YUSOSEN!
(Standard 2AT Tanker KENJO MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)
OSAKASAN MARU
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2011 Bob Hackett
E 1943:
Tamano. Laid down at 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.
1944:
Launched and named OSAKASAN MARU
September 1944:
Completed.
15 November 1944:
At 1600, OSAKASAN MARU departs Moji on her maiden voyage for Miri, Borneo via Takao, Formosa in convoy MI-27 also consisting of AWAGAWA, EDOGAWA, SHOHO, MATSUURA, SEISHO, KYOKUUN, KOSHU, ENKEI and CHINKAI MARUs escorted by kaibokan CD-61, CD-134, minesweeper W-101 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-156 and CHa-157.
The convoy detours along the Korean coast to avoid American submarines. Immediately after departing ENKEI MARU drops out with rudder problems.
16 November 1944:
Tanker KYOKUUN MARU suffers engine problems and drops out.
17 November 1944:
Yellow Sea. Off Cheju Island. The convoy encounters a submarine wolf pack. At 2205, LtCdr Edward E. Shelby's (USNA '33) USS SUNFISH (SS-281) torpedoes and damages EDOGAWA MARU. About 2207, SUNFISH torpedoes and damages SEISHO MARU. Minesweeper W-101 attempts to assist. At about 2300, EDOGAWA MARU is abandoned.
At 2340, LtCdr Robert H. Caldwell's (USNA '36) USS PETO (SS-265) torpedoes OSAKASAN MARU. Hit by two torpedoes, the new ship explodes in a ball of flame, lists to starboard and sinks at
33-30N, 124-30E. 142 crew and passengers are KIA.
- Bob Hackett
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