(ASO MARU, sistership of FUJI MARU prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)
This class consists of FUJI, ASO and KISO MARUs, all completed in ‘32 as 703-tons refrigerated cargo ships for Osaka Shosen K.K. All were requisitioned by the IJN. FUJI MARU was converted to an auxiliary subchaser, ASO and KISO MARU were converted to auxiliary gunboats. All were sunk from various causes between May ’43 and Mar ‘45.
|
|
| Builder and Year Completed: |
Kobe. Mitsubishi Zosen K.K.
1932
|
| Gross tonnage: |
703-tons |
| Dimensions: |
169.9' (Lpp) x 29.9' x 17,3' |
| Propulsion: |
One diesel engine, one shaft, 500 s.h.p. |
| Speed: |
11 knots cruising, 13.5 knots max. |
| Armament: |
- Two 8cm/40 deck guns, one 6.5mm/115 3rd Year Type ‘Kihô’ MG, four or more Type 38 ‘Arisaka’ rifles, 12 Type 95 DCs, one 60cm searchlight, one Type 1 paravane.
|
|
