Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(CHOUN MARU prewar and 1/700 model in wartime by Mr. Motoyuki Iwashige of Japan)

IJN CHOUN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2018 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

30 November 1939:
Koyagijima. Laid down by the Kawaminami Kogyo K.K. Zosensho shipyard for Nagasaki Godo Unso K.K. as a 1,914 GRT cargo ship, part of the Peacetime Standard Ship (D) Type Program.
9 June 1940:
Launched and named CHOUN MARU.

21 August 1940:
Completed and registered at Nagasaki.
30 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
10 December 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 1624. Conversion to military duty begins at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K., Yokohama Dock. That same day, Navy Reserve Lt Naoji Ota is appointed CO.
30 December 1941:
The conversion is completed.
31 December 1941:
Attached to Yokosuka Guard Force, Tsurumi Local Defense Squadron under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 31.
January 1942:
Owner changes to Nagasaki Godo Kisen K.K. Patrols on longitude 146E line.
12 January 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area O 3 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 119.
28 January 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area O 3 as patrol boat No. 3 under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 45 and Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 176.
1 February 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area N under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 187.
2 February 1942:
Assigned to meet up with NOSHIRO MARU in area N 6 or N 7 from 2 February 1600 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 196.
12 February 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
18 February 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area N 4 as patrol boat No. 3 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 176.
21 February 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
22 February 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area N 7 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 239.
24 February 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area N 3 and N 4 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 250.
6 March 1942:
Ordered to end current patrol from 7 March, 0800 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 275.
9 March 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
16 March 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
17 March 1942:
Assigned to patrol in area N 2 and N 3 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 309. Arrives at Yokosuka later in the day.
20 March 1942:
Assigned to tow to Yokosuka patrol craft SUMIYOSHI MARU No. 7 under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 317.
21 March 1942:
Ordered to abort Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 317 and to return to original patrol deployment under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 327.
23 March 1942:
Assigned to search missing Otomachi ‘Kuroto Type’ equipment in Ominato SE vicinity under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 337.
24 March 1942:
Ordered to abort Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 337 and to return to original patrol deployment under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 338.
26 March 1942:
First MGs fire training.
1 April 1942:
Assigned to Yokosuka Guard Force under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 72.
4 April 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Inoue Shigeyoshi’s (37) Fourth Fleet, Second Surface Escort Squadron. Enters drydock for engine and hull maintenance.
18 April 1942:
Scheduled to be fitted with additional weapons storage facilities and DCs thrower equipment under Yokosuka Guard Force instruction No. 738.
5 May 1942:
At 1700, departs Yokosuka escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary collier/oiler SANKO MARU and IJA transport YAMASHIRO MARU.
12 May 1942:
At 0900, YAMASHIRO MARU is detached and heads towards Saipan, Marianas.
17 May 1942:
At 1050, arrives at Truk, Central Carolines with SANKO MARU.
19 May 1942:
Departs Truk.
20 May 1942:
At 1200, meets up with auxiliary oiler NISSHIN MARU and begins escorting her.
21 May 1942:
At 1130, arrives at Truk with NISSHIN MARU.
23 May 1942:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary oilers SAN DIEGO and KYOEI MARUs.
24 May 1942:
At 09-20N, 148-17E, detaches.
25 May 1942:
At 09-20N, 148-17E meets up with auxiliary gunboat CHOKO MARU No. 2 GO and begins escorting her.
27 May 1942:
Arrives at Truk with CHOKO MARU No. 2 GO.
1 June 1942:
Undergoes engine inspection and replenishes boiler water, fuel etc.
2 June 1942:
At 1800, departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of IJA transport OMI MARU and requisitioned transport (B-AK) YAMAKUNI MARU.
4 June 1942:
Off Rota coast, Marianas YAMAKUNI MARU is detached. Arrives at Saipan with OMI MARU at 1745.
6 June 1942:
At 1000, departs Saipan escorting a convoy consisting of IJA transports OMI and YAMASHIRO MARUs.
7 June 1942:
At 18-00N, 143-45E ends escort.
8 June 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
E 9 ~ 12 June 1942:
Replenishes boiler water and fuel.
13 June 1942:
Departs Saipan.
16 June 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
27 June 1942:
At 1500, departs Truk escorting auxiliary storeship CHIYO MARU.
30 June 1942:
At 0800, arrives and later that day departs Kavieng escorting CHIYO MARU.
1 July 1942:
At 1000, arrives at Rabaul with CHIYO MARU.
4 July 1942:
Departs Rabaul escorting CHIYO MARU.
8 July 1942:
Arrives at Truk with CHIYO MARU.
E 9 ~ 15 July 1942:
Undergoes engine inspection.
16 July 1942:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary water tanker NIPPO MARU and auxiliary collier/oiler MIKAGE MARU No. 18.
18 July 1942:
At 1000, arrives at Ponape, Eastern Carolines with NIPPO MARU and MIKAGE MARU No. 18.
19 July 1942:
Departs Ponape.
21 July 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
25 July 1942:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary transport YAMAFUKU MARU.
26 July 1942:
At 0940, torpedoed at 10-35N, 149-55E by an unidentified submarine with no damage sustained. Carries out an anti-submarine sweep and drops a depth charge. [1]
28 July 1942:
Arrives at Saipan with YAMAFUKU MARU.
2 August 1942:
Departs Saipan in a convoy consisting of auxiliary transports YAMAFUKU MARU and NANKAI MARU No. 2.
5 August 1942:
At 1155, arrives at Truk with YAMAFUKU MARU and NANKAI MARU No. 2.
10 August 1942:
Departs Truk. Meets up with a convoy consisting of auxiliary transport YAMAFUKU MARU towing auxiliary transport GOYO MARU escorted by destroyer ASANAGI later this day. CHOUN MARU begins escort. Auxiliary minelayer MA-3 also joins the escort. [2]
23 August 1942:
Arrives with the convoy at Yokosuka.
24 August ~ 7 September 1942:
Enters Yokosuka Naval Yard drydock for maintenance and repairs.
E 7 September 1942:
Loads ammunition and embarks 27 passengers.
8 September 1942:
Departs Yokosuka escorting auxiliary storeship CHOKO MARU.
11 September 1942:
Arrives at Chichi Jima, Ogawasara Gunto (Bonins) with CHOKO MARU.
12 September 1942:
Departs Chichi Jima escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary storeship CHOKO MARU and auxiliary oiler KINREI MARU and arrives at Haha Jima, Ogawasara Gunto later that day.
13 September 1942:
Departs Haha Jima still escorting CHOKO and KINREI MARUs.
14 September 1942:
Arrives at Iwo Jima, Ogawasara Gunto with CHOKO and KINREI MARUs. AZUSA, UJIGAWA and KISARAGI MARUs and TAMA MARU No. 2 join the convoy. Departs escorting this convoy later that day.
18 September 1942:
Near Saipan AZUSA, UJIGAWA and KISARAGI MARUs and TAMA MARU No. 2 are detached.
23 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk with CHOKO and KINREI MARUs.
24 September 1942:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary oiler KYOKUYO MARU bound for Miri.
26 September 1942:
Ends escort of KYOKUYO MARU and arrives at Truk later this day.
28 September 1942:
Departs Truk.
29 September 1942:
Off Ulul Atoll, Carolines meets up with auxiliary transport MUKO MARU and auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU and begins escorting them.
30 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk with MUKO and GORYU MARUs. Departs later that day escorting auxiliary stores ship SHINYO MARU.
1 October 1942:
Arrives back at Truk.
6 October 1942:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary transport MUKO MARU and auxiliary water tanker TATEYAMA MARU.
9 October 1942:
MUKO and TATEYAMA MARUs are detached and head towards Saipan. Meets up with civilian transport (C-AK) INARI MARU coming from Ulul Island (now Onoun), Carolines and begins escorting her.
12 October 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
14 October 1942:
At 0700, departs Truk escorting auxiliary transport KIKUKAWA MARU.
16 October 1942:
Detaches in Grey Feather Bank area.
17 October 1942:
Meets up with IJA transport OMI MARU and begins escorting her.
18 October 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
21 October 1942:
Departs Truk escorting IJA transport NIKKI MARU.
24 October 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
26 October 1942:
Departs Truk with minelayer NATSUSHIMA, escorting auxiliary oiler HOYO MARU and IJA transport NIKKI MARU.
27 October 1942:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary oilers KIYO and EIYO MARUs. Detaches later that day.
28 October 1942:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary transport AKIBASAN MARU.
29 October 1942:
Arrives back at Truk.
30 October 1942:
Departs Truk to meet up with and to escort auxiliary transport AKIBASAN MARU.
1 November 1942:
At 09-06N, 147-50E meets up with auxiliary colliers/oilers SOYO MARU and MIKAGE MARU No. 18 and auxiliary transport CHIHAYA MARU (ex-Dutch TJISAROEA) and begins escorting them.
2 November 1942:
Arrives with the convoy at Truk.
13 November 1942:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary stores ship SURUGA MARU.
14 November 1942:
At 08-40N, 152-30E detaches.
15 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk. Departs later this day escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary stores ship KITAKAMI MARU and auxiliary transports SHOJU and OKITSU MARUs.
16 November 1942:
At 09-15N, 152-07E detaches.
17 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
19 November 1942:
Departs Truk escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary stores ships HARUNA, HOKKAI and MINATO MARUs.
20 November 1942:
At 05-00N, 149-00E detaches.
21 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk. Departs later that day escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary oilers NISSHIN and OMUROSAN MARUs.
22 November 1942:
About 10 nautical miles of Yoripikku (Eauripik Atoll), Namonuito Islands, Carolines detaches.
24 November 1942:
At 07-25N, 143-56E meets up with IJA transport TAIFUKU MARU and Military Movement No. 8’s “B” convoy consisting of IJA transports LIMA and MIYAURA MARUs and begins escorting them.
27 November 1942:
At 147-45E on the equator detaches. Meets up with a convoy consisting of LYONS, TAIFUKU MARUs, TOYO MARU No. 2 and one unidentified ship all bound for Rabaul.
30 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
5 December 1942:
Departs Truk.
8 December 1942:
At 08-00N, 143-10E meets up with Military Movement No. 8’s convoy “D” consisting of IJA transports KURAMASAN and KENKOKU MARUs and begins escorting them.
11 December 1942:
Detaches at 00-10S, 147-30E.
17 December 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
20 December 1942:
At 15-55N, 140-55E meets up with No. 8 Military Movement’s convoy “H” consisting of KASHU, KIZAN, MIYADONO, NANKING, TOMIURA and YAGUMO MARUs and begins escorting them.
26 December 1942:
At 148-18E on the equator, detaches.
30 December 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
8 January 1942:
Joins No. 8 Military Movement’s convoy “Q” consisting of TAISEI, KOKOKU, YORIHIME and IKUTA MARUs bound for Rabaul. At an unknown date and place, detaches.
19 January 1943:
Arrives at Saipan.
27 January 1943:
Departs Saipan and arrives at Omiyajima (Guam) later that day.
28 January 1943:
Departs Omiyajima.
30 January 1943:
At 14-30N, 144-40E meets up with auxiliary transports KAHOKU (ex-auxiliary gunboat) and SANSEI MARUs and begins escorting them.
2 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk with KAHOKU and SANSEI MARUs.
4 February 1943:
At 259°- 17 Ri off Endabi, Puluwat Atoll (now Poluwat Atoll) meets up with auxiliary transport AKIBASAN MARU and begins escorting her.
6 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk with AKIBASAN MARU.
18 February 1943:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary stores ship MINATO MARU.
20 February 1943:
At 08-25N, 158-15E, detaches.
21 February 1943:
At 05-20N, 157-32E meets up with auxiliary stores ship KITAKAMI MARU and begins escorting her.
23 February 1943:
Arrives at Truk with KITAKAMI MARU.
2 March 1943:
Departs Truk with auxiliary gunboat HEIJO MARU escorting auxiliary water tanker NIPPO MARU towing submarine I-33.
9 March 1943:
Destroyer YUNAGI joins the escort.
16 March 1943:
Arrives at Bungo Waterway with patrol boat PB-46 and torpedo boat HATO joining as additional escorts.
17 March 1943:
The escorts are detached off Fukajima. Arrives at Saeki later this day.
18 March 1943:
Departs Saeki.
20 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
April ~ May 1943:
Undergoes hull repairs.
16 May 1943:
Departs Yokosuka escorting convoy No. 3516 consisting of auxiliary transports SHOEI (1,986 GRT) and TAITO MARUs and auxiliary stores ship HARUNA (1,549 GRT) MARU.
22 May 1943:
At 17-24N, 142-22E auxiliary gunboat SHOEI (3,580 GRT) MARU and auxiliary patrol boat KYO MARU No. 8 meet up with the convoy. Then TAITO MARU and KYO MARU No.8 are detached from the convoy and head towards Saipan.
24 May 1943:
Auxiliary gunboat SHOEI (3,580 GRT) MARU is detached. The ship is torpedoed and sunk the following day with the loss of one crewman.
28 May 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Truk with convoy No. 3516.
9 June 1943:
Departs Truk and at 11-00N, 149-53E, meets up with KAISHO, MYOKO, TAIAN and SHIBAZONO MARUs and begins escorting them. Auxiliary netlayer SHUKO MARU and auxiliary minesweeper SEKI MARU No. 3 are escorts for an unknown time before detaching for Saipan (arriving 11 June). SHIBAZONO MARU also is detached at an unknown point.
12 June 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
13 June 1943:
Departs Truk with auxiliary minesweeper TAKASAGO MARU escorting convoy No. 7131 consisting of auxiliary transport TAITO MARU only.
17 June 1943:
TAITO MARU is detached and heads to Fais, Carolines.
19 June 1943:
Arrives at Palau.
24 June 1943:
Departs Palau.
27 June 1943:
Arrives at Mereyon (Falalap, now Woleai), Yap, Carolines. Departs later and arrives at Palau later that day.
11 July 1943:
Departs Palau for Ambon, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies escorting convoy MU-103.
18 August 1943:
At 1150, departs Palau escorting convoy No. 8182 consisting of TAIKOKU MARU and tanker KYOEI MARU.
23 August 1943:
At 1130, arrives at Truk
25 August 1943:
CHOUN MARU, auxiliary netlayer TAISHU MARU, auxiliary minesweepers TAKASAGO MARU, TAKUNAN MARU No. 3 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 8 and auxiliary patrol boats TAITON MARU and NITTO MARU No. 12 meet up at different times with transport TOHO MARU which is returning to Truk after boiler trouble.
2 September 1943:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary transport HOKUSHO MARU.
4 September 1943:
At 06-08N, 155-00E, detaches and arrives at Ponape, Carolines. Departs there later that day.
6 September 1943:
Arrives at Ponape.
7 September 1943:
Departs Ponape escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary water tankers ASAYAMA and NIPPO MARUs.
9 September 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Truk by South channel.
14 September 1943:
Departs Truk with auxiliary gunboat CHOKO MARU NO. 2 GO and destroyer SAMIDARE escorting convoy No. 1143 consisting of auxiliary transport OKITSU MARU and auxiliary stores ship MANKO MARU. The convoy sails at 10 knots.
15 September 1943:
Navy reserve Lt Yano Taketo is appointed CO.
19 September 1943:
Arrives with convoy No. 1143 at Rabaul, New Britain.
20 September 1943:
At 0600, departs Rabaul with auxiliary gunboat CHOKO MARU No. 2 GO escorting convoy No. 2202 consisting of auxiliary transports ASAHISAN and HAKOZAKI MARUs. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
21 September 1943:
At 1250, HAKOZAKI MARU is attacked by a Consolidated PBY.
22 September 1943:
At 0850, HAKOZAKI MARU is attacked again (as are CHOKO MARU No. 2 GO and CHOUN MARU) by a PBY. In these two attacks HAKOZAKI MARU suffers light damage. The other ships are undamaged.
24 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
3 October 1943:
Departs Truk escorting auxiliary transport HIYOSHI MARU.
4 October 1943:
Arrives at Satawan, Mortlock Islands, Eastern Carolines.
9 October 1943:
Departs Satawan escorting auxiliary transport KIMISHIMA MARU.
10 October 1943:
At 0500, arrives with KIMISHIMA MARU at Truk.
14 October 1943:
At 0630, departs Truk with auxiliary gunboat CHOKO MARU No. 2 Go escorting convoy No. 4014B consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ships (B-AK) HEIWA and TATSUURA MARUs and auxiliary transports KIMISHIMA, KINSEN and YAMAFUKU MARUs. The convoy sails at 8.5 knots.
24 October 1943:
Arrives with convoy No. 4014B at Yokosuka.
E 25 October ~ 27 November 1943:
Undergoes repairs.
15 November 1943:
Attached to Admiral Oikawa Koshiro’s (31) Maritime Escort Fleet.
20 November 1943:
Departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3120 consisting of YAMAFUKU, KENRYU, SUZAN and SHOKO MARUs (latter two likely typos for REIYO and SHOHO MARUs). The convoy is apparently ordered to return.
22 November 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
27 November 1943:
Repairs are completed.
28 November 1943:
At 1300, departs Yokosuka with kaibokan FUKUE and initially auxiliary subchaser CHa-61 escorting convoy No. 3128 consisting of auxiliary transports REIYO, SHOHO (1936 grt), NAGISAN and KENRYU MARUs, and auxiliary stores ship HARUNA MARU.
At some point, auxiliary gunboat CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO detaches from convoy No. 3123 and joins convoy No. 3128.
29 November 1943:
About 15 nautical miles NW of Hachijo-Jima, Izu Shoto (Izu Islands), the convoy is intercepted by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Merrill K. Clementson’s (USNA ‘33) USS SNAPPER (SS-185). At 0905, Clementson torpedoes and hits KENRYU MARU at 33-19N, 139-34E. She is set afire and settles down by the bows. Burning furiously, she is abandoned and sinks the next day at 33-16N, 139-35E. Four crewmen are KIA.
1 December 1943:
At some point, auxiliary gunboat CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO detaches to meet up with minesweepers W-17 and W-21 and auxiliary transport TATSUTAGAWA MARU, being the sole merchant survivor of convoy No. 3123. They arrive at Chichi-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins) later that day.
Arrives with convoy No. 3128 at Chichi Jima.
3 December 1943:
Departs Chichi Jima with convoy No. 3128.
6 December 1943:
Departs Saipan with convoy No. 3128 and destroyer OITE as additional escort.
7 December 1943:
Detaches at some point.
9 December 1943:
Arrives at Saipan.
11 December 1943:
Departs Saipan.
15 December 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
30 December 1943:
Departs Truk and meets up with HOKUYO MARU which is unnavigable because of a rudder failure. Tows her to Truk and arrives there later that day.
4 January 1944:
Departs Truk escorting KENSHIN MARU.
10 January 1944:
Arrives at Rabaul.
11 January 1944:
At 2320, departs Rabaul with destroyers SATSUKI and OITE escorting convoy No. 2112 consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) (ex-IJA transport No. 91) HAGURO MARU and auxiliary transport KAIKA MARU.
13 January 1944:
About 35 nautical miles WSW of New Hanover, Admiralties. The convoy is attacked and bombed by USAAF 5th Air Force Consolidated B-24 ‘Liberator’ aircraft. HAGURO MARU is hit and later sinks at 02-43S, 149-25E with the loss of 10 passengers and eight crewmen.
14 January 1944:
Destroyer SATSUKI detaches at some point.
16 January 1944:
About 300 nautical miles N of Manus, Admiralties. In the afternoon, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) John F. Davidson’s (USNA ’29) USS Blackfish (SS-221) running submerged at periscope depth, sights the convoy. At 1600, Davidson fires a spread of six Mark XIV Type 3 torpedoes and scores three hits on KAIKA MARU. The transport carrying 102 passengers and with a cargo of empty drums, old engines and scrap metal, rolls over to starboard and sinks at 03-50N, 148-44E with the loss of 27 passengers and one crewman.
19 January 1944:
At 0300, arrives at Truk.
22 February 1944:
Departs Truk with KOKOKU MARU for Mortlock Island, Carolines escorted by subchaser CH-28.
31 March 1944:
At 2100, departs Saipan with destroyer HATAKAZE, torpedo boat OTORI, auxiliary minesweeper OI MARU and auxiliary netlayers KISHIN and CHOKI MARUs and KIRI MARU No. 1 GO escorting convoy No. 4 consisting of TOYOKAWA MARU, JUICHISEI (HOSHI MARU No. 11) MARU and SHINSEI MARU No. 1.
8 April 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
1 May 1944:
Attached to Vice Admiral Totsuka Michitaro’s (38) Northeastern Area Fleet, 22nd Squadron.
2 May 1944:
Assigned to Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron consisting of various ships and craft assigned to patrol Tokyo Bay N route and W passage and to provide escort duties, ASW duties and other specified operations under instruction No. 334.
30 June 1944:
Assigned to Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron, Team No. 3 under instruction No. 6.
3 July 1944:
Departs Yokohama on patrol in Chi, To and Nu sectors.
20 July 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
E 21 July 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
22 July 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
24 July 1944:
Hoists the commander’s flag.
1 August 1944:
Removes the commander’s flag. Scheduled to join Team No. 22.
19 August 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
6 September 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
5 October 1944:
Hoists the commander’s flag.
6 October 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
10 October 1944:
Navy reserve Lt Okuyama Shigeru is appointed CO.
12 October 1944:
On patrol.
16 October 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
18 October 1944:
Enters drydock for maintenance and repairs.
19 October 1944:
Navy reserve Lt Okuyama embarks as CO.
19 ~ 25 October 1944:
Fitted with two new x12 binoculars.
20 October 1944:
Attached to Maritime Escort Fleet, 5th Surveillance Fleet, Team No. 22. Undocked. That same day, Navy reserve Lt Yano disembarks.
20 ~ 24 October 1944:
Undergoes maintenance and repairs to Type 94 DCs equipment.
21 ~ 23 October 1944:
Undergoes various repairs and construction of new warehouse.
22 ~ 31 October 1944:
Undergoes repairs to Type 93 13mm MGs.
23 October 1944:
Removes the commander’s flag and transfers it to auxiliary gunboat KAMITSU MARU.
24 October 1944:
Undergoes expansion of toilets facilities, addition of paint storage and extension of main bridge room.
25 October 1944:
Enters drydock No. 3.
27 October ~ 16 November 1944:
Fitted with type 2 hydrophone.
1 November 1944:
Navy reserve Lt Okuyama Shigeru is confirmed as CO.
4 ~ 8 November 1944:
Fitted with DCs throwers shield protection.
6 November 1944:
Loads fresh food.
7 November 1944:
Loads boiler water and food.
8 November 1944:
Undocked.
9 ~ 10 November 1944:
Loads boiler water.
9 ~ 14 November 1944:
Undergoes life boats relocation due to AA guns expansion.
10 November 1944:
Fitted with three Type 3 hydrophones.
12 November 1944:
Loads boiler water.
13 November 1944:
Attached to 7th Airbase Naval Unit, Team No. 3.
14 November 1944:
Loads coal.
15 November 1944:
Loads boiler water and is fitted with two type 96 single 25mm guns from auxiliary gunboat UNYO MARU No. 1.
16 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama on trials and returns there later this day. Moors at buoy No. 3.
18 November 1944:
Transfers to Yamashita pier B.
22 November 1944:
Replenishes coal and fresh food.
23 November 1944:
At 1000 departs Yokohama with auxiliary patrol boat SEIKA MARU. At 2400, SEIKA MARU detaches and returns to Yokohama.
25 November 1944:
At 1116, destroys a floating mine with a 25mm gun. Fires 53 rounds.
26 November 1944:
At 0538, at 30-04N, 144-58E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SASAYAMA MARU No. 5. At 0749, at 30-03N, 144-41E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 13. At 1345, at 30-04N, 144-01E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat OGATSU MARU. At 1354, at 30-02N, 143-49E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 15.
27 November 1944:
At 0705, at 29-58N, 142-51E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINSHU MARU No. 5. At 0759, at 30-05N, 142-41E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat HOEI MARU No. 5. At 1130, at 30-03N, 142-00E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAIKO MARU. At 1232, at 30-03N, 141-55E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KOTOSHIRO MARU No. 8. At 1425, at 30-02N, 141-32E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIFUKU MARU No. 2. At 1505, at 30-01N, 141-25E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MYOJIN MARU No. 7. At 1740, at 30-05N, 140-50E meets up with auxiliary patrol boats DAIKI MARU and KANNO MARU No. 3.
28 November 1944:
At 0654, at 29-54N, 139-37E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KYOWA MARU No. 3. At 1815, at 30-05N, 139-37E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat IWATE MARU.
29 November 1944:
At 0637, at 29-52N, 139-38E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SUMIYOSHI MARU No. 7. At 0708, at 29-51N, 139-29E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KYOWA MARU No. 3. At 1330, at 30-00N, 138-17E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat IWATE MARU. At 1420, at 30-01N, 138-17E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIFUKU MARU.
30 November 1944:
At 1530, at 29-56N, 136-19E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINSEI MARU. At 1600, at 29-58N, 136-15E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NISSHIN MARU No. 1.
1 December 1944:
At 0723, at 29-59N, 135-19E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHIRATORI MARU. At 0815, at 29-59N, 135-24E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAIGYO MARU No. 8. At 1315, at 30-01N, 136-16E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NISSHIN MARU No. 1. At 1334, at 30-01N, 136-21E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINSEI MARU.
2 December 1944:
At 0748, at 30-00N, 138-39E meets up with auxiliary patrol boats EIFUKU MARU and IWATE MARU.
3 December 1944:
At 0617, at 30.55N, 140-45E meets up with auxiliary patrol boats DAIKI MARU and KANNO MARU No. 3. At 0933, at 30-58N, 140-18E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MYOJIN MARU. At 0957, at 31-00N, 140-25E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat EIFUKU MARU No. 2.
5 December 1944:
At 0845, at 31-01N, 140-54E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SASAYAMA MARU No. 5.
6 December 1944:
At 0700, at 30-55N, 142-00E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat HOEI MARU No. 5. At 0723, at 30-54N, 142-00E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINSHU MARU No. 5. At 1256, at 30-59N, 143-53E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 15. At 1352, at same position, meets up with auxiliary patrol boat OGATSU MARU.
8 December 1944:
At 2046 arrives at Tateyama.
9 December 1944:
At 0830 departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokohama later this day at 1230.
15 ~ 19 December 1944:
Undergoes remodeling of front bridge.
18 December 1944:
Undergoes repairs at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K., Yokohama shipyard.
19 ~ 22 December 1944:
Fitted with upper deck handrail and undergoes other repairs.
20 December 1944:
Replenishes boiler water.
22 December 1944:
Repairs are completed. Exits shipyard at 1100. At 1120, alongside shiori quay No. 5. At 1524, enters shiori no. 2 drydock.
22 December 1944 ~ 9 January 1945:
Fitted with four Type 96 25mm single guns.
26 December 1944 ~ 19 January 1945:
Fitted with two Type 11 12cm/45 deck guns on bandstands.
27 December 1944:
Replenishes boiler water.
30 ~ 31 December 1944:
Type 11 8cm/40 AA guns are removed.
31 December 1944:
Replenishes boiler water.
January 1945:
Rated as patrol boat No. 2.
7 January 1945:
Replenishes boiler water.
12 January 1945:
Replenishes boiler water.
14 January 1945:
At 0900, undocked and at 0922, lies alongside Takashima No. 1 go pier B.
16 January 1945:
Type 95 DCs equipment, davits and DC racks are repaired.
17 January 1945:
Loads coal, fresh water and food.
19 January 1945:
Departs Yokohama on trials and returns there later that day. Moors at the Yamashita pier.
20 January 1945:
Loads coal and fresh water.
21 January 1945:
At 1000 departs Yokohama.
25 January 1945:
At 0200, arrives at patrol area.
26 January 1945:
At 1235, at 30-00N, 139-22E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat MATSUMORI MARU No. 3. At 1300, at 30-00N, 139.19E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 33.
27 January 1945:
At 0726, at 31-00N, 138-26E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAIHO MARU No. 2. At 0737, at 31-00N, 138-26E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 18. From 1245 till 1255 at 30-00N, 137-50E, engages 18 Boeing B-29 ‘Superfortress’ aircraft. The 12cm guns fire 9 rounds, the 25mm guns fire 2,726 rounds and the 13mm MGs fire 405 rounds.
28 January 1945:
At 0955, at 28-58N, 136-32E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3. At 1145, at 29-32N, 136-38E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat KAIRYU MARU.
29 January 1945:
At 0844, at 28-58N, 138-21E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINKO MARU No. 15.
30 January 1945:
At 0722, at 31-08N, 135-38E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SHINKOI MARU No. 15. At 0810, at 31-02N, 135-31E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat NANSHIN MARU No. 26. At 1720, at 31-08N, 136-43E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat ISUZU MARU No. 3.
31 January 1945:
At 1009, at 31-04N, 136-28E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat YACHIYO MARU No. 3 GO. At 1039, at 30-07N, 136-29E meets up with auxiliary patrol boat SEIJU MARU No. 5.
2 February 1945:
At 1730 arrives at Tateyama.
3 February 1945:
At 0800 departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokohama later this day at 1130.
10 February 1945:
Replenishes boiler water.
11 February 1945:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day. At 1037 enters drydock Shiori No. 2. Replenishes boiler water.
13 February 1945:
At 1310 undocked and anchors at buoy No. 18. Replenishes boiler water.
14 February 1945:
Transfers to Takashima pier C.
15 February 1945:
Transfers to buoy No. 18.
16 February 1945:
Sustains an air attack. The 12cm guns fire 5 rounds, the 25mm guns fire 1,254 rounds, the 13mm MGs fire 50 rounds and the 7,7mm MGs fire 44 rounds.
20 February 1945:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Detached from 5th Surveillance Fleet. Attached to 1st Special Surveillance Fleet, Team No. 22, 1st Monitoring Craft Corps under internal instruction No. 159.
23 ~ 25 February 1945:
Undergoes maintenance to rangefinder at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K., Yokohama shipyard.
26 ~ 27 February 1945:
Shields are fitted to AA guns and MGs. Fitted with a 12cm gun training loading device.
26 ~ 28 February 1945:
12cm deck guns bandstands are remodeled.
20 May 1945:
Detached from 1st Surveillance Fleet under internal instruction No. 449 and transferred to Yokosuka Guard Force under internal instruction No. 450. Navy reserve Lt Okuyama is confirmed as CO. Rated as a miscellaneous ship.
25 May 1945:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later in the day.
8 July 1945:
Departs Yokosuka for Onagawa.
13 July 1945:
Departs Onagawa and arrives at Ominato later this day.
7 August 1945:
Departs Ominato and arrives at Muroran later that day.
15 August 1945:
Japan accepts the Allies “Potsdam Declaration” (of unconditional surrender) and hostilities cease.
22 August 1945:
Departs Muroran and arrives at Ominato later this day.
15 September 1945:
Assigned SCAPJAP number C-023.
26 September 1945:
Navy Cdr Yamagami Kamesaburo (55) is appointed CO.
1 October 1945:
Departs Yokosuka on her first repatriation voyage.
4 October 1945:
Arrives at Haha Jima. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
5 October 1945:
Departs Haha Jima.
8 October 1945:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Disembarks troops and passengers.
14 October 1945:
Departs Uraga.
18 October 1945:
Arrives at Pagan. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
20 October 1945:
Departs Pagan.
23 October 1945:
Arrives at Chichi Jima. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later this day.
26 October 1945:
Arrives at Uraga. Disembarks troops and passengers.
28 October ~ 15 November 1945:
Undergoes repairs at Ishikawajima.
19 November 1945:
Departs Uraga.
23 November 1945:
Arrives at Chichi Jima. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later that day.
25 November 1945:
Arrives at Uraga. Disembarks troops and passengers.
1 December 1945:
Officially assigned to the Allied Repatriation Service. [3]
7 ~ 15 December 1945:
Undergoes repairs.
19 December 1945:
Departs Uraga.
24 December 1945:
Arrives at Kure and departs later this day.
4 January 1946:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan). Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later that day.
7 January 1946:
Arrives at Guam. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated and departs later this day.
12 January 1946:
Arrives at Otake and departs later that same day.
13 January 1946:
Arrives at Kure. Disembarks troops and passengers.
16 January ~ 14 February 1946:
Under repairs at Kure.
15 February ~ 10 March 1946:
Under repairs at Uraga.
1 March 1946:
Cdr Yamagami is relieved by Captain Noto Kiyohisa (51) as CO.
16 March 1946:
Departs Uraga.
23 March 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
24 March 1946:
Departs Kirun.
29 March 1946:
Arrives at Kure. Disembarks troops and passengers.
7 April 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
17 April 1946:
Arrives at Saigon, French Indochina (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam). Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
29 April 1946:
Departs Saigon.
5 May 1946:
Arrives at Kirun. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
7 May 1946:
Depart Kirun.
12 May 1946:
Arrives at Otake. Disembarks troops and passengers.
17 ~ 31 May 1946:
Under repairs at Kasado.
3 June 1946:
Departs Kure.
11 June 1946:
Arrives at Huludao, northeastern China. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
12 June 1946:
Departs Huludao.
16 June 1946:
Arrives at Hakata. Disembarks troops and passengers.
22 June 1946:
Departs Hakata.
26 June 1946:
Arrives at Huludao. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
27 June 1946:
Departs Huludao.
1 July 1946:
Arrives at Hakata. Disembarks troops and passengers.
9 July 1946:
Departs Hakata.
13 July 1946:
Arrives at Huludao. Embarks troops and passengers to be repatriated.
15 July 1946:
Departs Huludao.
20 July 1946:
Arrives at Hakata. Disembarks troops and passengers.
4 August ~ 23 August 1946:
Under repairs at Kure.
14 August 1946:
Captain Noto is relieved ‘on paper’ by Captain Yoshimura Iwao (51) as CO.
15 August 1946:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 165 and released to her owners.
E 1946:
The ship is transferred to a newly formed company, Hokkai Sempaku K.K., Tokyo. The ship resumes commercial service.
1954:
The same owner transfers the ship to a subsidiary company, Niigata Shosen Soko K.K, Tokyo.
1960:
The ship is re-engined as a motor ship.
1965:
Scrapped in Japan.

Authors' Notes:
[1] No mention of such attack in Allied records.
[2] GOYO MARU has been torpedoed and heavily damaged by LtCdr (later Cdr) Joseph H. Willingham’s (USNA ’26) USS TAUTOG (SS-199) on 16 May 1942, S Truk and has undergone emergency repairs there prior being towed to Japan.
[3] Allied occupation forces were responsible for the return of six million Japanese military personnel and civilians from Japan's defunct far-flung Empire. In addition, there were over a million Korean and about 40,000 Chinese prisoners and conscript laborers and approximately 7,000 Formosans and 15,000 Ryukyu Islanders to be repatriated.
Some Allied and many former IJN warships, from aircraft carriers to kaibokan, were used to facilitate the enormous repatriation effort. Japanese vessels and crews were used to the fullest extent possible to conserve Allied manpower and accelerate demobilization. Each ex-IJN ship first had to be demilitarized; guns removed or, in the case of large warships, barrels severed, ammunition landed, and radar and catapults removed, if fitted. Repatriation of the Chinese on Japanese ships began early in October from Hakata, but U.S. guard detachments had to be placed on many ships to prevent disorder because the Japanese crews could not control the returnees.
Japanese-run repatriation centers were established at Kagoshima, Hario near Sasebo, and Hakata near Fukuoka. Other reception centers were established and operated at Maizuru, Shimonoseki, Sasebo, Senzaki, Kure, Uraga, Yokohama, Moji and Hakodate. Allied line and medical personnel supervised the centers. Incoming Japanese were sprayed with DDT, examined and inoculated for typhus and smallpox, provided with food, and transported to his final destination in Japan.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

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