This class consists of PEKING, HOKKAI and MANJU MARUs, all completed as passenger/cargo ships between 1937 and 1940 for Dairen Kisen K.K. PEKING MARU was requisitioned in Nov 1941 by the IJN and converted to an auxiliary gunboat the following month. She was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in Jul 1944. MANJU MARU served as general requisitioned ship (B-APK). She survived the war and was renamed YENISEI by the USSR. HOKKAI MARU remained under civilian control. She survived the war as well and was renamed TOBOL by the USSR.
| Builder and Years Completed: |
Kobe. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K.
Between 1937-1940 |
| Gross tonnage: | Between 2,265 and 2,298-tons |
| Dimensions: | 265.1' (Lpp) x 42' x 21' |
| Propulsion: | One triple expansion steam engine, one shaft, 2100 s.h.p. |
| Speed: | Cruising: 13 knots; Maximum: 15.18 knots. |
| Passengers: | 1st class 40 people. Special 3rd class 160 people 3rd class 218 people 4th class unknown number. |
| Armament: | (PEKING MARU) : One 8cm/40 deck gun, 2 Type 93 13mm MGs, 12 Type 95 DCs, one radio detector, one hydrophone. |
