Japanese Auxiliary Gunboats

KOKAI HOKAN!

(NAMPO MARU, prewar)

IJN NAMPO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2024 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

7 October 1939:
Laid down by Tama Zosensho K.K. shipyard as a 1,206-tons cargo ship for Awanokuni Kyodo Kisen K.K.
8 May 1940:
Launched and named NAMPO MARU.
15 August 1940:
Completed and registered at Tokushima. Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 1,206-tons and 687-tons. Her call sign is JNIN. [2]
30 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 (Resv) Lt. Arima Kunio is appointed CO.
15 January 1941:
Attached to the Third Gunboat Division under ordinance No. 28. Attached to Vice Admiral (Fleet Admiral posthumously) Koga Mineichi’s (34) Second Fleet, Third Gunboat Division. Rated as ship No. 1 in the First Platoon. Allotted No. 3-1.
17 January 1941:
Maizuru. Begins conversion for military duty at the Maizuru Naval Yard No. 3 Dock.
21 January 1941:
Loads fresh water.
22 January 1941:
Conversion is completed. Undocked. Loads ammunition. Departs Maizuru later this same day.
24 January 1941:
Arrives at Tachibanaura.
25 January 1941:
Changes anchorage.
28 January 1941:
Changes anchorage.
28 January 1941:
Loads fresh water.
30 January 1941:
Changes anchorage.
3 February 1941:
Departs Tachibanaura on dispatch training and turning zone measurement. Arrives back at Tachibanaura later that same day.
5 February 1941:
Departs Tachibanaura on dispatch training, speed test and elliptical force inspection. Arrives at Shimotsu. Loads boiler water later this day.
6 February 1941:
Departs Shimotsu on dispatch training, formation movement and navigation training under fog conditions.
6 February 1941:
Arrives at Tachibanaura.
7 February 1941:
Loads coal.
10 February 1941:
Departs Tachibanaura on dispatch training, torpedo protection navigation and formation movement. Arrives back there later that day.
12 February 1941:
Departs Tachibanaura on navigation training. Arrives off Urado later this day.
13 February 1941:
Departs Urado waters. Takes part in the Combined Fleet 4th basic exercise. Arrives at Susaki later that day.
14 February 1941:
Departs Susaki. Takes part in the Combined Fleet 4th basic exercise.
15 February 1941:
Arrives at Ariake Bay. Loads coal.
16 February 1941:
Loads coal. Departs Ariake to engage in depth charge throwing, formation movement and anti-submarine warfare training. Arrives back at Ariake Bay later this day.
17 February 1941:
Departs Ariake Bay on depth charge throwing training. Arrives back at Ariake Bay later that day.
19 February 1941:
Departs Ariake Bay towing auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 11.
20 February 1941:
Arrives at Kure.
22 February 1941:
Loads fresh water.
23 February 1941:
Loads coal and fresh water.
24 February 1941:
Departs Kure.
26 February 1941:
Takes part in Combined Fleet 5th basic exercise.
27 February 1941:
Arrives at Nakagusuku Bay.
3 March 1941:
Departs Nakagusuku Bay on her 1st naval gunnery training shooting. Arrives back at Nakagusuku Bay later this day.
5 March 1941:
Departs Nagakusuku Bay.
8 March 1941:
Arrives at Saeki Bay.
9 March 1941:
Refuels.
12 March 1941:
Departs Saeki Bay. Arrives outside the Bay and begins her task as guard boat. Arrives back at Saeki Bay later that day.
16 March 1941:
Departs Saeki Bay on minesweeping work and patrol.
17 March 1941:
Performs her 2nd naval gunnery shooting training.
18 March 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo and undergoes repairs.
19 March 1941:
Loads coal.
22 March 1941:
Loads fresh water.
24 March 1941:
Departs Sasebo.
26 March 1941:
Arrives at Raffles Island, (Sijiao Island or Ssu Chiao Shan) Shengsi Islands, Zhoushan Archipelago, China.
31 March 1941:
Departs Raffles Island.
1 April 1941:
Engages in the 1st phase of a special exercise.
4 April 1941:
Engages in special forces combined training.
5 April 1941:
Arrives at Tomioka Bay, Tachibana Bay.
6 April 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay on special forces combined training. Arrives at Futtsu, Sakitsu Bay later this day.
7 April 1941:
Loads coal and fresh water. Thereafter, departs Sakitsu Bay on special forces combined training. Arrives at Tomioka later that day.
8 April 1941:
Departs Tomioka on special forces combined training. Arrives at Sasebo later this day.
10 April 1941:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Third Fleet, 2nd Base Force, Third Gunboat Division. Departs Sasebo that same day.
12 April 1941:
Arrives at Maizuru.
17 April 1941:
Loads fresh water.
24 April 1941:
Loads heavy oil.
26 April 1941:
Anchors alongside the Naval Quay.
4 May 1941:
Loads coal.
5 May 1941:
Navy Capt. Suzuki Kiyoshi (35) is appointed CO.
9 May 1941:
Departs Maizuru for Saizuru on a speed test and deviation correction. Arrives back at Maizuru later that day.
10 May 1941:
Capt. Suzuki Yasuo embarks. Loads fresh water.
11 May 1941:
Former CO, Lt. Arima Kunio disembarks.
12 May 1941:
Departs Maizuru on a speed test. Arrives at Miyazu later this day.
13 May 1941:
Departs Miyazu.
14 May 1941:
Arrives at Yuya Bay and departs there later that day.
15 May 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu. Rated as ship No. 1 in 1st Platoon. Allotted No. 3-1.
21 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on training. Arrives back at Karatsu later this day.
23 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on training. Arrives back there later that day. Loads fresh water.
24 May 1941:
Loads coal.
25 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on training. Arrives back at Karatsu later this day.
28 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on training.
29 May 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu.
31 May 1941:
Departs Karatsu on training.
2 June 1941:
Arrives at Karatsu.
4 June 1941:
Departs Karatsu and arrives at Sasebo later that day.
8 June 1941:
Loads food supplies.
9 June 1941:
Loads coal and fresh water.
10 June 1941:
Rated as a Straits Unit, North Surveillance Unit. Departs Sasebo.
13 June 1941:
Arrives off Wenchow (now Wenzhou), China. Changes anchorage.
14 May 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary minesweeper tender IMIZU MARU and is supplied with coal.
16 June 1941:
Departs Wenchow on patrol.
17 June 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island, China (now Nangan, Taiwan). Rated as the 4th Surveillance Unit under North Surveillance Unit Order No. 1.
18 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol.
19 June 1941:
Arrives at Mawei, China.
20 June 1941:
Departs Mawei on patrol. Arrives at Dinghai, China later this day.
21 June 1941:
Loads coal and fresh water. Departs Dinghai. Arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
27 June 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives at Dinghai later this day.
1 July 1941:
Departs Dinghai on patrol. Arrives at Martsu Island later that day.
2 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives at Haitan Island, China later this day.
3 July 1941:
Departs Haitan Island on patrol. Arrives at Matsu Island later that day.
5 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island. Comes alongside IJA transport HOKUTAI MARU and loads coal. Thereafter, comes alongside auxiliary harbor affairs vessel HAKOZAKI MARU and loads fresh water. Arrives back at Matsu Island later this day.
6 July 1941:
Rated as 2nd Observer under 17th Squadron Commander command. Departs Matsu Island in search of high speed torpedo boats.
7 July 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island. Loads coal and fresh water.
11 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives back at Matsu Island later that day.
12 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives back there later this day.
15 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives back there later that day.
16 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives at Mawei later this day.
17 July 1941:
Departs Mawei on patrol. Arrives at Matsu Island later that day. Comes alongside auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU and loads fresh water.
21 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives back at Matsu Island later this day.
23 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island on patrol. Arrives back there later that day.
24 July 1941:
Departs Matsu Island.
25 July 1941:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
26 July 1941:
Loads coal.
29 July 1941:
Loads fresh water.
31 July 1941:
Loads fresh water. Thereafter, departs Kirun.
1 August 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island. Auxiliary water tanker HAKUREI MARU comes alongside and supplies fresh food.
4 August 1941:
Comes alongside auxiliary water tanker GORYU MARU and loads fresh water. Thereafter, departs Matsu Island.
5 August 1941:
Arrives at Amoy (now Xiamen), China).
7 August 1941:
Loads fresh water. Thereafter, departs Amoy.
8 August 1941:
Arrives at Matsu Island.
9 August 1941:
Comes alongside auxiliary collier NITTEI MARU and loads fresh water. Thereafter, departs Matsu Island. Arrives at Mawei later this day.
10 August 1941:
Auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU comes alongside and supplies fresh food.
11 August 1941:
Departs Mawei towing prize ships LU MEN and TAO JIANG .
12 August 1941:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores (Now Magong, Penghu islands, Taiwan). Loads fresh water.
13 August 1941:
Loads coal. Thereafter, departs Mako.
14 August 1941:
Arrives at Mawei.
15 ~ 16 August 1941:
Loads wood.
17 August 1941:
Departs Mawei. Arrives at Matsu Island later that day. Comes alongside auxiliary minelayer SHINKO MARU and transfers her timber cargo. Loads fresh water later this same day.
18 August 1941:
Departs Matsu Island. Arrives at Mawei later that day. Loads wood.
19 August 1941:
Departs Mawei.
20 August 1941:
Arrives at Amoy. Unloads wood.
21 August 1941:
Loads fresh water and fresh food. Thereafter, comes alongside auxiliary minesweeper tender IMIZU MARU and loads coal.
22 August 1941:
Departs Amoy. Arrives at Ke Luo Bay, China later this day.
23 August 1941:
Departs Ke Luo Bay.
24 August 1941:
Arrives at Qi Kou Yang, China.
25 August 1941:
Departs Qi Kou Yang on formation training.
27 August 1941:
At 0540, ends formation training.
29 August 1941:
Arrives at Osaka. Enters Ohara Zosensho drydock.
1 September 1941:
Undocked and moors alongside a quay.
2 September 1941:
Departs Osaka.
4 September 1941:
Arrives at Maizuru.
5 September 1941:
At 0600, changes anchorage and moors at No. 3 buoy.
17 September 1941:
Loads boiler water.
18 September 1941:
Loads coal.
20 September 1941:
Loads food.
25 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on training. Arrives back there later that day.
26 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on training. Arrives back there later this day. Loads fresh water.
27 September 1941:
Loads coal.
28 September 1941:
Departs Maizuru on training.
28 September 1941:
Arrives at Yuya Bay.
30 September 1941:
Departs Yuya Bay on training.
1 October 1941:
Arrives at Terashima Channel. Departs there and arrives at Sasebo later this same day.
2 October 1941:
Departs Sasebo on formation training. Arrives at Tachibana Bay later that day.
3 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay in search of submarine I-61 victims.
8 October 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay.
10 October 1941:
At 0730, dispatches a rescue boat to auxiliary harbor affairs vessel HAKOZAKI MARU.
13 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay. Arrives back at Tachibana Bay later this day.
14 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay.
15 October 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay. Departs and arrives back there later this same day. Attached to the Third Gunboat Division under ordinance No. 1250.
17 October 1941:
At 1535, dispatches a rescue boat to auxiliary harbor affairs vessel HAKOZAKI MARU.
19 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay.
20 October 1941:
Arrives at Kushikino Harbor.
22 October 1941:
Departs Kushikino Harbor.
23 October 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay. Departs there later that day.
24 October 1941:
Arrives at Sasebo.
27 October 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Torizuka Juhei is appointed CO. Loads coal.
29 October 1941:
Departs Sasebo. Arrives at Tachibana Bay later this day.
30 October 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay. Arrives back there later that day.
31 October 1941:
Capt. Suzuki Yasuo disembarks.
1 November 1941:
Anchors first at Amiba practice anchorage and then at Chiji Valley anchorage.
4 November 1941:
Departs Tachibana Bay towing a ship. Arrives at Tomioka Bay later this day.
5 November 1941:
Departs Tomioka Bay on night shooting. Arrives back there later that night.
6 November 1941:
Departs Tomioka Bay. Calls at Tachibana Bay. Departs there later that same day for 2nd Base Squadron, 5th applied training.
7 November 1941:
Arrives at Tachibana Bay.
9 November 1941:
Auxiliary stores ship HAKUREI MARU comes alongside and supplies fresh food.
12 November 1941:
At 0700, anchors at Amiba training anchorage. At 1015, performs anti-aircraft shooting training.
14 november 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt. Torizuka Juhei appointment as CO is confirmed. Departs Tachibana Bay. Arrives at Terashima Channel later this day.
15 November 1941:
Loads coal. Thereafter, departs Terashima Channel. Arrives at Sasebo later that day.
17 November 1941:
Loads boiler water.
18 November 1941:
Loads food.
19 November 1941:
Departs Sasebo after receiving a shooting target. Arrives at Terashima Channel later this day.
20 November 1941:
Departs Terashima Channel. Acts as tug ship for light cruiser YURA shooting training. Arrives back at Terashima Channel later that day.
26 November 1941:
Departs Terashima Channel.
29 November 1941:
At 1100, detaches from the 52nd, 53rd and 54th Subchaser Divisions. At 1730, detaches from auxiliary gunboats KISO and ASO MARUs.
30 November 1941:
Arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaoshiung, Taiwan).
1 December 1941:
Loads coal.
7 December 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary seaplane tender SANUKI MARU. Loads bombs, fuel, fresh water and base equipment.
8 December 1941:
Attached to the Kabashima Unit, 3rd Assault Corps, 4th Guard Corps. Embarks base crew members of auxiliary seaplane tender SANUKI MARU. Departs Takao later that day.
10 December 1941:
Arrives at Camiguin, Philippines. Lands the landing squadron, unloads base equipment and engages in anti-aircraft combat.
11 December 1941:
Departs Camiguin on anti-submarine sweeping. Arrives back there later this day.
12 December 1941:
Withdrawal of the seaplane base.
13 December 1941:
Departs Camiguin.
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Takao, wharf No. 11. Unloads base equipment and loads coal and boiler water. Departs there later that day.
16 December 1941:
Arrives at Kirun. Loads coal and boiler water. Rated as the Third Escort Unit under Kojima Unit, Escort Unit Order No. 1.
17 December 1941:
Departs Kirun escorting the Third Transport convoy.
21 December 1941:
At 0700, joins the First and Second escort units.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Lingayen Gulf, Philippines. Engages in anti-submarine and anti-aircraft alert in Lingayen Gulf.
23 December 1941:
Engages in anti-submarine warfare. Drops a depth charge.
24 December 1941:
Arrives at Santo Tomas, Lingayen Gulf. Auxiliary collier/oiler YODOGAWA MARU comes alongside and supplies coal.
25 December 1941:
Lies alongside auxiliary water tanker KOAN MARU and loads boiler water. Later this day lies alongside auxiliary stores ship SENDAI MARU and loads food.
31 December 1941:
Departs Santo Tomas. Later that day tows severely mine damaged destroyer YAMAGUMO towards auxiliary repair ship YAMABIKO MARU. [3]
1 January 1942:
Arrives at Santo Tomas. Departs later this day on a rescue mission for the sunken auxiliary transport TEIUN MARU (ex-German BREMERHAVEN). [4]
2 January 1942:
Lies alongside TENJIN MARU and NANSHIN MARU No. 42 and loads boiler water.
3 January 1942:
Assigned to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Third Fleet, Second Expeditionary Fleet, Third Gunboat Division. Rated as 233-first Unit. Rated as Kabashima Unit from 1 Jan ‘42 under Southern Unit Wireless Command Order No. 48.
6 January 1942:
Rated as Kabashima West Unit under Kabashima Unit Wireless Command Order No. 2. Departs Santo Tomas escorting a return convoy. Ends escort and arrives at San Fernando, Philippines later that same day.
8 January 1942:
Departs San Fernando to pilot minelayer YAEYAMA through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at San Fernando later that same day. Lies alongside IJA transport MIZUHO MARU and loads boiler water.
10 January 1942:
Departs San Fernando to pilot IJA transport MIZUHO MARU and IJA AA transport YASUKAWA MARU through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at San Fernando later this day.
11 January 1942:
Departs San Fernando to pilot light cruiser KUMA through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives at Santo Tomas later that day.
12 January 1942:
Lies alongside auxiliary transport KENRYU MARU. Loads 50 fuel drums from auxiliary gunboat ASO MARU and stows them temporarily.
13 January 1942:
Loads coal.
14 January 1942:
Auxiliary gunboat ASO MARU comes alongside and loads her 50 fuel drums.
15 January 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas. Arrives at San Fernando later this day.
17 January 1942:
Temporarily transfers command flag to auxiliary gunboat ASO MARU. At 1730, departs San Fernando later that day with ASO MARU and meets up with an inbound convoy consisting of HOKUSHIN and HORAI MARUs and likely others escorted by auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Subic Bay Exit, Philippines. Supports IJN Land Force landing with main guns firing 17 shells and MGs firing 90 rounds.
19 January 1942:
Departs Subic Bay on mobile patrol. Arrives at Nazasa (now Nagsgasa Bay), Luzon, Philippines later this day.
20 January 1942:
Receives command flag back. Departs Nazasa Bay, Luzon to pilot minelayer YAEYAMA and auxiliary transport MYOKO MARU.
21 January 1942:
Arrives at Port Silanguin, Luzon, Philippines.
22 January 1942:
Departs Port Silanguin. Arrives at Lingayen Gulf later that day.
24 January 1942:
Attacked by an enemy high speed craft .
25 January 1942:
Departs Subic Bay Exit escorting 1 Daihatsu and 2 Shohatsus to landing areas near Caibobo Point, Luzon, Philippines. Arrives back at Subic Bay. Departs there later that same day.
26 January 1942:
Arrives at Santo Tomas.
27 January 1942:
At 1630, departs Santo Tomas escorting IJA transport TAMISHIMA MARU.
28 January 1942:
Arrives at Port Silanguin. Departs there escorting a large Army Daihatsu. Arrives at Subic Bay mouth at about 1700. Then, departs on an Outer Bay patrol.
29 January 1942:
Conducts a mobile patrol near Subic Bay mouth. Calls at Port Silanguin. Departs there on Subic Bay Outer patrol later that same day.
30 January 1942:
Arrives at Port Silanguin. Departs on patrol off Bataan Peninsula W coast, Luzon, Philippines. Responds to bombardment by land artillery. Main guns fire 5 shells. Arrives back at Port Silanguin later that day.
31 January 1942:
Departs Port Silanguin on a mobile patrol near Subic Bay mouth. Arrives back at Port Silanguin later this same day.
1 February 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral Sugiyama Rokuzo’s (38) Third Southern Expeditionary Fleet, 31st Special Base Unit, Third Gunboat Division. Departs Port Silanguin.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Santo Tomas. Loads coal from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU. Departs Santo Tomas later that day.
4 February 1942:
Arrives at Takao. Loads coal, boiler water and food.
5 February 1942:
At 1700, departs Takao escorting IJA transport CHOJUN MARU.
7 February 1942:
At 2300, arrives at Santo Tomas.
8 February 1942:
Pilots and escorts IJA transports HAVRE and TAMISHIMA MARUs through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at Santo Tomas. Departs there later that same day.
9 February 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando.
12 February 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas.
13 February 1942:
Arrives at Subic Bay, Northern Grande Island anchorage.
15 February 1942:
Departs Subic Bay on patrol 25 nautical miles off Bataan Peninsula.
16 February 1942:
Arrives at Subic Bay. Departs there later this day.
17 February 1942:
Arrives at Santo Tomas.
18 February 1942:
Loads coal from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU. Departs Santo Tomas later that day.
19 February 1942:
Arrives at Subic Bay.
20 February 1942:
Departs Subic Bay.
21 February 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando.
23 February 1942:
Departs San Fernando with auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU and meets up with 3rd reinforcement convoy consisting of MANJU, CELEBES, PANAMA, KAISHO, TOTAI and KUNITAMA MARUs escorted by minelayer YAEYAMA and auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU.
24 February 1942:
Escorts an Army convoy.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando.
26 February 1942:
Departs San Fernando.
27 February 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando.
4 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on an anti-submarine sweep.
5 March 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando. Departs there and arrives at Santo Tomas later that same day. Loads coal and boiler water from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU.
6 March 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas escorting a convoy. Arrives at San Fernando later this day.
8 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando escorting a convoy and thereafter, conducts anti-submarine sweeps. Arrives back at San Fernando later that day.
10 March 1942:
Attached to the Kabashima West Unit under Kabashima Unit Command Order No. 6. Rated as the 1st Patrol Unit under West Unit Command Order No. 4. Departs San Fernando on convoy escort and thereafter, conducts anti-submarine sweeps. Arrives back at Santo Tomas later this day.
11 March 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas. Arrives at San Fernando later that day.
13 March 1942:
Lends 10 items of underwater disposal equipment to 31st Special Evacuation Unit. Departs San Fernando. Shoots on a floating mine. Arrives back at San Fernando later this day.
17 March 1942:
Rated as Kabashima West Unit West Patrol Unit from 24 Mar ‘42 under Kabashima Unit Command Order No. 8.
18 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort. Arrives back at San Fernando later that day.
19 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort. Arrives at Santo Tomas later this day.
20 March 1942:
Rated as West Patrol Unit from 24 Mar ‘42 under Kabashima West Unit Command Order No. 5. Loads coal and boiler water from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU. Departs Santo Tomas on convoy escort. Arrives at San Fernando later that day.
23 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on an anti-submarine sweep. Arrives back at San Fernando later this day. Loads fresh food.
24 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort. Arrives back at San Fernando later that day.
27 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort. Arrives back at San Fernando later this day.
28 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando. Calls at Santo Tomas. Departs there and arrives back at San Fernando later that same day.
30 March 1942:
Departs San Fernando on anti-submarine warfare and convoy escort. Arrives back there and then, departs and arrives at Santo Tomas later this same day.
31 March 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas on IJA transport KITANO MARU diving support. Arrives back at Santo Tomas. Departs there piloting a transport through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at Santo Tomas later that same day. [5]
1 April 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas on IJA transport KITANO MARU diving support. Arrives back at Santo Tomas later this day. [5]
2 April 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas escorting a convoy. Arrives back at Santo Tomas later that day.
3 April 1942:
At 0700, departs Santo Tomas and meets up with an incoming convoy consisting of HAWAII, MEIU and MURORAN MARUs. Arrives at San Fernando at 1500.
4 April 1942:
Loads food.
6 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives at Santo Tomas later that day. Loads heavy oil and boiler water from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU.
7 April 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas on designated training. Arrives back at Santo Tomas. Departs there later that same day.
8 April 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando.
9 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there later this day.
10 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando piloting a transport through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at San Fernando later that day. Attached to Vice Admiral Takahashi Ibo’s (36) Southwestern Area Fleet in Vice Admiral Sugiyama Rokuzo’s (38) Third Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Third Gunboat Division.
11 April 1942:
Loads food and ice.
13 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there later this day.
14 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there later that day.
16 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there. Loads boiler water from auxiliary water tanker ASAYAMA MARU. Loads food later that same day.
17 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there later this day.
20 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on minesweeping in the harbor. Arrives back there later that day.
21 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort. Arrives back there later this day.
22 April 1942:
Loads food, fresh food and ice.
24 April 1942:
Loads coal and boiler water from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU. Loads food later that day.
25 April 1942:
At 0630, departs San Fernando escorting IJA transport TOBA MARU until 1100. Arrives back at San Fernando. Loads food. Departs there later that day.
26 April 1942:
Alongside IJA TOBA MARU starboard side (that had been torpedoed while sailing alone, at 1320 the previous day) and alongside auxiliary subchaser KIYO MARU No. 2. Auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU is alongside to TOBA MARU port side. They tow the damaged ship. Arrives at San Fernando later this day.
28 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando on sweeping the route ahead of auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU. Arrives back at San Fernando later that day. Loads ice.
30 April 1942:
Departs San Fernando piloting a transport through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back there later this day.
2 May 1942:
Loads boiler water and food from auxiliary water tanker ASAYAMA MARU. Departs San Fernando escorting a transport through Lingayen Waterways. Arrives back at San Fernando later that same day.
3 May 1942:
Loads coal from auxiliary oiler SAN LUIS MARU. Departs San Fernando sweeping the route ahead of an unidentified transport. Arrives back there later that day.
5 May 1942:
Loads food. Departs San Fernando sweeping the route ahead of an unidentified transport. Arrives back at San Fernando later that same day.
6 May 1942:
Loads food, fresh food and ice.
9 May 1942:
Rated as a Kabashima West Unit under Kabashima Unit Command Order No. 10.
11 May 1942:
Departs San Fernando on convoy escort.
12 May 1942:
Arrives at Manila, Luzon, Philippines. Rated as a Patrol Unit under Kabashima West Unit Command Order No. 14. Loads boiler water.
13 May 1942:
Transfers command flag temporarily to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU. Departs Manila.
16 May 1942:
Arrives at Mako.
19 May 1942:
Enters Mako Engineering Department No. 3 Dock.
31 May 1942:
Undocked.
2 June 1942:
Loads fresh food from Mako Military Supply Department.
3 June 1942:
Departs Mako. Arrives at Takao later this day.
4 June 1942:
Raises command flag.
5 June 1942:
Departs Takao escorting IJA transport GENOA MARU.
8 June 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
12 June 1942:
On Manila ~ Bataan Peninsula SW sea vigilance.
15 June 1942:
At 0644, off Corregidor, Luzon, Philippines LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Frederick B. Warder's (USNA '25) USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) sights NAMPO MARU. Warder fires three torpedoes of which at least one hits. She sinks at 14-20N, 120-20E, about 11 nautical miles WSW Mariveles, Luzon, Philippines with unknown casualties.
1 July 1942:
Removed from the Third Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1180. Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 1184.

Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with auxiliary oiler (10,033 GRT, ’43)
[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] On 31 Dec ‘41 while entering Lingayen Gulf destroyer YAMAGUMO is heavily damaged after hitting a Japanese mine.
[4] On 1 Jan ’42, SW of Santo Tomas auxiliary transport TEIUN MARU sinks after hitting a Japanese mine. Her Captain and six crewmen, five soldiers of 28th Ind. Eng. Regiment and circa 122 workers are KIA. All cargo (400-tons) and two Daihatsu landing barges are also lost.
[5] On 27 Mar ‘42 off Mabilao, IJA transport KITANO MARU sinks after hitting a Japanese mine. Three passengers are KIA.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

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

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