Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(MANYO MARU, prewar)

IJN MANYO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2023 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

12 June 1937:
Yokohama. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. Yokohama Zosensho as a 2,904-tons cargo ship for Toyo Kisen K.K.
18 October 1937:
Launched and named MANYO MARU.
24 December 1937:
Completed and registered at Tokyo. Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,904-tons and 1,671-tons. Her call sign is JWWL. [1]
27 December 1937:
In service on the Yokohama ~ Dairen, Manchuria (now Dalian, northern China), China line.
17 November 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
16 December 1940:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Maizuru Naval District under instruction No. 980. Navy Capt. Horiuchi Karou (40) is appointed CO that same day.
23 December 1940:
Navy Capt. Abe Koun (41) is appointed CO.
15 January 1941:
Attached to the 2nd Gunboat Division under Navy’s instruction No. 28. Rated as an auxiliary gunboat engaged in minelaying under Navy’s instruction No. 56. Assigned to Vice Admiral (later Fleet Admiral) Koga Mineichi’s (34) Second Fleet, 2nd Base Force, 2nd Gunboat Division.
20 January 1941:
Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. Kobe Zosen completes conversion for military duty.
24 March 1941:
Departs Sasebo for central Chinese waters.
3 April 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay.
10 April 1941:
Assigned to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Third Fleet, 2nd Gunboat Division.
1 May 1941:
Navy Resv Lt Kouse Shinjiro is appointed CO.
10 June 1941:
Departs Sasebo for southern Chinese waters.
7 July 1941:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores (Now Magong, Penghu islands, Taiwan).
11 July 1941:
Departs Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan) for southern Chinese waters.
27 August 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo. Enters drydock.
24 September 1941:
Undocked.
15 October 1941:
Attached to 2nd Gunboat Division under Navy’s instruction No. 1250. Current CO, Navy Resv Lt Kouse Shinjiro is promoted to Navy Resv Captain.
4 December 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay, Okinawa.
5 December 1941:
At 25-31N, 124-16E due to stormy weather the lashing of a special type barge (tokugata unkasen) is cut and barge falls into the sea.
6 December 1941:
Searches for the special type barge but is unable to find it.
7 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
15 December 1941:
Loads coal, fresh water and food.
15 ~ 16 December 1941:
Rated as the 3rd escort unit under Kojima escort unit order No. 1.
16 December 1941:
Departs Kirun on patrol in area B.
17 December 1941:
Escorts the 3rd Transport convoy.
21 December 1941:
At 0700, joins 1st and 2nd escort units.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippines. Lays mines in mine field No. 2.
23 December 1941:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat.
25 December 1941:
Lays mines in Santo Tomas Bay, Luzon, Philippines.
26 December 1941:
Departs Lingayen with auxiliary gunboats TAIKO, KAMITSU, and OKUYO MARUs escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU, auxiliary collier/oiler YODOGAWA MARU and auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU, and ten unidentified merchant ships.
28 December 1941:
At 1810, arrives at Takao outer harbor.
29 December 1941:
Lies alongside quay No. 17. Loads coal, fresh water and mines. Lies alongside auxiliary gunboat KAMITSU MARU later this day.
30 December 1941:
Loads mines.
31 December 1941:
Loads grain and fresh food.
1 January 1942:
At 0800, departs Takao with auxiliary gunboats OKUYO, TAIKO and KAMITSU MARUs escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary stores ships SENDAI and KOSEI MARUs, auxiliary water tankers KOAN and ASAYAMA MARUs, auxiliary netlayer KIKU MARU, auxiliary oiler/collier YODOGAWA MARU and auxiliary transport KUREHA MARU No. 6.
3 January 1942:
At 2039, arrives at Camiguin Island, Philippines. Departs there at 2400, escorting the same convoy.
8 January 1942:
At 1030, arrives with the convoy at Davao, Mindanao, Philippines. Later that day, first lies alongside auxiliary oiler/collier YODOGAWA MARU and loads coal and then, lies alongside auxiliary stores ship KOSEI MARU and loads fresh food.
9 January 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Later this day lies alongside auxiliary oiler/collier KOSEI MARU and loads coal.
10 January 1942:
Departs Davao.
11 January 1942:
Arrives at Jolo, Sulu Archipelago, Philippines.
15 January 1942:
Assigned to the Maritime Force under Jolo Defense Force Order No. 1.
16 January 1942:
Departs Jolo escorting a convoy.
17 January 1942:
Arrives at Banga Harbor, Zamboanga peninsula, Mindanao, Philippines. Departs there later that day.
19 January 1942:
Arrives at Jolo.
23 January 1942:
Lies alongside the pier and loads fresh water.
25 January 1942:
Disembarks soldiers.
29 January 1942:
Departs Jolo.
31 January 1942:
Arrives at Davao. Lies alongside auxiliary stores ship KOSEI MARU and loads food then, lies alongside auxiliary oiler/collier KOSEI MARU and begins loading coal.
1 February 1942:
Completes loading coal.
3 February 1942:
Begins unloading mines.
4 February 1942:
Completes unloading mines. Assigned to the Balikpapan, Borneo, Netherlands Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia) Unit, Maritime Unit.
5 February 1942:
6 February 1942:
Begins loading consignment goods.
7 February 1942:
Completes loading consignment goods. Departs Davao with auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU escorting a convoy consisting of fleet oiler HAYATOMO and auxiliary transport MATSUMOTO MARU and other unidentified ships.
9 February 1942:
Detaches with auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU and fleet oiler HAYATOMO and auxiliary transport MATSUMOTO MARU from the convoy and later anchors at Pata Island, Philippines, S Jolo.
10 February 1942:
Arrives with auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU and fleet oiler HAYATOMO at Tarakan, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
11 February 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary harbor affairs ship HAKOZAKI MARU and transfers 2nd Communication Unit personnel, weapons, base properties etc… then lies alongside auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU and loads fresh food.
12 February 1942:
Departs Tarakan.
13 February 1942:
At 00-22S, 118-12E engages in anti-submarine warfare. Drops 4 depth charges and TAIKO MARU drops 2 depth charges. Arrives at Balikpapan later this day.
14 February 1942:
Unloads consignment goods.
15 February 1942:
Disembarks 2nd Communication Unit personnel and unloads 2nd Communication Unit weapons, base properties etc.
16 February 1942:
Unloads consignment goods.
18 February 1942:
Departs Balikpapan on piloting arriving heavy cruiser ASHIGARA. Arrives back at Balikpapan later this day.
20 February 1942:
Departs Balikpan on waterway piloting. Arrives back at Balikpapan later this day.
21 February 1942:
Loads 4 depth charges from auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
22 February 1942:
Departs Balikpapan escorting IJA transports EHIME and LIVERPOOL MARUs. At 1200, EHIME and LIVERPOOL MARUs join the Eastern Java Invasion Convoy N Aru Bank. Ends escort and arrives back at Balikpapan later this day.
23 February 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU comes alongside and supplies fresh food. Then, departs and arrives outside the port later this day.
24 February 1942:
At 0717, departs outside the port of Balikpapan with minelayer AOTAKA escorting Fleet oiler HAYATOMO, auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU and auxiliary collier/oiler YODOGAWA MARU to Makassar, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi Indonesia). Ends escort later this day.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at Makassar. Loads coal and fresh water.
26 February 1942:
Loads coal.
27 February 1942:
Departs Makassar.
1 March 1942:
Arrives outside Balikpapan port. Transfers passengers from seaplane tender NOTORO. Then, departs and arrives at Balikpapan later this day.
2 March 1942:
Departs Balikpapan escorting a convoy. Ends escort at Mahakam estuary, Borneo, Netherlands East Indies (now Kalimantan, Indonesia). Arrives outside Balikpapan port later this day.
3 March 1942:
Departs there and arrives at Balikpapan later that day.
10 March 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 2nd Gunboat Division. Auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU supplies fresh food.
15 March 1942:
Assigned to the New Guinea Invasion Unit under Netherlands East Indies Campaign Instruction No. 132.
16 March 1942:
Fleet supply ship MAMIYA supplies food.
17 March 1942:
Departs Balikpapan.
18 March 1942:
Arrives at Makassar. Transfers the special task force to auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU
19 March 1942:
Loads coal.
22 March 1942:
Departs Makassar.
24 March 1942:
Arrives at Ambon, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
27 March 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary stores ship HAKUREI MARU and loads fresh food.
28 March 1942:
Embarks 76 persons of the Kure Naval District 1st SNLF, and loads related weapons and equipment.
29 March 1942:
Embarks 163 persons of the Sasebo Naval District 1st SNLF, and loads related weapons, equipment and food.
29 March 1942:
Departs Ambon.
31 March 1942:
Arrives at Boela, Ceram, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Lands SNLF and then departs Boela.
1 April 1942:
Arrives at Fak Fak, New Guinea, Netherlands Indies (now Indonesia). At 0820, lands the Sasebo Naval District 1st SNLF. At 1340, the inspection team departs. At 1607, captures a 70-tons motor boat and returns to ship.
2 April 1942:
At 1405, land squadron containment. At 1510, assists Patrol Boat PB-2 acting as special type cargo and landing ship. Departs Fak Fak later this day.
4 April 1942:
Arrives at Sorong, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). At 0800, SNLF lands. At 1130, loads 17 seized oil cans. At 1600, embarks 10 POWs. At 1655, assists Patrol Boat PB-2 acting as special type cargo and landing ship. At 1805, assists Patrol Boat PB-38 acting as special type cargo and landing ship. Thereafter departs Sorong.
5 April 1942:
Arrives at Gane Bay (now Teluk Gane), south Halmahera, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Food supply begins. Transfers the Sasebo Naval District 1st SNLF to auxiliary transport HOKUROKU MARU. Transfers the Kure Naval District 1st SNLF to light cruiser KINU and to seaplane tender CHITOSE.
6 April 1942:
Auxiliary Stores ship MINATO MARU supplies fresh food. Departs Gane Bay later this day.
7 April 1942:
Arrives at Ternate Island E coast, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). At 0828 supports SNLF landing with intimidating fire. Fires 3 shots, 1 shot for each gun. At 1005, enters Ternate harbor.
10 April 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Southwest Area Fleet, Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 2nd Gunboat Division.
14 April 1942:
Departs Ternate and arrives at Tidore Island E Bank, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later this day. At 0920, SNLF lands. At 1615, SNLF re-embarks.
15 April 1942:
Departs Tidore and arrives at Mare Island, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later this day. At 0850, SNLF lands. At 1000, SNLF re-embarks. Thereafter, departs Mare Island and arrives at Tidore Island NW coast. At 1227, SNLF lands. At 1430, SNLF re-embarks.
16 April 1942:
Departs Tidore Island and arrives at Ternate later this day.
20 April 1942:
Departs Ternate and arrives at Jailolo, Halmahera, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later this day. At 1000, SNLF lands. At 1440, SNLF re-embarks.
21 April 1942:
Departs Jailolo and arrives at Dodinga, Halmahera, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Dojinga, Indonesia) later this day. At 0942, SNLF lands. At 1800, SNLF re-embarks. Departs Dodinga and arrives at Ternate later that day.
23 April 1942:
The New Guinea invasion unit and the Netherlands East Indies Campaign 24th Special Base Squadron Marine Force are dissolved under Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet Instruction No. 759. Embarks 43 POWs. Thereafter, departs Ternate.
24 April 1942:
Arrives at Ambon.
26 April 1942:
Ambon. Manipa Strait. At night, LtCdr Barton E. Bacon‘s (USNA '25) USS PICKEREL (SS-177) mistakenly torpedoes and lightly damages auxiliary hospital ship TAKASAGO MARU. Departs Ambon on assisting auxiliary hospital ship TAKASAGO MARU. At 0500, meets up with auxiliary hospital ship TAKASAGO MARU. Escorts her until arriving at Ambon at 0800. Thereafter, moors alongside the coal pier.
27 April 1942:
Loads coal.
1 May 1942:
Carries out maintenance in outer port.
2 May 1942:
Loads 4th Guard Unit dispatched equipment and embarks 20 people.
3 May 1942:
Departs Ambon.
5 May 1942:
Arrives at Kupang, Timor, Netherlands East Indies (now East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia). Disembarks passengers and unloads equipment.
6 May 1942:
Auxiliary stores ship BANSHU MARU No. 2 supplies food.
7 May 1942:
Auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17 comes alongside and loads fresh water.
8 May 1942:
Departs Kupang.
10 May 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Lies alongside auxiliary transport HEITO MARU.
11 May 1942:
Loads coal from auxiliary transport HEITO MARU.
12 May 1942:
Casts off and moors alongside the customs pier.
13 May 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU is hit in her engine room. Auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 5 tows her to the nearby coast and she is subsequently towed and beached on N coast of the guard pier. Departs there and dispatches a rescue team to auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
15 May 1942:
Anchors near auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
18 May 1942:
Embarks 89 SNLF and 6 civil affairs members. Loads equipment. Departs Ambon later this day.
19 May 1942:
Arrives at Leksoela, Buru, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). At 0751, enters harbor. At 0800, lands SNLF. At 1630, re-embarks SNLF.
20 May 1942:
Departs Leksoela and arrives at Namlea, Buru later this day. At 1450, enter harbor. At 1510, lands SNLF. At 1615, loads seized goods. At 1900, re-embarks SNLF.
21 May 1942:
Departs Namlea and arrives at Kayeli, Buru later this day. At 0730, enters harbor. At 0805, lands SNLF. At 1610, re-embarks SNLF. Departs Kayeli and arrives at Sanana, Sula Island, Moluccas, Netherlands East Indies (now Pulau Sulabes, Indonesia). At 0715, lands SNLF. At 0750, enters harbor. At 0930, loads captured goods. At 2055, re-embarks SNLF.
23 May 1942:
Departs Sanana and arrives at Molbufa, Sula Island later this day. At 0900, enters harbor. At 0915, lands SNLF. At 1000, loads seized items. At 1823, re-embarks SNLF.
24 May 1942:
Departs Molbufa.
25 May 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside the coal pier. Disembarks SNLF and civil affairs department members. Unloads seized goods. Assigned to the East Indies Corps, 24th Special Base Force, Maritime Unit.
26 May 1942:
Loads coal and fresh food.
27 May 1942:
Casts off. Begins collecting anchor chain for auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU.
28 May 1942:
Completes collecting anchor chain for auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU and begins relocating it to her.
29 May 1942:
Completes relocating anchor chain to auxiliary gunboat TAIKO MARU. Casts off and moors alongside the customs pier. Begins loading base equipment.
30 May 1942:
Completes loading base equipment.
31 May 1942:
Embarks 203 members of the 4th Guard Unit. Thereafter at 0800, departs Ambon. At 1000, torpedo boat HATSUKARI begins escorting her.
1 June 1942:
Rated as a Southern Unit, East Indies Unit, Eastern Security Unit.
2 June 1942:
At 0920 arrives at Kupang. Unloads 4th Guard Unit transport equipment. Auxiliary stores ship BANSHU MARU No. 3 supplies fresh food. Engages in anti-aircraft combat later this day.
3 June 1942:
Unloads 4th Guard Unit transport equipment and loads weapons and equipment of the Yokosuka Naval District 3rd SNLF.
4 June 1942:
Loads weapons and equipment of the Yokosuka Naval District 3rd SNLF and embarks 260 marines.
5 June 1942:
Departs Kupang.
7 June 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside the coal pier. Unloads weapons and equipment of the Yokosuka Naval District 3rd SNLF and disembarks 260 marines.
8 June 1942:
Unloads weapons and equipment.
9 June 1942:
Loads coal. Thereafter, moves to the customs pier.
10 June 1942:
Embarks 173 soldiers of the 4th Guard Unit. Loads weapons, equipment and food.
11 June 1942:
At 0600, departs Ambon escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17.
13 June 1942:
Hit by a torpedo fired by an enemy submarine but sustains no damage. At 0810, arrives at Kupang escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17. SHONAN MARU No. 17 ends escort. Disembarks 173 members of the 4th Guard Unit and unloads weapons and equipment.
14 June 1942:
Departs Kupang.
15 June 1942:
Arrives at Dili, Portuguese Timor (now East Timor). Auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU NO. 5 supplies fresh water. Loads 3rd Air Fleet equipment and embarks 35 members of 3rd Air Fleet. Thereafter, departs Dili.
17 June 1942:
Arrives at Kendari, Celebes, Netherlands East Indies (now Sulawesi, Indonesia). Unloads 3rd Air Fleet equipment and disembarks 35 members of the 3rd Air Fleet.
18 June 1942:
Departs Kendari.
20 June 1942:
Arrives at Makassar.
21 June 1942:
Begins loading coal and weapons equipment of the remaining members of 24th Special Base Force Detachment.
22 June 1942:
Completes loadings coal and weapons equipment of the remaining members of 24th Special Base Force Detachment. Embarks 186 remaining members of 24th Special Base Force Detachment. Departs Makassar at 2150.
23 June 1942:
Meets up with auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU NO. 1. SHONAN MARU NO. 1 begins escorting.
25 June 1942:
At 1850, arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside the customs pier. Disembarks passengers.
26 June 1942:
Loads supplies. Unloads weapons and equipment of the remaining members of the 24th Special Base Force Detachment.
27 June 1942:
Loads coal.
28 June 1942:
At 1700, departs Ambon. It is probable the ship sailed with transport SEIAN MARU.
30 June 1942:
At 0150, arrives at Ternate. Moors alongside the pier. Loads fresh water.
1 July 1942:
Unloads consignment goods.
4 July 1942:
Departs Ternate and arrives at Jailolo later this day. At 1230, landing training begins. Lands SNLF. At 1710, completes training. Thereafter, loads drums containing consignment products.
6 July 1942:
Departs Jailolo.
8 July 1942:
Arrives at Kokas, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
9 July 1942:
Departs Kokas and arrives at Babo, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later this day.
11 July 1942:
Unloads drums with consignment goods and performs port maintenance work.
13 ~ 15 July 1942:
Loads looted galvanized iron plates.
17 July 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Departs Babo later this day.
19 July 1942:
Arrives at Labuha, Bacan Island, Moluccas, Netherland East Indies (now Indonesia).
20 July 1942:
Departs Labuha.
21 July 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside the coal pier. Loads coal and fresh water. Unloads looted galvanized iron plates. Rated as an East Indies unit, Operation T (Seizure of the Netherlands East Indies, Tanimbar Islands), transport unit.
22 July 1942:
Moors alongside the customs pier.
24 July 1942:
Loads the 1st Assault Units weapons and equipment. Embarks SNLF. Departs Ambon later this day.
26 July 1942:
Arrives at Kokas.
28 July 1942:
With auxiliary netlayer FUKEI MARU No. 15, detaches from the Aru Island capture unit. Transfers SNLF equipment and members to auxiliary net layer FUKUEI MARU No. 15. Departs Kokas later this day.
29 July 1942:
Drifting in the sea in front of the enemy. At 1837, hands over a special type barge (tokugata unkasen) to auxiliary netlayer FUKUEI MARU No. 15. Then reverses course.
30 July 1942:
Arrives at Kokas.
31 July 1942:
Departs Kokas.
1 August 1942:
Arrives at Patipi Bay, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later this day. Rated as an East Indies Unit, Eastern Security Unit.
2 August 1942:
Arrives at Waigama, Misool Island, Raja Ampat Islands, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). Departs there later this day.
3 August 1942:
Arrives at Labuha.
6 August 1942:
Departs Labuha and arrives at Pulau Batjan (Bacan Is) .
9 August 1942:
Departs Pulau Batjan.
10 August 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside the coal pier.
11 August 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat.
12 August 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Departs Ambon later this day.
18 August 1942:
Receives instruction No. 10375 for a 12inch binocular telescope installation.
19 August 1942:
Arrives at commercial port (Keppel), Singapore.
21 August 1942:
Enters 101st Construction department, No. 2 shipyard, 4th drydock.
30 August 1942:
Undocked. Departs on a trial run. After returning, tethers at quay No. 54.
31 August 1942:
Loads coal and iron pipes.
2 September 1942:
Loads equipment and sundries.
3 September 1942:
Departs Singapore on a test run.
8 September 1942:
Arrives at Makassar. Begins loading 600-tons of equipment and fresh water.
9 September 1942:
Loads a car. Moves to coal pier. Loads coal.
10 September 1942:
Completes loading 600-tons of equipment and fresh water. Loads food and consignment goods.
11 September 1942:
Departs Makassar.
12 September 1942:
Arrives at Kendari.
13 September 1942:
Unloads transport equipment. Departs Kendari later this day.
15 September 1942:
Torpedo boat HATSUKARI begins escorting. Arrives at Ambon later this day. Moors alongside customs pier. Begins unloading transport equipment.
16 September 1942:
Completes unloading transport equipment. Moves to coal pier. Loads coal.
17 September 1942:
Lies alongside the customs pier. Loads a car.
18 September 1942:
At 0600, departs Ambon.
19 September 1942:
Auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17 arrives from Ambon and begins escorting at 1820.
20 September 1942:
At 0859, arrives at Kupang escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17. SHONAN MARU No. 17 ends escort. Unloads a car. Loads 4th Guard Unit equipment and embarks 461 passengers. Minesweeper W-4 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17 come alongside. Supplies fresh water to both ships.
21 September 1942:
Departs Kupang.
23 September 1942:
Torpedo boat HATSUKARI begins escorting. Arrives at Ambon later this day. Moors alongside the customs pier. Disembarks 461 passengers and unloads related equipment.
24 September 1942:
Lies alongside coal pier.
25 September 1942:
Loads coal.
27 September 1942:
Lends and picks up a special type barge (tokugata unkasen).
29 September 1942:
Departs coal pier. Anchors near guard pier later this day.
30 September 1942:
Embarks factory staff of Suram branch, 100th fuel plant and loads related equipment.
1 October 1942:
Lies alongside coal pier. Begins loading transport equipment.
2 October 1942:
Completes loading transport equipment.
3 October 1942:
Departs Ambon.
4 October 1942: BR> Arrives at Boela. Begins unloading transport equipment.
5 October 1942:
Completes unloading transport equipment. Departs Boela later this day.
6 October 1942:
Arrives at Fak Fak. Unloads transport equipment. Departs there later this day.
8 October 1942:
Arrives at Manokwari, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
10 October 1942:
Departs Manokwari and arrives at Momi, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
12 October 1942:
Departs Momi.
13 October 1942:
Arrives at Nabire, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia). At 0600, begins landings training. Lands SNLF. At 1220, re-embarks SNLF.
14 October 1942:
Departs Nabire and arrives at Serui, Japen Island, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later this day.
15 October 1942:
At 0800, begins landings training. Lands SNLF. At 1200, re-embarks SNLF.
16 October 1942:
Departs Serui and arrives at Korido, Biak, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
17 October 1942:
At 0830, begins landings training. Lands SNLF. At 1100, re-embarks SNLF. Departs Korido later this day. Arrives at Namber, Noemfoor, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) later that same day.
19 October 1942:
Departs Namber and arrives at Manokwari later this day.
21 October 1942:
Departs Manokwari.
22 October 1942:
Torpedo boat HATSUKARI begins escorting.
23 October 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Loads coal.
24 October 1942:
Departs Ambon.
28 October 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies. (now Indonesia).
29 ~ 30 October 1942:
Loads coal and transport equipment.
31 October 1942:
Departs Surabaya.
4 November 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Moors alongside coal pier. Unloads transport equipment.
5 November 1942:
Departs Ambon.
6 November 1942:
Arrives at Kokas.
7 November 1942:
Departs Kokas and arrives at Babo later this day. Begins unloading transport equipment.
9 November 1942:
Completes unloading transport equipment. Departs Babo later this day.
10 November 1942:
Arrives at Boela. Unloads transport equipment.
11 November 1942:
Departs Boela.
12 November 1942:
Arrives at Ambon.
13 November 1942:
Loads coal.
14 November 1942:
Departs Ambon.
17 November 1942:
Finds an unidentified shipwreck and starts a rescue.
18 November 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya.
19 November 1942:
Begins loading coal and transport equipment.
20 November 1942:
Loads food.
21 November 1942:
Completes loading coal and transport equipment.
22 November 1942:
Departs Surabaya with auxiliary transports TARUSHIMA and HIROTAMA MARUs. Later, auxiliary minesweeper No. 3 begins escorting.
26 November 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Auxiliary minesweeper No. 3 ends escort.
29 November 1942:
Arrives at Babo. Unloads transport equipment.
30 November 1942:
Loads transport equipment.
1 December 1942:
Departs Babo.
3 December 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Unloads transport equipment. Begins loading coal.
4 December 1942:
Completes loading coal.
6 December 1942:
Loads transport equipment.
7 December 1942:
Loads a special type barge (tokugata unkasen). Departs Ambon later this day.
8 December 1942:
Arrives at Fak Fak. Unloads the special type barge and transport equipment. Departs Fak Fak later this day.
10 December 1942:
Arrives at Ternate.
13 December 1942:
Departs Ternate and arrives at Jailolo later this day.
15 December 1942: BR> Departs Jailolo.
16 December 1942:
Arrives at Ambon.
17 ~ 18 December 1942:
Loads coal, fresh water, fuel and bombs.
19 December 1942:
Departs Ambon.
21 December 1942:
Arrives at Babo. Begins unloading fuel and bombs.
22 December 1942:
Completes unloading fuel and bombs.
23 December 1942:
Unloads fuel.
24 December 1942:
Loads transport equipment.
25 December 1942:
Departs Babo.
26 December 1942:
Arrives at Boela. Unloads bombs. Departs Boela later this day.
27 December 1942:
Arrives at Labuha.
28 December 1942:
Departs Labuha.
29 December 1942:
Arrives at Ambon. Begins loading fuel and bombs.
30 December 1942:
Completes loading fuel and bombs. Loads coal. Departs Ambon later this day.
1 January 1943:
Arrives at Babo. Begins unloading base equipment.
2 January 1943:
Completes unloading base equipment.
3 January 1943:
Begins unloading aviation fuel and loading empty drums.
4 January 1943:
Completes unloading aviation fuel and loading empty drums. Departs Babo later this day.
6 January 1943:
Arrives at Ambon.
7 January 1943:
Loads coal and unloads empty drums. At 2030, departs Ambon.
9 January 1943:
Arrives at Karas Island , New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies . Lies alongside torpedo boat TOMOZURU and is ready for towing. Later this day departs Karas Island towing TOMOZURU escorted by auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17. [2]
12 January 1943:
At 0120, arrives at Ambon. Tow rope storage.
13 January 1943:
Command of MANYO MARU and gunboat division equipment is transferred to auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU.
Loads food.
A new 12inch binocular telescope is installed.
16 January 1943:
Loads coal. Begins loading transport equipment. Engages in anti-aircraft combat. 12cm guns fire one shot and Type 93 13mm MGs fire 40 shots.
17 January 1943:
Completes loading transport equipment. Departs Ambon later this day.
21 January 1943:
Arrives at Hollandia, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies. (now Jayapura, Indonesia). Begins waiting for unloading.
25 ~ 26 January 1943:
Unloads transportation equipment.
27 January 1943:
Departs Hollandia and arrives at Humboldt, New Guinea, Netherlands East Indies (now Yos Sudarso, Indonesia) later this day. Begins unloading base equipment.
28 January 1943:
Completes unloading base equipment.
29 January 1943:
Departs Humboldt.
3 February 1943:
Arrives at Ambon. Loads coal.
5 February 1943:
Loads aviation fuel. Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Departs Ambon later this day.
6 February 1943:
Arrives at Boela. Begins unloading transport equipment.
8 February 1943:
Completes unloading transport equipment. Departs Boela later this day.
9 February 1943:
Arrives at Fak Fak. Unloads transport equipment.
10 February 1943:
Departs Fak Fak.
11 February 1943:
Arrives at Boela. Unloads auxiliary cargo boats. Departs there later this day.
12 February 1943:
Arrives at Ambon. Loads coal. Engages in anti-aircraft combat.
13 February 1943:
Loads base transport equipment.
14 February 1943:
Departs Ambon.
15 February 1943:
Arrives at Boela. Begins unloading transport equipment.
16 February 1943:
Completes unloading transport equipment. Departs Boela later this day.
17 February 1943:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Arrives at Babo later this day.
18 February 1943:
Departs Babo and arrives at Kokas later this day.
19 February 1943:
Begins boiler No. 1 inside cleaning.
22 February 1943:
Departs Kokas.
23 February 1943:
Arrives at Boela. Loads base equipment.
24 February 1943:
Departs Boela.
25 February 1943:
Arrives at Hatiling (Haliling) Bay , Ceram. Completes boiler inside No. 1 cleaning. Joins auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 17.
26 February 1943:
Departs Hatiling Bay .
27 February 1943:
Arrives at Toeal (Tual) , Kai Doelah, Kai Islands, Netherlands East Indies. Unloads base equipment. Departs there later this day.
1 March 1943:
Arrives at Ambon.
5 March 1943:
Loads food and fuel. Departs Ambon later this day.
7 March 1943:
Arrives at Ternate. Unloads all onboard equipment.
8 ~ 12 March 1943:
Undergoes boiler inside No. 2 cleaning.
13 March 1943:
Departs Ternate for Balikpapan.
15 March 1943:
Detached from the 2nd Gunboat division under instruction No. 451. Attached to Vice Admiral Takasu Shiro’s (35) Southwestern Area Fleet, Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet under instruction No. 590-21. Reclassified as a transport ship although officially remains classified as an auxiliary gunboat .
10 April 1943:
Navy Resv LtCdr. Ishihara Tadayoshi is appointed CO.
10 May 1943:
Departs Ambon.
18 May 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya.
1 July 1943:
Appointment of LtCdr. Ishihara Tadayoshi as CO is confirmed.
21 August 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
4 September 1943:
At 0825, departs Balikpapan with destroyer ASAKAZE and subchaser CH-6 escorting convoy No. 2607 consisting of IJA transports PACIFIC and TAKAOKA MARUs, IJA transport (B-AK) YAMAYURI MARU, auxiliary oilers NISSHO and KYOEI MARUs and fleet oiler NOTORO. [3]
7 September 1943:
Subchaser CH-6 detaches.
8 September 1943:
At 0900, an unidentified destroyer and an auxiliary vessel join the convoy.
10 September 1943:
An unidentified oiler (probably NOTORO) and auxiliary vessel detach. At 1600, arrives at Palau, Eastern Carolines.
12 December 1943:
Dispatch to Christmas Island. Departs Ambon later this day.
7 January 1944:
At 1200, scheduled to depart with IJN general requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) SHOZUI MARU.
8 January 1944:
At 0500, scheduled to arrive at Kotabaru and then to depart for Macassar escorted by auxiliary subchaser CHa-112.
11 January 1944:
At 0700, scheduled to depart Macassar escorted by auxiliary subchaser Cha-112.
12 January 1944:
At 1800, scheduled to arrive at Kendari.
17 January 1944:
At 0600, scheduled to depart Kendari.
18 January 1944:
At 2000, due to arrive at Macassar.
12 February 1944:
At 1600, departs Ambon in convoy with IJA transport SHINSEI MARU No. 17 escorted by torpedo boat KIJI.
14 February 1944:
At 1215, arrives at Kendari.
7 July 1944:
At 0030, departs Surabaya in convoy with IJA transport TENCHO MARU with unknown escort.
12 July 1944:
At 1500, scheduled to arrive at Maumere, Flores Island.
September 1944:
Equipped with one motor torpedo boat and two special type barges.
18 September 1944:
Departs Jakarta, Java for Semarang, Java.
22 September 1944:
Departs Semarang.
23 September 1944:
Arrives at Surabaya.
8 November 1944:
At 1900, departs Manila for Balikpapan in convoy B-02 also consisting of auxiliary oilers HISHI MARU No. 2 and KYOEI MARU escorted by patrol boat PB-2, subchaser CH-4 minesweeper W-8 (part way only) and two unidentified auxiliary subchasers.
9 November 1944:
Mindoro Strait. At 1530, LtCdr Franck C. Lynch's (USNA '38) USS HADDO (SS-255) torpedoes and sinks HISHI MARU No. 2 at 12-24N 120-45E. 11 crewmen are KIA. The escorts counterattack with depth charges, but Lynch evades and escapes.
16 November 1944:
Tarakan Channel, Borneo. USAAF Consolidated B-24 "Liberator" heavy bombers and Lockheed P-38 "Lightning" fighter-bombers attack and sink KYOEI MARU at 03-30N, 117-00E with the loss of 25 passengers and one crewman, and damage MANYO MARU. CO LtCdr. Ishihara Tadayoshi is KIA. At 1800, departs Tarakan escorted by minesweeper W-8.
18 November 1944:
At 1610, arrives at Balikpapan.
23 November 1944:
Navy Resv LtCdr. Nakajima Reijo is temporarily appointed CO.
20 December 1944:
Navy Resv LtCdr. Nakajima Reijo is appointed CO.
21 December 1944:
At 1800, departs Balikpapan escorted by minesweeper W-8.
23 December 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Makassar.
24 December 1944:
At 0630, departs Makassar, still in convoy.
29 December 1944:
At 1430, arrives at Surabaya.
26 January 1945:
At 1600, departs Surabaya with Fleet Stores ship HAYASAKI escorted by subchaser CH-3.
28 January 1945:
At 1700, scheduled to detach from convoy for Jakarta. The others ships continue to Lingga.
5 February 1945:
Attached to Vice Admiral Fukutome Shigeru’s (40) 10th Area fleet in Vice Admiral Shibata Yaichiro’s, (40) 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet.
17 February 1945:
Departs Singapore escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 5.
20 February 1945:
Arrives at Jakarta escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 5. TAKUNAN MARU No. 5 ends escort. Departs Jakarta for Surabaya later this day.
4 March 1945:
At 1200, departs Surabaya for Makassar, transporting passengers, 8 guns, anti-aircraft ammunition, land mines, rice, etc… with auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 1 and CHa-104 escorting a convoy consisting of IJA transports NANMEI and SHOYU (853 GRT) MARUs and auxiliary netlayer NAGARA MARU.
At about 2230, LtCdr Paul C. Stimson’s (USNA ‘36) USS SEA ROBIN (SS-407), in strong winds and high seas, fires three torpedoes and hits gunboat MANYO MARU’s starboard side. Her cargo of ammunition explodes and she sinks by the stern at about 2234 at 05-50S, 113-46E, about 62 nautical miles E Sankapla, Bawean Island. About half of her passengers and crew are KIA.
10 May 1945:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 417.

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] RAAF No. 2 squadron on a reconnaissance mission attacks torpedo boat TOMOZURU on 6 January 1943 of the Kai Islands. She is heavily damaged and becomes unnavigable.
[3] MANYO MARU is listed as carrying cargo in this convoy.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan. Thank also go to "Fontessa" a well-respected Japanese contributor to "Axis History Forum" for providing additional information about CO Capt. Horiuchi Karou , some locations, classification and the towing of torpedo boat TOMOZURU.

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

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