Japanese Auxiliary Netlayers

KYUSETSUMOKAN!

HOKAKUMOTEI!

PICTURE WANTED

IJN KASHIWA MARU :
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2021 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

1938:
Osaka. Laid down by Ohara Zosen Tekkosho shipyard as a 515-tons cargo ship for Uwajima Unyu K.K.
25 October 1938:
Launched and named KASHIWA MARU. [1]
16 December 1938:
Completed with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 515-tons and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) of 282-tons. Her registered homeport is Uwajima. Her call sign is JWCM. [2]
24 March 1939:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1 April 1939:
Yamashita Shinsuke is appointed CO.
23 May 1939:
Departs Nanjing, China.
21 August 1939:
Departs Wuhu, China.
8 September 1939:
Arrives at Tianshen Bridge, China.
14 September 1939
Arrives at Nanjing.
February 1940:
Released to her owners.
7 February 1940:
Yamashita Shinsuke is relieved of duty.
11 November 1941:
Requisitioned again by the IJN.
20 November 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 1496.
31 December 1941:
Attached to the Sasebo Naval District, Oshima Base Force, Oshima Base Defense Unit under instruction No. 1780. Tactically assigned to Oshima Base Force, Oshima Defense Unit.
15 January 1942:
Arrives at Seso, Kakeromajima, Satsunan Islands. Attachment confirmed to Sea Defense Force, Oshima Defense Unit under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 14.
17 January 1942:
Departs Seso.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
20 January 1942:
Departs Seso.
21 January 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
22 January 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
25 January 1942:
Departs Seso.
26 January 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
29 January 1942:
Departs Seso.
30 January 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
1 February 1942:
Departs Seso.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
5 February 1942:
Attachment confirmed to Sea Defense Force, Oshima Defense Unit under instruction No. 16 and to Oshima Local Defense Unit, Sea Defense Force under instruction No. 32.
7 February 1942:
Departs Seso.
8 February 1942:
Arrives at Naha, Okinawa.
9 February 1942:
Departs Naha.
10 February 1942:
Arrives at Miyakojima, Okinawa prefecture.
14 February 1942:
Departs Miyakojima and arrives at Ishigakijima, Yaeyama Islands later that day.
15 February 1942:
Departs Ishigakijima and arrives at Funauki, Taketomi, Yaeyama Islands later this day.
17 February 1942:
Departs Funauki and arrives at Ishigakijima later that day.
18 February 1942:
Departs Ishigakijima.
19 February 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
21 February 1942:
Departs Naha and arrives at Kumejima, Okinawa prefecture later this day.
22 February 1942:
Departs Kumejima and arrives at Naha later that day.
25 February 1942:
Departs Naha.
26 February 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
E26 ~ 28 February 1942:
Rated as Unit No. 7, First Platoon.
1 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
2 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
5 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
6 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
8 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
9 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
10 March 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later that day.
11 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
13 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
15 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
16 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
17 March 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
18 March 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later that day.
19 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
20 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
23 March 1942:
Departs Seso.
24 March 1942:
Arrives at Seso and departs there later this day.
25 March 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
10 April 1942:
Attachment confirmed to Sea Defense Unit, Oshima Base Defense Unit under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 22.
14 April 1942:
Departs Naha.
15 April 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
18 April 1942:
Departs Seso.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
20 April 1942:
Departs Seso.
22 April 1942:
Arrives at Nishikomi, Amami Oshima.
23 April 1942:
Departs Nishikomi and arrives at Seso later that day.
27 April 1942:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze, Amami Oshima later this day.
28 April 1942:
Departs Naze and arrives at Nishikomi later that day.
29 April 1942:
Departs Nishikomi and arrives at Seso later this day.
1 May 1942:
Departs Seso.
2 May 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
10 May 1942:
Departs Seso.
11 May 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
12 May 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later that day.
13 May 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later this day.
14 May 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later that day.
15 May 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later this day.
16 May 1942:
Departs Seso.
17 May 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
18 May 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later that day.
20 May 1942:
Departs Seso.
21 May 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
25 May 1942:
Departs Seso.
27 May 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
30 May 1942:
East China Sea, E of Okinawa. At about 1725, LtCdr (Rear Admiral-Ret) Lewis S. Parks’ (USNA '25) USS POMPANO (SS-181) torpedoes and set on fire IJA transport ATSUTA MARU carrying 709 government/administration passengers and war supplies.
Departs Seso with auxiliary netlayer AGATA MARU , auxiliary subchaser RYOSUI MARU, auxiliary subchaser HOKOKO MARU No. 3 GO and auxiliary gunboat SHINKYO MARU to rescue survivors, assist ATSUTA MARU and carry out anti-submarine sweeps under Oshima Base Force instruction No. 6. They assist with the fire-fighting of ATSUTA MARU.
31 May 1942:
Ordered to continue current mission under Oshima Base Force instructions No. 11 and No. 12.
3 June 1942:
Around midnight ATSUTA MARU sinks about 50 nautical miles E Chinenzaki, Okinawa with the loss of 39 crewmen and 37 passengers.
5 June 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
6 June 1942:
Departs Seso.
9 June 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
10 June 1942:
Departs Seso.
14 June 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
16 June 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
20 June 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later this day.
21 June 1942:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
30 June 1942:
Departs Seso and returns to port later this day.
July 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt Ishikawa Sadao is appointed CO.
3 July 1942:
Departs Seso on a hydrophone training and returns there later that day.
5 July 1942:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep and returns to port later this day.
6 July 1942:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep.
10 July 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
14 July 1942:
Departs Seso.
15 July 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
17 July 1942:
Departs Seso on a hydrophone training and returns to port later this day. Replenishes fuel and fresh water.
18 July 1942:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep.
20 July 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
21 July 1942:
Changes anchorage.
23 July 1942:
Replenishes boiler water and is supplied with 150 pistol bullets.
24 July 1942:
Departs Seso on a hydrophone training and returns there later that day.
25 July 1942:
Departs Seso on forward route warning for NICHIHO MARU.
26 July 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
31 July 1942:
Replenishes fuel and fresh water.
1 August 1942:
Navy (Resv) Lt Ishikawa Sadao is confirmed as CO. Departs Seso that same day.
2 August 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
7 August 1942:
Departs Naha and arrives at Nago, Okinawa. Departs there later that day.
8 August 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
20 August 1942:
Departs Naha.
21 August 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
22 August 1942:
Resupplies fresh food. Repairs of seawater pipes for cooling generators.
1 September 1942:
Departs Seso on a netlaying training and returns to port later this day.
2 September 1942:
Undertakes water pump, cylinder air safety valve and connection adjustment and repairs.
4 September 1942:
Departs Seso on a hydrophone training and returns there later that day.
7 September 1942:
Ordered to quickly depart to search for and attack an enemy submarine under Oshima Defense Force wireless order No. 15. Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep later in the day.
10 September 1942:
Mission No. 15 is cancelled under Oshima Defense Force wireless order No. 17. Arrives at Seso later in the day.
11 ~ 12 September 1942:
Repair of gangway and related screws.
13 September 1942:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze. Departs there and arrives at Seso later that day.
14 September 1942:
Repairs of fresh water tube shaft.
20 September 1942:
Moors at the first buoy No. 1 to prepare for stormy weather.
21 September 1942:
Moors at buoy No. 2.
29 September 1942:
Departs Seso on training.
30 September 1942:
Arrives at Seso. Replenishes fuel, fresh water and food.
1 October 1942:
Departs Seso.
3 October 1942:
Arrives at Naha. Departs there later this day on an anti-submarine sweep.
4 October 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary transport ARGENTINA MARU (later converted to a CVE and renamed KAIYO) en route from Sasebo ~ Takao and provides escort. Later, engages in anti-submarine combat. Fires 11 shells, then target turns out to be a half wrecked wooden dredger.
5 October 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
7 October 1942:
Departs Naha and arrives at Aguni, Aguni Island, Okinawa later that day.
8 October 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
9 October 1942:
Departs Seso on gunnery practice and returns there later this day. Supplied with 15-tons of fresh water.
12 October 1942:
Departs Seso.
14 October 1942:
Calls at Naha and departs there later that day.
15 October 1942:
Calls at Seso and departs there later this day.
17 October 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 October 1942:
Enters drydock for maintenance and repairs.
5 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo on a trial run and returns to port later that day.
6 November 1942:
Departs Sasebo. Fires at one floating mine at 308° and 940m of Io Lighthouse.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
10 November 1942:
Attachment confirmed to Oshima Sea Defense Force, Oshima Local Defense Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 33. Departs Seso to sweep the shipping lane ahead of IJA transport TOYO MARU.
12 November 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
16 November 1942:
Loads one bomb for IJNAF Okinawa detachment.
17 November 1942:
Departs Seso.
18 November 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
20 November 1942:
Departs Naha.
21 November 1942:
Arrives at Miyakojima.
26 November 1942:
Departs Miyakojima and arrives at Ishigaki later this day.
30 November 1942:
Departs Ishigaki.
1 December 1942:
Arrives at Naha.
2 December 1942:
Departs Naha.
3 December 1942:
Arrives at Seso.
6 December 1942:
Attachment confirmed to Oshima Sea Defense Force, Oshima Local Defense Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 34.
12 December 1942:
Generator cooling water drop valve repairs.
14 December 1942:
Generator cooling water drop valve repairs.
17 December 1942:
Attachment confirmed to Oshima Sea Defense Force, Oshima Local Defense Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 47.
20 December 1942:
Netlaying equipment repairs and maintenance.
24 December 1942:
Departs Seso on a trial run and returns there. Departs again later this same day.
24 December 1942:
Arrives at Uken, Amami Oshima.
27 December 1942:
Departs Uken and arrives at Seso later that day.
January 1943:
Navy (Resv) Tominaga Kumao is appointed CO.
6 January 1943:
Lies alongside a quay. At 0910, replenishes fuel and food. At 1740, departs quay.
8 January 1943:
Departs Seso escorting a convoy.
11 January 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
13 January 1943:
Departs Seso to escort auxiliary cruiser GOKOKU MARU.
14 January 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
17 January 1943:
Departs Naha on an anti-submarine sweep and returns there later this day.
18 January 1943:
Departs Naha.
19 January 1943 Arrives at Ikema, Ikema Island, Miyakojima Islands. Disposes of 6 mines by detonating them. Departs Ikema later that day.
20 January 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
21 January 1943:
No. 2 air compression pump bearing back metal repairs.
22 January 1943:
Departs Naha.
23 January 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
25 January 1943:
Lies alongside a quay and replenishes fuel and food.
26 January 1943:
Changes anchorage.
2 February 1943:
Air compression pump connection hardware repairs.
11 February 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt Shimazaki Naoshi is appointed CO.
17 February 1943:
Departs Seso on a training operation and returns to port later this day.
20 February 1943:
50hp generator cooling water inlet pipe repairs.
25 February 1943:
Departs Seso and arrives at Shodon Wan, Kakeromajima, Satsunan Islands. Departs there later this day.
26 February 1943:
Arrives at Seso. Departs there on net laying operation and returns to port later that day.
2 March 1943:
Departs Seso.
3 March 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
10 March 1943:
Departs Seso.
11 March 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
12 March 1943:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
14 March 1943:
Departs Seso on anti-submarine sweeping.
18 March 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
20 March 1943:
Departs Seso.
21 March 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
25 March 1943:
Departs Seso on anti-submarine sweeping.
28 March 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
5 April 1943:
Departs Seso.
6 April 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
7 April 1943:
Attachment confirmed to Oshima Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 54.
10 April 1943:
Departs Naha.
11 April 1943:
Arrives at Iriomote, Yaeyama Islands.
14 April 1943:
Departs Iriomote and returns there later that day.
17 April 1943:
Departs Iriomote on anti-submarine sweeping.
19 April 1943:
Arrives at Iriomote. That same day, receives Coastal Defense Command message No. 50: Be aware of presence of damaged IJN requisitioned ship (ex-whale factory ship) (B-AK) NISSHIN MARU No. 2. [3]
21 April 1943:
Departs Iriomote on anti-submarine sweeping.
23 April 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
27 April 1943:
Departs Naha.
28 April 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
30 April 1943:
Departs Seso.
1 May 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
3 May 1943:
Departs Naha.
4 May 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
7 May 1943:
Receives instruction No. 2167: Remodeling instructions for minesweeping equipment installation. All netlayers are to be equipped with minesweeping equipment. Wooden runway on netlaying stand and wooden part of floating runway are to be removed and converted into a minesweeping equipment stand. New tow eye ring is to be installed.
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
9 May 1943:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze later that day.
11 May 1943:
Departs Naze and returns there later this day.
12 May 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later that day.
15 May 1943:
Attachment confirmed to Sea Defense Force, Oshima Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 42.
16 May 1943:
Departs Seso.
18 May 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
23 May 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
25 May 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
26 May 1943:
Departs Seso.
29 May 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
8 June 1943:
Departs Seso.
9 June 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
12 June 1943:
Departs Naha.
13 June 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
18 June 1943:
Departs Seso.
19 June 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
20 June 1943:
In the early morning, auxiliary subchaser RYOSUI MARU runs aground on Okinoerabujima, Satsunan Islands SW tip.
Assigned to depart Seso as soon as ready to rescue RYOSUI MARU under Oshima Defense Force secret transmission No. 200152.
At 0125, auxiliary subchaser SOBUN MARU heads towards auxiliary subchaser RYOSUI MARU.
At 0435, one of the crew rooms begins to flood.
At 0620, auxiliary subchaser RYOSUI MARUs crew is able to refloat ship.
At 0945, auxiliary subchaser SOBUN MARU arrives and transfers 7 drainage workers.
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
At 1830, auxiliary subchaser RYOSUI MARU and SOBUN MARU arrive at Seso.
22 June 1943:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep.
26 June 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
E1 ~ 3 July 1943:
Departs Seso.
4 July 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
9 July 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
10 July 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
11 ~ E19 July 1943:
Undergoes maintenance and repairs.
20 July 1943:
Departs Seso.
21 July 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
23 July 1943:
Departs Seso.
26 July 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
1 August 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later that day.
2 August 1943:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
6 August 1943:
Departs Seso.
8 August 1943:
Arrives at Iriomote.
9 August 1943:
Departs Iriomote and returns there later that day.
12 August 1943:
Departs Iriomote.
13 August 1943:
Arrives at Miyako, Miyakojima. Departs there later this day.
14 August 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
16 August 1943:
Departs Naha.
17 August 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
23 August 1943:
Departs Seso.
24 August 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
27 August 1943:
Departs Naha.
28 August 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
29 August 1943:
Departs Seso and returns there. Departs again later this day.
31 August 1943:
Arrives at Naze.
4 September 1943:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep.
6 September 1943:
Arrives at Naze.
7 September 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later this day.
13 September 1943:
Departs Seso.
14 September 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
21 September 1943:
Departs Sasebo.
22 September 1943:
Arrives at Naze.
23 September 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later that day.
2 October 1943:
Departs Seso and returns there later this day.
5 October 1943:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze later that day.
6 October 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later this day.
8 October 1943:
Departs Seso and returns to port later this day.
14 October 1943:
Departs Seso.
15 October 1943:
Arrives at Terashima Channel (Yobukono Sedo).
16 October 1943:
Departs Terashima Channel and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
19 October 1943:
Enters drydock.
27 October 1943:
Undocked.
28 October 1943:
Engine maintenance.
1 November 1943:
Rated as a Sea Defense Force, SW Islands Force under Sasebo Naval District Command No. 49. Rated as Nansei Islands Unit, Oshima Unit.
6 November 1943:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Sakitsu, Shimoshima later this day.
7 November 1943:
Departs Sakitsu.
8 November 1943:
Arrives at Kuji.
9 November 1943:
Departs Kuji and arrives at Koniya, Amami Oshima later that day.
10 November 1943:
Departs Koniya and arrives at Seso later this day.
11 November 1943:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze later that day.
At 1335, LtCdr Philip W. Garnett's (USNA ’33) USS SARGO (SS-188) torpedoes and hits auxiliary transport KOSEI MARU (2,089 GRT, ‘37) in the engine room at 28-15N, 130-35E. 12 crewmen are KIA. Unable to navigate, the transport drifts and floods gradually. She sinks later this day at 27-40N, 109-28E.
12 November 1943:
Departs Naze on a rescue mission for auxiliary transport KOSEI MARU (2,089 GRT, ‘37) and anti-submarine sweeping.
13 November 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
E13 ~ 16 November 1943:
Departs Seso on an anti-submarine sweep.
16 November 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
20 November 1943:
Attachment confirmed to Sea Defense Force, SW Islands Force under Sasebo Naval District instruction No. 50.
20 November 1943:
Departs Seso and arrives at Naze later that day.
21 November 1943:
Departs Naze and arrives at Seso later this day.
22 November 1943:
Departs Seso and returns there later that day.
2 December 1943:
Rated as escort unit No. 2 under message No. 114.
13 December 1943:
Departs Seso.
14 December 1943:
Arrives at Naha.
18 December 1943:
Departs Naha.
19 December 1943:
Arrives at Seso.
20 December 1943:
Departs Seso to escort convoy OKI-903 and an anti-submarine sweep. Convoy consists of KONAN, DAISHIN, ENJU and KEIZAN MARUs also escorted by auxiliary netlayer SHINTO MARU No. 2.
21 December 1943:
LtCdr John A. Moore’s (USNA '32) USS GRAYBACK (SS-208) torpedoes the ship. Subsequently sinks at 30-26N, 129-58E, about 8 nautical miles SW of Kuchinoerabujima, Satsunan Islands W end with the loss of all hands. Moore also sinks IJA transport KONAN MARU (2,627 GRT). 69 crewmen, 3 gunners and 576 passengers are KIA. KASHIWA MARU has rescued KONAN MARU survivors and all are killed when KASHIWA MARU is sunk.
10 April 1945:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 317.

Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with IJA transport KASHIWA MARU (972 GRT, ‘18)
[2] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
[3] NISSHIN MARU No. 2 was torpedoed and damaged with the loss of 12 crewmen and 14 gunners, probably by LtCdr (later Cdr) Royce L. Gross’ (USNA ’30) USS SEAWOLF (SS-107. The agent of NISSHIN MARU No. 2’s destruction is unknown. The mid-body eventually drifted ashore on Formosa and was scrapped locally.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

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