KOKAI HOKAN!
((SAIKYO MARU Plan – Peter Cundall Collection)
IJN SAIKYO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2024 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
June 1936:
Osaka. Laid down by Osaka Zosensho K.K. as a 1,292-tons cargo ship for Hinode Kisen K.K.
4 November 1936:
Launched and named SAIKYO MARU.
1 June 1937:
Completed and registered at Tokyo. Her gross registered (GRT) tonnage and net registered tonnage (NRT) respectively are 1,292-tons and 709-tons. Her call sign is JKFL. [1]
25 August 1938:
Undergoes intermediate inspection.
December 1939:
Undergoes intermediate inspection.
November 1939:
Undergoes intermediate inspection.
6 December 1940:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
16 December 1940:
Uraga. Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Yokosuka Naval Jurisdiction under instruction No. 980. Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Kunzo is appointed CO. Conversion for military duty begins at the Uragasenkyo K.K. shipyard.
11 January 1941:
Undocked.
15 January 1941:
Attached to Vice Admiral Takasu Shiro’s (35) Fourth Fleet in Rear Admiral Nakamura Kazuo’s (37) Third Base Force, Fourth Gunboat Division also consisting of auxiliary gunboat EDO MARU under instruction No. 28.
29 January 1941:
Conversion for military duty is completed. Departs Uraga and arrives at Nagaura later this day.
1 February 1941:
Rated as the First Squadron No. 41 gunboat.
3 February 1941:
Departs Yokosuka.
4 February 1941:
Arrives at Shimizu.
5 February 1941:
Departs Shimizu.
6 February 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
9 February 1941:
Departs Nagaura.
12 February 1941:
Arrives at Yaene, Hachijo-Jima. Departs there and arrives at Borawazawa, Hachijo-Jima later that day.
13 February 1941:
Departs Borawazawa and arrives at Yaene later this day.
14 February 1941:
Departs Yaene.
15 February 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
26 February 1941:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Tateyama. Departs there later that day.
5 March 1941:
Arrives at Saipan, Marianas.
8 March 1941:
Departs Saipan.
12 March 1941:
Arrives at Palau, Eastern Carolines.
14 March 1941:
Departs Palau and arrives at Peleliu, Palau later this day.
15 March 1941:
Departs Peleliu and arrives at Palau later that day.
16 March 1941:
Departs Palau and arrives at Peleliu later this day.
18 March 1941:
Departs Peleliu and arrives at Palau later that day.
24 March 1941:
Departs Palau and arrives at Ulithi, Carolines later this day.
27 March 1941:
Departs Ulithi and arrives at Ngulu, Carolines later that day.
30 March 1941:
Departs Ngulu.
31 March 1941:
Arrives at Ngulu. Departs there later this day.
April 1941:
Tactically assigned to Squadron No. 2.
1 April 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
6 April 1941:
Departs Palau and arrives at Kossol Channel, Palau later that day.
7 April 1941:
Departs Kossol Channel and arrives at Palau later this day.
8 April 1941:
Departs Palau piloting the Fifth Sentai and returns to base. Departs there later this day on aircraft alert.
10 April 1941:
Arrives at Yap, Carolines.
11 April 1941:
Departs Yap on aircraft alert. Returns there later that day.
15 April 1941:
Departs Yap on aircraft alert. Returns there later that day.
16 April 1941:
Departs Yap on aircraft alert.
17 April 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
22 April 1941:
Departs Palau on dispatch training and arrives at Kossol Channel later this day.
23 April 1941:
Departs Kossol Channel on her second shooting training. Returns there later that day.
24 April 1941:
Departs Kossol Channel.
25 April 1941:
Arrives at Nguru.
26 April 1941:
Departs Nguru.
28 April 1941:
Arrives at Mereyon, Carolines (now Woleai, Yap State).
29 April 1941:
Departs Mereyon.
30 April 1941:
Arrives at Lamotrek, Carolines.
1 May 1941:
Departs Lamotrek.
3 May 1941:
Arrives at Ulithi. Departs there later this day.
4 May 1941:
Arrives at Yap.
5 May 1941:
Departs Yap.
6 May 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
9 May 1941:
Departs Palau on an engine strength test. Returns there later that day.
10 May 1941:
Departs Palau on an engine strength test. Returns there later that day.
11 May 1941:
Departs Palau.
16 May 1941:
Arrives at Tinian, Marianas.
17 May 1941:
Departs Tinian.
20 May 1941:
Arrives at Yap.
22 May 1941:
Departs Yap.
23 May 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
28 May 1941:
Departs Palau.
30 May 1941:
Arrives at Yap.
2 June 1941:
Departs Yap.
3 June 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
24 June 1941:
Departs Palau on her second basic exercise and calls at Gadarak anchorage, Palau. Departs there and arrives back at Palau later that same day.
25 June 1941:
Departs Palau on her second basic exercise and arrives at Gadarak anchorage.
26 June 1941:
Departs Gadarak anchorage and arrives at Palau.
27 June 1941:
Departs Palau on her second basic exercise. Returns there later that day.
3 July 1941:
Departs Palau for Tobi Island (now Hatohobei), Palau.
7 July 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
28 July 1941:
Departs Palau and arrives at W Passage E Exit, Palau later this day.
29 July 1941:
Departs W Passage E Exit and arrives at Palau later that day.
4 August 1941:
Departs Palau. Recovers mines with auxiliary gunboats FUKUYAMA and EDO MARUs. Returns there later this day.
9 August 1941:
Departs Palau. Auxiliary gunboat EDO MARU transfers mines. Returns to base later that day.
11 August 1941:
Departs Palau searching for ships in distress. Returns there later this day.
15 August 1941:
Departs Palau on a direction measurement. Returns there later that day.
16 August 1941:
Departs Gadarak anchorage and arrives at Palau later this day.
25 August 1941:
Departs Palau on a solo training and arrives at Angaur, Palau later that day.
26 August 1941:
Departs Angaur on a solo training. Returns there later this day.
27 August 1941:
Departs Palau.
1 September 1941:
Arrives at Saipan. Attached to 3rd Base Force, 4th Gunboat Division under Fourth Fleet Instruction No. 228.
2 September 1941:
Anchors.
3 September 1941:
Departs Saipan escorting auxiliary gunboat EDO MARU carrying aircraft. Returns there later that day.
4 September 1941:
Departs Saipan. Loads aircraft. Returns there later this day.
5 September 1941:
Departs Saipan.
10 September 1941:
Arrives at Palau.
11 September 1941:
Departs Palau on a main engine trial run. Returns there later that day.
18 ~ 24 September 1941:
Undergoes engine repair by auxiliary repair ship SHOEI (MATSUE) MARU.
25 September 1941:
Departs Palau.
30 September 1941:
Arrives at Saipan.
1 October 1941:
Loads coal.
3 October 1941:
Departs Saipan.
11 October 1941:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Unloads ammunition.
13 October 1941:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Uraga later this day. Enters Uraga Dock K.K drydock.
15 October 1941:
Attached to the Fourth Gunboat Division under instruction No. 1250.
18 October 1941:
Undocked. Departs Uraga and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
22 October 1941:
Anchors at Y anchorage buoy No. 6. Later anchors at Tobigahana.
28 October 1941:
Navy (Resv) Lt Matsumoto Chiyota is appointed CO.
11 November 1941:
Loads ammunition and depth charges.
13 November 1941:
Anchors at Tobigahana. Later, anchors at Nagasakihana.
14 November 1941:
Loads supplies.
15 November 1941:
Loads canteen goods.
16 November 1941:
Loads coal.
18 November 1941:
Departs Yokosuka on a confirmation operation. Returns there later this day. Anchors at the K anchorage buoy No. 5.
19 November 1941:
Loads fresh water.
21 November 1941:
Departs Yokosuka. Sustains mechanical failure. Arrives at Tateyama later that day.
22 November 1941:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokosuka later this day.
27 November 1941:
Loads fresh water. Departs Yokosuka later that day.
December 1941:
Rated as Third Base Force, Fourth Gunboat Division Second Squadron, Second Ship. Attached to the Palau Defense Force.
8 December 1941:
Arrives at Palau. Loads coal.
9 December 1941:
Loads coal. Departs Palau later and arrives at Glass Mao (Garusumao also now called Galasmao) anchorage, Palau later this day.
16 December 1941:
Glass Mao anchorage. Part of the fleet enters port. Provides cover for the transport convoy’s departure. Drops 5 depth charges as a warning.
17 December 1941:
Drops 2 depth charges and arrives at Glass Mao anchorage later that day.
20 December 1941:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage escorting IJA transport NICHIAI MARU. Returns there later this day.
22 December 1941:
Loads food.
23 December 1941:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage and arrives at Palau later that day. Loads coal.
24 December 1941:
Loads fresh water.
25 December 1941:
Loads fresh water.
26 December 1941:
Loads fresh water.
28 December 1941:
Departs Palau on a cover sweep for a port convoy.
29 December 1941:
Arrives at Glass Mao anchorage. Departs there later this day on cover sweep for the convoy entry and exit.
30 December 1941:
Arrives at Glass Mao anchorage. Departs there later that day on a cover sweep for a port transport vessel.
31 December 1941:
Arrives at Glass Mao anchorage. Departs there on a Bay exit alert. Returns to anchorage later that day.
1 January 1942:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage on a cover sweep for a convoy departing port. To intimidate, drops two depth charges. Returns to anchorage later this day.
2 January 1942:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage on patrol. Returns there later that day.
3 January 1942:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage with the other ships attached to First Gunboat Division on a cover sweep for departing minelayer AOTAKA. Returns there later this day with the other ships attached to the First Gunboat Division.
4 January 1942:
Loads coal and water.
5 January 1942:
Changes to command gunboat.
7 January 1942:
Departs Palau for her patrol area. Returns there later that day.
9 January 1942:
Loads coal and water.
10 January 1942:
Engages in anti-aircraft combat.
11 January 1942:
Loads food. Departs Palau on a Bay Exit alert. Returns there later this day.
12 January 1942:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage on a Bay Exit alert. To intimidate, drops one depth charge. Returns to anchorage later that day.
16 January 1942:
Loads food.
17 January 1942:
Departs Palau on an entry cover sweep for the Second Fleet. Returns there later this day.
18 January 1942:
Departs Glass Mao anchorage on a port cover sweep for the Second Fleet’s Main Force and auxiliary cable layer NANYO MARU. Returns to anchorage later that day.
19 January 1942:
Departs W Channel anchorage on a W Channel patrol.
20 January 1942:
Arrives at W Channel anchorage.
21 January 1942:
Departs W Channel on a cover sweep for the departing Second Fleet. Returns there later this day.
22 January 1942:
Departs W Channel anchorage and arrives at Palau later that day. Loads coal.
23 January 1942:
Loads food and fresh water.
24 January 1942:
Departs Palau on patrol.
28 January 1942:
Performs an entry cover sweep for the Second Fleet. Arrives at Palau later this day.
29 January 1942:
Loads coal and water.
30 January 1942:
Loads fresh water.
31 January 1942:
Departs Palau on a W Channel patrol. Returns there later that day.
1 February 1942:
Loads food.
3 February 1942:
Departs Palau on patrol.
5 February 1942:
Arrives at Palau. Loads coal, water and food.
6 February 1942:
Departs Palau.
8 February 1942:
Departs Palau on a port and W Channel area cover sweep for the Third Sentai.
9 February 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
9 February 1942:
Changes to command gunboat. Departs Palau on a port cover sweep for the Air Sentai. Drops one depth charge.
10 February 1942:
Arrives at W Channel. Departs there and arrives at Palau later this day.
11 February 1942:
Loads coal.
14 February 1942:
Loads fresh water.
15 February 1942:
Loads food. Departs Palau later that day on W Channel patrol. Remains there as guard.
16 February 1942:
Departs W Channel on W Channel patrol and Bay exit alert. Arrives at Glass Mao later this day.
17 February 1942:
Departs Glass Mao on W Channel patrol and Bay exit alert. Returns there later that day.
18 February 1942:
Departs Glass Mao on a cover sweep for heavy cruiser ATAGO and the Third Carrier Squadron. Drops one depth charge. Arrives at Palau later this day. Loads fresh water.
21 February 1942:
Loads coal and food.
22 February 1942:
Loads fresh water.
1 March 1942:
Loads water and food.
4 March 1942:
Loads fresh water.
5 March 1942:
Loads coal and food.
8 March 1942:
Loads food.
9 March 1942:
Departs Palau on a rescue mission.
10 March 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
12 March 1942:
Loads boiler water and food.
13 March 1942:
Loads fresh water.
20 March 1942:
Loads boiler water and food.
24 March 1942:
Loads food and beverage.
1 April 1942:
Loads fresh water.
3 April 1942:
Loads food.
5 April 1942:
Loads food.
10 April 1942:
Loads food. Detached from the Fourth Gunboat Division under instruction No. 652.
Attached that same day to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Inoue Shigeyoshi’s (37) Fourth Fleet, Third Base Force.
13 April 1942:
Departs Palau.
14 April 1942:
Arrives at Velasco Reef, Palau.
16 April 1942:
Departs Velasco Reef.
17 April 1942:
Arrives at Kossol Channel.
18 April 1942:
Departs Kossol Channel.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
6 May 1942:
Departs Palau on patrol.
17 May 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
29 May 1942:
Departs Palau.
2 June 1942:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
15 June 1942:
Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Inoue Shigeyoshi’s (37) Fourth Fleet, Fourth Base Force. Rated as Fourth Base Force, 4th Ship. Departs Truk later that same day.
17 June 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
26 June 1942:
Departs Palau for Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Archipelago escorting auxiliary transport MEITEN MARU that is towed by a tugboat.
28 June 1942:
About 235 nautical miles NW of Yap, LtCdr Raymond J.Moore’s (USNA '27) USS STINGRAY (SS-186) sights two merchants and a destroyer . Moore fires four torpedoes at the lead ship of which one hits SAIKYO MARU. She sinks at 12-34N, 136-20E with unknown casualties. 29th Destroyer Division’s CO orders destroyer YUNAGI to rush to the scene, rescue the crew and engage in enemy submarine sweeping, and then to search for the tugboat that had been towing MEITEN MARU, and sail to Palau.
10 July 1942:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 1218.
Authors' Notes:
[1] 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.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.
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