YUSOSEN!
(Standard 2AT Tanker KENJO MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)
EISHO MARU
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2011-2013 Bob Hackett
11 July 1944:
Koyagishima, Nagasaki. Laid down at the Kawaminami Kogyo K.K.
shipyard as a 6,888-ton Type 2A Standard Cargo Ship for Dairen Kisen K.K.,
Dairen, Manchuria.
1944:
Converted to a Standard 2AT Tanker while on the ways.
27 September 1944:
Launched and named EISHO MARU
31 October 1944:
Completed.
25 November 1944:
At 2000, EISHO MARU departs Moji for Singapore in
convoy HI-83 consisting of tankers KYOKUUN, SEISHIN, HARIMA, TOA MARUs and
transport/cargo liners SANUKI, ORYOKU and NISSHO MARUs for Manila. Another
unidentified ship in the convoy is bound for Takao. Escort carrier KAIYO,
destroyers YUZUKI and KAMIKAZE and kaibokan CD-35, CD-63 CD-64 and CD-207
provide escort.
26 November 1944:
Departs Sasebo.
30 November 1944:
At 0600, convoy HI-83 arrives at Takao. The Manila
contingent is detached from the convoy. KAIYO stops at nearby Saei.
1 December 1944:
The convoy departs Takao joined by tanker MIRI MARU
and patrol boat PB-102 (ex-USS STEWART, DD-224). KAIYO rejoins the convoy from
Saei.
3 December 1944:
At 0522, MIRI MARU opens fire on a surfaced enemy
submarine sighted between MIRI and SEISHIN MARUs. One hour later, LtCdr (later
Rear Admiral) Frank W. Fenno's USS PAMPANITO (SS-383) torpedoed and damages
SEISHIN MARU that heads to Yulin, Hainan Island with CD-207.
At 0607, LtCdr William N. Deragon's USS PIPEFISH (SS-388) torpedoes and
sinks CD-64 at 18-36N, 111-54E. The convoy breaks up and each ship independently
retreats towards Hainan Island. CD-63 continues searching for survivors.
9 December 1944:
Arrives at Quinhon.
13 December 1944:
HI-83 arrives at Seletar Naval Base, Singapore.
March 1945:
Reconverted to dry cargo service.
1946:
Sold to Toho Kaiun K.K., Tokyo.
February 1962:
Toho Kaiun merges with Shinwa Kaiun Kaisha K.K.,
Tokyo.
15 September 1963:
Hiroshima. Begins scrapping at Tsuneishi.
-Bob Hackett
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