KENSEI (ex-British HINSANG) MARU Transport

(Freighter by Ueda Kihachiro)

Completed as a cargo ship in 1941 and named HINSANG for the Indo China Steam Navigation Co., owned by Jardine, Matheson & Co., London. On 25 Dec '41, HINSANG was scuttled off Hong Kong. In 1943, she was salvaged by the Japanese. Later, she was repaired and requisitioned by the Imperial Army (IJA) as a Haitosen, a shared employment Army/Civilian (A/C-AK) ship and renamed KENSEI MARU. On 12 Jan '45, during USN Operation "Gratitude", Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) John S. McCain, Jr's Task Force 38 planes find and sink KENSEI MARU off Cape Paderan. Casualties are unknown.

Builder and Year Completed:	Hong Kong & Whampoa Dock Co. Ltd., Hong Kong. 1941
Gross tonnage:	4,644-tons.
Dimensions:	353.6' x 52.6' x E24'
Propulsion:	1 diesel engine, single shaft, 1 screw 471 NHP
Speed:	E 11 knots
Armament:	Unknown