(TSUGARU by Yuki Takeshi)
The IJN employed several types of minelayers (Fusetsukan) in World War II, but only five minelayers were purpose-built. They were ITSUKUSHIMA, OKINOSHIMA, TSUGARU, SHIRATAKA and YAEYAMA.
TOKIWA was a converted old armored cruiser with a capacity of over 500 mines.
The SOKUTEN and HIRASHIMA classes were minelaying boats (Fusetsutei) and rated as auxiliary warships (Tokumu Kantei). The TSUBAME, SARUSHIMA, AJIRO and KAMISHIMA classes belonged to the same type.
The HATSUTAKA-class were classified as minelayers, but were actually netlayers (Kyusetsukan) that could perform the minelayer role when required. TENYO MARU was a large cargo ship that was converted to an auxiliary minelayer just before Pearl Harbor.
To the extent of available data, this page will cover movements of 31 of the IJN's Fusetsukan.
Japanese Minelayers: Tabular Records of Movement (TROMs)
(Minelayer Classes link to specifications summaries)
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Tsugaru(revised 12/2/2017) |
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Shirataka(revised 9/10/2017) |
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Okinoshima(revised 7/1/2017) |
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Itsukushima(revised 4/14/2018) |
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Yaeyama (revised 11/12/2019) |
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Tokiwa (revised 12/1/2016) |
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Nasami(revised 5/3/2015) |
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Sarushima (revised 8/18/2014) |
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Shinko Maru (revised 30 July 2024) |
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Sokuten(revised 11/2/2015) |
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Hirashima (posted 7/24/08)
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Hatsutaka(revised
11/11/2018) |
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Ajiro (revised 5/12/2013 |
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Koryu Maru (revised 30 July 2024) |
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Ma-101 (posted 4/17/2010) |
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Tatsumiya Maru(revised 6/2/2018) |
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Koei Maru
(posted 10/1/2014) |
Bob Hackett is a military historian and researcher. Retired from the United States Air Force and later from the aerospace industry, he resides in Florida.
Sander Kingsepp, a native of Estonia, is also a military historian and researcher. A talented linguist, Sander's translations of Japanese source materials have greatly enhanced these TROMs.
Peter Cundall is a historian and researcher who works in the marine industry. He specializes in merchant ships and resides in Australia. Questions to the authors concerning these TROMs should be posted on the Discussion and Questions board.
