KYUSETSUMOKAN!
HOKAKUMOTEI!
(KISHIN MARU plan – Peter Cundall Collection)
IJN KISHIN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2022 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
1941:
Osaka. Laid down by Nakata Zosensho K.K. as a 897-tons cargo ship for Ryusho Kaiun K.K.
3 May 1941:
Launched and named KISHIN MARU.
8 September 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
9 September 1941:
Conversion for military duty begins at Nakata Zosensho K.K.
12 September 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to the Maizuru Naval District under Cabinet Order No. 1049.
27 September 1941:
Completed and registered at Miei, Hyogo Prefecture, with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 897-tons and a Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) of 562-tons. Her call sign is JVBQ. [1]
15 October 1941:
Attached to Rear Admiral Nippa Teizo’s (39) Maizuru Guard Force under instruction No. 1253. Attached to the Maizuru Naval District, Maizuru Guard Force, Maizuru Local Defense Squadron.
16 October 1941:
Conversion for military duty is completed.
December 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Takabayashi Makoto is appointed CO.
4 December 1941:
Under Maizuru Local Defense Squadron Order No. 4, assigned to dispose of floating mines near Danzaki, Sado Island and after disposing of those, to wait at Niigata Port. Departs Maizuru for Niigata Sea.
8 December 1941:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 6. Rated as Unit No. 3 under Maizuru Defense Squadron Command No. 3. Netlayer deck equipment is ordered under Maizuru Local Defense Squadron Order No. 4.
12 December 1941:
Arrives at Maizuru.
23 December 1941:
Departs Maizuru on navigation and netlaying training. Returns to base later that day.
14 January 1942:
Departs Maizuru on navigation training and returns there later this day.
20 January 1942:
Departs Maizuru for Wakasa Bay on dispatch training.
21 January 1942:
Rated as Unit No. 3 Unit under Maizuru Local Defense Squadron Command No. 7.
22 January 1942:
Arrives at Miyazu.
23 January 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
29 January 1942:
Departs Maizuru on netlaying training and returns to base later that day.
4 February 1942:
Departs Maizuru on calibration exercise and training in Wakasa Bay.
5 February 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
24 February 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training.
26 February 1942:
Performs sonar training.
27 February 1942:
Performs anti-aircraft gunnery practice.
28 February 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
16 March 1942:
Departs Maizuru on pilot training in Wakasa Bay.
20 March 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru. Rated as Unit No. 3 under Maizuru Defense Squadron Command No. 9.
3 April 1942:
Installation of Type 97 Yamakawa light equipment is completed.
8 April 1942:
Departs Maizuru on Type 14 net netlaying training.
11 April 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
16 April 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
21 April 1942:
Departs Maizuru on piloting and alert as Eighth Fleet arrives.
23 April 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
5 May 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training.
6 May 1942:
Rated as the Unit No. 3 under Maizuru Local Defense Squadron Command No. 13.
7 May 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
22 May 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
25 May 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
2 June 1942:
Departs Maizuru and returns to base later this day.
3 June 1942:
Departs Maizuru and returns there later that day.
4 June 1942:
Departs Maizuru and returns to base later this day.
25 June 1942:
Departs Maizuru and returns there later that day. LtCdr (later Cdr) William H. Brockman’s (USNA ’27) USS NAUTILUS (SS-168) torpedoes and sinks destroyer YAMAKAZE with all hands, 60 nautical miles SE Yokosuka.
30 June 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
1 July 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
2 July 1942:
Replaces auxiliary gunboat KATORI MARU as flagship. Temporarily hoists commander flag.
4 July 1942:
Commander flag is hoisted on minelayer TOSHIMA. Departs Maizuru to search for missing destroyer YAMAKAZE.
7 July 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
8 July 1942:
Temporarily hoists commander flag. Replaced as flagship by auxiliary gunboat KATORI MARU.
11 July 1942:
Commander flag is hoisted on auxiliary gunboat KATORI MARU.
17 July 1942:
Replaces auxiliary gunboat KATORI MARU as flagship. Temporarily hoists commander flag.
19 July 1942:
Departs Maizuru on netlaying exercise and returns to base later this day.
20 July 1942:
Commander flag is hoisted on minelayer TOSHIMA. Rated as Unit No. 3 under Maizuru Local Defense Squadron Command No. 17. Departs Maizuru on navigation control.
25 July 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
31 July 1942:
Departs Maizuru and arrives at Maizuru Naval Yard later that day.
8 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru and returns there later this day.
16 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru on navigation control.
20 August 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
24 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training and returns to base later that day.
25 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training and returns there later this day.
26 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training and returns to base later that day.
31 August 1942:
Departs Maizuru on dispatch training and returns there later this day.
1 September 1942:
Departs Maizuru on training and returns to base later that day.
10 September 1942:
Attached to the Maizuru Naval District, Maizuru Guard Force. Rated as a Sea Surface Defense unit. Rated as Unit No. 1 under Maizuru Sea Surface Local Defense Squadron Command instruction No. 1.
17 September 1942:
Departs Maizuru.
19 September 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
11 December 1942:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
15 December 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
22 December 1942:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
25 December 1942:
Arrives at Maizuru.
2 January 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
6 January 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
22 January 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
25 January 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
3 February 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
6 February 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
1 March 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Shishido Yoshio is appointed CO.
7 March 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
10 March 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
12 March 1943:
Departs Maizuru on netlaying training and returns to base later this day.
19 March 1943:
Departs Maizuru on radio wave detection experiment in Niigata.
24 March 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
26 March 1943:
Departs Maizuru on training. Arrives at Ine later in the day.
27 March 1943:
Engages in training and arrives at Maizuru later that day. Navy (Resv) Lt. (jg) Araki Seiichi is appointed CO.
13 April 1943:
Assigned to cooperate with radio detection equipment test on light cruiser KISO and destroyer SHIMAKAZE under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 70.
7 May 1943:
Scheduled for reconstruction due to installation of minesweeper equipment under instruction No. 2167.
17 May 1943:
Undergoes reconstruction work for installation of minesweeper equipment.
18 May 1943:
Departs Maizuru on combined training.
19 May 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
21 May 1943:
Departs Maizuru on combined training.
28 May 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
June 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Takatsu Gengo is appointed CO.
23 June 1943:
Departs Maizuru.
24 June 1943:
Arrives at Ryotsu, Sado Island.
25 June 1943:
Departs Ryotsu and arrives at Niigata later this day.
27 June 1943:
Departs Niigata and arrives at Mano, Sado Island later that day.
30 June 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
2 July 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
8 July 1943:
Assigned to Nanao Base equipment transport mission under Maizuru Sea Surface Defence Force instruction No. 8.
9 July 1943:
Departs Maizuru.
10 July 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
11 July 1943:
Departs Nanao.
12 July 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
15 July 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
18 July 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru. Departs there later this day. At 2300, begins escorting minelayer TOKIWA.
19 July 1943:
At 2328, cable layer TATEISHI ends escort and turns around.
20 July 1943:
At 0642, auxiliary subchaser YARYU MARU starts escort. At 1025, minesweeper W-24 ends escort. Arrives at Ominato later that day.
22 July 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
24 July 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru. Rated as a Sea Surface Defense unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 53.
25 July 1943:
Assigned to alert duty on Sado Sea Surface Coastal Route and based at Nanao until there is a special order under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Force wireless No. 20.
26 July 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
27 July 1943:
On and after 1 Aug ’43, minesweeper W-21 patrol area changes under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Force wireless No. 21.
28 July 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
30 July 1943:
Departs Nanao on patrol.
2 August 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
12 August 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
15 August 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
25 August 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol.
28 August 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
4 September 1943:
Departs Maizuru on anti-submarine training and returns to base later this day.
5 September 1943:
Undergoes repairs.
5 ~ 11 September 1943:
Registered home port is changed to Mikage. Her GRT is changed to 856-tons. [1]
11 September 1943:
Assigned to a Maizuru Navy Transport Department transport mission under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 132.
15 September 1943:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 57.
27 September 1943:
Navy (Resv) Lt (jg). Norisue Minoru is appointed CO.
5 October 1943:
Departs Maizuru on West Ward patrol.
9 October 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru. A 105-tons main reduction gear is installed.
11 October 1943:
Departs Maizuru on anti-submarine patrol.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
19 October 1943:
Unloads 783-tons of steel.
20 October 1943:
Loads 136-tons of empty drums.
21 October 1943:
Departs Maizuru on special mission.
26 October 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
26 ~ 27 October 1943:
Unloads 575-tons of steel.
1 November 1943:
Departs Maizuru.
2 November 1943:
Arrives at Moji.
5 November 1943:
Departs Moji.
6 November 1943:
Arrives at Sakai.
7 November 1943:
Departs Sakai.
8 November 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
9 ~ 15 November 1943:
Undergoes engine repairs.
10 November 1943:
Unloads 595-tons of cement.
16 November 1943:
Departs Maizuru. Rescues 3 seaplane reconnaissance crew members who made a sea landing near Tsurushima. 2 boats are collected. Crew and boats are transferred to auxiliary minesweeper SAISHU MARU No. 2. Thereafter on patrol.
20 November 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru. Rated as a Sea Surface Defense unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 66.
23 ~ 28 November 1943:
Undergoes engine repairs.
29 November 1943:
Departs Maizuru on training and returns to base later that day.
1 December 1943:
Departs Maizuru on patrol and training.
4 December 1943:
Arrives at Maizuru.
8 December 1943:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 68.
12 December 1943:
Assigned to sail to Nanao and patrol E patrol area under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 120830. Depart Nanao for Obama, Fukui Prefecture.
13 December 1943:
Departs Obama.
14 December 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
15 December 1943:
Departs Nanao on E area patrol.
19 December 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
21 December 1943:
Assigned to escort minelayer TOKIWA in C and D patrol areas under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Force instruction No. 211235. Departs Nanao but is unable to meet with minelayer TOKIWA.
25 December 1943:
Arrives at Nanao.
1944:
Sold to Nakamura Kisen. Existing name is retained until postwar.
5 January 1944:
Departs Nanao on patrol and arrives at Akadomari later this day.
6 January 1944:
Depart Akadomari on patrol.
8 January 1944:
Arrives at Niigita.
14 January 1944:
Arrives at Nanao. Assigned to transport missions for Maizuru Transport Department from 20 Jan ‘44 under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 32.
15 January 1944:
Departs Nanao on patrol.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at Maizuru.
20 January 1944:
Loads 500-tons of steel. Departs Maizuru for Toyama and then Niigata.
27 January 1944:
Arrives at Maizuru.
1 February 1944:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 77. Departs Maizuru.
4 February 1944:
Arrives at Osaka.
6 February 1944:
Departs Osaka.
8 February 1944:
After ending this period’s actions, released from transport missions according to Maizuru Naval District Order No. 132 of ‘43 under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 56.
9 February 1944:
At patrol area. Transport Department transport missions are cancelled under Maizuru Sea Surface Defense Force instruction No. 091945.
11 February 1944:
Departs patrol area and arrives at Maizuru later that day.
15 February 1944:
Departs Maizuru on training.
16 February 1944:
Performs training.
17 February 1944:
Assigned for an emergency transport mission to South Seas under Military wireless instruction No. 171935.
20 February 1944:
Departs Maizuru.
22 February 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
23 February 1944:
Departs Moji.
24 February 1944:
Arrives at Tsukumi.
26 February 1944:
Departs Tsukumi.
27 February 1944:
Arrives at Kobe.
28 February 1944:
Departs Kobe.
29 February 1944:
Arrives at Owase.
1 March 1944:
Departs Owase and arrives at Mikawa Bay later this day.
2 March 1944:
Departs Mikawa Bay.
3 March 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
7 March 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
8 March 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
9 March 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
11 March 1944:
At 0830, departs Yokosuka escorting TATSUTAGAWA MARU and arrives at Tateyama later this day.
13 March 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Auxiliary netlayer TAISHU MARU joins as additional escort.
15 March 1944:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 81.
17 March 1944:
Arrives at Futami and departs there later that day.
21 March 1944:
Drops 3 depth charges as a deterrent.
22 March 1944:
Arrives at Tinian, Marianas. The convoy ends.
23 March 1944:
Departs Tinian and arrives at Saipan, Marianas later that day.
24 March 1944:
Departs Saipan and calls at Tinian. Departs there and arrives at Saipan later that same day.
25 March 1944:
Departs Saipan and calls at Tinian. Departs there and arrives at Saipan later that day.
31 March 1944:
At 2100, departs Saipan escorting convoy No. 4 consisting of TOYOKAWA, JUICHISEI MARUs (later often called HOSHI MARU No. 11) and SHINSEI MARU No. 1 also escorted by destroyer HATAKAZE, torpedo boat OTORI, auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU, auxiliary minesweeper OI MARU and auxiliary netlayers CHOKI MARU and KIRI MARU No. 1 GO.
8 April 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
9 ~ 21 April 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
22 April 1944:
Arrives at Tokyo.
24 April 1944:
Departs Tokyo and arrives at Yokohama later this day.
29 April 1944:
At 0400, departs Yokohama with auxiliary netlayer NISSHO MARU No. 3 and SHINTO MARU No. 2 escorting convoy No. 3428 consisting of auxiliary stores ship TAKUNAN MARU, auxiliary transport KYUSHU MARU (632 GRT), and IJA transports YAGI MARU and BANEI MARU No. 6, and arrives at Niijima, Izu Shoto (Islands) later in the day.
1 May 1944:
Departs Niijima.
4 May 1944:
At 0930, arrives at Chichi-Jima, Ogasawara Gunto, (Bonins).
E4 ~ 7 May 1944:
Departs Chichi-Jima for Yokosuka.
7 May 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
E7 ~ 14 May 1944:
Departs Yokohama for Chichi-Jima.
14 May 1944:
Departs Chichi-Jima with auxiliary cable layer OSEI MARU, auxiliary subchasers SHOWA MARU No. 7 and SHOWA MARU No. 8, CHa-54, CHa-56 and CHa-57 escorting convoy No. 3506 consisting of auxiliary stores ship MAMIYA MARU, IJA transport KAIKO MARU, auxiliary stores ship TAKUNAN MARU, auxiliary transports TAITO and SHOSEI MARUs (998 GRT) and UNKAI MARU No. 10.
15 May 1944:
Auxiliary transport UNKAI MARU No. 10 is detached and heads towards Iwo Jima, Ogasawara Gunto.
18 May 1944:
Auxiliary transport SHOSEI MARU straggles and is left behind. Detaches from the convoy with auxiliary subchaser CHa-67 to escort SHOSEI MARU.
20 May 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Saipan.
1 June 1944:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Morisawa Ikuo is appointed CO. At 1730, equipped with a Type 96 25mm single gun.
2 June 1944:
At 0940, anchors. At 1003, moors at the new pier. At 1145, Unloads 80-tons of cement begins. At 1450, completes unloading operations and begins loading ammunition. At 1610, completes loading operations.
3 June 1944:
At 0837, departs Saipan with torpedo boat HIYODORI, minelayers KYOSAI and YURIJIMA escorting an unnamed convoy consisting of civilian cargo ship (C-AK) SEIGA MARU, IJA transport SHINFUKU MARU and auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18.
5 June 1944:
At 0215, engages in anti-submarine warfare. Port gun fires one round.
6 June 1944:
At 2152, engages in anti-aircraft combat. Auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18 is damaged in this air attack.
8 June 1944:
At 0540, test-fires Type 96 25mm single gun.
9 June 1944:
Arrives at 63° N Uman and 3,000m W Uman, Truk, Central Carolines.
10 June 1944:
At 0330, anchors. At 0510, anchors at 75° S and 360m W Truk buoy No. 8. At 0700, Unloading operations begins. At 1330, air defense corps members’ board and load Type 93 13mm MG. At 1605, transfers to E, 40° S Uman.
11 June 1944:
At 0400, anchors. At 0500, moors at a buoy. At 0730, loads 20-tons of fresh water. At 0924, anchors. At 1128, moors at a buoy. At 1935, completes unloading operations and begins loading 75 36cm armor piercing shells. At 1945, departs.
13 June 1944:
At 0507, anchors 84° N and 500m W buoy No. 8. At 0645, loads 20-tons of scrap iron, 486 empty cans and 156 consignment items. At 1300, loads fresh water.
14 June 1944:
At 0943, anchors at 75° S and 350m E buoy No. 8. At 1625, transfers to 1,500m W and 37° S Uman.
15 June 1944:
At 0606, anchors at 80° S and 1,200m E buoy No. 8. At 1621, transfers to 1,500m W and 36° S Uman.
16 June 1944:
At 0556, anchors at 70° S and 600m W buoy No. 8. At 1055, arrives at 40° S and 7,000m E Dublon.
17 June 1944:
At 1031, anchors at the original anchorage.
20 June 1944:
At 1477, arrives at 72° and 1,200 W Uman. Detached from the Sea Surface Defense Unit from 23 Jun ‘44 under Maizuru Naval District Order No. 93. Attached to Vice Admiral (Admiral posthumously) Takagi Takeo’s (39) Sixth Fleet under instruction No. 777.
21 June 1944:
Departs Truk with torpedo boat HIYODORI, minelayer YURIJIMA and one unidentified escort escorting ‘SEIGA MARU’ convoy consisting of civilian cargo ship (C-AK) SEIGA MARU, IJA transport SHINFUKU MARU, auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18 and one unidentified merchant ship.
29 June 1944:
Arrives at Davao, Mindanao, Philippines.
7 July 1944:
Departs Davao.
9 July 1944:
Arrives at Cebu, Philippines.
10 July 1944:
Attached to the Kure Naval District under instruction No. 853. Attached to the First Special Base Corps under instruction No. 854.
11 July 1944:
Departs Cebu.
13 July 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
16 July 1944:
At 1500, departs Manila with kaibokan CD-10, subchaser CH-48 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8 escorting convoy MATA-25 consisting of auxiliary transports HAKOZAKI MARU and NISSHO MARU No. 18, IJA transport SHINFUKU and SEKIHO MARUs, civilian cargo ship (C-AK) SEIGA MARU, IJA water tanker SHINSUI MARU and one unidentified ship.
18 July 1944:
Arrives at San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines.
21 July 1944:
Kaibokan CD-10 detaches and heads towards convoy YUTA-09.
26 July 1944:
Merges with convoy YUTA-09 with kaibokan SHIMUSHU and minesweepers W-38 and W-39.
28 July 1944:
Arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
30 July 1944:
Departs Takao with kaibokan CD-18, and torpedo-boat SAGI escorting convoy MI-08 consisting of EIHO, CHIHAYA, SAN DIEGO, SAN LUIS, BOKO (ex-British SAGRES), MANILA, SANKO, TSUYAMA, ARABIA, RYUSHO, MIRI, TATSUBATO, NITTETSU, YAGI, TOUN and ZUIHO MARUs. At 1900, minesweeper W-17 stops sweeping and anti-submarine suppression the route ahead of convoy and joins convoy. The convoy's speed is 7 knots.
31 July 1944:
At 2210, kaibokan CD-1 joins and begins escorting convoy.
1 August 1944:
At 1400, convoy diverts to Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan) because of a submarine threat.
4 August 1944:
At 1600, departs Kirun escorting convoy MI-08.
7 August 1944:
Kaibokan CD-18 sustains an engine failure.
9 August 1944:
At 0407, N Okinoshima. LtCdr (later Cdr) Robert A. Keating's (USNA '33) USS BARBEL (SS-316) torpedoes and sinks IJA transport YAGI MARU (31 crewmen and 3 gunners KIA) and BOKO MARU (ex-British SAGRES) (unknown casualties) at 27-56N, 128-47E. CD-1 and W-17 carry out an antisubmarine sweep and drop 21 depth-charges that cause some damage to USS BARBEL. Afterwards, convoy heads out of the area at full speed making evasive movements. At 1200, convoy arrives at Koniya, Amami-O-Shima.
11 August 1944:
At 0400, departs Koniya escorting convoy MI-08. At 0600, kaibokan CD-18 joins convoy.
13 August 1944:
At 0904, Sasebo Naval air Group planes dive and bomb 3,000m behind convoy. Kaibokan CD-1 carries out an anti-submarine sweep. Arrives at Moji later this day.
E13 ~ 20 August 1944:
Departs Moji for Osaka.
20 August 1944:
Repairs begin at Hitachi Zosen K.K. Zosensho.
E 1 ~ 26 September 1944:
Departs Osaka for Kure.
26 September 1944:
Departs Kure.
4 October 1944:
Reported in Oshima area.
11 October 1944:
Departs Kagoshima escorting a convoy. Arrives at Chiringashima, Kagoshima Bay later that day.
12 October 1944:
Departs Chiringashima.
13 October 1944:
Arrives at Oshima.
26 October 1944:
Departs Oshima.
27 October 1944:
Arrives at Naha, Okinawa.
28 October 1944:
At 1246, departs Naha with kaibokan CD-30, torpedo boat MANAZURU, subchaser CH-49, minesweeper W-15, auxiliary minesweepers HIMESHIMA MARU, SHONAN MARU No. 16 and TOSHI MARU No.7, auxiliary netlayer KIRI MARU No. 1 GO, auxiliary subchasers SHOWA MARU, CHa-216, CHa-228, CHa-235 and auxiliaries KIYO, KOCHI, AIKAWA MARUs escorting convoy KATA-916 consisting of TENSHO, AMAKUSA, SHINTON, SANKA, SANJIN, HAYAMA, TORAI, TAIKYU, SAKISHIMA, BANSEI, CHOKI, and KANKYO MARUs. Arrives at Kerama Islands at 1530.
29 October 1944:
At 0100, departs Kerama Islands and arrives at Miyako, Miyako Islands later that day.
31 October 1944:
At 0245, departs Miyako and at 1840, arrives at Iriomote Island, Yaeyama Islands.
1 November 1944:
At 0225, departs Iriomote Island and arrives at Kirun later that day.
5 November 1944:
Departs Kirun in convoy KITA-9 also consisting of KANKYO, TORAI, and TAIKEN MARUs, YAEI MARU No. 10 and BANSHU MARU No. 31 escorted by auxiliary netlayers CHOKI MARU and KIRI MARU No. 1 GO, auxiliary subchasers SHOWA MARU, CHa-216, CHa-235 and CHa-228 and auxiliaries KOCHI, KYO and AYUGAWA MARUs.
6 November 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
E6 ~ 20 November 1944:
Departs Takao for Saei (Tsoying), Formosa (now Zuoying, Taiwan), near Takao.
20 November 1944:
At 0810, departs Saei in convoy TAMA-32B also consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SHOHO (1,356 GRT) MARU, auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18 and auxiliary netlayer CHOKI MARU escorted by subchasers CH-18 and CH-38, auxiliary subchasers CHa-176 and CHa-177, minesweeper W-39 and auxiliary netlayer KIRI MARU No. 1. At 1640, calls at Fangliao, Formosa (now Taiwan). Departs there later this day. Because of threat of air attack heads to W.
21 November 1944:
At 1700, arrives back at Fangliao.
22 November 1944:
At 0950, departs Fangliao again and at 1630, arrives at Oluanpi, Formosa (Cape Garanbi/Eluanbi, now Oluan Bi, Taiwan).
24 November 1944:
Departs Oluanpi.
25 November 1944:
At 0518, LtCdr John B. Hess's (USNA ’37) USS POMFRET (SS-391) torpedoes and sinks SHOHO MARU (1,356 GRT) at 20-20N, 121-40E. 16 passengers, 8 escort troops and 39 crewmen are KIA. Arrives at Sabutan (Sabtang) anchorage, Philippines.
26 November 1944:
At 0600, departs Sabutan anchorage and at 2335, arrives at Musa Bay, Fuga Island, Philippines.
27 November 1944:
At 0930, departs Musa Bay but reverses course because of fears of impending attacks. Arrives back at 1555.
28 November 1944:
At 0550, departs again Musa Bay and at 2155, arrives at Lapoc Bay, Luzon, Philippines.
29 November 1944:
At 0630, departs Lapoc Bay and arrives at San Fernando, Luzon, Philippines later that day.
30 November 1944:
Departs San Fernando and at 1635, arrives at Santa Cruz, Luzon, Philippines.
1 December 1944:
At 0600, departs Santa Cruz.
2 December 1944:
At 0125, arrives at Manila, Luzon, Philippines.
4 December 1944:
Departs Manila with auxiliary netlayers CHOKI MARU and KIRI MARU No. 1 GO escorting MATA-36 only consisting of auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18.
5 December 1944:
Arrives at San Fernando.
6 December 1944:
Departs San Fernando and arrives at Currimao, Luzon, Philippines later that day.
7 December 1944:
Departs Currimao but reverses course and arrives back later that same day.
12 December 1944:
Departs again Currimao and arrives at San Pio Quinto, Camiguin Island, Bayan Islands, Philippines later this day.
13 December 1944:
Departs San Pio Quinto.
15 December 1944:
Arrives at Saei. Departs later.
4 January 1945:
Arrives at Kure.
March 1945:
Navy Lt. Igarashi Shounosuke is appointed CO.
1 March 1945:
Under command of the Second Special Attack Squadron.
3 March 1945:
Departs Kure and arrives at Hiro later that day.
4 March 1945:
Departs Hiro and arrives at Ozu Island later this day.
27 March 1945:
Assigned to transport Third Koryu Squadron Base Equipment urgently to Sasebo for transport to Oura under Second Special Attack Squadron instruction No. 271003.
17 April 1945:
Departs Ozu Island and arrives at Shonoura later that day.
19 April 1945:
Departs Shonoura and arrives at Ozu Island later this day.
May 1945:
Departs Ozu Island.
1 August 1945:
Departs Kure.
2 August 1945:
Arrives at Onomichi.
15 August 1945:
End of hostilities. Remains in service. Allotted SCAJAP No. K-126.
19 November 1945 ~ 10 January 1946:
Undergoes repairs at Kure.
1 December 1945:
Transferred as an auxiliary ship to the Kure Region’s Local Demobilization Administration under instruction No. 6.
6 December 1945:
An unknown officer is appointed CO.
15 December 1945:
An unknown officer is appointed CO.
13 January 1946:
Departs Kure.
17 January 1946:
Arrives at Saipan and departs there later that day.
23 January 1946:
Arrives at Tinian and departs there later this day.
27 January 1946:
Arrives at Uraga.
28 January ~ 3 March 1946:
Undergoes repairs at Ishikawajima.
19 March 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
24 March 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai, China and departs there later that day.
30 March 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
4 April 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
7 April 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai.
16 April 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
19 April 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 April 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
28 April 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai
5 May 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
7 May 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 May 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
15 May 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai
17 May 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
19 May 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
28 May 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
30 May 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai
1 June 1946:
Departs Shanghai.
3 June 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 June 1946:
Departs Sasebo.
15 June 1946:
Arrives at Shanghai and departs there later this day
19 June 1946:
Arrives at Sasebo.
3 ~ 17 July 1946:
Undergoes repairs at Mukojima.
15 August 1946:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 165.
20 August 1946:
Released to her owners.
1954:
Renamed UNYO MARU No. 6.
12 November 1955:
Sinks. Cause unknown.
Authors' Notes:
[1] 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.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.
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