Japanese Auxiliary Minelayers

FUSETSUTEI!

(KOSEI MARU – Berend Van der Wal Collection)

IJN KOSEI MARU :
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2019 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

1915:
Glasgow. Laid down by D. & W. Henderson & Company as an ACACIA class sweeping sloop for the Royal Navy.
28 May 1915:
Launched and named HMS SUN FLOWER.
July 1915:
Completed. Her initial CO is LtCdr John C. Cole-Hamilton, (apparently sick for some time and did not assume command).
1 August ~ 14 August 1915:
Cdr Charles A. W. Wrightson, (temporary, appointed by Vice-Admiral) appointed as CO.
14 August ~ 15 September 1915:
LtCdr Jack E. A. Mocatta appointed as CO.
15 September 1915 ~ 16 January 1916:
LtCdr Duncan W. Roe, (temporary, appointed by V/A while Cole-Hamilton is sick) appointed as CO.
16 February 1916 ~ February 1916:
LtCdr Herbert J. A. Throckmorton temporarily appointed as CO.
7 September 1916:
Lt in Command John S. Prescott-Roberts appointed as CO.
31 May 1917:
Lt in Command John S. Prescott-Roberts confirmed as CO.
9 November 1917 ~ 27 June, 1919:
Lt in Command Donald C. G. Neish appointed as CO.
27 January 1921:
Her ownership is changed to Rangoon Port Commissioners. Renamed LANBYA Converted for transporting cargo. Her Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and her Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) are respectively changed to 880-tons and 348-tons. Her call sign is changed to KHVF. [1]
1922:
Her ownership is changed to Rivers Steam Navigation Company Ltd. Re-registered at Southampton. Operated by MacNeil & Company.
4 August 1923:
Her ownership is changed to Osaka Zosen K.K. with ship No. 29076. Her GRT and her NRT are respectively changed to 946-tons and 374-tons. Renamed YASHIMA MARU. Re-registered at Osaka. Her call sign is changed to SLMV. [1]
E 5 August ~ 7 December 1923:
Osaka. Converted to a passenger ship at Fujinagata shipyard.
8 December 1923:
In service on the Kobe ~ Beppu route.
September 1924:
In service on the Osaka ~ Takamatsu route.
December 1928:
In service on the Beppu route.
1933:
Her call sign is changed to JTWH.
20 October 1933:
While sailing from Takamatsu to Kobe, sinks at Suma Beach, about one nautical mile of Myohoji River in a typhoon with the loss of 67 lives.
1934:
Removed from the ship register.
April 1939:
Okadagumi group begins refloating work.
3 June 1939:
Towed while still underwater inside Kobe harbor by tugboats KOBEI MARU No. 2, TAISHO and SHIGERU MARUs.
6 June 1939:
Refloated.
8 June 1939:
Towed to Okadagumi shipyard at Osaka.
April 1940:
Rebuilding is completed.
May 1941:
Her ownership is changed to Tokyo Kisen K.K. with ship No. 48707. Her GRT and her NRT are respectively changed to 1,026-tons and 589-tons. Renamed KOSEI MARU. Re-registered at Tokyo. Her call sign is changed to JPSO. In service on the Izu Oshima route. [1] [2]
18 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, in Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron. Assigned to pilot, guard, alert, passage restriction and monitoring duties in Tokyo Bay.
1 December 1941:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 10.
6 December 1941:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 14.
31 December 1941:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 31.
7 January 1942:
At 0755, auxiliary collier UNKAI MARU No. 1 is torpedoed by LtCdr (later Captain) Stanley P. Moseley’s (USNA ‘25) USS POLLACK (SS-180) off Miko LH; the ship is hit by one torpedo and disabled at 34-27N, 138-59E. One crewman is KIA. IJN auxiliary transport MEITEN MARU arrives and rescues 53 people. Later that day, MEITEN MARU starts towing UNKAI MARU No. 1 but strong wind and high waves break the towing line. UNKAI MARU No. 1 is left drifting.
Departs Yokosuka on auxiliary collier UNKAI MARU No. 1 rescue mission.
10 January 1942:
At 1000, rescue attempts are ended.
11 January 1942:
At 1400, off Katsuura Bay UNKAI MARU No. 1 is bombed and sunk by an aircraft of Yokosuka Kokutai. Arrives at Yokosuka.
28 January 1942:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 45.
1 April 1942:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 72.
10 April 1942:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 74.
1 May 1942:
Classified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 78.
2 May 1942:
Escorts China steamship KARI GO to IA point on small peninsula Futtsu, Tokyo Bay.
15 May 1942:
Reclassified as a Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, patrol unit under Navy instruction No. 39.
10 June 1942:
Escorts German transport RHAKOTIS to Tateyama.
15 June 1942:
Reclassified as a Sea Surface Defense Force Waterway Pilot Boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 99 and Attached that same day to Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, patrol unit under Navy instruction No. 39.
28 August 1942:
Her ownership is changed to Tokai Kisen K.K.
25 September 1942:
Attached to Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, patrol unit, waterway pilot boat under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 126.
1 December 1942:
Attached to Tokyo Bay Guard Unit.
12 December 1942:
Pilots seaplane tender AKITSUSHIMA from W Ukishima to the second sea harbor.
12 January 1943:
Arrives at Uraga with destroyer OKIKAZE survivors. [3]
1 February 1943:
At Nagaura for maintenance, refueling and replenishing. Attached to Yokosuka Guard Unit, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit.
4 February 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol.
10 February 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
11 February 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol.
15 February 1943:
Reclassified as an auxiliary subchaser under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 260. Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Defense Local Squadron. Detached to Tokyo Bay Force, Sea Surface Protection Unit under Navy instruction No. 82.
17 February 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
18 February 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol.
24 February 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
24 ~ 27 February 1943:
Resupplies.
1 ~ 19 March 1943:
Undergoes hull, engine and equipment construction and repair works.
19 March 1943:
Departs Nagaura on trials in Tokyo Bay. Returns there later this day.
19 ~ 21 March 1943:
Undergoes additional hull, engine and equipment construction and repair works.
21 May 1943:
Departs Nagaura on trials in Tokyo Bay. Arrives at Koumi later that day.
21 ~ 25 March 1943:
Undergoes additional hull, engine and equipment construction and repair works.
25 June 1943:
Departs Koumi. Arrives at Yokosuka Naval Yard later this day. Enters drydock No. 4.
29 June 1943:
Undocked and departs Yokosuka Naval Yard. Arrives at Koumi later that day.
29 June ~ 4 July 1943:
Undergoes additional hull, engine and equipment construction and repair works.
5 July 1943:
Departs Koumi. Arrives at Yokosuka buoy K7.
5 ~ 6 July 1943:
Undergoes additional hull, engine and equipment construction and repair works.
7 July 1943:
Departs Yokosuka on trials in Yokosuka Bay. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
9 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on trials in Tokyo Bay. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
15 July 1943:
Departs Yokosuka on trials in Yokosuka Bay. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
17 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on trials in Tokyo Bay. Arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
20 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on convoy escort duty.
23 July 1943:
Arrives at Yamada.
24 July 1943:
Departs Yamada. Stops navigation due to heavy fog. Arrives at Miyako later this day.
25 July 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Miyako later that day.
26 July 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Miyako later that same day.
27 July 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Yamada later in the day.
28 July 1943:
Departs Yamada to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Miyako later that day.
29 July 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Miyako later that same day.
30 July 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Miyako later that day.
31 July 1943:
Undergoes engine maintenance.
13 August 1943:
Departs Miyako to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Onagawa later that day.
15 August 1943:
Departs Onagawa.
17 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
22 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep.
27 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
1 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura to patrol No. 6 and No. 9 areas.
3 September 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama.
4 September 1943:
Departs Tateyama to resume patrol in No. 6 and No. 9 areas.
5 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
5 ~ 8 September 1943:
Resupplies.
9 September 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
11 September 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
12 September 1943:
Resupplies.
13 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later this day.
14 September 1943:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep.
18 September 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
19 ~ 20 September 1943:
Resupplies.
21 ~ 22 September 1943:
Undergoes engine maintenance.
23 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later that day.
26 September 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol in areas No. 5, No. 6, sixth and KA.
29 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
30 September 1943:
Resupplies.
E 1 October 1943:
Navy Lt Kuroki Katsumi is appointed CO. Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
5 October 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Koumi later that day.
6 ~ 10 October 1943:
Undergoes maintenance and repairs.
11 October 1943:
Departs Koumi and arrives at Uraga later this day.
12 October 1943:
Departs Uraga with auxiliary netlayer MATSU MARU escorting convoy No. 7012.
13 October 1943:
Arrives at Toba. Departs there and arrives at Matoya later that day.
14 October 1943:
Departs Matoya to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Aborts mission due to bad weather. Arrives at Matoya later this day.
15 October 1943:
Departs Matoya to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Returns back to Matoya later that day.
16 October 1943:
Departs Matoya to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Toba later this day.
17 October 1943:
Departs Toba to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Matoya later that day.
18 October 1943:
Departs Matoya to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Toba later this day.
20 October 1943:
Departs Toba, possibly with convoy No. 8019 also escorted by patrol boat PB-101, auxiliary netlayer KASHI MARU and auxiliary small patrol boat KAZUMI MARU.
21 October 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
22 October 1943:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
23 October 1943:
Resupplies.
24 October 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later this day.
31 October 1943:
Departs Uraga to conduct a depth survey off Kura coast. Returns there later this day.
1 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to conduct a depth survey off Kura coast. Returns there later that day.
2 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to conduct a depth survey off Kura coast. Returns there later this day.
5 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Tokyo Bay entrance.
8 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
10 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
11 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
12 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
13 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
14 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
15 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
16 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay. That same day, minelayer UKISHIMA is returning to Uraga after an ASW sweep, when she is lost due to unknown causes and sinks at 34-55N, 139-22E. [4]
17 November 1943:
Searches for minelayer UKISHIMA. Carries out an anti-submarine sweep.
18 November 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
21 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
22 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
23 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
24 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
25 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
26 November 1943:
Carries out indirect escort convoy duty. Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
27 November 1943:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay.
28 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
29 November 19 43:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
30 November 1943:
Departs Tateyama. At 222° and about 3.8 nautical miles of Mera watch station, carries out an anti-submarine sweep.
1 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Attached to the 61st Subchaser Squadron under instruction No. 2579. Departs there on anti-submarine sweep.
2 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
4 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
5 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
7 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol. Returns there later in the day.
9 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
10 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
12 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
13 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
16 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
17 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
19 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
20 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
27 December 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
29 December 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
30 December 1943:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
31 December 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
1 January 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Arrives at Yaizu later this day.
3 January 1944:
Departs Yaizu. Arrives at Matoya later that day.
4 January 1944:
Departs Matoya on anti-submarine sweep. Arrives at Owase later this day.
7 January 1944:
Departs Owase to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Returns there later that day.
8 January 1944:
Departs Owase to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Returns there later this day.
9 January 1944:
Departs Owase to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Returns there later in the day.
11 January 1944:
Departs Owase. Arrives at Toba later this day.
12 January 1944:
Departs Toba. Arrives at Matoya later that day.
13 January 1944:
Departs Matoya. Arrives at Kinomoto.
14 January 1944:
Departs Kinomoto to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Kushimoto later that day.
15 January 1944:
Departs Kushimoto. Returns there later that day.
18 January 1944:
Departs Kushimoto to confirm report of submerged enemy submarine. Arrives at Gokasho (now Higashiomi) later this day.
19 January 1944:
Departs Gokasho. Arrives at Toba later that day. Resupplies
20 January 1944:
Departs Toba. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
21 January 1944:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
22 January 1944:
Undergoes maintenance and resupplies.
23 January 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
1 February 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Koumi later in the day.
1 ~ 14 February 1944:
Undergoes hull and engine maintenance.
15 February 1944:
Departs Koumi. Arrives at Ishikawajima K.K. shipyard, Tokyo.
19 February 1944:
Enters Ishikawajima K.K. shipyard drydock.
6 March 1944:
Undocked and transfers to Ishikawajima K.K. shipyard pier.
10 March 1944:
Departs Ishikawajima K.K. shipyard. Carries out public underwater listening device calibration and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
20 March 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Ishikawajima later this day.
23 March 1944:
Departs Ishikawajima. Calls at Uraga. Departs there and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
24 March 1944:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 and No. 3 areas. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
25 March 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Arrives at Uraga later in the day.
31 March 1944:
Departs Uraga to patrol No. 5 and No. 6 areas. Arrives at Tateyama later that day. Attached to the 61st Subchaser Squadron under instruction No. 506.
1 April 1944:
Departs Tateyama to patrol Sagami Bay. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
2 April 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
6 April 1944:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
7 April 1944:
Departs Tateyama to patrol Tokyo Bay entrance area. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
8 April 1944:
Departs Tateyama to patrol Tokyo Bay entrance area. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
9 April 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
12 April 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
15 April 1944:
Departs Uraga to patrol Sagami Bay. Arrives at Uraga later that same day.
17 April 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Yokosuka later this day.
19 April 1944:
Enters Yokosuka Naval Yard No. 2 drydock.
20 April 1944:
Undocked.
26 April 1944:
Departs Yokosuka. Arrives at Yokohama later this day.
27 April ~ 10 May 1944:
Undergoes maintenance.
11 May 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
12 May 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
14 May 1944:
Departs Uraga.
15 May 1944:
Carries out an anti-submarine sweep in MA and LA patrol areas.
16 May 1944:
Carries out an anti-submarine sweep in LA patrol area.
17 May 1944:
Carries out an anti-submarine sweep in KA and LA patrol areas. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
19 May 1944:
Departs Uraga on mine laying training. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
20 May 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
21 May 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
26 May 1944:
Depart Uraga on confirmation and convoy escort duties.
27 May 1944:
Arrives at Shimoda.
28 May 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol No. 1 and No. 4 areas. Returns there later that day.
29 May 1944:
Departs Shimoda on confirmation and patrol duties. Returns there later this day.
30 May 1944:
Departs Shimoda on convoy escort and confirmation duties. Returns there later that day.
31 May 1944:
Resupplies.
1 June 1944:
Attached to Tokyo Bay Guard Unit. Departs Shimoda escorting a convoy. Returns there later this day.
2 June 1944:
Departs Shimoda on anti-submarine sweep. Calls at Shimizu and resupplies. Departs there escorting a convoy. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
3 June 1944:
Departs Shimoda on anti-submarine sweep. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
6 June 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
11 June 1944:
Departs Uraga escorting a convoy. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
12 June 1944:
Departs Shimoda on anti-submarine sweep and later escorts a convoy. Returns there later that day.
13 June 1944:
Departs Shimoda on a patrol and later escorts a convoy. Returns there later this day.
15 June 1944:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
16 June 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives off shore later this day.
19 June 1944:
Departs off shore. Calls at Uraga. Departs there and arrives off shore later this day.
21 June 1944:
Departs off shore. Arrives a Nagaura later this day.
21 June ~ 1 July 1944:
Undergoes maintenance.
2 July 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Yokosuka (Sanga Ho).
2 ~ 16 July 1944:
Undergoes engine repairs.
16 July 1944:
Departs Yokosuka (Sanga Ho). Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
17 July 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
23 July 1944:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep in No. 4, No. 5 and No. 6 areas. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
24 July 1944:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 6 and No. 9 areas. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
26 July 1944:
Departs Uraga to patrol LA area and escort a convoy. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
27 July 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol No. 1 and No. 4 areas and escort a convoy. Returns there later this day.
28 July 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol No. 1 area. Returns there later that day.
29 July 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol LA area and escort a convoy.
30 July 1944:
Arrives at Shimoda. Resupplies.
1 August 1944:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, 1st Subchaser Division. Departs Shimoda to patrol LA area. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
5 August 1944:
Departs Nagaura for evacuation of people on shore. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
6 August 1944:
Departs Uraga to measure the sea depth of the renewed minefield. Returns there later this day.
7 August 1944:
Departs Uraga to measure the sea depth of the renewed minefield. Returns there later in the day.
12 August:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep in Tokyo Bay entrance and Sagami Nada. Returns there later that day.
14 August 1944:
Departs Uraga on anti-submarine sweep in LA area. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
15 August 1944:
Departs Shimoda escorting a convoy. Returns there later that day.
17 August 1944:
Departs Shimoda on anti-submarine sweep in LA area. Returns there later this day.
18 August 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol LA area. Returns there later that day.
19 August 1944:
Departs Shimoda to patrol LA area. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
20 August 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
21 August 1944:
Undergoes repairs and maintenance.
23 August 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Yokosuka later this day. Undergoes repairs and maintenance.
24 ~ 31 August 1944:
Undergoes repairs and renovation work.
1 September 1944:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, 1st Subchaser Division. That same day, Lt Kuroki is relieved by Lt Sakuyama Kahei as CO.
Scheduled to escort convoy No. 3901 to LA area under Tokyo Bay Guard message 010621. Departs Yokosuka with subchaser CH-51, torpedo boat CHIDORI and kaibokan OKI escorting convoy No. 3901 consisting of KYUSHU MARU and TOKAI MARU No. 4. KOSEI MARU has to escort the convoy to E Oshima. The convoy arrives at Tateyama later this day.
2 September 1944:
Ordered to end convoy No. 3901 escort under Tokyo Bay Guard message 020902. Departs Tateyama on patrol. Assigned to command and execute four anti-submarine sweeps near the former Kozan LH (lighthouse) under Tokyo Bay Guard message 021158. At 2255, 141° and 5.6 nautical miles of the former Kozan LH, drops 10 depth charges.
4 September 1944:
Ordered to resume escort duty if the enemy has not been found by 0600, on 5 Sep ‘44 under Tokyo Bay Guard message 042128.
5 September 1944:
Escorts a westbound convoy. Arrives at Shimoda that day. Resupplies.
6 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later this day.
7 September 1944:
Ordered to carry out an anti-submarine sweep in No. 1 and No. 4 areas, under Tokyo Bay Guard message 070145. Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later that day.
8 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
10 September 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
11 September 1944:
Departs Uraga on sound mission in poor visibility off Okinoyama. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
13 September 1944:
Departs Tateyama on sound mission off Okinoyama and to confirm enemy submarine presence off Jogashima S coast. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
14 September 1944:
Departs Uraga on sound mission off Okinoyama. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
15 September 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Arrives at Uraga. Resupplies.
18 September 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
20 September 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
21 September 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Shimoda later that same day.
22 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later in the day.
23 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later that day.
24 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on a patrol. Returns there later this day.
27 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda escorting KIJI MARU. Ends escort and arrives back at Shimoda later that day.
28 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda escorting convoy No. 3927 consisting of SEIAN and KISARAGI MARUs and escorted by minelayer AJIRO and subchaser CH-42. Tasked with frontal alert. Arrives at Shimoda later this day. Ordered to hand over SASSHU MARU No. 6 under Tokyo Bay Guard message 382043.
29 September 1944:
Resupplies.
30 September 1944:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
1 October 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
4 October 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
5 October 1944:
Departs Yokosuka. Arrives at Yokohama later this day.
5 October ~ 6 November 1944:
Undergoes maintenance.
15 October ~ 5 November 1944:
Fitted with four additional single Type 96 25mm guns and ammunition stores.
1 November 1944:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, 1st Subchaser Division.
7 November 1944:
Departs Yokohama. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
9 November 1944:
Undergoes repairs. Ordered to patrol No. 2, No. 3, No. 5, No. 6 and KA areas under Tokyo Bay Guard message 0910147.
10 November 1944:
Departs Uraga on patrol.
11 November 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama.
12 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Arrives at Tateyama later that day. Ordered to sweep the convoy No. 3112 route under Tokyo Bay Guard message 121710. Convoy No. 3112 is scheduled to depart Tateyama at 0700 and consists of KISARAGI and HOKKAI MARUs escorted by kaibokan OKI, auxiliary subchasers TAKUNAN MARU No. 6 and TAKUNAN MARU No. 8.
13 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol and convoy escort duties. Returns there later this day.
14 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later that day.
15 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later in the day.
16 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on anti-submarine sweep. Returns there later that same day.
17 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later that day.
18 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later this day.
20 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later that same day.
21 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later this day.
22 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
23 November 1944:
Resupplies.
24 November 1944:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
25 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on anti-submarine sweep.
27 November 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama.
28 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later that day.
29 November 1944:
Departs Tateyama on anti-submarine sweep.
30 November 1944:
Arrives at Tateyama.
1 December 1944:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, 1st Subchaser Division.
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later this day.
2 December 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later that day. Ordered to resupply at Uraga under Tokyo Bay Guard message 021042.
3 December 1944:
Departs Tateyama. Arrives at Uraga later this day. Likely resupplies.
4 December 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
7 December 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Temporarily remains outside port. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
8 December 1944:
Departs Tateyama on patrol. Returns there later this day.
9 December 1944:
Departs Tateyama on a kaibokan escort mission. Ordered to go as fast as possible to 200° and four nautical miles of Toshima to conduct an anti-submarine sweep under Tokyo Bay Guard message 090911. At 2200, carries out an anti-submarine sweep in LA area.
10 December 1944:
At 0400, carries out an anti-submarine sweep in MA area with the 2nd Subchaser Division.
11 December 1944:
With the 2nd Subchaser Division, at 1100, 235° and 13 nautical miles of Murosaki LH, drops three depth charges.
12 December 1944:
With the 2nd Subchaser Division, at 0835, 92° and eight nautical miles of Omaezaki drops nine depth charges. Ordered to end sweeping on 13 Dec ‘44 at 0600 or later and go to Uraga under Tokyo Bay Guard message 121730.
13 December 1944:
With the 2nd Subchaser Division, at 1510, arrives at Shimoda.
14 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
15 December 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
17 December 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
18 December 1944:
Ordered to escort inbound and outbound ships under Tokyo Bay Guard message 181226.
19 December 1944:
Departs Uraga on patrol. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
21 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Yaizu later this day.
22 December 1944:
Departs Yaizu on setting work. Arrives at Shimoda later that day. Ordered to escort flying boat tender KAMOI from off Yaizu coast under Tokyo Bay Guard message 221903.
23 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda escorting flying boat tender KAMOI. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
25 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Yaizu later that day.
26 December 1944:
Departs Yaizu. Arrives at Shimizu later this day.
27 December 1944:
Departs Shimizu. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
28 December 1944:
Departs Shimoda but returns there due to stormy weather.
29 December 1944:
Departs again Shimoda. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
30 December 1944:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
31 December 1944:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
1 January 1945:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Tokyo Bay Guard Unit, 1st Subchaser Division.
1 ~ 11 January 1945:
Undergoes maintenance.
11 January 1945:
Completes maintenance. Ordered to patrol Suruga Bay and MA patrol areas under Tokyo Bay Guard message 110930.
12 January 1945:
Departs Uraga to patrol area No. 6. Arrives at Ito later that day. Assigned to guard cable-layer HATSUSHIMA during cable laying under Tokyo Bay Guard message 121807.
13 January 1945:
Departs Ito escorting HATSUSHIMA. Ends escort. Arrives at Shimizu later this day.
14 January 1945:
Departs Shimizu escorting HATSUSHIMA. Returns there later in the day.
15 January 1945:
Departs Shimizu on patrol and anti-submarine sweep in Suruga Bay. Arrives at Shimizu later that day.
16 January 1945:
Departs Shimizu on patrol and convoy escort duties. Returns there later this day.
17 January 1945:
Departs Shimizu on patrol. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
18 ~ 20 January 1945:
Resupplies.
21 January 1945:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later this day. Ordered to go to Uraga under Tokyo Bay Guard message 210820.
22 January 1945:
Departs Shimoda on patrol. Returns there later that day.
23 January 1945:
Departs Shimoda. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
25 January 1945:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
27 January 1945:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
E 1 February 1945:
Attached to Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, in Tokyo Bay Guard Unit. That same day, Lt Sakuyama is relieved by Lt Shimura Kazuo as CO.
1 February 1945:
Ordered to patrol No. 2, No. 3 and KA areas under Tokyo Bay Guard message 010824.
2 February 1945:
Departs Uraga to patrol No. 6 area. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
3 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 3 area and escort a convoy. Returns there later this day.
4 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 area. Returns there later that same day.
5 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 area. Returns there later in the day.
6 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 area. Returns there later this day.
7 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 and No. 3 areas. Returns there later that day.
8 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 and No. 3 areas. Returns there later that same day.
9 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 2 and No. 3 areas. Returns there later in the day.
10 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to No. 2 and No. 3 areas. Returns there later that day.
11 February 1945:
Ordered to go to Uraga under Tokyo Bay Guard message 110833.
12 February 1945:
Departs Tateyama to patrol No. 9 area. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
13 February 1945:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplies.
15 February 1945:
Departs Nagaura. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
16 February 1945:
Departs Uraga. Sustains two successive airstrikes. Type 96 25mm guns fire 853 rounds, Type 93 13mm MGs fire 418 rounds and Type 92 7.7 MGs fire 115 rounds. Arrives off shore later that day.
17 February 1945:
Undergoes another airstrike. Type 96 25mm guns fire 76 rounds, Type 93 13mm MGs fire 30 rounds and Type 92 7.7 MGs fire 7 rounds. Thereafter, departs off shore and arrives at Uraga later that day.
19 February 1945:
Resupplies.
24 February 1945:
Departs Uraga. Arrives at Yokosuka later this day.
9 March 1945:
Enters Yokosuka Naval Yard No. 1 drydock.
9 ~14 March 1945:
Undergoes refurbishment of various parts of the hull and repairs.
15 March 1945:
Undocked.
15 ~ 24 March 1945:
Undergoes maintenance.
21 March 1945:
Reclassified as an auxiliary small minelayer attached to Yokosuka Naval District under Navy’s instruction No. 254. Attached to Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron under Navy’s instruction No. 255. That same day, Lt Shimura is confirmed as CO.
25 March 1945:
Departs Yokosuka on trials and compass adjustment operation. Returns there later that day.
26 ~31 March 1945:
Undergoes maintenance. Departs Yokosuka later.
6 April 1945:
Departs Uraga.
20 April 1945:
Arrives at Uraga.
1 May 1945:
Departs Uraga.
20 May 1945:
Arrives at Uraga.
3 June 1945:
Departs Uraga.
2 July 1945:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 July 1945:
Departs Yokosuka.
18 July 1945:
Off Uraga Port, while anchored sustains an air attack.
6 August 1945:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 August 1945:
At Yokosuka. Remains in service. Alloted SCJAP No. K-181.
30 November 1945:
Taken out of Naval service. Resumes commercial service.
3 May 1947:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 327.
1950:
Scrapped in Japan.

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.
[2] Numerous ships bore this name like auxiliary transports (2,205 GRT ’24) and (3,551 GRT ’37), auxiliary collier/oiler (6,667 GRT ’33), auxiliary stores ship (8,237 GRT ’18), IJA transports No. 889 (1,943 GRT ’43) and No. 1031 (865 GRT ’40), Okada Shosen cargo ship (3,262 GRT ’19) and other smaller vessels.
[3] OKIKAZE was torpedoed and sunk by LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy S. Benson's (USNA '29) USS TRIGGER (SS-237) off Katsura LH, 35 nautical miles SE Yokosuka with unknown number of survivors at 35-02 N, 140-12 E.
[4] Japanese sources claim UKISHIMA was torpedoed by an unidentified submarine. However, other sources claim she may have struck a mine laid by LtCdr Richard W. Peterson's (USNA '31) USS SUNFISH (SS-281).
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

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