Japanese Oilers

YUSOSEN!

(Oiler by Takeshi Yuki)
IJN ENOSHIMA MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2009-2018 Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
Revision 4

E 1917:
Port Glasgow, Scotland. Laid down at Clyde Shipbuilding Company Yard as a 1,175 ton tanker for the Admiralty, United Kingdom.
16 October 1917:
Launched and named EBONOL.
12 December 1917:
Completed. Registered as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) oiler in the Port of London; distinctive letter GVSZ, number of the ship 140439.
8 December 1941:
The Japanese open their offensive on Hong Kong by moving troops across the frontier of the New Territories. They also lunch an air attack on Kai Tak airport on Kowloon.
20 December 1941:
Hong Kong. RFA EBONOL is scuttled to avoid capture by the Japanese. The crew is taken as prisoners of war. [1]
25 April 1942:
The IJN's 11th Special Construction Section begins efforts to raise RFA EBONOL.
17 July 1942:
After RFA EBONOL is raised, the IJN's 3rd Special Construction Section receives a service letter of instruction.
10 August 1942:
Repairs and refurbishment are completed.
14 September 1942:
Departs Hong Kong.
21 September 1942:
At 1800 arrives at Sasebo. Probably undergoes additional repair and refurbishment.
14 October 1942:
Sasebo receives a letter of instruction concerning RFA EBONOL's future use as an auxiliary oil supply transport.
20 October 1942:
Renamed ENOSHIMA MARU. Registered in the Sasebo Naval District as an auxiliary transport (oil supply).
5 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Hikoshima.
11 November 1942:
Undergoes hull repairs and conversion to an IJN oiler by Osaka Tekkosho (Iron Works) Yard, Hikoshima.
5 December 1942:
Completes conversion.
7 December 1942:
Departs Hikoshima.
9 December 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
12 December 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
30 December 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya, Java.
4 January 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
7 January 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan, Borneo and loads fuel. [2]
9 January 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
13 January 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel. [2]
17 January 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
20 January 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan.
21 January 1943:
While docking at No. 2 wharf at Balikpapan, ENOSHIMA MARU catches fire, but the fire is quickly extinguished by her crew and a fire fighting party from auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU discharging empty drums at No. 1 wharf opposite.
30 January 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
2 February 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
8 February 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
3 March 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
6 March 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
9 March 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
13 March 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
16 March 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
18 March 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
22 March 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
26 March 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
30 March 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
2 April 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
6 April 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
8 April 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
12 April 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
15 April 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
18 April 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
21 April 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
25 April 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
27 April 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
1 May 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
4 May 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
8 May 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
11 May 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
15 May 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
19 May 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
23 May 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
26 May 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
27 May 1943:
Arrives at Kotabaru, Borneo and discharges fuel.
30 May 1943:
Departs Kotabaru.
1 June 1943:
Arrives at Macassar, Celebes (now Sulawesi) and discharges fuel.
2 June 1943:
Departs Macassar.
7 June 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
9 June 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
13 June 1943:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
15 June 1943:
Departs Macassar and for some of the way escorted by minesweeper W-16.
18 June 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
21 June 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
22 June 1943:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
26 June 1943:
Departs Macassar.
28 June 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and discharges fuel.
30 June 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
7 July 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
8 July 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
11 July 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and discharges fuel.
15 July 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
19 July 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
27 July 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
31 July 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and discharges fuel.
3 August 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
6 August 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
12 August 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
16 August 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
8 September 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
16 September 1943:
Arrives at Singapore and discharges fuel.
21 September 1943:
Departs Singapore.
23 September 1943:
Arrives at Belawan, Sumatra and loads fuel.
25 September 1943:
Departs Belawan.
27 September 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
29 September 1943:
Departs Singapore.
8 October 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
12 October 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
16 October 1943:
At 0800, departs an unknown location (probably Surabaya) for Macassar in a convoy also consisting of SUITEN (ex Dutch SCHOUTEN) MARU escorted by minelayer AOTAKA.
19 October 1943:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
20 October 1943:
Departs Macassar.
24 October 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
10 November 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
13 November 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
16 November 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
20 November 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
25 November 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
28 November 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
2 December 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
5 December 1943:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
7 December 1943:
Departs Macassar.
11 December 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
13 December 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
14 December 1943:
ENOSHIMA MARU delivers food and rescue supplies to transport KUMAKAWA (TAMAGAWA) MARU torpedoed off Balikpapan in Macassar Strait by LtCdr Marvin J. Jensen’s (USNA ’31) USS PUFFER (SS-268) on 9 October.
15 December 1943:
ENOSHIMA and NICHIEI MARUs tow KUMAKAWA MARU to Surabaya.
16 December 1943:
The ships arrive at Surabaya. ENOSHIMA MARU discharges fuel.
19 December 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
23 December 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
29 December 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
1 January 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
3 January 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
6 January 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
9 January 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
12 January 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
16 January 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
19 January 1944:
Arrives at Batavia (now Jakarta), Java.
21 January 1944:
Departs Jakarta.
23 January 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya.
27 January 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
31 January 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
3 February 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
6 February 1944:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
8 February 1944:
Departs Macassar.
12 February 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
14 February 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
17 February 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
20 February 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
24 February 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel. Probably undergoes repairs and servicing.
24 March 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
27 March 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
30 March 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
5 April 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
12 April 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
15 April 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
29 April 1944:
Departs Balikpapan in a convoy with SUITEN MARU and an unidentified ship escorted by subchaser CH-5.
2 May 1944:
Arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
5 May 1944:
Departs Macassar.
13 May 1944:
At 0830 departs Balikpapan escorting a convoy also consisting of TAIKO, KANAN and SEIAN MARUs escorted by minesweeper W-101.
16 May 1944:
At 1716 arrives at Surabaya.
17 May 1944:
ENOSHIMA MARU is strafed by aircraft. Undergoes temporary repairs for machine gunfire damage.
3 June 1944:
At 0900, departs Surabaya in unnumbered convoy consisting of JAMBI and KITA MARUs escorted by minesweeper W-12.
5 June 1944:
W-12 is detached from convoy.
7 June 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
16 June 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
20 June 1944:
Departs Surabaya and discharges fuel.
26 June 1944:
At 1300, ENOSHIMA MARU departs Surabaya in a convoy also consisting of TAI MARU, TORA MARU No. 1 and tankers YOSEI and HISHI MARU, No.2 escorted by minesweeper W-11. At 2039, arrives Menpa.
27 June 1944:
At 0915, while leaving Menpa, YOSEI MARU incurs engine problems and is detached from the convoy that continues on.
29 June 1944:
At 2003, arrives at Laut Island, Borneo.
30 June 1944:
Departs Laut Island.
1 July 1944:
Arrives at Kotabaru.
2 July 1944:
Departs Kotabaru.
3 July 1944:
Arrives at Macassar.
4 July 1944:
Departs Macassar.
5 July 1944:
Arrives at Pulau Kapoposangbali (Poposa Island) lighthouse.
6 July 1944:
Departs Kapoposangbali lighthouse.
7 July 1944:
Arrives at Laut Island, Borneo.
8 July 1944:
Departs Laut Island.
10 July 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya.
11 July 1944:
Surabaya. Enters drydock.
18 July 1944:
Undocked.
24 July 1944:
At 1200, departs Surabaya in convoy consisting of TOBI MARU escorted by auxiliary netlayer KANKO MARU and auxiliary subchaser CHa-114. At 1850, anchors in Surabaya's West Channel mouth.
25 July 1944:
Departs Surabaya's west channel.
27 July 1944:
At 0930 KANKO MARU is detached from the convoy.
28 July 1944:
Arrives at Bolewari, southern Celebes (04-12S, 119-36E).
30 July 1944:
Departs Bolewari.
3 August 1944:
At 0700, minesweeper W-101 departs Laut Island, SE Borneo, escorting a convoy consisting of DAI MARU (ex-Dutch DUYMAER VAN TWIST), SUITEN MARU (ex-Dutch SCHOUTEN), ENOSHIMA MARU, Communication Boat No. 104 (wooden hulled) and tanker HOSEI MARU (ex-Dutch POSEIDON).
6 August 1944:
At 1530, arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
17 August 1944:
At 1200 departs Surabaya in a convoy also consisting of NICHIEI MARU and tankers BAIEI, YOSEI (ex Dutch JOSEFINA) and KOKKO MARUs escorted by auxiliary minesweeper WA-9 and auxiliary NITTO MARU No. 17.
22 August 1944:
At 1300 arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
24 August 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
26 August 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
25 September 1944:
At 0650 departs Balikpapan in a convoy also consisting of SHUNSEN and KANKO MARUs.
1 October 1944:
At 1330 arrives at Surabaya.
3 October 1944:
Departs Surabaya.
6 October 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
11 October 1944:
Departs Balikpapan.
17 October 1944:
Arrives at Batavia (now Jakarta), Java and discharges fuel.
21 October 1944:
Departs Batavia.
27 October 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya and discharges fuel.
2 November 1944:
At 1630, departs Surabaya in a convoy consisting of SHUNSEN, KANTO, KANKO and SHIROGANE MARUs and tanker NANSHIN MARU No.13 escorted by subchaser CH-2 and auxiliary minesweepers Wa-103, and Wa-106.
5 November 1944:
At 1615 arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
8 November 1944:
Arrives at Macassar.
12 November 1944:
Departs Macassar.
14 November 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan and loads fuel.
18 November 1944:
At 0900 departs Balikpapan escorted by auxiliary netlayer NAGARA MARU.
20 November 1944:
At 1830 arrives at Macassar and discharges fuel.
22 November 1944:
At 0600, ENOSHlMA MARU departs Macassar for Balikpapan with auxiliary netlayer NAGARA MARU and auxiliary patrol boat KYOKUO MARU and auxiliary submarine chaser SHONAN MARU No 1. That same day, USAAF planes damage ENOSHIMA MARU. The captain is killed and seven crewmen wounded. There are 150 holes in her hull, but she returns to Macassar under her own steam.
1 December 1944:
At 0930 departs Balikpapan escorted by auxiliary netlayer NAGARA MARU.
4 December 1944:
At 0800 arrives at Makassar.
17 December 1944:
Departs Makassar escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 1 and auxiliary netlayer NAGARA MARU. Arrives at Langkai Island, Celebes and departs later this day.
20 December 1944:
Arrives at Balikpapan.
8 April 1945:
British submarine HMS STYGIAN unsuccessfully attacks ENOSHIMA MARU at 06-30S, 113-08E.
12 May 1945:
Departs Surabaya for Singapore in a convoy with tanker YOSEI MARU (ex-Dutch JOSEFINA) escorted by auxiliary subchasers TAKUNAN MARU No. 5 and SHONAN MARU No. 17.
13 May 1945:
At about 0400, LtCdr (later Captain) Benjamin C. Jarvis’ (USNA ’39) USS BAYA (SS-318) attacks the convoy. Jarvis torpedoes and sinks YOSEI MARU with a cargo of rice and empty drums at 06-31S, 111-19E. 18 crewmen are KIA. TAKUNAN MARU No. 5 carries out an unsuccessful counterattack. Although USS BAYA claims another ship sunk, ENOSHIMA MARU escapes undamaged.
14 May 1945:
FRUMEL decrypts the following message from Surabaya, timed 131842: "1) At 0630 on 13th in 5-34S 111-16E YOOSEI MARU was torpedoed by enemy submarine and sunk. ENOSHIMA MARU is anchored at Rembang and No. 17 SHOONAN MARU is engaged in keeping this submarine down.2) Minesweeper 34 sails tomorrow to attack, then escort ENOSHIMA to Cheribon." (Comment: YOSEI MARU, ENOSHIMA MARU and SHONAN MARU No. 17 formed a convoy which left Surabaya for Palembang on 11th. YOSEI MARU had a cargo of rice and empty oil drums).
16 May 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya, discharges fuel and departs Surabaya.
9 August 1945:
Nanao, Oguchi channel. ENOSHIMA MARU is damaged by mines.
15 August 1945:
Hositilities cease.
1945:
Batavia, Java. ENOSHIMA MARU is recovered by the Royal Navy. Renamed EBONOL again. Later, towed to Singapore.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the IJN Navy List.
1947:
Sold to Chin Ah & Co., London.
1948:
Sold to Yap Kah Hoe, Singapore.
1949:
Sold to Chin Ah Co., Singapore.
1949:
Sold to Great Southern S.S. Co., Hong Kong.
24 May 1950:
S of Swatow, China. 3 miles off Sugar Loaf Island. Sinks in bad weather while carrying passengers and a cargo of sugar. It is reported an explosion occurred, but the true cause is never established. Six passengers lose their lives. [3]

Authors' Notes:
[1] One officer died in captivity. 26 ratings were posted as missing or as prisoners of war.
[2] Loading and discharging of fuel noted at various ports in this TROM is speculative, but probable.
[3] One source claims the cause was a mine laid by Chinese Nationalists.
- Thanks go to reader Berend and to Mr. Gilbert Casse of France.
- Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.
-

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