(HIROTAMA MARU prewar)
This class consists of 26 ships completed between ‘37 and ’43 for various shipping companies. The following ones were requisitioned by the IJN and converted to auxiliary gunboats: CHOUN, HIROTAMA, KATORI and SHOKO MARUs, MEIJI MARU No. 1 GO and SHOEI MARU No. 2 GO. All but CHOUN MARU were sunk during the Pacific War from various causes. CHOUN MARU survived the conflict and was ultimately broken up in ’65.
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| Builder and Year Completed: |
Various
Between 1937 and 1940
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| Gross tonnage: |
From 1,877-tons to 1,934-tons |
| Dimensions: |
271.7' x 40.0' x 20,3' |
| Propulsion: |
1 Triple expansion reciprocated steam
engine, 1 shaft, 1,300 n.h.p. |
| Speed: |
10 knots cruising, 13 knots max. |
| Armament: |
One 8cm/40 deck gun, one single 25mm Type
96 gun, two single 13mm Type 93 MGs, one 7,7mm MG, five rifles, 2
DCs, one hydrophone. |
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