 1941:
Departs Karatsu and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
5 June 1941:
Loads coal and replenishes diesel fuel.
7 June 1941:
Loads fresh water.
10 June 1941:
Operates as the Strait Forces, N Surveillance Unit. Departs Sasebo later in the day.
13 June 1941:
Arrives off Wenchow (now Wenzhou), China.
16 June 1941:
Departs Wenchow.
17 June 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island, Formosa (now Nangan Dao, Taiwan). Operates as the 4th Guard Unit under N Surveillance Unit Instruction No. 1.
18 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later this day.
19 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and arrives at Dinghai later that day.
20 June 1941:
At anchor.
21 June 1941:
Loads coal and fresh water. Departs Dinghai and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
22 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and arrives at Dinghai later this day.
23 June 1941:
Departs Dinghai on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
24 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later this day.
25 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and arrives at Mawei, China later that day.
26 June 1941:
Departs Mawei on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later this day.
27 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later that day.
1 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later this day.
2 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and arrives at Hai Tan Island, China later that day.
3 July 1941:
Departs Hai Tan Island on patrol and arrives at Mawei later this day.
4 July 1941:
Departs Mawei on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
5 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later this day. Replenishes diesel fuel and loads fresh water.
6 July 1941:
Under command of the 17th Squadron Commander: 2nd Guard Unit. Departs Matsu Island searching for a motor torpedo boat (MTB).
7 July 1941:
Arrives at Daxiyang Shan, China. Departs there and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
8 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and returns there later this day.
9 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol.
10 July 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island. Departs there on patrol and arrives at Da Yu Shan, China later that day.
11 July 1941:
Departs Da Yu Shan on patrol.
12 July 1941:
Arrives at Da Yu Shan. Departs there on patrol and arrives at Daxiyang Shan later this day.
13 July 1941:
Departs Daxiyang Shan on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
14 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol and arrives at Bei Rong Zi, China later this day.
15 July 1941:
Departs Bei Rong Zi to meet up with auxiliary subchaser MISAGO MARU. Arrives at San Dou Bang, China later that day. Replenishes diesel fuel.
16 July 1941:
Departs San Dou Bang on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later this day.
17 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island to load fresh water. Returns there later that day.
18 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on a patrol and returns there later this day.
20 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island. Meets up with steamboat XINGLI and one unidentified ship. Arrives at Bei Shuang Island, China later that day.
22 July 1922:
Departs Bei Shuang Island on patrol and arrives at Fu Island, China later this day.
23 July 1941:
Departs Fu Island on patrol and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
24 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island.
25 July 1941:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (Now Keelung, Taiwan). Loads fresh water.
28 July 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel.
30 July 1941:
Loads fresh water.
31 July 1941:
Departs Kirun.
1 August 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island. Auxiliary stores ship HAKUREI MARU provisions fresh food.
2 August 1941:
Departs Matsu Island and arrives at Mawei later this day.
3 August 1941:
Departs Mawei and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
4 August 1941:
General requisitioned transport (later auxiliary water tanker) GORYU MARU supplies fresh water. Departs there and arrives at Da Yu Shan later this day.
8 August 1941:
Departs Da Yu Shan and calls at Matsu Island. Departs there and arrives at Mawei later that day.
9 August 1941:
General requisitioned (later auxiliary) transport NITTEI MARU supplies fresh water.
10 August 1941:
General requisitioned cold storage ship JINKO MARU supplies groceries.
11 August 1941:
Departs Mawei towing seized ship JI YUN.
12 August 1941:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores. Loads fresh water later this day.
13 August 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel. Departs Mako later that day.
14 August 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island. Departs there and arrives at Mawei later this day.
15 August 1941:
Loads wood. Departs Mawei thereafter and arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
16 August 1941:
Auxiliary seaplane carrier KAMIKAWA MARU and auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU lay alongside. Transfers cargo wood to both of them.
17 August 1941:
General requisitioned cold storage ship JINKO MARU supplies grain. Departs Matsu Island thereafter and arrives at Mawei later this day. Loads wood.
18 August 1941:
Departs Mawei and arrives at Matsu Island later that day. Transfers part of the wood to auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU.
19 August 1941:
Departs Matsu Island.
20 August 1941:
Arrives at Amoy (now Xiamen), China. Unloads remaining wood.
21 August 1941:
Loads food and fresh water.
22 August 1941:
Departs Amoy and arrives at Ke Luo Bay, China later that day.
23 August 1941:
Departs Ke Luo Bay.
24 August 1941:
Arrives at Qi Kou Yang, China later this day.
25 August 1941:
Departs Qi Kou Yang on sailing formation training.
27 August 1941:
At 0540, detaches.
29 August 1941:
Arrives at Osaka.
30 August 1941:
Enters Harada shipyard drydock.
4 September 1941:
Undocked and tethers to pier.
5 September 1941:
Departs Osaka.
7 September 1941:
Arrives at Maizuru and moors at No. 3 buoy.
15 September 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel and loads food.
20 September 1941:
Moors at No. 4 buoy. Loads food.
22 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on various trainings and returns to port later that day. Loads fresh water.
26 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on various trainings and returns there later that day.
27 September 1941:
Loads fresh water.
28 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on various trainings.
29 September 1941:
Arrives at Yuya Bay.
30 September 1941:
Departs Yuya Bay on various trainings.
1 October 1941:
Arrives at Terashima Channel. Departs there and arrives at Sasebo later this day.
2 October 1941:
Departs Sasebo on sailing formation training. Arrives at Tachibana Bay later that day.
3 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay to search for victims of sunken submarine I-61. Arrives at Saya Bay later this day.
4 October 1941:
Departs Saya Bay to search for victims of I-61 and returns there later that day.
5 October 1941:
Departs Saya Bay to search for victims of I-61 and returns later that same day.
6 October 1941:
Departs Saya Bay to search for victims of I-61 and arrives at Iki Channel later this day.
7 October 1941:
Departs Iki Channel and arrives at Tachibana Bay later that day.
9 October 1941:
Loads groceries.
10 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay and returns there later this day.
15 October 1941:
Attached to 3rd Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1250.
19 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay.
20 October 1941:
Arrives at Kushikino Anchorage.
22 October 1941:
Departs Kushikino Anchorage.
23 October 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay.
25 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay and arrives at Sasebo later that day. Replenishes diesel fuel and loads fresh water.
27 October 1941:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Terashima Channel later this day.
28 October 1941:
Departs Terashima Channel on gunnery training. Arrives at Aba Bay later that day.
29 October 1941:
Undergoes 3rd training, flag signal training, night gunnery training, searchlight illumination training and surveillance training.
30 October 1941:
Performs night training.
31 October 1941:
Anti-aircraft gun training and night training.
1 November 1941:
Anchors at Aba training anchorage. Later this day, transfers to Chiji Tani Anchorage.
5 November 1941:
Auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU supplies fresh water. Departs Tachibana Bay on night shooting training and arrives at Tomioka Bay later that day.
6 November 1941:
Departs Tomioka Bay and arrives at Tachibana Bay later this day. Departs there later on 5th training for the 2nd Base Squadron.
7 November 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay.
9 November 1941:
Auxiliary stores ship HAKUREI MARU provisions fresh food.
12 November 1941:
At 0700, winds anchor and transfers to Aba training anchorage. At 1015, conducts anti-aircraft gunnery training.
14 November 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay and arrives at Terashima Channel later that day.
15 November 1941:
Replenishes diesel fuel. Thereafter, departs Terashima Channel and arrives at Sasebo later this day.
17 November 1941:
Loads fresh water.
18 November 1941:
Loads supplies.
19 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Terashima channel later that day.
26 November 1941:
Departs Terashima Channel.
29 November 1941:
At 1100, the 52nd, 53rd and 54th Submarine Squadrons detach. At 1730, escorts auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU and detaches from auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
30 November 1941:
Arrives at Mako.
1 December 1941:
Departs Mako and arrives at Takao (now Kaoshiung), Formosa later this day. Loads fresh water.
5 December 1941:
Departs Takao on a Bay exit patrol.
6 December 1941:
Departs Bay exit and arrives at Takao later that day.
7 December 1941:
Lies alongside seaplane tender SANUKI MARU. Loads bombs, fuel, fresh water and base equipment.
8 December 1941:
Rated as the Philippines Forces, 3rd Assault Squadron, 4th Escort Unit. Departs Takao later this day.
10 December 1941:
Arrives at Camiguin, Philippines. Land squadron departs, unloads base equipment. Engages in AA combat. Departs Camiguin later that day on patrol.
11 December 1941:
After completing patrol returns to Camiguin. Arrives there and departs later on a reconnaissance off Babyan Island, Philippines and anti-submarine sweep. Arrives back at Camiguin later that day.
12 December 1941:
The seaplane base is being withdrawn. Departs Camiguin later this day.
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun.
E 13 ~ 14 December 1941:
During hoisting boats on board, davits are damaged in their horizontal position when they touch auxiliary minesweeper tender (later auxiliary transport) IMIZU MARU’s hull which lies alongside.
15 December 1941:
Loads boiler water and replenishes diesel fuel.
16 December 1941:
Departs Kirun on anti-submarine sweep outside Kirun Harbor. Returns there later that day. Rated as the 3rd Escort Unit under Philippines Escort Unit order No. 1.
17 December 1941:
Departs Kirun escorting the 3rd Transport Convoy.
21 December 1941:
At 0700, joins 1st and 2nd Escort Units.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Lingayen Bay, Philippines, thereafter provides anti-submarine and anti-air protection at this bay.
25 December 1941:
Departs Lingayen Bay for Santo Tomas, Philippines. Later this day, lies alongside auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU and is replenished with fresh water. Thereafter departs on anti-submarine patrol in Lingayen Bay.
29 December 1941:
Arrives at Santo Tomas.
30 December 1941:
Departs Santo Tomas escorting the 3rd return convoy.
31 December 1941:
Ends escort.
2 January 1942:
Arrives at Santo Tomas. Departs later on patrol and returns there later that day.
3 January 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Sugiyama Rokuzo’s (38) 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet 3rd Gunboat Division. Rated as No. 233 (3). Scheduled to attach to Philippines Forces on 4 Jan ‘42 under Southern Troops Command No. 48. Departs Santo Tomas to pilot Lingayen Waterways and returns later this day.
5 January 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas.
6 January 1942:
Attached to Philippines W Forces under Philippines Forces Command No. 2. At Lingayen Bay auxiliary repair ship YAMABIKO MARU repairs the damaged boat davits.
7 January 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando, Philippines.
10 January 1942:
Departs San Fernando to pilot IJA transport MIZUHO MARU and IJA AA transport YASUKAWA MARU through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives at Santo Tomas later that day.
14 January 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU and loads fuel drums.
15 January 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas.
17 January 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando. Displays the command flag. Departs San Fernando later this day with auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU at 1730, and meets up with an incoming convoy consisting of HOKUSHIN and HORAI MARUs and other unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Subic Bay Exit, Philippines still with the convoy. Fires her 8cm guns to cover Land Squadron landings. Thereafter, enters Subic Bay.
19 January 1942:
Passage to minefield established. At 0115, arrives at Olangapo with the convoy and successfully contacts the Army. At 0930, anchors at the anchorage N of Grande Island. Communicates with minesweeper No. 46. In the afternoon returns to Olangapo and conducts land reconnaissance.
20 January 1942:
At 0912, departs Olangapo. At 1015, shelled from land at about 1.8 miles SE of “Cape Sueste” lighthouse (Subic Bay lighthouse). Turns and fires with the 8cm guns at the building near lighthouse. At 1110, at 215° and 1,100 meters from Grande Island NW edge, a mine explodes in front of the bow. At 1115, auxiliary minesweeper BANSHU MARU No. 52 hits another mine and sinks. Dispatches a boat to rescue survivors. At 1200, the 46th minesweeper Squadron’s commander departs. At 1900, boats from auxiliary gunboats NAMPO and KISO MARUs arrive to assist with the rescue of survivors. At 2200, transfers the command flag to NAMPO MARU.
21 January 1942:
At 1300, NAMPO and KISO MARUs boats return to their ship.
1 February 1942:
Attached to 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 31st Special Base Force, 3rd Gunboat Division. Engages in AA combat.
2 February 1942:
Engages in AA combat.
10 February 1942:
Anchors about 500 meters N of Grande Island Pier with auxiliary survey ship KYODO MARU No. 36 boats and crew cooperation.
15 ~ 18 February 1942:
Bow is reinforced by No. 103 Naval Working Department workers.
28 February 1942:
The 8cm stern gun has to be installed at Grande Island to protect Subic Bay under Philippines West Commander instruction No. 21.
1 March 1942:
Begins inspection and maintenance of the main machinery of the seized Philippine cargo ship KOLAMBUGAN (later renamed BUGEN MARU).
2 March 1942:
Engages in AA combat. 6.5mm/115 3rd Year Type ‘Kihô’ MG fires 120 rounds and Type 38 ‘Arisaka’ rifles fire 40 rounds.
4 March 1942:
Completes inspection and maintenance of main machinery of the seized Philippine cargo ship KOLAMBUGAN (later BUGEN MARU). Unloads stern 8cm gun and completes equipment at Grande Island.
10 March 1942:
Attached to Philippines W Force under Philippines Forces Command instruction No. 6. Rated as the 2nd Patrol Unit under Philippines W Command Order No. 4.
17 March 1942:
Scheduled to be attached to Philippines W Forces 1st Minesweeping Unit on 24 Mar ‘42 under Philippines Unit Command Order No. 8.
20 March 1942:
To be rated as the 1st Minesweeping Unit on 24 Mar ‘42 under Philippines W Command Order No. 5.
27 March ~ 7 April 1942:
Carries out maintenance work for the seized Philippines passenger ship PRINCESS OF NEGROS (later TOYOHIME MARU).
3 April 1942:
Loads supplies.
5 April 1942:
Loads supplies.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Southwestern Area Fleet in Vice Admiral Sugiyama Rokuzo’s (38) 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 3rd Gunboat Division. Loads supplies.
15 April 1942:
Loads supplies.
17 ~ 20 April 1942:
Carries out maintenance for a seized high speed MTB.
22 April 1942:
Loads supplies.
25 April 1942:
Loads supplies and food.
26 ~ 28 April 1942:
Ship reinforcement work.
1 May 1942:
Dries out starboard fuel oil tank. Pumps to maintain stability after cleaning.
4 May 1942:
Her owners are changed to Kansai Kisen K.K.
9 May 1942:
Attached to Philippines W Unit under Philippines Unit Command Order No. 10.
12 May 1942:
Rated as a Patrol Unit under Philippines W Command Order no. 14.
25 May 1942:
At 1850, departs Olangapo towed by salvage tug MIHO MARU.
26 May 1942:
At 1445, arrives at Cavite, Philippines.
27 ~31 May 1942:
Unloads weapons, etc. and prepares for equipment installation.
1 June 1942:
Alongside Canacao pier for equipment installation by No. 103 Naval Working Department.
12 June 1942:
Loads grain.
15 June 1942:
Hoists Commander Flag.
1 July 1942:
Detached from the 3rd Gunboat Division under Order No. 1180. Temporarily attached to Southwestern Area Fleet, 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 31st Special Base Force.
13 October 1942:
No. 103 Naval Working Department completes equipment installation.
14 October 1942:
At Manila, Philippines and Manila patrol area.
20 October 1942:
Departs Manila escorting convoy No. 819 consisting of IJA transports TENSHIN and KAZUURA MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships.
E 23 October 1942:
Arrives back at Manila having escorted the convoy about half way to Mako.
31 October 1942:
Arrives at Manila. Departs later.
1 November 1942:
Arrives at Cavite.
2 ~ 23 November 1942:
At Manila and Manila patrol area.
24 November 1942:
Departs Manila escorting auxiliary oiler KAIJO MARU to Verde Passage W exit.
2 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
5 December 1942:
Departs Manila escorting an unknown transport ship.
10 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
12 December 1942:
Departs Manila for Manila patrol area.
16 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
19 December 1942:
Departs Manila escorting convoy No. 827 consisting of auxiliary transports RAKUTO, TATEISHI, OYAMA and TARUSHIMA MARUs bound for Mako.
E 21 December 1942:
Detaches and returns to Manila.
22 December 1942:
At 1203 off Lingayen Gulf sights an enemy submarine periscope and with auxiliary submarine chaser KYO MARU No. 2 undertakes a hunt.
E 26 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
E 30 December 1942:
Departs Manila escorting an unknown transport ship.
4 January 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
January 1943:
The 31sth Base Squadron Land Squadron embarks.
24 January 1943:
Departs Manila towing small cargo ship FUTABA MARU.
5 February 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
6 ~ 10 February 1943:
At Manila and Manila patrol area.
11 February 1943:
Departs Manila.
15 February 1943:
Departs Manila escorting convoy No. 834 consisting of UME, YUBAE, YURI and KOZAN MARUs, and SHINSEI MARU No. 17. The convoy is bound for Takao.
17 February 1943:
Ends escort.
18 February 1943:
Arrives at Basco, Philippines. Unloads personnel and equipment.
20 February 1943:
Attached to Southwestern Area Fleet, 3rd Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
25 March 1943:
Departs Manila escorting convoy No. 839 consisting of TARUSHIMA and ERIE MARUs.
28 March 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
10 April 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt Nagamine Tamesaburo is appointed CO.
8 May 1943:
Departs Surigao, Philippines for Manila.
9 May 1943:
At 1127, LtCdr (later Captain) Phillip D. Quirk's (USNA '32) USS GAR (SS-206) fires a torpedo which hits ASO MARU forward. She settles by the bow with the forward gun blown off. While the crew abandons ship, the gun crews remaining on board begin firing at random. At 1138, Quirk fires a second torpedo which hits at side of ASO MARU. The aft gun crew (about 10 men) are still on the gun and about 20 men were forward of the bridge. At 1139, the aft gun fires at the periscope but the shots fall mostly short. At 1157, Quirk fires a stern torpedo. At 1205, Quirk fires a second stern torpedo. The remaining men and gun crew abandon ship except two gun crew who seem to be officers. At 1208, ship sinks abruptly at 09-09N, 122-50E about 9 nautical miles NW of Cape Siaton, Negros Island. At 1210, USS GAR surfaces and Quirk’s crew machine guns the men in the water. A lifeboat opens fire with a small machine gun. Quirk crew sinks the lifeboat with the 20mm gun. Quirk estimates 75 men are in the water of whom about half survive the machine gunning. At 1225, USS GAR departs the area on the surface.
15 July 1943:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 1455.

Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with Army transport No. 66 (3,028 GRT, ’23)
[2] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

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