Japanese Oilers

YUSOSEN!

(HAYATOMO prewar in 1935)

IJN HAYATOMO:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2007-2023 Berend van der Wal, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.
Revision 12

14 March 1922:
Kure Navy Yard. Laid down as an ONDO class 14500-tons transport ship for the Ministry of Navy.
24 August 1922:
Rated as a special service ship transport ship under order No. 155.
Assumed home port is the Sasebo Naval Base under order No. 283.

29 September 1922:
HAYATOMO is alloted call sign GQDU under order No. 173.
4 December 1922:
Launched and named HAYATOMO. Registered home port is the Sasebo Naval Base under order No. 440.
1 April 1923:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Kondo Naokata (30) is posted as Chief Equipping Officer.
1 September 1923:
Captain Aoki Kunitaro (31) is appointed Chief Equipping Officer. Kondo is later assigned as CO of HARUNA.
26 April 1924:
Departs Kure on a trial run in Hiroshima Bay. Returns later this day.
1 May 1924:
Departs Kure on a trial run in Hiroshima Bay. Returns later that day.
3 May 1924:
Departs Kure on a trial run in Hiroshima Bay. Returns later this day.
17 May 1924:
Departs Kure on a trial run in Hiroshima Bay. Returns later that day.
18 May 1924:
Completed. Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship. Captain Aoki Kunitaro is appointed CO.
21 May 1924:
Departs Kure.
24 May 1924:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 May 1924:
Rated as an active special service ship under order No. 142.
29 May 1924:
Departs Sasebo.
19 June 1924:
Arrives at San Fransico port, USA.
19 ~ 24 June 1924:
Loads heavy oil.
24 June 1924:
Depars San Fransisco port.
5 July 1924:
Arrives at Honolulu, Hawai, USA.
8 July 1924:
Departs Honolulu.
28 July 1924:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
28 ~ 30 July 1924:
Offloads heavy oil.
30 July 1924:
Departs Tokuyama.
31 July 1924:
Arives at Sasebo.
28 August 1924:
Departs Sasebo. Arrives at Tokuyama later this day.
28 ~ 29 August 1924:
Loads heavy oil.
29 August 1924:
Departs Tokuyama.
31 August 1924:
Arrives at Maizuru.
31 August ~ 1 September 1924:
Offloads heavy oil.
1 September 1924:
Departs Maizuru.
3 September 1924:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
3 ~ 4 September 1924:
Loads heavy oil.
4 September 1924:
Departs Tokuyama.
6 September 1924:
Arrives at Maizuru.
6 ~ 7 September 1924:
Offloads heavy oil.
7 September 1924:
Departs Maizuru.
9 September 1924:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
9 ~ 11 September 1924:
Loads heavy oil.
11 September 1924:
Departs Tokuyama.
13 September 1924:
Arrives at Maizuru.
13 ~ 14 September 1924:
Offloads heavy oil.
14 September 1924:
Departs Maizuru.
16 September 1924:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
16 ~ 17 September 1924:
Loads heavy oil for use in a large exercise.
17 September 1924:
Departs Tokuyama.
18 September 1924:
Arrives at Sasebo.
23 September 1924:
Departs Sasebo.
24 September 1924:
Arrives at Kure.
28 September 1924:
Departs Kure.
30 September 1924:
Arrives at Toba.
3 October 1924:
Departs Toba.
4 October 1924:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
6 October 1924:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama
9 October 1924:
Departs Tateyama.
22 October 1924:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
24 October 1924:
Departs Yokosuka.
28 October 1924:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 November 1924:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 277.
7 November 1924:
Starts repairs inside the column behind the low pressure gas tank of the main engine.
1 December 1924:
Capt Otani Kishiro (31) is appointed CO.
19 December 1924:
Under order No. 3827 the hoisted tube suspension equipment for refueling at sea were prepared for dispatching and incoroprated during the large scale exercise period. Sasebo Navy Arsenal issued a storage instruction.
19 January 1925:
Enters drydock.
24 January 1925:
Leaving the dock as planned.
31 January 1925:
Completes repairs inside the column behind the low pressure gas tank of the main engine.
1 February 1925:
Rated as an active special service ship under order No. 29. Departs Sasebo.
4 February 1925:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores (now Magong, Penghu Islands, Taiwan).
6 February 1925:
Departs Mako.
12 February 1925:
Arrives at Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
12 ~14 February 1925:
Loads heavy oil.
14 February 1925:
Departs Tarakan.
18 February 1925:
Arrives at Manila, Philippines.
21 February 1925:
Departs Manila.
1 ~ 2 March 1925:
Offloads heavy oil.
2 March 1925:
Departs Tokuyama.
3 March 1925:
Arrives at Sasebo.
16 March 1925:
Departs Sasebo.
7 April 1925:
Arrives at the Shell Oil Pier, San Pedro, USA.
7 ~ 10 April 1925:
Loads heavy oil.
10 April 1925:
Departs San Pedro.
12 April 1925:
Arrives at San Fransisco.
16 April 1925:
Departs San Fransisco.
27 April 1925:
Arrives at the 9th pier, Honolulu. Later moves to pier 7.
3 May 1925:
Departs Honolulu.
22 May 1925:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
22 ~ 24 May 1925:
24 May 1925:
Departs Tokuyama.
25 May 1925:
Arrives at Sasebo. Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Yamaguchi Seishichi (32) assumes command.
20 June 1925:
Departs Sasebo.
21 June 1925: BR> At 1800 the main adjustment valve rod breaks and is repaired.
22 June 1925:
At 0400 at 40 miles south of Ashizurisaki damaged again.
At 1300 completes repairs.
24 June 1925:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Departs later that day.
9 July 1925:
Arrives at the 9th pier, Honolulu. Loads 190.0-tons of fresh water.
10 July 1925:
Loads 251.0-tons of fresh water and 304.8-tons of second class lump coal.
11 July 1925:
Moves to pier 7.
13 July 1925:
Departs Honolulu.
23 July 1925:
Arrives at the general oil pier, San Pedro.
13 ~ 23 Loads 8,447-tons of heavy oil.
23 July 1925:
Loads 40-tons of fresh water.
28 July 1925:
Departs San Pedro.
30 July 1925:
Arrives at San Fransisco.
Loads 1,150.112-tons of second class lump coal.
1 August 1925:
Loads 83.5-tons of fresh water.
4 August 1925:
Receives approval for new condensate removal equipment under order No. 2383 No. 2. Departs San Fransisco.
31 August 1924:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
31 August ~ 3 September 1925:
Offloads heavy oil.
3 September 1925:
Departs Tokuyama.
4 September 1925:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 October 1925:
Departs Sasebo.
4 November 1925:
Arrives at Balikpapan, Borneo. Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
5 November 1925:
Lies alongside the new pier No. 3. Loads 8,312-tons of heavy oil.
6 November 1925:
Departs Balikpapan.
12 November 1925:
Arrives at Manila.
14 November 1925:
Departs Manila.
21 November 1925:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
21 ~ 25 November 1925:
Loads 8,000-tons of heavy oil. Transports the oil to the Asahi Oil launch tank.
25 November 1925:
Departs Tokuyama.
26 November 1925:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 December 1925:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Teramoto Takeji (33) assumes command. Cdr Yamaguchi is promoted Captain and reassigned as CO of MAMIYA.
10 January 1926:
Departs Sasebo.
17 January 1926:
Arrives at Manila.
20 January 1926:
Departs Manila.
24 January 1926:
Arrives at Tarakan.
24 ~ 25 January 1926:
Loads 8,290.73-tons of heavy oil.
25 January 1926:
Departs Tarakan.
7 February 1926:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
7 ~ 8 February 1926:
Offloads heavy oil.
8 February 1926:
Departs Tokuyama.
9 February 1926:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 February 1926:
Departs Sasebo.
27 February 1926:
Arrives at Tarakan. Loads heavy oil. Departs later that day.
12 March 1926:
Arrives at Tokuyama. Offloads heavy oil. Departs Tokuyama later this day.
15 March 1926:
Arrives at Sasebo. Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 46.
31 March 1926:
Departs Sasebo.
1 April 1926:
Capt Maki Akira (32) is appointed CO. Cdr Teramoto is later promoted Captain and assigned as CO of JINGEI.
15 April 1926:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 92.
20 May 1926:
Capt Ogata Saburo (31) is appointed CO.
1 September 1926:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 192.
1 November 1926:
Rated as an active special service ship under order No. 226. Cdr Tsuboi Chozaemon (34) is appointed CO.
4 November 1926:
Departs Sasebo.
14 November 1926:
Arrives at Tarakan.
At 1330 starts loading 8,038.99-tons of heavy oil.
15 November 1926:
At 0915 completes loading 8,038.99-tons of heavy oil.
16 November 1926:
Departs Tarakan.
21 November 1926:
Arrives at the Huron buoy, Manila.
24 November 1926:
Departs Manila.
29 November 1926:
Rated as an ONDO class special service ship transport ship under order No. 239.
1 December 1926:
Arrives at the fuel depot pier, Tokuyama.
At 1835 starts offloading 8,038.99-tons of heavy oil.
2 December 1926:
At 1115 completes offloading 8,038.99-tons of heavy oil and starts loading 8,077-tons of heavy oil.
3 December 1926:
Completes loading 8,077-tons of heavy oil. Thereafter departs Tokuyama.
4 December 1926:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 May 1927:
Capt Koyama Hachiro (33) is appointed CO.
5 May 1927:
Departs Sasebo.
27 June 1927:
At 0830 changes mooring.
30 June 1927:
Departs Sasebo.
10 September 1927:
Receives instruction for modification of the heavy oil suction pipe under order No. 2965.
27 September 1927:
Leaves the dock.
1 November 1927:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Higurashi Toshiu (34) is appointed CO.
1 December 1927:
Cdr Higurashi is promoted Captain.
2 December 1927:
Receives instructions on new construction of fresh water storage reinforcement under order No. 3831.
26 December 1927:
Receives approval for new installation of heavy oil intake under order No. 4063.
1 August 1928:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Kasuya Soichi (35) is appointed CO. Captain Higurashi is reassigned as CO of NATORI.
15 September 1928:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 259.
1 November 1928:
Assigned to attend the grande special fleet review ceromony under order No. 307.
30 November 1928:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 332.
4 December 1928:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Kawana Takeo (34) is appointed CO.
10 December 1928:
Cdr Kawana is promoted Captain and later assigned as CO of OI.
1 May 1929:
Cdr Maki Kaneyuki (34) is appointed CO. Captain Kawana is reassigned as CO of TATSUTA.
6 August 1929:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 August 1929:
At 0930 changes mooring.
9 November 1929:
Arrives at Sasebo.
12 November 1929:
Enters drydock.
15 November 1929:
Cdr (Rear Admiral, posthumously) Hara Seitaro (35) is appointed CO.
30 November 1929:
Cdr Hara is promoted Captain.
10 March 1930:
Rated as the 3rd reserve special service ship under order No. 40.
10 July 1930:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 159.
26 July 1930:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Takahashi Hideo (36) is appointed CO. Captain Hara is later assigned as CO of YUBARI.
1 August 1930:
Rated as an active special service ship under order No. 167.
10 November 1930:
Cdr Takahashi is assigned additional duty as CO of TAMA.
1 December 1930:
Cdr Takahashi is promoted Captain.
1 May 1931:
Captain Takahashi resumes full-time command.
15 August 1931:
Captain (later Vice Admiral) Mikawa Gunichi (38) assumes command. Captain Takahashi is later assigned as CO of MYOKO.
1 December 1931:
Cdr Iikura Katsumi (36) is appointed CO.
25 January 1932:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Nakayama Michimoto (37), CO of NATORI, assumes command as an additional duty.
1 December 1932:
Cdr Saneyoshi Toshiro (37) is appointed CO. Captain Nakayama is later assigned as CO of HAGURO.
1 April 1933:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 120.
15 April 1933:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 129.
21 June 1933:
Receives instructions on pipe maintenance under order No. 2946
22 August 1933:
/ Departs Sasebo.
14 September 1933:
Receives factory report No. 291-214: a report on the new construction of the flood control system for part of the hull.
18 October 1933:
Her call sign is changed to JWID under order No. 127.
19 October 1933:
Receives approval for the new construction of the flood control system for part of the hull under order No. 4611 No. 2.
27 October 1933:
Rated as the 3rd reserve special service ship under order No. 340.
28 October 1933:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 November 1933:
Cdr Nakamura Sueo (38) is appointed CO.
11 December 1933:
Attached to the Sasebo Guard Squadron under order No. 403.
25 August 1934:
Cdr (Vice Admiral, posthumously)(39) Otsuka Miki is appointed CO.
15 November 1934:
Cdr Otsuka is promoted to Captain.
1 April 1935:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 126.
1 May 1935:
Rated as an active duty ship under order No. 177.
3 June 1935:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
9 June 1935:
Departs Yokosuka.
15 June 1935:
Rated as the 3rd reserve special service ship under order No. 240.
7 October 1935:
Cdr Sato Keizo (38) is appointed CO. Captain Otsuka is reassigned as CEO of TSURUGISAKI.
4 June 1936:
At 1000 mooring.
13 July 1936:
At 1100 mooring.
16 July 1936:
At 1530 mooring.
21 July 1936:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later that day.
25 July 1936:
At 1620 mooring.
27 July 1936:
At 1525 mooring.
14 September 1936:
At 1015 mooring.
18 September 1936:
At 0920 enters drydock.
28 September 1936:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later this day.
29 September 1936:
At 0900 mooring.
7 October 1936:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Mizusaki Shojiro (38)(former XO of KIRISHIMA) is appointed CO.
15 October 1936:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later that day.
17 October 1936:
Rated as the 1st reserve special service ship under order No. 378.
20 October 1936:
Detached from the Sasebo Guard Squadron under order No. 394.
Rated as an active special service ship under order No. 395.
Departs Sasebo. Returns later that day.
22 October 1936:
At 1330 mooring change.
27 October 1936:
Departs Sasebo. Arrives at Tokuyama later this day.
27 ~ 29 October 1936:
Loads 8,000-tons of heavy oil.
29 October 1936:
Departs Tokuyama.
1 November 1936:
Arrives at the 3rd ward outer port, Yokosuka. Departs later that day. Arrives at the inner port, Yokosuka later this same day.
1 ~ 4 November 1936:
Offloads 8,000-tons of heavy oil.
4 November 1936:
Departs Yokosuka.
11 November 1936:
Arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
11 ~ 12 November 1936:
Embarks 99 passengers and loads 164 bombs, 694 cans of volatile oil drums, 270 boxes of castor oil, 477 cans of empty gasoline drums, 955 boxes of gasoline, 700 pieces of base equipment and 150 boxes of machine gun ammunition.
12 November 1936:
Departs Takao. Arrives at Mako later that day.
12 ~ 13 November 1936:
Loads 286 private consignment goods.
Offloads 164 bombs, 694 cans of volatile oil drums and 270 boxes of castor oil.
13 November 1936:
Departs Mako.
14 November 1936:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
14 ~ 16 November 1936:
Loads 4,397 boxes of volatile oil, 1,400 boxes of castor oil, 323 bombs, 115 boxes of machine gun ammunition and 100 pieces of base equipment and embarks 90 passengers.
16 November 1936:
Departs Kirun.
18 November 1936:
Arrives at Sasebo.
18 ~ 21 November 1936:
Disembarks 46 passengers.
Offloads 477 empty gasoline drums, 5,352 boxes of gasoline, 800 pieces of base equipment, 265 boxes of machine gun ammunition, 260 private consignment goods, 1,400 boxes of castor oil and 323 bombs.
21 November 1936:
Departs Sasebo.
24 November 1936:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
24 ~ 26 November 1936:
Disembarks 143 passengers.
Loads 10 bombs, 20 boxes of machine gun ammunition, 100 pieces of base equipment and 20 private consignment goods.
26 November 1936:
Departs Yokosuka.
28 November 1936:
Arives at Tokuyama.
28 ~ 30 November 1936:
Loads 8,000-tons of heavy oil.
30 November 1936:
Departs Tokuyama.
1 December 1936:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Mizui Seiji (40) is promoted Captain and assumes command that same day. Captain Mizusaki is reassigned as CO of SUZUYA.
1 ~ 2 December 1936:
Offloads 8,000-tons of heavy oil.
2 December 1936:
At 1050 mooring change.
6 December 1936:
At 1530 destroyer FUYO comes alongside. At 1545 destroyer KARUKAYA also comes alongside. At 1630 KARUKAYA departs. At 1635 FUYO departs.
26 December 1936:
At 0930 enters drydock. Later leaves the drydock.
8 January 1937:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later this day.
17 January 1937:
At 1700 mooring change.
19 January 1937:
At 1600 mooring change.
20 January 1937:
At 1310 mooring change.
21 January 1937:
At 1400 mooring change.
3 February 1937:
At 1720 mooring change.
4 February 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
4 February 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 February 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
28 April 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
1 May 1937:
Att 1115 mooring change.
7 June 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
10 June 1937:
At 1750 mooring change.
19 July 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 July 1937:
Attached to the Combined Fleet under order No. 369.
31 July 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 August 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 August 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
16 August 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
18 August 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
20 August 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
28 August 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
12 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 September 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
17 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
22 September 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
25 September 1937:
Detached from the Combined Fleet under order No. 644.
30 September 1937:
Receives instruction for a new installation of intermediate pieces for heavy oil corrugated pipes under order No. 5003.
8 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
11 October 1937:
Departs Sasebo.
27 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
29 October 1937:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later that day.
8 November 1937:
Departs Sasebo. Returns later this day.
20 November 1937:
Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Kiyota Takahiko (42) is appointed CO.
1 December 1937:
Cdr Kiyota is promoted Captain.
7 December 1937:
Arrives at Tongao Tao (near Hong Kong)
20 June 1938:
A new CO is not appointed. Captain Kiyota is later assigned as CO of NARUTO.
10 February 1939:
Rated as the 3rd reserve special service ship under order No. 78. Captain (later Rear Admiral) Miura Tomosaburo (38), is appointed CO.
1 July 1939:
Captain Miura is assigned additional duty as CO of oiler SATA.
28 September 1939:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Aruga Takeo (42)(former CO of NATORI) is appointed CO. Captain Miura is later assigned as CO of MUROTO.
15 November 1939:
Rated as the 4th reserve special service ship under order No. 851. Capt Kondo Tamejiro (40) is appointed CO.
15 October 1940:
Captain (later Rear Admiral) Matsura Tadayuki (40) is appointed CO.
31 October 1941:
Rated as a Combined Fleet 3rd Fleet Refueling Ship.
November 1941:
Assigned to the 4th invasion group.
December 1941:
Fourth invasion group order No. 2:
First Army Division: Second Escort Corps. Mostly staying overnight instead of sortieing from the assembly point.
Second Army Division: Supply Corps. Mostly transferred after entering the anchorage.
Third Army Division: Supply Corps. NAGARA and the 24th Destroyer Division transferred after leaving the port.
1 December 1941:
Her call sign changes to JGJQ.
2 December 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
4-8 December 1941: Operation "M" - The Attack on the Southern Philippines:
HAYATOMO is in the Third Fleet assigned to Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Irifune Naosaburo’s (39)(former CO of MIKUMA) 32nd Special Base Force.
7 December 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
11 December 1941:
HAYATOMO departs Palau as part of Rear Admiral (later Vice Admiral) Kubo Kyuji's (38) Fourth Surprise Attack Force's seven troop transports and light cruiser NAGARA (F), DesDiv 24's four destroyers and minelayer AOTAKA. Seaplane tenders CHITOSE and MIZUHO provide air cover. Enroute, the convoy’s destroyers refuel off Western Luzon, Philippines.
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Legaspi (Legazpi), Luzon, Philippines.
15 December 1941:
Legaspi, Philippine Islands. HAYATOMO is bombed, but suffers little damage.
16 December 1941:
At 1047, while anchoring at 3,500 m northeast of Legaspi Lighthouse patrol boat PB-35 touches with her bow the starboard rear deck of the HAYATOMO. Both ships are only lightly damaged. Later this day supplies PB-35 with fresh food.
19 December 1941:
At 1755 departs Legaspi.
24 December 1941:
At 0330 arrives at Lamon Bay, Luzon. At 1730, refuels patrol boat PB-1.
28 December 1941:
Departs Lamon Bay.
1 January 1942:
Departs Legaspi.
6 January 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
8 January 1942:
Drydocked.
17 January 1942:
Receives order 621: instructions on equipping special duty ship HAYATOMO with small lightning protection equipment. The Sasebo Naval Arsenal should install this equipment.
1 Construction procedure:
A set of small lightning protection equipment shall be installed and a device for loading and recovering the deployer storage frame shall be maintained.
2 Required weapons:
One set of small lightning protection in stock.
One set of towing equipment.
3 Public trial:
Not enforced.
4 Completion period:
As soon as possible.
27 January 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Davao, Mindanao, Philippines.
7 February 1942:
Departs Davao in a convoy also consisting of IJN transport MATSUMOTO MARU and other unidentified ships escorted by auxiliary gunboats MANYO MARU and TAIKO MARUs.
9 February 1942:
HAYATOMO and MATSUMOTO MARU escorted by auxiliary gunboats MANYO and TAIKO MARUs are detached from the convoy and later anchor at Pata Island off the south coast of Jolo.
10 February 1942:
Arrives Tarakan. MATSUMOTO MARU remains behind at Jolo.
12 February 1942:
HAYATOMO, accompanied by auxiliary gunboats MANYO and TAIKO MARUs, departs Tarakan. Refuels light cruiser NAKA and the 2nd Destoyer Division.
13 February 1942:
At 00-22S, 118-12E auxiliary gunboats MANYO and TAIKO MARUs engage in anti submarine warfare. MANYO MARU drops 4 depth charges and TAIKO MARU drops 2 depth charges.
Arrives at Balikpapan where convoy is dissolved.
19 February 1942:
At 1800 departs the Pata anchorage, south of Jolo in the Western Java, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) Invasion Operation SU Operation Transport Fleet.
21 February 1942:
At 0243 IJN transport KENRYU MARU joins the SU Operation Transport Fleet of the coast of Tarakan. The escort of auxiliary transport EBISU MARU will be handed over to patrol boat PB-34.
22 February 1942:
At 0730 the destroyer NATSUGUMO and minesweeper W-20 precede to Aroe (Aru) Bank, in Macassar Strait.
At 0945 detaches from the SU Operation Transport Fleet and heads towards Macassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia).
At 1400 returns to Balikpapan under order 1EG No. 297.
At 1410 the SU Operation Transport Fleet returns to Balikpapan.
At 1730 minesweeper W-20 and the 30th minesweeper squadron (W-17 and W-18) detach from the SU Operation Transport Fleet and preceed to Balikpapan.
At 2040 they complete minesweeping of the Balikpapan western port. No mines are found.
At 2200 temporarily moors just as the SU OperationTransport Fleet off the Sapoenang (Sapunang) Peninsula of the Toenan (Tunan) River estuary, Borneo, about 13 nautical miles southwest of Balikpapan.
23 February 1942:
At 1100 enters Balikpapan port.
At 1130 IJN water tanker KOAN MARU and IJN collier/oiler YODOGAWA MARU enter Balikpapan port.
Resupplies light cruiser NAKA, the 2nd Destoyer Division, destroyers UMIKAZE, ASAGUMO, MINEGUMO and NATSUGUMO.
Supplies fresh water and L1 fuel oil to submarine I-21.
Supplies minelayer WAKATAKA and an unidentified minesweeper.
24 February 1942:
At 0717 departs Balikpapan port with IJN water tanker KOAN MARU and IJN collier/oiler YODOGAWA MARU escorted by auxiliary gunboat MANYO MARU and minelayer AOTAKA. MANYO MARU and AOTAKA end escort later that day.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at Macassar. Together with IJN fleet oiler NARUTO supplies the 2nd Torpedo Squadron. Together with NARUTO the ships refuel 1st sentai of 16 DesDiv between 0920 and light cruiser JINTSU and 2nd sentai of 16th DesDiv between 1530 and 1900.
10 March 1942:
Rated as a Combined Fleet 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet Refueling Ship.
20 March 1942:
Departs Davao for Ambon, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) escorted by torpedo boat TOMOZURU.
24 March 1942:
Arrives at Ambon.
25 March 1942:
Stores and refuels patrol boat PB-1.
26 March 1942 ~ 4 April 1942:
Departs Ambon for Gane Bay, Halmahera, Moluccas.
5 April 1942:
Refuels patrol boat PB-1 and coals auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
6 April ~ 12 April 1942:
Departs Gane Bay for Manokwari, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
10 April 1942:
Rated as a Combined Fleet Southwest Area Fleet 2nd Southern Expedition Fleet Refueling Ship.
13 April 1942:
Refuels PB-1.
22 April 1942:
Refuels PB-1 again.
15 May 1942:
Captain (later Rear Admiral, posthumously) Nakao Hachiro (40)(former CO of LYONS MARU) is appointed CO. Captain Matsura is later assigned as CO of ONDO.
6 June 1942:
Departs Macassar with auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 2.
8 June 1942:
Off the coast of Kendari, Celebes auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 2 ends escort and detaches. At 0500 HAYATOMO and OKUYO MARU arrive at Kendari.
9 June 1942:
Auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 2 arrives at Kendari.
23 August 1942:
SW of Ambon, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). LtCdr (later Cdr) James W. Coe’s (USNA ’30) USS SKIPJACK (SS-184) torpedoes and damages HAYATOMO at 03-52N, 127-54E.
25 August 1942:
Rated as a Combined Fleet Refueling Ship.
29 August 1942:
IJN Transport SEIAN MARU arrives near the location that HAYATOMO was torpedoed and tows her to Kendari, Celebes.
September 1942-April 1943:
HAYATOMO undergoes lengthly repairs initially at an unknown location.
1 November 1942:
At 1030 auxiliary gunboat CHOSA MARU departs Singapore Naval Port (Seletar) to meet up with and escort inbound HAYATOMO.
5 November 1942:
At 1715 CHOSA MARU and HAYATOMO arrive at Seletar.
15 April 1943:
Captain Hasebe Ichizou (former CO of KAMOI) is appointed CO.
27 September 1943:
Convoy No. 7272 consisting of IJN oilers AZUMA and KUMAGAWA MARUs and escorted by destroyer ASANAGI departs Truk, Carolines for Palau. Later HAYATOMO and IJN oiler SHINKOKU MARU join the convoy.
1 October 1943:
At 1425 arrives with the convoy at Palau.
9 October 1943:
Sails through the Sulu Sea escorted by one unidentified ship. At about 0600, near Labian Point, Sabah, British Borneo (now Malaysia) LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Vernon L. Lowrance’s (USNA ’30) USS KINGFISH (SS-234) torpedoes and heavily damages HAYATOMO with a hit in her engine room at 05-09N, 119-18E. The escort unsuccessfully hunts the USS KINGFISH. [1]
At 0730, USN codebreakers intercept and decrypt a message from the captain of HAYATOMO that reads: “We were hit in the engine room by one torpedo from an enemy submarine in position 05-09N, 119 ---- E. We are unable to navigate.”
At 0900 at about 10 nautical miles north of Sibutu Island, Sulu Islands LtCdr Lowrance sees HAYATOMO low in the water and drifting south.
At 1015, codebreakers decrypt another message from HAYATOMO that reads: “At 0700, October 9, 05-09N, 119-18E course 220. Attacked by 4 torpedoes, 1 hit engine room and ----- flooded. Flooding out of control and sank (?) ” [2]
Macassar Strait. At about 1100, LtCdr Marvin J. Jensen's (USNA ’31) USS PUFFER (SS-268) torpedoes and damages KUMAGAWA MARU off Balikpapan at 01-07N, 119-30E.
At 1300 LtCdr Lowrance seas HAYATOMO again, now even lower in the water and still drifting south but decides not to attack out of fear to be beached on Sibutu Island by the strong current.
At 2231 about 10 nautical miles south of Labian Point LtCdr Lowrance seas the escort vessel together with a smaller patrol vessel patrolling. Visabilty is excellent but HAYATOMO is nowhere to be seen and presumed sunk.
10 October 1943:
Salvage tug AKITSU MARU I GO departs Macassar on an emergency rescue mission for IJN oilers KUMAGAWA MARU and HAYATOMO.
10-21 October 1943:
Towed to Tarakan, Borneo by salvage tug AKITSU MARU I GO.
21 October 1943:
IJN transport RAKUTO MARU hits a mine while at anchorage in the Pomelaa, Celebes outer harbor.
The order for AKITSU MARU I GO to tow HAYATOMO to Balikpapan is cancelled and AKITSU MARU I GO is sent instead to assist RAKUTO MARU. Meanwhile HAYATOMO undergoes emergency repairs.
1 November 1943:
Salvage tug AKITSU MARU I GO departs Tarakan on an emergency rescue mission for IJN oiler HAYATOMO.
17 December 1943:
Instructed to camouflage the ship by using two paint colors under transport ship camouflage painting instruction No. 6258.
30 December 1943:
Departs Tarakan. Damaged HAYATOMO is towed to Singapore by light cruiser KINU.
8 January 1944:
Arrives at Singapore under tow.
January-March 1944:
Undergoes repairs at Seletar’s No. 101 Repair Facility.
11 March 1944:
Repairs are discontinued. Departs Singapore under tow.
14 March 1944:
Arrives at the Combined Fleet's Lingga anchorage, S of Singapore. Captain Hasebe pays a courtesy call on Vice Admiral Ugaki Matome (40)(former CO of HYUGA), CO of BatDiv 1, Third Fleet. HAYATOMO is used for bulk oil storage for the fleet.
31 May 1944:
Departs Lingga anchorage for Singapore towed by tug KURUSHIMA MARU
1 June 1944:
At Singapore.
12 July 1944:
Departs Singapore for Lingga anchorage towed by tug KURUSHIMA MARU.
14 July 1944:
At Lingga anchorage.
2 September 1944:
CO Captain Hasebe is assigned extra duty as CO of destroyer AMATSUKAZE.
1 October 1944:
Lingga anchorage. HAYATOMO is provisioned by stores ship KITAKAMI MARU.
E 1945:
At an unknown date, HAYATOMO is towed back to Singapore where she continues to be used as an oil storage vessel.
1 February 1945:
At Singapore navy port. Attached to Southwest Unit Western Unit Supply Unit.
Inspection of boiler No. 2 begins.
10 February 1945:
CO Captain Hasebe is relieved of duty as CO of AMATSUKAZE and returns to duty with HAYATOMO.
15 February 1945:
Inspection of boiler No. 2 is completed.
16 February 1945:
Restores No. 2 boiler and implements a water pressure test.
25 February 1945:
Inspection of boiler No. 3 begins.
26 February 1945:
Inspection of boiler No. 3 is completed.
27 February 1945:
1 April 1945:
Rated as the 4th reserve special service ship under order No. 273.
20 July 1945:
Captain Hasebe is appointed the CO of AITEN MARU as an additional duty.
15 August 1945:
Singapore. HAYATOMO’s crew is notified of the termination of the war. HAYATOMO remains in partially destroyed state. The Royal Navy continues using her as a floating bulk storage tank.
1946:
Singapore. Scuttled and later scrapped.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy List.

Authors’ Notes:
[1] Some sources claim LtCdr Marvin J. Jensen’s (USNA ’31) USS PUFFER (SS-268) torpedoed and damaged HAYATOMO on 9 Oct ‘43, but Alden and other sources claim USS PUFFER’s target that day was tanker KUMAGAWA MARU.
[2] HAYATOMO was probably beached. CNO analysts say that salvage operations occurred. In Dec 43, towing began and HAYATOMO arrived in Singapore about 9 Jan 44. She appeared operational [sic] in May 44.
Thanks for assistance with IJN officers go to Matthew Jones of Mississippi, USA. Thanks also go to the late John Whitman of VA for info on CNO intercepts, Gengoro Toda of Japan, Berend van der Wal of Netherlands and to Gilbert Casse of France for their contribution to revisions.

- Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.

Back to the Oilers Page