YUSOSEN!
(Standard 2AT Tanker KENJO MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)
OESAN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2011 Bob Hackett
23 September 1944:
Tamano. Laid down at the Mitsui Zosen K. K. shipyard as a 6,892-ton Type 2A Standard Cargo Ship for Mitsui Sempaku K.K., Tokyo .
1944:
Converted to a Standard 2AT Tanker while on the ways.
8 November 1944:
Launched and named OESAN MARU
28 November 1944:
Completed.
27 December 1944:
OESAN MARU departs Takao for Singapore in convoy HI-85 also consisting of TEIHOKU (ex-Vichy French PERSEE), DAINAN, ENKEI, DAIGYO, ENGEN, YAMAZAWA, ENCHO, FUEI, OEI, SHINGI, SERIA MARUs and cargo ship SHINYU
MARU escorted by light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan DAITO, UKURU, TSUSHIMA, CD-23, CD-51 and CD-27.
28 December 1944:
TSUSHIMA and TEIHOKU are detached from the convoy and make for Yulin, Hainan Island. At some point, ENGEN and OTSUSAN MARUs are probably detached and head directly for Singapore.
South China Sea. At 1725, minesweeper W-101 joins HI-85’s escort.
30-31 December 1944:
On both days, sporadic attacks by B-24s are beaten off without loss.
1 January 1945:
At 1720, convoy arrives Qui Nhon Bay.
2 January 1945:
Departs Qui Nhon Bay. That evening, the convoy anchors at Nha Trang Bay, Indochina.
3 January 1945:
At 0730, the convoy departs Nha Trang. While proceeding south, near the east entrance of Hainan Straits, the convoy is attacked by one PB4Y (B-24). One bomb hits TEIHOKU MARU. She and escort TSUSHIMA are detached to Yulin for repairs.
4 January 1945:
At 1030, convoy HI-85 arrives at Cape St. Jacques where it is ordered dissolved.
31 January 1945:
At 0800, ENCHO MARU departs Singapore convoy HI-88C consisting of transport OESAN MARU escorted by kaibokan MIYAKE and KANJU and minesweeper W-20.
8 February 1945:
In the evening, the convoy arrives and anchors in Quinhon Bay, Indochina.
9 February 1945:
In the early morning, the convoy departs Quinhon Bay.
11 February 1945:
MIYAKE is damaged by aircraft at 19-08N, 108-15E.
12 February 1945:
At 1800, arrives at Zensui Bay, China.
13 February 1945:
At 0500, the convoy departs Zensui Bay.
16 February 1945:
The convoy arrives at Quemoy.
17 February 1945: In the early morning, departs Quemoy. That evening, arrives at Nanhi Island.
18 February 1945:
At 0700, departs Nanhi Island.
21 February 1945:
The convoy arrives at the mouth of the Yangtze River. ENCHO MARU, MIYAKE and W-20 are detached and arrive at Shanghai later that day.
27 February 1945: OESAN MARU and kaibokan KANJU arrive at Moji.
15 August 1945:
Hostilities cease.
November 1945:
Refitted for dry cargo service.
1950:
Tokyo. Re-built at Ishikawajima Heavy Industries and re-engined
with a steam turbine fitted amidships.
April 1952:
Equipped with Japan's first Loran navigation receiver.
1956:
Sold to Toyo Kaiun K.K., Tokyo. Renamed TAMAGAWA MARU.
3 August 1963:
Setoda. Begins scrapping at Tsuneishi.
-Bob Hackett
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