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BANSHU MARU No. 18- Class Auxiliary storeship


(BANSHU MARU No. 18 prewar)

This class consists of BANSHU MARU No. 18, BANSHU MARU No. 19 and BANSHU MARU No. 21, all completed in 1923 for Hayashikane Shoten K.K. BANSHU MARU No. 18 and BANSHU MARU No. 21 were both requisitioned by the IJN in ’40, the latter being converted to an auxiliary stores ship in Oct ’41 and the former being converted to an auxiliary minesweeper in Dec ’41. BANSHU MARU No. 19 apparently remained under civilian control. BANSHU MARU No. 18 was bombed and sunk by aircraft in Jul ’45. The two others survived the war but their ultimate fate is unknown.

Builder and Year Completed: Osaka. Toba. Kobe Seikosho K.K., Toba shipyard.
1923
Gross tonnage: 128-tons
Dimensions: 28.0’(lpp) x 4.9' x 3.0' (Metres)
Propulsion: One diesel engine, one shaft, 100 shp.
Speed: Cruising: Unknown.
Armament: One 8cm/40cal deck gun, one Type 92 mod A 7.7mm MG and five Type 38 ‘Arisaka’ rifles.