KYUSETSUMOKAN!
HOKAKUMOTEI!
PICTURE WANTED
IJN MATSU MARU :
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2023 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
28 May 1939:
Osaka. Laid down by Naniwa Dock K.K. as a 509-tons cargo ship for Nishimoto Kisen K.K.
15 October 1939:
Launched and named MATSU MARU. [1]
4 September 1940:
Completed and registered at Kobe with a Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) of 509-tons and a Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) of 337-tons. Her call sign is JSFO. [2]
13 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Conversion for military duty begins at Tokyo Ishikiwajima Zosensho K.K.
1 December 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary netlayer attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under Cabinet Order No. 1571. Navy (Resv) Lt. Kitagawa Kiyoshi is appointed CO that same day.
10 December 1941:
Conversion for military duty is completed. Attached to the Yokosuka Guard Force under instruction No. 1632. Attached to the Yokosuka Naval District, Yokosuka Guard Force, Yokosuka Local Defense Squadron. Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 24.
17 January 1942:
Leads Government requisitioned cargo ship TEIFUKU MARU (ex-German R.C. RICKMERS).
28 January 1942:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 45.
5 March 1942:
Caution alert for point A.
18 March 1942:
Arrival alert for heavy cruisers MAYA and TAKAO arriving in the patrol area.
26 March 1942:
First gunnery training of the coast defense war.
1 April 1942:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 72.
10 April 1942:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 74.
11 April 1942:
Vigilant in patrol area No. 6.
18 April 1942:
Departs Uraga for Kaneda Bay.
19 April 1942:
Departs Uraga. Vigilant in patrol area No. 3.
1 May 1942:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 78.
15 May 1942:
Attached to Tokyo Bay Defense Unit, Netlaying Boat Corps under Sea Surface Defense Unit Command Instruction No. 39.
20 May 1942:
Arrives at Uraga.
E20 ~ 21 May 1942:
Departs Uraga.
21 May 1942:
Patrols in area No. 6 and arrives at Tateyama later this day.
E21 ~ 22 May 1942:
Departs Tateyama.
22 May 1942:
Patrols in area No. 6 and arrives at Uraga later that day.
24 May 1942:
Departs Uraga on patrol and anti-submarine sweeping in area No. 6.
26 May 1942:
Performs anti-submarine sweeping off Nojima and arrives at Ura later this day.
28 May 1942:
Departs Uraga escorting westbound auxiliary aircraft transport KATSURAGI MARU to Mikomoto as she passes through Sagami Nada.
29 May 1942:
Carries out an anti-submarine sweep at 160° and 5 nautical miles of Cape Inatori. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
E29 ~ 30 May:
Departs Shimoda.
30 May 1942:
Performs anti-submarine sweeps between Niijima and Mikomoto to prevent the retreat of enemy submarines under Sea Surface Defense Unit Instruction No. 320. During anti-submarine sweeping, drops two depth charges at 74° and 7.5 nautical miles of Cape Inatori.
31 May 1942:
Arrives at Shimoda. Assigned to deploy tonight between Niijma and Mikomoto under Sea Surface Defense Force Wireless No. 334. At night, drops two depth charges during anti-submarine sweeping between Niijima and Mikomoto. Arrives at Uraga later that same day.
1 June 1942:
Departs Uraga.
2 June 1942:
Departs Shimoda.
6 June 1942:
On patrol with Tateyama as base.
7 June 1942:
On patrol with Shimoda as base.
8 June 1942:
On patrol with Shimoda as base.
10 June 9142:
Patrols near Tateyama.
13 June 1942:
Auxiliary Hospital ship HIKAWA MARU departs Yokosuka for Hashirajima. Assigned to search in patrol areas No. 1 and No. 4 for a Nakajima B5N2 type 97 attack bomber ‘Kate’ that crash landed during escort of hospital ship HIKAWA MARU, under Sea Surface Defense Force Instruction No. 422.
14 June 1942:
Assigned to end training, remove training equipment and to replenish at Nagaura under Sea Surface Defense Force Instruction No. 426.
15 June 1942:
Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 99. Rated as Tokyo Bay Defense Unit Netlayer under Sea Surface Defense Unit Command Instruction No. 42. Patrols between Ishimurosaki and Oshima.
16 June 1942:
Patrols between Ishimurosaki and Oshima. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
18 June 1942:
Under Sea Defense Force Wireless No. 453, assigned to depart 19 Jun ‘42 with auxiliary netlayer TATSU MARU on patrol in area No. 6. After sunset, one ship should stay at Mount Tateyama and the other at Kaneda Bay.
19 June 1942:
Departs Nagaura. Patrols area No. 6 on vigilance for the outbound light cruisers YUBARI and NAKA.
20 June 1942:
Patrols area No. 6.
21 June 1942:
Patrols area No. 6. Vigilant for inbound auxiliary transport ARGENTINA MARU.
22 June 1942:
Patrols area No. 6.
25 June 1942:
Patrols Oshima ~ Niijima and Suruga Bay areas. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
26 June 1942:
Departs Uraga on patrol in Suruga Bay.
27 June 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay. Arrives at Shimizu later that day.
E27 ~ 28 June 1942:
Departs Shimizu.
28 June 1942:
Arrives at patrol area nearby coast. Surveys blackout from the sea.
29 June 1942:
Arrives at Suruga Bay on anti-submarine sweeping.
30 June 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay. Arrives at Shimizu later this day.
3 July 1942:
Departs Shimizu and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
E3 ~ 14 July 1942:
Departs Nagaura.
14 July 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
15 July 1942:
Departs Nagaura on patrol in Suruga Bay.
17 July 1942:
Assigned to patrol Suruga Bay and to surveillance vigilance of stranded IJA transport HARUNA MARU (10,421 GRT, ’22) under Sea Level Defense Force Wireless No. 708. Patrols Suruga Bay.
18 July 1942:
Patrols Oshima ~ Nojima areas.
19 July 1942:
Patrols Oshima ~ Nojima areas.
22 July 1942:
Departs her patrol area for Mikurajima. Assigned to patrol between Oshima and Ishimurosaki as soon as repairs are completed under Sea Level Defense Force Wireless No. 754.
23 July 1942:
Arrives at Mikurajima and then Miyakejima for emergency aircraft landing transport work.
24 July 1942:
Departs Mikurajima and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
24 ~ 26 July 1942:
Departs Nagaura.
26 July 1942:
Patrols the N line and escorts fleet oiler SHIRETOKO.
27 July 1942:
Patrols the N line.
28 July 1942:
Patrols Oshima ~ Nojima areas.
29 July 1942:
Arrives at Tateyama.
30 July 1942:
Departs Tateyama on a N line patrol.
31 July 1942:
Patrols the N line and arrives at Uraga later this day.
1 August 1942:
Assigned to patrol between Uraga, Oshima and Ishimurosaki on 2 Aug ‘42 under Sea Level Defense Force Instruction No. 822.
2 August 1942:
Departs Uraga.
3 August 1942:
Patrols the AO line.
4 August 1942:
Patrols the O line.
5 August 1942:
Patrols the O line. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
6 August 1942:
Departs Shimoda on an O line patrol.
7 August 1942:
Assigned to join auxiliary gunboat KASAGI MARU at 1300 on 7 Aug ‘42 at 5 nautical miles S Kenzaki under Sea Defense Force wireless instruction No. 848. Patrols the O line.
8 August 1942:
Patrols the O line. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
9 August 1942:
Departs Shimoda on an O line patrol.
10 August 1942:
Patrols the O line.
11 August 1942:
Assigned to change sweeping area to the O line under Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 893. Patrols the O line, then carries out an anti-submarine sweep in the O patrol area.
12 August 1942:
Anti-submarine sweeping between Toshima and Mikomoto. Arrives at Shimoda later that day.
13 August 1942:
Assigned to patrol Sagami Nada under Sea Level Defense Force Wireless No. 918. Departs Shimoda and arrives at Uraga later this day.
15 August 1942:
Departs Nagaura on a Sagami Nada patrol.
16 August 1942:
Patrols Sagami Nada.
17 August 1942:
Patrols Sagami Nada.
18 August 1942:
Assigned to rush to 1,500m S Chojagasaki, Hayama and search for a twin engine land aircraft under Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 0940. At 1030, heads towards the vicinity of 1,500m S Chojagasaki, Hayama to search for twin engine land aircraft. At 1230, arrives on site. Searches in nearby areas and coastal areas but finds no sign of the land aircraft. At 1430, due to poor visibility the search is temporarily ended. Heads to Tateyama to replenish food.
19 August 1942:
Patrols Sagami Nada.
21 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
22 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
23 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
24 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
26 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
27 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
29 August 1942:
Patrol Suruga Bay.
30 August 1942:
Patrols Sagami Nada. Departs her patrol area and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
3 September 1942:
Departs Nagaura on an O area patrol.
4 September 1942:
Patrols the O patrol area.
5 September 1942:
Assigned to patrol Sagami Nada under Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 0952. Patrols Sagami Nada.
6 September 1942:
Patrols KA and LA areas, then patrols Sagami Nada.
7 September 1942:
Assigned to search and dispose of two mines tomorrow morning at 34°-35’N, 138°- 37’E, thereafter returns to Sagami Nada under Sea Surface Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 1903. Patrols Sagami Nada.
8 September 1942:
Arrives at Nagaura.
9 September 1942:
Receives Sea Level Defense Unit wireless instruction No. 1625: Tomorrow a westbound convoy consisting of auxiliary coaler SANSEI MARU, IJA transport KASUGASAN MARU, auxiliary transport KURETAKE MARU (1,924 GRT, ’38) and IJA oiler ZUIYO MARU will depart at 0830 off Futtsu.
10 September 1942:
Departs Nagaura.
At 0830, off Futtsu meets up with the westbound convoy and begins escorting it; thereafter patrols Suruga Bay. ZUIYO MARU drops out of the convoy at some point.
11 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
12 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
13 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
14 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
15 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
16 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
17 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
18 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
19 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
20 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
21 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
22 September 1942:
Arrives at Shimizu.
E22 ~ 23 September 1942:
Departs Shimizu.
23 September 1942:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
25 September 1942:
Assigned to depart port 34 tomorrow at 0800 on a submarine commander’s ward and KA patrol area patrol under Sea Surface Defense Unit Radio Instruction No. 1705. Rated as a Sea Surface Defense Unit Tokyo Bay Area Unit under Yokosuka Naval District Order No. 126.
30 September 1942:
Patrols LA area. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
5 October 1942:
Departs Shimoda on a LA area patrol.
6 October 1942:
Patrols LA area.
9 October 1942:
Patrols LA area.
10 October 1942:
Patrols LA area.
12 October 1942:
Arrives at Uraga. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later that same day.
16 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives off Futtsu. Departs there escorting a convoy later that same day.
18 October 1942:
Patrols off Kinkasan. Arrives at Onagawa later this day.
19 October 1942:
Departs Onagawa on an anti-submarine sweep SW Kinkasan.
20 October 1942:
Ends anti-submarine sweeping and returns to Onagawa Bay. Patrols vicinity waters.
3 November 1942:
Patrols and then escorts a convoy off Kinkasan.
4 November 1942:
Patrols off Kinkasan.
5 November 1942:
Patrols off Kinkasan.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Onagawa.
E7 ~ 8 November 1942:
Departs Onagawa.
8 November 1942:
Off Kinkasan, takes over escort of northbound convoy No. 30 consisting of IJA transports SUMIDA and ESUTORI (ESTORU) MARUs from auxiliary gunboat HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO . Arrives at Onagawa later that day.
9 November 1942:
Departs Onagawa.
10 November 1942:
Arrives at Muroran.
12 November 1942:
Departs Muroran.
16 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka on an enemy submarine sweep at 300° and 6 nautical miles of Sunosaki Lighthouse.
20 November 1942:
Continues anti-submarine sweeping.
21 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
23 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka on a N line patrol. Thereafter, leads German oiler UCKERMARK from off Ito to Tateyama.
24 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
25 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
26 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
27 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
28 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
29 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
30 November 1942:
Patrols the N line.
1 December 1942:
Patrols the N line; thereafter at 0700, begins guiding the German ship WESERLAND from Off Ito to Tateyama. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
E1 ~ 2 December 1942:
Rated as a Tokyo Bay Unit.
2 December 1942:
Departs Tateyama on a N line patrol. Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
5 December 1942:
Departs Nagaura on picket duty and anti-submarine sweeping at the YA area.
6 December 1942:
On anti-submarine patrol along the A line.
7 December 1942:
On anti-submarine patrol along the A line and thereafter patrols patrol areas No. 7 and No. 8.
8 December 1942:
On anti-submarine patrol along the A line.
14 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
22 December 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Shimoda later this day.
28 December 1942:
Departs Shimoda with auxiliary netlayer TATSU MARU escorting a motor sailing group. They return to base later that day.
29 December 1942:
Departs Shimoda with auxiliary netlayer TATSU MARU escorting a motor sailing group.
2 January 1943:
Arrives at Chichi Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins). Departs there later this day on a search for a missing motor sailer due to stormy weather.
9 January 1943:
Arrives at Chichi Jima.
10 January 1943:
Resupplied.
12 January 1943:
Resupplied.
13 January 1943:
Departs Chichi jima searching for a missing motorsailer.
17 January 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka, departs there and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
18 January 1943:
Resupplied.
21 January 1943:
Departs Nagaura. Executes an anti-submarine patrol while heading off Inubosaki.
22 January 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine patrol and minesweeping cover off Choshi.
23 January 1943:
Departs off Choshi due to stormy weather.
24 January 1943:
Resumes anti-submarine patrol and minesweeping cover off Choshi.
26 January 1943:
Heads towards Nagaura escorting auxiliary minesweepers Wa-6 and Wa-7. Arrives at Nagaura. Departs there for Suruga Bay patrol area.
27 January 1943:
Patrols Suruga Bay.
29 January 1943:
Arrives at Shimizu. Loads boiler water.
30 January 1943:
Departs Shimizu on a Suruga Bay patrol.
31 January 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura. Departs later for off Ito. While auxiliary netlayer HIRO MARU tows a motor sailing vessel, the towline entangles with her propeller and disables navigation. Heads towards HIRO MARU to provide assistance.
1 February 1943:
Tows motor sailers CHOEI MARU and KOTOBUKI MARU from off Usami. Arrives at Tateyama later this day.
2 February 1943:
Departs Tateyama towing motor sailers CHOEI MARU and KOTOBUKI MARU . Arrives at Nagaura later that day.
6 February 1943:
Begins resupplying and carries out maintenance.
7 February 1943:
Assigned to escort motor sailer unit first advance unit on 11 Feb ‘43 under Sea Surface Defense Unit Command Instruction No. 78.
8 February 1943:
Completes resupplying and maintenance.
11 February 1943:
Departs Nagaura escorting a motor sailer.
12 February 1943:
Arrives at Shimoda.
13 February 1943:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Shimuzu later this day.
14 February 1943:
Assigned to escort the motor sailer unit third advance unit on 1 Mar ‘43 under Sea Surface Defense Unit Command Instruction No. 81.
17 February 1943:
Departs Shimizu escorting a motor sailer convoy. Returns with convoy due to stormy weather. Arrives at Shimizu later that day.
20 February 1943:
Departs Shimizu escorting a motor sailer convoy. Returns with convoy due to stormy weather.
24 February 1943:
Arrives at Futami, Chichi Jima.
1 March 1943:
Departs Futami.
4 March 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama.
5 March 1943:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
7 March 1943:
Departs Nagaura on training. Arrives at Uraga later that day.
8 March 1943:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Shimizu later this day.
11 March 1943:
Departs Shimizu escorting a motor sailer convoy. Reverses course with convoy due to stormy weather. Arrives at Shimizu later that day.
15 March 1943:
Departs Shimizu escorting a motor sailer convoy.
19 March 1943:
Arrives at Futami.
21 March 1943:
Departs Futami.
25 March 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
27 March 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine sweeping in Nagaura and in picket areas No. 4, 5 and 6. Arrives at Koumi, Yokosuka later this day.
April 1943:
Rated as Yokosuka Naval District, Sea Defense Unit, Tokyo Bay Unit, First Sweeping Unit.
2 April 1943:
Laying nets are removed.
3 April 1943:
Prepares for return of laying nets.
4 April 1943:
Departs Koumi and arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplied.
7 April 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Tateyama later this day.
8 April 1943:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplied.
10 April 1943:
Departs Nagaura escorting a weapons transport convoy.
11 April 1943:
Arrives at Onagawa.
13 April 1943:
Departs Onagawa on patrol in area XA.
15 April 1943:
Arrives at Onahama.
16 April 1943:
Departs Onahama on patrol in area XA.
18 April 1943:
On anti-submarine sweeping off Inubosaki.
20 April 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
E20 ~ 24 April 1943:
Resupplied.
26 April 1943:
At 0500, departs Nagaura escorting IJA transport SHOJU MARU .
3 May 1943:
At 0500, arrives at Minamitoroshima (Marcus Island).
9 May 1943:
At 1140, departs Minamitoroshima.
15 May 1943:
At 1315, arrives at Nagaura. Resupplied.
19 May 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine and mine sweeping.
21 May 1943:
Patrols the N line.
22 May 1943:
Patrols the N line and areas No. 5 and No. 6.
23 May 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama.
24 May 1943:
Departs Tateyama on an N line patrol.
25 May 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
28 May 1943:
Departs Nagaura on an O line patrol.
29 May 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine sweeping at 285° and 8 nautical miles of Ishimurosaki.
30 May 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine sweeping with auxiliary netlayer KAIKO MARU. Later they are joined by auxiliary netlayer KASHI MARU. Thereafter arrives at Nagaura.
1 June 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol and thereafter anti-submarine sweeping off Katsuura.
2 June 1943:
Arrives at Katsuura.
3 June 1943:
Departs Katsuura on an anti-submarine sweep off Katsuura. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
6 June 1943:
Departs Katsuura and arrives at Koumi later that day.
E6 ~ 19 June 1943:
Reconstructed according to Instruction No. 1181.
21 June 1943:
Departs Koumi and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
22 June 1943:
Departs Nagaura on a N line patrol and patrols in areas No. 5 and No. 6.
23 June 1943:
Assists with auxiliary netlayer TATSU MARU, torpedoed auxiliary Fleet replenishment vessel (ex-seaplane tender) SAGARA MARU. [3]
26 June 1943:
Arrives at Shimoda.
29 June 1943:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Nagaura later that day. Resupplied.
2 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol in areas No. 4 and No. 5.
3 July 1943:
Patrols JA area.
4 July 1943:
Patrols areas No. 2 and No. 3 and then patrols the N line.
5 July 1943:
Escorts a convoy. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
6 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Yokosuka Navy Yard later that day. Enters drydock No. 3.
12 July 1943:
Undocked. Departs Yokosuka Navy Yard. Arrives at Nagaura later this day.
14 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura to assists auxiliary transport IMIZU MARU, which stranded near Inubosaki. Deploys a torpedo net around stricken vessel. Arrives at Kawaguchicho, Choshi later that day.
15 July 1943:
Departs Kawaguchicho, Choshi. Assists stranded IMIZU MARU. Arrives at Katsuura later this day and is resupplied.
16 July 1943:
Departs Katsuura. Assists IMIZU MARU. Carries out an anti-submarine sweep.
17 July 1943:
Assists IMIZU MARU.
18 July 1943:
Escorts refloated IMIZU MARU. Then ends escort at some point and arrives at Tateyama later this same day.
19 July 1943:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
22 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol in LA area and then in JA area.
23 July 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine sweeping near Mikomoto Island.
24 July 1943:
Escorts unknown important ships. Arrives at Nagaura later this day. Resupplies.
25 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol in JA area.
26 July 1943:
Patrols the N line and then KA area.
27 July 1943:
Departs Oshima escorting a Niijima bound convoy.
28 July 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama. Departs there and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
31 July 1943:
Departs Nagaura escorting a convoy.
4 August 1943:
Arrives at Chichi Jima.
5 August 1943:
Departs Chichi Jima escorting a convoy consisting of auxiliary transport YOKO MARU and possibly others.
8 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
11 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweeping and thereafter transports weapons. Arrives at Shimoda later this day.
12 August 1943:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Mitsu later that day.
13 August 1943:
Departs Mitsu and arrives at Shimoda later this day.
14 August 1943:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
16 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweeping.
17 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
20 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweeping and thereafter on a rescue mission.
22 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
24 August 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine patrol.
27 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura. Departs there later this day on anti-submarine patrol.
31 August 1943:
Arrives at Nagaura.
2 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura on a compass correction test and returns to base later that day.
4 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura on anti-submarine sweep along the N line and then in the KA picket area.
6 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplied.
9 September 1943:
Departs Uraga on submarine sweeping at 210° and 2 nautical miles off Inubosaki and thereafter in the IA8 patrol area.
10 September 1943:
Patrols KA area.
11 September 1943:
Patrol area movement.
12 September 1943:
Drops 2 depth charges.
13 September 1943:
Escorts a convoy. Arrives at Tateyama later this day. Resupplied.
14 September 1943:
Departs Tateyama on patrol in KA area.
15 September 1943:
At 26° and 16.5 nautical miles of Miyakejima, joins auxiliary subchaser DAIKO MARU. Heads towards Uraga later that day.
16 September 1943:
Reverses course and rejoins auxiliary subchaser DAIKO MARU.
17 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
18 September 1943:
Resupplied.
20 September 1943:
Departs Uraga escorting auxiliary gunboat HYAKUFUKU MARU. Arrives at Tateyama Departs there and arrives at Nagaura later that same day.
21 September 1943:
Departs Nagaura escorting auxiliary gunboat HYAKUFUKU MARU.
22 September 1943:
At 0940, arrives at Yaene, Hachijojima.
23 September 1943:
At 0000, departs Yaene.
25 September 1943:
Arrives at Futami.
26 September 1943:
Departs Futami escorting an oiler.
28 September 1943:
At Sunozaki ends escort.
29 September 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplied.
October 1943:
Attached to the Yokosuka Naval District, Sea Defense Force, Tokyo Bay Unit, Second Mine Warfare Force, First Platoon. Navy (Resv) Lt Hirakami Tsunehiro is appointed CO that same day.
1 October 1943:
Departs Nagaura on patrol in MA area.
2 October 1943:
Arrives at Shimoda.
4 October 1943:
Departs Shimoda and arrives at Uraga later this day. Escorts a convoy consisting of five unidentified merchant ships.
10 October 1943:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later that day.
11 October 1943:
Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga later this day.
12 October 1943:
Departs Uraga escorting auxiliary subchaser (later minelayer) KOSEI MARU. Joins escort of convoy No. 7012 later that day.
13 October 1943:
Detaches from convoy No. 7012 and auxiliary subchaser KOSEI MARU. Joins the 25th Mine Warfare Force. On patrol for remainder of the day.
14 October 1943:
Performs anti-submarine sweeping guided by an airplane.
15 October 1943:
Arrives at Uraga.
18 October 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol in LA area and then KU area.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplied.
23 October 1943:
Briefly escorts a westbound convoy consisting of two unidentified merchant ships.
24 October 1943:
Departs Uraga on patrol along the O line.
26 October 1943:
Moves to N line picket, thereafter carries out anti-submarine sweeps. Arrives at Uraga later this day.
29 October 1943:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Tateyama later that day.
30 October 1943:
Departs Tateyama. Meets up with auxiliary cable layer OGASAWARA MARU.
31 October 1943:
Arrives at Borawazawa, Hachijojima.
1 November 1943:
Departs Borawazawa towing motor sailer KIKU MARU. Arrives at Yaene later this day. Departs later that day on anti-submarine sweeping.
2 November 1943:
Arrives at Uraga. Resupplied.
3 November 1943:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
5 November 1943:
Receives instruction No. 051742:
- It is necessary to work as a subordinate and maintain an auxiliary capture net vessel and an auxiliary anti-submarine net vessel by Omi secret instruction No. 290930. However due to convenience behavior part of construction work is outsourced to work department of the new affiliation.
- 1 - Boat Name Maintenance staff
- MATSU, TATSU and KASHI MARUs: Yokosuka.
- HIRO, SHOSEI and KUDAMATSU MARUs and KOA MARU No. 2 GO: Kure
- EIRYU MARU: Ominato
- AGATA, KUMANO, KOGA, SHUNSEN, SHOEI and KANKO MARUs: Sasebo
- 2 - Remove netlaying and minesweeper equipment and prepare for transport missions. If necessary, ammunition should be stored in the gun side ammunition housing and ammunition storage should be abolished.
- 3 - MATSU, TATSU and KASHIMA MARUs will be equipped with one Type 96 25mm gun. Other ships will be equipped with one Type 93 13mm MG.
10 November 1943:
Attached to Vice Admiral Kusaka Jinichi’s (37) Southeastern Area Fleet under instruction No. 2381. Rated as a Southeastern Unit. Departs Nagaura and arrives at Uraga Dock, Uraga later that day. Prepares for advancing to the south.
E10 ~ 14 November 1943:
Her GRT and NRT are changed respectively to 519-tons and 351-tons. [2]
14 November 1943:
Departs Uraga.
13 December 1943:
MATSU, TATSU and KASHI MARUs arrive at Saipan.
16 December 1943:
The three ships depart Saipan for Rabaul.
19 December 1943:
For unknown reasons the three ships arrive back at Saipan.
18 January 1944:
At 0200, MATSU and TATSU MARUs are due to arrive at Lorengau, Manus Island.
24 January 1944:
Damaged in an airstrike by USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25’s ‘Mitchells’ at Manus, Admiralty Islands. Departs Steffen Strait (between New Hanover (Lavongai) and New Ireland) later this day.
25 January 1944:
At 0130 arrives at the landing point in Hyane Harbour.
At 0300 one enemy plane flies over.
At 0550 completes unloading.
Arrives at Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarcks (Now Papua, New Guinea) later that day.
February 1944:
Anchors about 300m S Kavieng No. 2 watch station. The stern is moored to the coastal forest area.
15 February 1944:
Sustains air attack by USAAF Fifth Air Force B-25s ‘Mitchells’ aircraft from the 38th BG and 345th BG and A-20 ‘Havocs’ aircraft from the 3rd BG. Engages in anti-aircraft combat. Sustains 3 direct hits on the bridge and port side and several hits by strafing. Subsequently sinks.
30 April 1944:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 606.
Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with cargo ship (683 GRT, ’28), Army transport No. 167 (416 GRT, ’32), standard E type (887 GRT, ’44), standard E type (884 GRT, ’45) and wooden motor sailing vessel (53 GRT, ’32).
[2] NRT is a ship's cargo volume capacity expressed in "register tons", one of which equals to a volume of 100 cubic feet (2.83 m3). It is calculated by subtracting non-revenue-earning spaces i.e. spaces not available for carrying cargo, for example engine rooms, fuel tanks and crew quarters, from the ship's gross register tonnage (GRT). Net register tonnage (NRT) is not a measure of the weight of the ship or its cargo, and should not be confused with terms such as deadweight tonnage or displacement.
[3] SAGARA MARU was torpedoed on 23 Jun ’43 by Cdr (MOH, posthumously) Samuel Dealey's (USNA '30) USS HARDER (SS-257) and subsequently beached to avoid sinking at the estuary of the Tenryu River at 33-45N, 138-10E.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.
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