YUSOSEN!
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(SAN PEDRO MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)
IJN SAN LUIS MARU: Tabular Record of Movement
© 2008-2018 Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.
Revision 11
2 April 1928:
Tokyo. Laid down at Mitsubishi Zosen Kaisha for Mitsubishi Shoji Kaisha.
1 October 1928:
Launched and named SAN LUIS MARU.
1 December 1928:
Completed.
3 December 1928:
Departs Nagasaki on her first voyage to San Pedro, California.
1928-1941:
In Mitsubishi’s service. Transports oil from California to Japan.
18 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN. Begins conversion to Navy auxiliary oil tanker. Merchant Captain Nakajima Riyu is posted CO.
1 December 1941:
Registered in the IJN as an auxiliary tanker, (Otsu) category under internal order No. 1573 and attached to the Kure Naval District with Kure as homeport.
5 December 1941:
Arrives at Jieshih Bay, near Hong Kong.
6 December 1941:
Departs Jieshih Bay.
10 December 1941:
The conversion is completed.
11 December 1941:
At 2210 departs Jieshih Bay.
20 December 1941:
Arrives at Mako. Attached that same day to the 3rd Fleet.
22 December 1941:
Luzon, Philippines. SAN LUIS MARU is with the Lingayen invasion force.
10 January 1942:
Departs Camranh Bay.
13 January 1942:
Arrives at Mako.
17 January 1942:
Departs Mako.
20 January 1942:
Arrives at Lingayen.
24 January 1942:
Lingayen. At 1620 refuels auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU
2 February 1942:
Santo Tomas. Coals auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
18 February 1942:
Santo Tomas. At 1120 coals and waters auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
21 February 1942:
SAN LUIS MARU runs aground near Santo Tomas and auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU and auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU successfully re-float the vessel with help from light cruiser KUMA.
1 March 1942:
Santo Tomas. Provides 70t water and 7t fuel to auxiliary netlayer KOREI MARU.
3 March 1942:
Santo Tomas. At 1310 refuels and provides lubricants to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
5 March 1942:
Santo Tomas. Coals auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
19 March 1942:
Santo Tomas. Provides water and fuel to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
20 March 1942:
Santo Tomas. At 1130 coals auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
21 March 1942:
At Santo Tomas coaled and watered the captured ship LEPUS.
Late March 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas for Takao.
1 April 1942:
Departs Takao, Formosa.
4 April 1942:
Santo Tomas. Provides water and fuel to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
6 April 1942:
Santo Tomas. Provides water to auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU.
22 April 1942:
Departs Santo Tomas and later that day arrives San Fernando.
23 April 1942:
At San Fernando provides fuel oil and lubricants to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
24 April 1942:
At San Fernando coaled auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU. Departs San Fernando soon after.
26 April 1942:
Arrives at Takao.
30 April 1942:
Departs Takao.
3 May 1942:
San Fernando. Coals auxiliary gunboat NAMPO MARU and provides fuel and lubricants to auxiliary gunboat KISO MARU.
6 May 1942:
Luzon. SAN LUIS MARU is the first Japanese oiler to enter Manila Bay, after the fall of Manila.
26 May 1942:
In the morning departs San Fernando for Mako escorted by auxiliary gunboats NAMPO and ASO MARUs as far as Cape Bolinao.
3 June 1942:
Refuels destroyer HARUSAME.
28 July 1942:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadore Islands.
29 July 1942:
Departs Mako.
19 August 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
22 August 1942:
Departs Yokosuka and presumably anchors in Tokyo Bay.
23 August 1942:
At 1200 departs off Futtsu in a westbound convoy also consisting of SANSEI MARU (2386 gt) and tanker KYOEI MARU No. 5 escorted by the auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU. The convoy sails at 9 knots.
28 September 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
3 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokkaichi.
5 October 1942:
Departs Yokkaichi.
7 October 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
10 October 1942:
Departs Kure. Later that day, arrives at Tainouchi, Inland Sea.
12 October 1942:
Departs Tainouchi. Later that day, arrives at Tokuyama Naval Fuel Depot.
16 October 1942:
Departs Tokuyama. Later that day, arrives at Kanogawa.
18 October 1942:
Departs Kanogawa.
21 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
25 October 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
26 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokkaichi.
29 October 1942:
Departs Yokkaichi. Later that same day, SAN LUIS MARU is attacked and hit by LtCdr John B. Azer’s USS WHALE (SS-239) at 33-52N, 136-15E. The torpedo hit is a dud and the tanker resumes its course to Shimotsu.
30 October 1942:
Arrives at Shimotsu.
1 November 1942:
Departs Shimotsu.
3 November 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
8 November 1942:
Departs Kure. Later that day, arrives at Tokuyama.
11 November 1942:
Departs Tokuyama.
12 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokkaichi.
17 November 1942:
Departs Yokkaichi.
23 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
27 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka. Later that day, arrives at Oshibazaki. [1]
29 November 1942:
Departs Oshibazaki.
30 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokkaichi.
4 December 1942:
Departs Yokkaichi.
6 December 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
9 December 1942:
Departs Kure.
13 December 1942:
Near Shanghai. In dense fog, SAN LUIS MARU runs aground in the Whangpoo River. Later that day, she is refloated and arrives at Shanghai.
17 December 1942:
Departs Shanghai.
19 December 1942:
Arrives at Mako.
21 December 1942:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Mako in Convoy No. 356 also consisting of three unidentified merchant ships without escort.
27 December 1942:
Arrives St Jacques.
28 December 1942:
SAN LUIS MARU departs St Jacques in convoy No. 546 also consisting of three unidentified merchant ships escorted by torpedo boat SAGI.
31 December 1942:
Arrives Singapore.
1 January 1943:
Departs Singapore.
2 January 1943:
Arrives at Palembang.
4 January 1943:
Departs Palembang.
6 January 1943:
Arrives at Singapore. Loads 12,193 kilolitres of crude oil.
8 January 1943:
At 0800, departs Singapore in Convoy No. 658 consisting of SAN LUIS MARU and one unidentified merchant ship without escort.
11 January 1943:
Arrives St Jacques.
15 January 1943:
SAN LUIS MARU departs St Jacques in convoy No. 465 also consisting of four unidentified merchant ships without escort.
23 January 1943:
Arrives at Mako.
24 January 1943:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Mako in convoy No.224 also consisting of three unidentified merchant ships with the destroyer SANAE as escort.
29 January 1943:
Arrives Mutsure anchorage and departs later that day.
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Kobe.
1 February 1943:
Departs Kobe in convoy 8201 also consisting of KANSEISHI, KOJUN, ISSEI, NAGATA, SHINYUBARI, KIYOTADA (SEICHU), and HAKOZAKI MARUs escorted by auxiliary gunboat KEISHIN MARU on the leg of the convoy from around the Omaezaki area to Tokyo Bay.
3 February 1943:
Off Mikimoto Jima. SAN LUIS MARU is in a collision with passenger-cargo vessel ISSEI MARU in the convoy.
4 February 1943:
Arrives at Kawasaki. Undergoes repairs at Mitsubishi.
10 February 1943:
Departs Kawasaki and anchors outside Yokohama Port.
14 February 1943:
Berthed in Yokohama Port.
23 February 1943:
Departs Yokohama and shortly after that same day arrives at Yokosuka.
26 February 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
1 March 1943:
Arrives at Mutsure anchorage and departs later that day.
6 March 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
9 March 1943:
Departs Takao and later that day arrives Mako.
12 March 1943:
Departs Mako in convoy No. 376 also consisting of NITTETSU and THAMES MARUs without escort.
17 March 1943:
Arrives St Jacques. Later that day, departs St Jacques in convoy No. 565 also consisting of two unidentified merchant ships escorted by torpedo boat SAGI.
E 19 March 1943:
SAN LUIS MARU is detached from the convoy.
21 March 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Palembang, Sumatra.
26 March 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
27 March 1943:
Transfers to Pulau Bukum.
30 March 1943:
Departs Pulau Bukum and then Singapore in Convoy No.678 also consisting of NICHIRAN, SHINI (KAMOI), SHINSOKU MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship without escort.
2 April 1943:
Arrives at St Jacques.
5 April 1943:
Departs St Jacques.
12 April 1943:
Arrives at Mako.
18 April 1943:
Departs Mako. While enroute to Genzan, a generator explosion occurs and the ship loses power.
24 April 1943:
Arrives at Genzan.
29 April 1943:
Departs Genzan.
1 May 1943:
Arrives at Sasebo.
7 May 1943:
Departs Sasebo for Singapore.
8 May 1943:
Anchors in Imari Bay.
9 May 1943:
Departs Imari Bay. Hoins up with convoy consisting of IJN oiler HOKUAN MARU, IJN transport KUNISHIMA MARU, IJA transports, SHINKYO MARU, transport TEIKA (ex-French CAP VARELLA) MARU and four unidentified MARUs escorted by destroyer ASAKAZE.
13 May 1943:
Arrives at Mako.
17 May 1943:
At 1540 SAN LUIS MARU departs Mako in convoy No. 392 also consisting of IJA transport LIVERPOOL MARU, IJN oilers HOKUAN, NITTATSU and SAN LUIS MARUs, fleet oiler TSURUMI, TAMAHOKO, KOGANE MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat HUASHAN (KAZAN) MARU. At some point midway IJN oilers NITTATSU and HOKUAN MARUs detach from the convoy for Miri, Sarawak, British Borneo, (now Malaysia).
22 May 1943:
At 0300 auxiliary oilers NITTATSU and HOKUAN MARUs detach for Miri.
At 1500 SAN LUIS MARU is detached for Palembang and TSURUMI is detached for Surabaya, Java, Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia).
23 May 1943:
An unidentified submarine attacks the ships that drop depth charges.
26 May 1943:
At 0700 arrives at Palembang.
28 May 1943:
Departs Palembang.
30 May 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
3 June 1943:
Departs Singapore.
21 June 1943:
Owner is restyled as Mitsubishi Kisen K.K.
23 June 1943:
At 0815, SAN LUIS MARU departs Takao for Moji in convoy No. 275 also consisting of TEIKA ( ex French CAP VARELLA), SEKKO, MAEBASHI, TEIKAI (ex German FULDA), CHOJUN, YASUKUNI, ROKKO and RISSHUN MARUs escorted by patrol boat PB-36.
29 June 1943:
At 0850, arrives at Moji. Departs later that day for Amagasaki.
1 July 1943:
Arrives at Amagasaki.
15 July 1943:
Departs Kure.
28 July 1943:
At 1430 patrol boat PB-36 departs Mutsure escorting convoy No. 181 consisting of ARATAMA, TAIRYU, KIRISHIMA, KONSAN, YASUKUNI (5794 gt), TEIKA (ex-Vichy French CAP VARELLA), TAIAN (5410 gt), HAMBURG, SUEZ, KENSEI, RIKKO, SAN LUIS MARUs and five other unidentified merchant ships. The convoy sails in two parts with PB-36 escorting a contingent of ten ships including SAN LUIS MARU. Destroyer SANAE and the first contingent sails two days later and catches up en route.
30 July 1943:
SAN LUIS MARU develops engine problems and returns to Moji.
9 September 1943:
Ordered alongside Bukum No. 2 terminal at Singapore.
4 October 1943:
At 1200, arrives at Imari Bay.
12 November 1943:
At 1000 departs St Jacques for Miri in convoy with tanker KOSHIN MARU (5485 GRT) with unknown escort.
3 December 1943:
Departs Takao in a convoy also consisting of SAN PEDRO, MANKO, INARI, KOSHIN (5485 GRT), GETSUYO, YUBAE, MYOGI and MURORAN MARUs (and possibly others) with unknown escort.
10 December 1943:
Arrives Mutsure and departs. At 1530, arrives at Tokuyama. Unloads her cargo of fuel oil.
17 December 1943:
Departs Tokuyama and later that day arrives off Takaikamishima Island.
18 December 1943:
Departs Takaikamishima Island and later that day arrives at Innoshima where enters No. 8 Dock for repairs.
7 January 1944:
Undocked.
8 January 1944:
Fitted with an hydrophone and magnetic detector.
9 January 1944:
Arrives at Kure.
10 January 1944:
Departs Kure.
11 January 1944:
Arrives Moji and at 1500 departs in convoy No.128 also consisting of cargo ship KOTO MARU No. 2 GO, auxiliary survey ship KYODO MARU No. 36, civilian cargo ship JUYO MARU, IJA transports BELGIUM and SEISHO MARUs, IJA allotted transports (A/C-AK) SHIKISAN and YOSHU MARUs, and IJN requisitioned cargo ship WAZAN MARU ex British VITORLOCK escorted by destroyers ASAKAZE and SHIOKAZE.
16 January 1944:
Arrives at Takao.
20 January 1944:
At 1000, SAN LUIS MARU departs Takao for Manila in convoy No. 787 also consisting of KOTO MARU No. 2 GO, SEISHO MARU, tanker CHIHAYA MARU and auxiliary netlayers SHUNSEN, SHOEKI and KANKO MARUs for Surabaya and survey ship KYODO MARU No. 36 for Manila, with SHUNSEN and KANKO MARUs acting as escorts.
24 January 1944:
At 0600, arrives at Manila.
1 February 1944:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Manila probably detaching en route to Miri in convoy No. 3105 also consisting of BENGAL MARUs and tankers CHIHAYA, HOKUAN and KOKUEI MARUs and one unidentified ship with auxiliary netlayers KANKO and SHUNSEN MARUs and auxiliary submarine chaser CHa-41 as escorts.
3 February 1944:
Arrives with the convoy at the southern point of Palawan, Philippines. The convoy subsequently dissolves. KANKO MARU and SHUNSEN MARU sail together south.
9 February 1944:
Departs Manila in convoy No. 3204 also consisting of tankers HOKUAN and CHIHAYA MARUs escorted by auxiliary minesweeper CHOUN MARU no. 6.
14 February 1944:
At 0750 in position 13-44N 120-29E in the Verde Passage HOKUAN MARU is torpedoed and sunk by USS FLASHER. Later that day the convoy arrives at Manila.
16 February 1944:
SAN LUIS MARU probably departs Manila in convoy MATA-05 consisting in total of three unidentified ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat PEKING MARU (as far as latitude 17 N).
21 February 1944:
At 1200 arrives at Takao.
23 February 1944:
At 0600, SAN LUIS MARU departs Takao in convoy TAMO-05 also consisting of CEYLON, NIPPO, CHIHAYA, FRANCE, PACIFIC, SHUNSEN, MUTSUYO (BOKUYO) and ASO MARUs escorted by patrol boat PB-38, auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU, auxiliary subchaser TAMA MARU No. 7 and an unidentified warship.
27 February 1944:
At 2058, LtCdr (Later Cdr) John A. Moore's (USNA ’32) GRAYBACK (SS-208) torpedoes and sinks CEYLON MARU at 31-35N, 127-47E. Three guards and 13 crewmen are KIA. [2]
29 February 1944:
Arrives at Mutsure.
1 March 1944:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
5 March 1944:
Departs Tokuyama for Hesaki.
9 March 1944:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Tomie, Goto Retto in convoy MOTA-09 also consisting of tankers OGURA MARU No. 2 and TAKETOYO MARU, liner TEIRITSU MARU (ex-French LECONTE DE LISLE) and cargo ships MATSUE, DAIZEN, HAMBURG, KYOKUZAN, MURORAN, BATOPAHAT, CHUYO, BUNZAN, TAIYU and SHOEI (1986 gt) MARUs and HINO MARU No. 1 escorted by second-class destroyer WAKATAKE.
E 10 March 1944:
Patrol boat PB-38 joins the escort of MOTA-09.
11 March 1944:
CHUYO MARU No. 2 develops engine trouble. At 0950, PB-38 is detached to find her, but is unsuccessful and later rejoins the convoy.
13 March 1944:
At 1844, an enemy submarine is detected at 25-58N, 121-34E. The escorts drop 50 depth charges and drive it off.
14 March 1944:
PB-38 detects another submarine and drives it off by dropping three depth charges.
15 March 1944:
At 1845, arrives at Takao.
20 March 1944:
Removed from the Navy List under internal order No. 464.
21 March 1944:
Departs Takao in convoy TAMA-12 also consisting of tankers TAKETOYO MARU, OGURA MARU No.2 and NITTATSU, RIKKO, ATAGO, DAIYU, BUNZAN MARUs and HINO MARU No. 1 escorted by destroyer KURETAKE.
24 March 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
31 March 1944:
Arrives At Miri.
E 31 March-5 April 1944:
Loads 12,000-tons of crude oil.
6 April 1944:
Departs Miri in convoy MIMA-11 also consisting of NITTATSU, RIKKO, TAKETOYO MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer KURETAKE.
10 April 1944:
Arrives Manila.
14 April 1944:
Departs Manila in convoy MATA-18 consisting of SAN LUIS MARU and RIKKO, YOSHU, NITTATSU, TAKETOYO MARUs and two unidentified merchant ships escorted by light cruiser KISO, destroyer KURETAKE (part journey), auxiliary subchaser CHa-9 (part journey).
18 April 1944:
Arrives at Takao. Begins to unload 12,000-tons of crude oil.
28 April 1944:
At 1300, SAN LUIS MARU departs Takao for Manila in convoy TAMA-17 also consisting of NITTATSU, TAKEGAWA, WALES, BELGIUM, PEKING, SHIROGANESAN, YAMAHAGI, YASHIMA, HAKKA (SHIRAKAWA), TSUSHIMA and NISSAN MARUs escorted by destroyer HARUKAZE, minesweeper W-17 and auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU.
29 April 1944:
Destroyer ASAKAZE joins the escort. At 2155, LtCdr Anton R. Gallaher's USS BANG (SS-385) torpedoes and sinks TAKEGAWA MARU at 19-20N, 118-50E. 7 of the crew are KIA.
30 April 1944:
At 0430, Gallaher torpedoes and sinks NITTATSU MARU at 19-22N, 118-450. 4 of the crew are KIA.
2 May 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
5 May 1944:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Manila in a convoy consisting of OMINE and TEIHOKU MARUs and tankers TAKETOYO and SEISHIN MARUs escorted by destroyer ASAKAZE and possibly others enroute to Singapore via Miri.
9 May 1944:
Arrives at Miri.
E 10 May-12 May 1944:
Loads 12,000-tons of crude oil.
13 May 1944:
Departs Miri in convoy MIMA-10 also consisting of FUKUJU, CHINA, DURBAN, TAKETOYO MARUs and six unidentified ships likely including CHIHAYA, SHINEI and EIYO MARUs escorted by destroyers ASAKAZE and HARUKAZE, Kaibokan CD 11 and Submarine Chaser CH 19.
19 May 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
6 June 1944:
Arrives at Tokuyama. Begins to unload 12,000-tons of crude oil.
8 June 1944:
Requisitioned again by the IJN as an Ippan Choyosen (B-AO) (general requisitioned tanker) attached to the Kure Naval District with Kure as homeport. Departs Tokuyama that same day and arrives later at Moji.
11 June 1944:
At 1530, SAN LUIS MARU departs Moji for Miri, Borneo in convoy MI-07 also consisting of MATSUURA, KAMO, SHINKOKU, NISHI, MINO, TAIKAI, KAKOGAWA, MYOGI, YULIN, GYOKUYO, KOKKO MARUs and tankers KOEI, TAIEI, CHIHAYA, RYUSHO, SAKURA, landing craft SS 1 and seven unidentified merchant ships escorted by destroyers ASAKAZE, ASAGAO, kaibokan YASHIRO, CD-2 and auxiliary minesweeper TAKUNAN MARU No. 3. Immediately after leaving port, KOEI MARU develops engine problems and is forced to return.
13 June 1944:
Arrives at Kagoshima.
14 June 1944:
Departs Kagoshima.
15 June 1944:
At 1040, anchors at Oshima Strait, Amami Oshima.
16 June 1944:
Departs Oshima Strait.
17 June 1944:
MATSUURA and KAMO MARUs with second-class destroyer ASAGAO are detached and head for Kirun.
18 June 1944:
At 1300, arrives at Takao. Later, ASAGAO rejoins convoy. OYO MARU joins the convoy. At 1955, the convoy departs Takao.
20 June 1944:
Arrives at Aparri.
21 June 1944:
Departs Aparri.
23 June 1944:
At 1800, arrives at Manila. CD-2 and ASAGAO are detached. SHINKOKU, TAIKAI, OYO, MINO, KAKOGAWA, MYOGI and NISHI MARUs are all detached.
27 June 1944:
At 0600, departs Manila with addition of KENEI, SHIROGANESAN, YAMAKO (SANKO), TAKETSU (BUTSU), NITTETSU and OEI MARUs.
2 July 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Miri.
E 3 July-9 July 1944:
Loads 12,000-tons of crude oil.
10 July 1944:
At 1550, SAN LUIS MARU departs Miri for Moji in convoy MI-08 consisting of MEXICO, ASAKA, OLYMPIA, RASHIN, HAKUROKU, TATSUBATO, KUROGANE MARUs and tankers SAN DIEGO, NITTETSU, OEI, TAKETSU (BUTSU), CHIHAYA, RYUSHO and SANKO (YAMAKO) MARUs and KYOEI MARU No. 6 escorted by torpedo-boat SAGI and minesweepers W-17 and W-18.
11 July 1944:
At 1830, the convoy anchors in Kimanis Bay, SW of Kota Kinabalu, Borneo.
12 July 1944:
At 1300, the convoy departs Kimanis Bay. At 1015, TAKETSU MARU detaches and begins a return journey to Miri.
16 July 1944:
From 0820 until 1400, the convoy is accompanied by torpedo-boat HIYODORI and kaibokan MIKURA. At 2035, the convoy arrives safely at Manila where it is reorganized.
23 July 1944:
At 1545, SAN LUIS MARU departs Manila for Moji in convoy MI-08 consisting of MIZUHO, CHIHAYA, SAN DIEGO, MANILA, MIRI, SANKO (YAMAKO), ARABIA, TATSUBATO, RYUSHO, HAKUROKU, TAKETSU (BUTSU) MARUs and NITTETSU MARUs escorted by kaibokan CD-1, CD-18, CD-28, torpedo boat SAGI, minesweeper W-17, minelayer ENOSHIMA and subchaser CH-61. The convoy's speed is 8 knots.
27 July 1944:
At 0920, auxiliary subchaser CHa-74 and auxiliary transport OYO MARU join the escort. At 1605, the convoy arrives at Takao and is again reorganized.
30 July 1944:
At 1800, SAN LUIS MARU departs Takao in convoy MI-08 now consisting of ZUIHO, CHIHAYA, SAN DIEGO, BOKO, MANILA, MIRI, SANKO (YAMAKO), TSUYAMA, ARABIA, RYUSHO, TATSUBATO, NITTETSU, YAGI, TOUN and EIHO MARUs escorted by kaibokan CD-1, CD-18, torpedo boat SAGI, minesweeper W-17 and auxiliary netlayer KISHIN MARU. The convoy's speed is 7 knots.
1 August 1944:
At 1400, after it is suspected that American submarines have gained contact, the convoy arrives at Keelung.
4 August 1944:
At 1600, the convoy departs Keelung and heads up the Ryukyu Islands bound for Kyushu.
9 August 1944:
N of Okinoshima. LtCdr (later Cdr) Robert A. Keating's (USNA ’33) BARBEL (SS-316) torpedoes and sinks IJA cargo ship YAGI MARU and merchant cargo ship BOKO MARU (ex-British SAGRES) at 27-56N, 128-47E. W-17 and CD-1 carry out an antisubmarine sweep and drop 21 depth-charges that cause some damage to BARBEL. YOKO MARU sinks with three gunners and 31 crewmen KIA, casualties on BOKO MARU are unknown. Afterwards, the convoy heads out of the area at full speed making evasive movements. At 1200. the convoy arrives at Koniya, Amami-O-Shima, Ryukyu Islands.
11 August 1944:
At 0400, the convoy departs Amami-O-Shima.
13 August 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
15 August 1944:
Arrives at Hiro. Begins to unload 12,000-tons of crude oil.
18 August 1944:
Departs Hiro and later the same day arrives at Osaka. Docked for repairs at Fujinagata Zosen’s yard.
13 September 1944:
Departs Osaka.
15 September 1944:
Arrives at Sasebo.
23 September 1944:
At 1600, SAN LUIS MARU departs Moji in convoy MI-21 also consisting of TEIKA (ex French CAP VARELLA), TSUYAMA, EJIRI, FUSHIMI, KEISHIN, KEIZAN, CHOSAN, TATSUBATO, KIZAN and YOSHU MARUs and tankers SHUNTEN and EIKYO MARUs and an unidentified ship escorted by kaibokan DAITO, patrol boat PB-104 auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU, subchaser CH-21, auxiliary subchasers CHa-87 and CHa-92.
29 September 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Takao and the convoy is dissolved.
30 September 1944:
Departs Takao in convoy MI-19 then also consisting of HIDA, KENEI, KOKURYU, IWAKUNI, YULIN, HAKUROKU (HAKUSHIKA), MITSU, DAIMEI, ARISAN, TEIFU (ex French BOUGAINVILLE), TASMANIA, SHINSEI, DAIA MARUs escorted by kaibokan ETOROFU, CD-18, CD-26 and sub-chaser CH-19. The kaibokan SHONAN likely joined the convoy en route.
2 October 1944:
Arrives at Aparri and departs later that day.
3 October 1944:
Arrives at Lapoc.
4 October 1944:
Departs Lapoc and later that day arrives at San Fernando.
5 October 1944:
Departs San Fernando.
7 October 1944:
Arrives at Manila.
8 October 1944:
At 0700, SAN LUIS MARU departs Manila for Miri, Borneo with patrol boat PB-105, kaikoban CD-18 and CD-26, subchaser CH-19 and auxiliary subchaser Cha-56 escorting reorganized convoy MI-19 also consisting of NITTETSU, DAIZEN, HIDA, SAN DIEGO, EIKYO, TOKUWA, SHUNTEN, TATSUBATO, DAISHU and YOSHU MARUs.
9 October 1944:
At about 1700, LtCdr Henry D. Sturr’s (USNA ’33) USS BECUNA (SS-319) makes four separate underwater attacks against a convoy. Sturr scores two hits and damages SAN LUIS MARU at 12-43N, 118-05E. LtCdr Francis W. Scanland’s (USNA ’34) HAWKBILL (SS-366) also torpedoes SAN LUIS MARU about the same time. At 1804, BECUNA torpedoes and sinks TOKUWA MARU. 10 crewmen are KIA.
10 October 1944:
SHUNTEN MARU and two of the escorts are detached with damaged SAN LUIS MARU and head for Sandakan, Borneo.
October 1944:
Undergoes temporary repairs.
22 October 1944:
Arrives at Miri.
30 October 1944:
At 0600, SAN LUIS MARU departs Miri in convoy MISHI-12 also consisting of Army transports MANILA, TASMANIA and JUNPO MARUs, Army shared transports TEIFU (ex-French BOUGAINVILLE), EIMAN and DAIIKU MARUs and NICHIYU MARU No. 2, Army shared tanker (A/C-AO) KYOEI MARU No. 6 and one unidentified ship (possibly Army shared transport TATSUBATO MARU). escorted by patrol boat PB-104 and auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU.
3 November 1944:
At 1030, arrives at Singapore.
4 November 1944:
Departs Singapore and shortly after that same day arrives at Seletar.
6 November 1944:
Departs Seletar and shortly after that same day arrives at Singapore. Undergoes repairs.
E Mid-December 1944:
Loads 12,000-tons of crude oil.
23 December 1944:
Departs Singapore and later that day arrives at Pulau Sambu.
27 December 1944:
Departs Pulau Sambu and later that day arrives at Singapore.
30 December 1944:
Fleet tanker SAN LUIS MARU departs Singapore for Moji in convoy HI-86 also consisting of TATSUBATO, OTSUSAN, SHOEI (2764 grt), KYOKUUN, EIMAN, KEMBU (TATEBE), YOSHU and YUSEI MARUs and BANSHU MARU No. 63 escorted by the 101st Escort Group's kaibokan KASHII, TSUSHIMA, DAITO, UKURU, CD-23, CD-27 and CD-31.
4 January 1945:
Arrives at Cape St. Jacques (Saigon).
9 January 1945:
SAN LUIS MARU departs Cape St. Jacques for Moji in convoy HI-86 also consisting of fleet tanker and TATSUBATO, OTSUSAN, SHOEI (2764 grt), KYOKUUN, EIMAN, KEMBU (TATEBE), YOSHU and YUSEI MARUs and BANSHU MARU No. 63 escorted by the 101st Escort Group’s light cruiser KASHII and kaibokan DAITO, UKURU, CD-23, CD-27 and CD-51.
10 January 1945:
Arrives at Van Fong Bay, Indochina.
11 January 1945:
Departs Van Fong. Arrives at Qui Nhon Bay, Indochina..
12 January 1945: Operation "Gratitude":
Vice Admiral John S. McCain's (USNA ’06) Task Force 38 launches almost 1,500 sorties looking for the Japanese fleet. TF 38 bombs Indochina, Hong Kong and Southern Formosa and sinks 44 ships.
Convoy HI-86 departs Qui Nhon. From 1100 to 1700, Curtiss SB2C "Helldiver" dive-bombers and Grumann TBF "Avenger" torpedo-bombers from Rear Admiral (later Admiral) Frederick T. Sherman's (USNA ’10) (former CO of LEXINGTON, CV-2) Task Group 38.3's USS ESSEX (CV-9), TICONDEROGA (CV-14), LANGLEY (CVL-27) and SAN JACINTO (CVL-30) attack and decimate convoy HI-86. Only three escorts survive the attacks. SAN LUIS MARU AA guns fire at the attacking planes 1,552 Type 96 25mm guns shells, 584 Type 93 13mm MGs bullets and 3,818 7mm MGs bullets.
25 miles NE of Binhdinh, Indochina. Sherman's planes sink SAN LUIS MARU at 14-20N, 109-09E. Three crewmen and nine gunners are KIA.
Author's Notes:
[1] An unidentified location, probably located off Tokyo Bay.
[2] GRAYBACK is later sunk by Nakajima B5N2 Kates of the Okinawa Naval Air Group.
Thanks to Gilbert Casse of France and Ralph Lotito of USA.
- Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall.
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