KYURYOSEN!
(SENKAI MARU in wartime – Peter Cundall collection)
IJN SENKAI MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2019 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
19 May 1926:
Tamano. Laid down by Mitsui Bussan K.K. Zosembu shipyard as a 2,126-tons cargo ship for Shimatani Kisen K.K.
24 November 1926:
Launched and named SENKAI MARU.
28 December 1926:
Completed and registered at Kobe. Her Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) respectively are 2,126-tons and 1,253-tons. [1]
1928:
Her NRT is changed to 1,298 tons. [1]
1933:
Her GRT and NRT are respectively changed to 2,113 tons and 1,279 tons. [1]
1935:
Her NRT is changed to 1,286 tons. [1]
13 June ~ 12 September 1935:
Chartered by Nichiro Gyogyo K.K.
12 November 1935:
Departs Kobe.
25 November 1935:
Departs Kobe.
13 December 1935:
Departs Kobe.
26 December 1935:
Departs Kobe.
1936:
Her GRT and NRT are respectively changed to 2,095 tons and 1,522-tons. [1]
30 June ~ 15 September 1936:
Chartered by Nichiro Gyogyo K.K.
11 May ~ 26 September 1937:
Chartered by Nichiro Gyogyo K.K.
25 September 1937:
Enters Kure Navy Yard drydock.
1 November 1937:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
4 November 1937:
Registered as an auxiliary gunboat attached to the Kure Naval District under internal instruction No. 787. Begins conversion for military duty that same day.
7 November 1937:
Attached to Second Gunboat Division.
15 November 1937:
Navy Captain Tadaki Nobuyuki (40) is appointed CO.
22 November 1937:
Tethered to S Buoy No. 3. Hoists IJN flag.
24 November 1937:
Departs Kure.
0727 ~ 0731: Conducts depth charges exercise.
0741 ~ 0820: Conducts a speed test.
0821: Calibration correction.
1526 ~ 1641: Conducts a public test gunfire.
Later arrives at Agenosho, Yashiro Island (now Suo-Oshima), Yamaguchi Prefecture.
25 November 1937:
Departs Agenosho and arrives at Kure later that day. (Buoy No. 3)
27 November 1937:
Attached to Vice Admiral (later Admiral) Toyoda Soemu’s (33) Fourth Fleet, Second Gunboat Division. Conversion for military duty is completed that same day.
28 November 1937:
0730 ~ 1540: Loads coal.
29 November 1937:
0930 ~ 1240: Loads ammunition.
1300 ~ 1530: Loads food.
1 December 1937:
Departs Kure.
2 December 1937:
Arrives off Mutsure-Jima and departs there later that day.
6 December 1937:
Arrives at Ryojun (Lushun, former Port Arthur, now Dalian), northern China. Anchors at Bank, alongside auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU.
11 December 1937:
Tethers to W Sanfan buoy alongside auxiliary gunboat DEHLI MARU.
14 December 1937:
1030 ~ 1450: Replenished with water.
15 December 1937:
Departs Ryojun.
16 December 1937:
Arrives at Sumen Island, northern China and departs there later that day.
18 December 1937:
Arrives off Quianliyan, northern China and departs there later that same day.
20 December 1937:
Arrives at Sijiao Island, northern China.
21 December 1937:
Departs Sijiao Island and calls at Lu Hu Shan, northern China. Departs there and arrives at Lushan Islands, northern China later that day.
22 December 1937:
Departs Lushan Islands and returns there later that day.
23 December 1937:
Departs Lushan Islands again and arrives three nautical miles N Niubei Island, northern China.
24 December 1937:
Departs Niubei Island waters and arrives at Da Wei Shanchong.
25 December 1937:
Departs Da Wei Shanchong.
27 December 1937:
Arrives off Sumen Island and departs later that day.
28 December 1937:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun.
29 December 1937:
0830 ~ 1645: Loads coal.
At 0930, auxiliary gunboat DEHLI MARU comes alongside to starboard.
1350 ~ 1730: Replenished with water.
2 January 1938:
At 1050, Separates from DEHLI MARU. Departs Ryojun later in the day.
3 January 1938:
Arrives at Jinghai Bay. Departs there and arrives off Seito (Tsingtao, now Qingdao) later that day.
4 January 1938:
Departs Seito and calls at Xiaogong Island, Dagong Island and Chaolian Island.
5 January 1938:
Departs Chaolian Island.
6 January 1938:
Arrives at Changshan Archipelago.
8 January 1938:
Departs Changshan Archipelago.
9 January 1938:
Arrives off Chaolian Island in the morning and departs there. Arrives off Yao Jia Island later in the day.
10 January 1938:
Departs off Yao Jia Island and arrives at ‘A’ anchorage off Da Jiangkou.
At 0835, 120° port No. 1 and No. 2 guns each fire 2 rounds.
At 0839, 120° port No. 1 and No. 2 guns each fire 3 rounds.
Later departs Da Jiangkou and arrives outside Seito port later in the day.
11 January 1938:
At 1035, comes alongside to starboard of Fleet oiler SUNOSAKI (1917). Departs Seito later that same day.
13 January 1938:
Arrives at S Bank, E port, Ryojun.
13 January 1938:
At 1000, loads coal.
14 January 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
15 January 1938:
Arrives at Haizhou Bay, northern China.
18 January 1938:
Departs Haizhou Bay and arrives off Lianyungang. Returns to Haizhou Bay later that day.
19 January 1938:
Departs Haizhou Bay and arrives at Cheniushan Island. Returns to Haizhou Bay later that same day.
20 January 1938:
Departs Haizhou Bay and arrives off Lianyungang. Returns to Haizhou Bay later in the day.
21 January 1938:
Departs Haizhou Bay and arrives off Lianyungang.
22 January 1938:
Departs Lianyungang and arrives at Haizhou Bay later that day.
24 January 1938:
Departs Haizhou Bay and arrives at Langyatai Bay.
26 January 1938:
Departs Langyatai Bay and tethers to Dairen, wharf No. 4, 42nd mooring. Starts loading food. At 1155, ends loading food.
27 January 1938:
0900 ~ 1050: Alongside a water tanker, replenished with water.
0710 ~ 1600: Alongside a collier. Loads coal.
At 0730, loads food.
28 January 1938:
Departs Dairen and arrives at Ryojun outer harbor later that day.
29 January 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
30 January 1938:
Arrives at Chefoo (later Zhifu, now Yantai), northern China outer harbor.
31 January 1938:
Departs Chefoo for an onshore reconnaissance off Jiangzhang. Afterwards, returns to Chefoo outer harbor.
1 February 1938:
At anchor 14° and 1,700m of LH (lighthouse). Departs Chefoo outer harbor.
2 February 1938:
Arrives at W Port buoys, Ryojun. Departs later that day.
3 February 1938;
Arrives at Chefoo outer harbor, 49° and 1,800m of LH.
5 February 1938:
Anchors in Chefoo inner harbor, 317° and 540m of LH.
7 February 1938:
1000 ~ 1345: Undergoes hull coating to inner and outer sides.
9 February 1938:
At anchor.
10 February 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
11 February 1938:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun.
12 February 1938;
0830 ~ 1330: Loads coal.
13 February 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
14 February 1938:
Arrives at Chefoo. At 0920, provisions auxiliary gunboats CHOHEI and DELHI MARUs with warehouse goods.
2000 ~ 2006: Switches on searchlight.
21 February 1938:
Anchors at anchorage No. 2, W Breakwater northern end.
25 February 1938:
Anchors outside port. Departs Chefoo later in the day.
26 February 1938:
Arrives SW Bank, Ryojun.
0700 ~ 1230: Loads coal.
1 March 1938:
At 0845, provisioned with fresh food. Departs Ryojun later in the day.
2 March 1938:
Arrives at Chefoo anchorage No. 5.
6 March 1938:
Departs Chefoo and arrives at Weihaiwei (now Weihai), northern China.
1940 ~ 2010: Switches on searchlight.
10 March 1938:
Departs Weihaiwei and arrives at Chefoo anchorage No. 2 later that day.
12 March1938:
1515 ~ 1550: Provisioned with fresh food. Later anchors outside the port.
13 March 1938:
0150 ~ 0215 and 0318 ~ 0323: Switches on searchlight. Thereafter, departs Chefoo and arrives at Huang County (now Longkou).
1958 ~ 2025: Searchlight training.
17 March 1938:
Departs Huang County.
18 March 1938:
Tethers to Dairen, wharf No. 4, 42nd mooring.
19 March 1938:
0830 ~ 1430: Alongside a collier.
0930 ~ 1430: Provisioned with fresh food.
At 0940, alongside a water tanker.
20 March 1938:
Departs Dairen and arrives at Chefoo anchorage No. 5 later that day.
22 March 1938:
Anchors at anchorage No. 2.
28 March 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
29 March 1938:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun.
1330 ~ 1600: Outside hull is coated.
30 March 1938:
0830 ~ 1035: Loads coal.
31 March 1938:
0830 ~ 0930: Provisioned with fresh food.
1330 ~ 1510: Loads gun shells.
1535 ~ 1555: Provisioned with fresh food.
1 April 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at Huang County later that day.
7 April 1938:
Departs Huang County.
8 April 1938:
Arrives at buoy No. 1, Chefoo.
9 April 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
1547 ~ 1605: MG shooting training.
10 April 1938:
Arrives at Laichow (now Laizhou) Bay, northern China.
11 April 1938:
Departs Laichow Bay.
12 April 1938:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun.
0800 ~ 1415: Loads coal.
15 April 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at Chefoo anchorage No. 2 later that day.
19 April 1938:
Anchors outside Chefoo port, 49° and 1,150m of LH.
20 April 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
20 April 1938:
Calls at Bajiao port, Chefoo and departs there soon after. At 1308, sustains rifle fire from Chinese soldiers ashore. At 1311, retaliates by firing a 12cm gun volley. At 1313, stops firing. Later arrives off Deng Zhou cliff, 152° and 8,800m of S Changshan Island LH.
21 April 1938:
Departs Deng Zhou cliff waters and arrives at 291° and 2,700m S Changshan Island. At 0815, boards a fishing boat. Later departs S Changshan Island and arrives at 143° and 6,600m of Qimushan LH, Huang County later that day.
23 April 1938:
Departs Huang County and calls at Daping Bay, Hufeng Island. Thereafter, departs and arrives off Cangshan. Departs Cangshan waters and arrives at 132° and 7,300m of Qimushan LH later in the day.
24 April 1938:
At anchor.
25 April 1938:
1107 ~ 1555: Boards a fishing boat.
26 April 1938:
Departs Huang County.
27 April 1938:
Arrives at W wharf No. 4, Ryojun. At 1010, comes alongside a water tanker and is replenished with water.
28 April 1938:
0800 ~ 1150: Alongside a collier and loads coal.
30 April 1938:
1730 ~ 0830: Provisioned with fresh food. Departs Ryojun and arrives at 3° and 1,700m of Chefoo LH later that day.
1 May 1938:
Departs Chefoo and arrives at Huang County, 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
5 May 1938:
Departs Huang County.
6 May 1938:
Arrives at W buoy No. 1, Ryojun and anchors at W Bank.
8 May 1938:
Departs Ryojun towing a target for light cruiser KUMA gunnery training. Arrives at 122° and 580m of Lingshan, S Huang Cheng Island.
9 May 1938:
S Huang Cheng Island, KUMA conducts first practice gunnery training. Later returns to Ryojun and anchors at W Bank alongside auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU.
10 May 1938:
0830 ~ 0935: Provisioned with fresh food.
11 May 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at 140° and 6,850m of Qimushan LH.
14 May 1938:
Anchors at 25° and 2,450m of Qimushan LH. Later, departs Huang County.
15 May 1938:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun.
16 May 1938:
0740 ~ 1300: Loads coal.
17 May 1938:
0730 ~ 0810: Provisioned with fresh food.
18 May 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
19 May 1938:
Arrives at 30° and 4,150m of LH, outside Chefoo port. Later that day anchors in the inner harbor.
23 May 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
2350 ~ 2354: Switches on searchlight.
0100 ~ 0110: Switches on searchlight.
0210 ~ 0217: Switches on searchlight.
0300 ~ 0305: Switches on searchlight.
0405 ~ 0407: Switches on searchlight.
0455 ~ 0500: Switches on searchlight.
At 0919, confiscates eight fishing vessels. One is later released.
24 May 1938:
Arrives at outer harbor, 149° and 6,700m of Qimushan LH.
25 May 1938:
Anchors at 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
30 May 1938:
Departs Huang County. Joins auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU for an exercise. Later returns to 141° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH.
31 May 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at S Bank, Ryojun later that day.
1 June 1938:
0740 ~ 1514: Loads coal.
2 June 1938:
At 0715, provisioned with fresh food.
3 June 1938:
Transfers to Ryojun anchorage No. 3
2337 ~ 0025: Switches on searchlight.
10 June 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at 151° and 6,550m of Qimushan LH. At 1725, disembarks passengers. Later departs Huang County with auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU for a night exercise.
11 June 1938:
Arrives at 140° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH.
13 June 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at 185° and 3,000m of Sang Island later that day.
1040 ~ 1245: Lands an Army Recon. Team on Sang Island. Later that day departs Sang Island and arrives at 141° degrees and 6,700m of Qimushan LH.
15 June 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at 241° degrees and 9,000m of Hufeng Island.
1055 ~ 1500: Reconnaissance of Hufeng Island on board Manchurian ship YUNG PING (EIHEI). Departs there and arrives at 141° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH later that day.
18 June 1938:
Departs Huang County.
19 June 1938:
Arrives at W Bank, Ryojun. At 0845, auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU comes alongside to starboard.
20 June 1938:
At 1005, CHOHEI MARU departs.
22 June 1938:
0730 ~ 0820: Provisioned with fresh food. Departs Ryojun and arrives at 141° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH later that day.
23 June 1938:
1132 ~ 1255: Lands a Recon. Team.
24 June 1938:
0920 ~ 1745: Customs surveillance boat comes alongside to port aft.
1820 ~ 1945: Lands a Recon. Team.
25 June 1938:
0805 ~ 0922: Lands a Recon. Team.
1550 ~ 1745: Lands a Recon. Team.
26 June 1938:
0945 ~ 1105: Lands a Recon. Team.
1353 ~ 1445: Lands a Recon. Team.
28 June 1938:
0757 ~ 0910: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, departs Huang County.
1606 ~ 1650: Gun exercise together with auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU. At 1658, at anchor at 259° and 25,300m of Hou Ji Island. At 1845, Departs.
29 June 1938:
Arrives NE Port, Ryojun. At 0700, provisioned with fresh food. Thereafter, departs Ryojun and arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 4.
1 July 1938:
Departs Chefoo with auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU for a joint exercise. Thereafter returns to Chefoo and anchors at buoy No. 1.
3 July 1938:
0220 ~ 0240: Switches on searchlight. Thereafter, departs Chefoo and arrives at Ryojun, wharf No. 3.
1600 ~ 1750: Alongside a collier, loads coal.
4 July 1938:
0715 ~ 1200: Loads coal.
6 July 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
1737 ~ 1930: on joint and range finding exercise with auxiliary gunboat CHOHAKUSAN MARU. Later arrives at 216° and 11,400m of Hou Ji Island, Dagushan (now Dazhushan) Island.
7 July 1938:
Departs Dagushan Island and arrives at 145° and 8,650m of Qimushan LH.
8 July 1938:
1435 ~ 1530: Lands a Recon. Team.
9 July 1938:
Anchors at 141° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
0929 ~ 1240: Sends a Recon. Team to the Qimushan LH.
1647 ~ 1735: Lands a Recon. Team.
10 July 1938:
1334 ~ 1445: Lands a Recon. Team.
11 July 1938:
1455 ~ 1545: Lands a Recon. Team.
12 July 1938:
Departs Huang County.
13 July 1938:
Arrives at 150° and 1,200m of Toraojima LH, Ryojun outer harbor.
0639 ~ 0747: Unloads a cutter to transport one patient to hospital. Later, departs Ryojun outer harbor and arrives at 140° and 6,830m of Qimushan LH later that day.
14 July 1938:
1545 ~ 1635: Lands a Recon. Team.
15 July 1938:
0222 ~ 1040: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, departs Huang County.
16 July 1938:
Arrives at 148° and 1,300m of Chefoo LH. Anchors at anchorage No. 2.
19 July 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
20 July 1938:
Arrives at 157° and 900m of Toraojima LH, Ryojun outer harbor. Thereafter, enters drydock No. 1 for maintenance and repairs.
25 July 1938:
Undocked and anchors at SE port.
1200 ~ 1535: Loads coal. Thereafter, anchors at NE port.
27 July 1938:
0730 ~ 1900: Provisioned with fresh food. Departs Ryojun later in the day.
28 July 1938:
Arrives at 142° and 7,800m of Qimushan LH. Thereafter, Anchors at 143° and 9,000m of Qimushan LH.
1825 ~ 1925: Lands a Recon. Team.
30 July 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at Luanjiakou later that day.
1420 ~ 1531: Lands a Recon. Team. One soldier is KIA and another is WIA.
1521 ~ 1522: Opens fire with No. 1 and No. 2 guns.
1527 ~ 1529: Opens fire with four guns, firing five rounds. Later, departs Luanjiakou.
31 July 1938:
Arrives at 158° and 900m of Toraojima LH, Ryojun outer harbor. At 0142, the WIA is taken to hospital. Thereafter, anchors at E port, N Bank.
1 August 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 2.
4 August 1938:
Departs Chefoo with auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU for a joint night battle exercise. Thereafter, arrives at 151° and 1,250m of Chefoo LH.
5 August 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
6 August 1938:
Arrives at 158° and 900m of Toraojima LH, Ryojun outer harbor. Anchors at SE western port.
0852 ~ 1210: Loads coal.
8 August 1938:
0735 ~ 1100: Provisioned with fresh food.
9 August 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at 140° and 6,850m of Qimushan LH. At 1950, Manchurian ship YUNG PING (EIHEI) comes alongside.
10 August 1938:
Anchors at 132° and 7,200m of Qimushan LH. Later, anchors at 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
11 August 1938:
Anchors at 131° and 7,300m of Qimushan LH.
1353 ~ 1409: Lands a Recon. Team.
1349 ~ 1352: No. 1 gun fires two rounds.
1356 ~ 1400: Fires at bandits ashore with three guns and expends 3 rounds.
1438 ~ 1527: Lands a Recon. Team.
1445 ~ 1449: Opens fire with three guns and expends 5 rounds.
1508 ~ 1510: Opens fire with three guns and expends 3 rounds. Thereafter, anchors at 140° and 6,750m of Qimushan LH.
12 August 1938:
Anchors at 131° and 7,300m of Qimushan LH. Later, anchors at 140° and 6,800m and ultimately, at 145° and 6,500m of Qimushan LH.
13 August 1938:
Anchors at 131° and 7,250m of Qimushan LH.
0926 ~ 0930: Fires at bandits ashore with four guns and expends 5 rounds.
0926 ~ 0930: Opens fire with four guns and expends 4 rounds.
0932 ~ 1020: Lands a Recon. Team.
0949 ~ 0953: Opens fire with all guns and expends 7 rounds.
0957 ~ 1000: Opens fire with three guns and expends 11 rounds.
1013 ~ 1015: Opens fire with No. 1 and No. 2 guns.
14 August 1938:
0850 ~ 0957: Lands a Recon. Team.
0935 ~ 0940: Opens fire. No. 2 gun fires 5 rounds.
1616 ~ 1650: Lands a Recon. Team.
1805 ~ 1850: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors at 141° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH.
16 August 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at Taku, (now Da Gu) northern China, 355° and 700m of the lightship.
17 August 1938:
At 0822, FENGCHENG No. 1 and FENGCHENG No. 3 auxiliaries come alongside.
18 August 1938:
0850 ~ 1155: Lands Fencheng No. 1 Recon. Team. At 1700, Fengcheng No. 1 and Fengcheng No. 3 depart. Departs Taku later in the day.
19 August 1938:
Arrives at 160° and 4,300m of Huang Cheng Island.
20 August 1938:
Departs Huang Cheng Island on second gunnery exercise.
21 August 1938:
Arrives at 168° and 4,300m of Huang Cheng Island. At 0800, receives target. At 0915, receives the towing line. Tows target ship of Huan Cheng Island for light cruiser KUMA.
22 August 1938:
At 0047, a tugboat comes alongside. At 0055, tow is connected. Later arrives at 157° and 900m of Toraojima LH, Ryojun outer harbor. Anchors at E port West Bank.
0840 ~ 1430: Loads coal.
1245 ~ 1500: Provisioned with fresh food.
25 August 1938:
Departs Ryojun.
26 August 1938:
Arrives at Taku, 256° and 560m of the lightship.
1430 ~ 1740: Lands a Recon. Team.
27 August 1938:
Departs Taku and arrives at Beitang later that day.
1550 ~ 1825: Lands a Recon. Team.
28 August 1938:
Departs Beitang.
29 August 1938:
Arrives at 141° and 6,850m of Qimushan LH. At 0620, YUNG PING (EIHEI) No. 1, YUNG PING (EIHEI) No. 2 and YUNG PING (EIHEI) No. 3 come alongside. At 0635, YUNG PING (EIHEI) No. 2 and YUNG PING (EIHEI) No. 3 depart.
0950 ~ 1058: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, at anchor.
1512 ~ 1605: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors at 142° and 6,850m of Qimushan LH.
30 August 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at 289° and 3,200m of Sanshan.
0927 ~ 0935: Opens fire. No. 2 gun fires 5 rounds.
0941 ~ 0942: Opens fire with No. 1 gun.
0947 ~ 0950: Opens fire with No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 guns.
1015 ~ 1020: Opens fire. No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 guns fire 5 rounds.
1023 ~ 1034: Opens fire. No. 1 gun fires 7 rounds. Thereafter, Departs 289° and 3,200m of Sanshan and arrives at 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH later that day.
31 August 1938:
Anchors at 131° and 7,250m of Qimushan LH.
1330 ~ 1415: Lands a Recon. Team.
1414 ~ 1419: Opens fire. No. 3 gun fires 7 shots. Later, anchors at 141° and 6,950m of Qimushan LH.
2 September 1938:
Anchors at 132° and 7,300m of Qimushan LH.
1438 ~ 1554: Lands a Recon. Team.
3 September 1938:
1430 ~ 1725: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors at 141° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH.
4 September 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 2.
8 September 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
9 September 1938:
Arrives at 119° and 900m of Toraojima lighthouse, Ryojun outer harbor. Anchors at E port, E Bank.
0830 ~ 1030: Loads coal.
10 September 1938:
0805 ~ 0830: Loads grain products.
11 September 1938:
0800 ~ 0915: Provisioned with fresh food.
12 September 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 2 later that day.
13 September 1938:
1310 ~ 1600: Naval auxiliary HAI OU (HAI HOU) comes alongside and supplies charcoal and water.
2015 ~ 2045: Undergoes anchor chain work in auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU searchlight beam.
17 September 1938:
Departs Chefoo and arrives at Huang Cheng Island. At 1250, test fires MGs.
18 September 1938:
Departs Huang Cheng Island. At 0947, exercise starts. At 1027, Shooting starts. At 1029, shooting ends. At 1117, MG No. 2 starts firing. At 1120, MG firing ends. At 1131, MG No. 1 starts firing. At 1133, MG firing ends. At 1245, starboard DC launcher drops a DC. At 1257, port DC launcher drops a DC. Thereafter, returns to Huang Cheng Island.
20 September 1938:
Departs Huang Cheng Island towing a target for light cruiser KUMA shooting exercise. Later, calls at E port, N Bank, Ryojun. Anchor outside port at 160° and 730m of Toraojima LH. Departs there later in the day.
21 September 1938:
Arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 3. At 0828, Division Commander comes aboard. Temporary hoists Commander Flag.
22 September 1938:
At 0846, Commander disembarks. Commander Flag is transferred to auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU. Thereafter, departs Chefoo and arrives at 140° and 6,900m of Qimushan LH later that day.
23 September 1938:
Anchors at 132° and 7,200m of Qimushan LH.
1430 ~ 1530: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors at 143° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
24 September 1938:
Departs Huang County.
25 September 1938:
Arrives at SE Bank, W port, Ryojun.
26 September 1938:
0800 ~ 1100: Loads coal.
27 September 1938:
0800 ~ 1000: Provisioned with fresh food.
28 September 1938:
Departs Ryojun and arrives at 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH later that day.
29 September 1938:
Anchors 132° and 7,200m of Qimushan lighthouse.
1649 ~ 1750: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
1 October 1938:
Departs Huang County and arrives at Huangshan Pavilion temporary anchorage.
0900 ~ 1003: measures water depth. Later departs Huangshan Pavilion for Hu Tou cliff and returns to 140° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH later that day.
3 October 1938:
Anchors 134° and 6,800m of Qimushan LH.
1430 ~ 1549: Lands a Recon. Team. Later, anchors 132° and 7,200m of Qimushan LH.
4 October 1938:
At 1240, Lands a Recon. Team. Later, departs Huang County and arrives at Luanjiakou, 27° W, 1,800m E Luanjiakou, See Zhang Tai. At 1655, the Recon. Team returns aboard.
2230 ~ 2249: Switches on searchlight.
5 October 1938:
0827 ~ 0841: Opens fire. No. 1 gun fires 7 rounds.
0845 ~ 0904: Opens fire. No. 3 gun fires 8 rounds and No. 4 gun, 4 rounds. Later departs Luanjiakou and arrives at Deng Zhou, 60° and 3,800m of Deng Zhou cliff.
1203 ~ 1214: Opens fire with four guns and expends 10 rounds. Later, departs Deng Zhou and arrives at 144° and 6,850m of Qimushan LH later that day.
2028 ~ 2057: Switches on searchlight.
6 October 1938:
Departs Huang County.
7 October 1938:
Arrives at Weihaiwei, 342° and 1,500m of Zhudaojiao LH.
9 October 1938:
1116 ~ 1127: Provisioned with fresh food.
10 October 1938:
Departs Weihaiwei and arrives at Rongcheng Bay, 233° and 6,500m of Shandong Shaojiao LH. Later departs Rongcheng Bay and arrives at Weihaiwei, 342° and 1,500m of Zhudaojiao LH.
11 October 1938:
Departs Weihaiwei.
12 October 1938:
Arrives at E Bank, Ryojun.
1030 ~ 1250: Loads coal.
13 October 1938:
0810 ~ 0945: Provisioned with fresh food. Later anchors 146° and 1,000m of Laoshan LH. Departs there later in the day.
14 October 1938:
Arrives at Chefoo, anchorage No. 1.
15 October 1938:
Departs Chefoo.
16 October 1938:
Arrives at Seito dock No. 1. Comes alongside auxiliary gunboat CHOHEI MARU.
17 October 1938:
Departs Seito.
20 October 1938:
Arrives at Ebisu Bay. Departs there and arrives at D buoy No. 13, Sasebo. Second Gunboat Division is demobilized under Gunboat Command instruction No. 875.
21 October 1938:
Departs Sasebo and arrives at Yamaura, Oshima Sera Bay.
1843 ~ 1850: Switches on searchlight.
22 October 1938:
Departs Yamaura.
23 October 1938:
Arrives at Sas buoy No. 2, Kure. At 0935, a barge comes alongside.
1214 ~ 1300: Offloads ammunition.
24 October 1938:
Anchors at Tsunagi Funabori. At 1458, Captain Tadaki disembarks.
30 October 1938:
0815 ~ 1170: Prepares for derequisition.
31 October 1938:
0815 ~ 1400: Prepares for derequisition.
1 November 1938:
0845 ~ 1130: Prepares for derequisition. Anchors at B buoy No. 23.
2 November 1938:
0900 ~ 1020: Released to her owners. At 1030, IJN Flag and (F) flag are lowered. At 1345, crew disembarks. Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 909.
15 April ~ 24 October 1939:
Chartered by Nichiro Gyogyo K.K.
1940:
Her GRT is changed to 2,101-tons. [1]
7 May ~ 14 September 1940:
Chartered by Nichiro Gyogyo K.K.
1941:
Her GRT and NRT are respectively changed to 2,103-tons and 1,524-tons. [1]
19 February 1942:
Scheduled for requisition.
23 February 1942:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
25 February 1942:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship attached to Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 354.
26 February 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka for requisition reception.
1 March 1942:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship (Otsu) category attached to Yokosuka Naval District. [2]
31 March 1942:
First mission. Departs Yokosuka.
1 ~ 3 April 1942:
Scheduled for food transport under instruction No. 117.
6 April 1942:
Arrives at Minamitorishima (Marcus Island). Departs later that day.
10 April 1942:
Attached to invasion force Supply Unit under Yokosuka Naval instruction No. 74.
11 April 1942:
Arrives at Otorishima (Wake). Departs later that same day.
14 April 1942:
Arrives at Eniwetok, Marshalls.
15 April 1942:
Departs Eniwetok.
17 April 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein, Marshalls.
20 April 1942:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Roi, Marshalls later that day.
21 April 1942:
Departs Roi.
22 April 1942:
Arrives at Wotje, Marshalls.
23 April 1942:
Departs Wotje.
24 April 1942:
Arrives at Taroa, Marshalls.
25 April 1942:
Departs Taroa.
26 April 1942:
Arrives at Majuro, Marshalls. Departs there later that same day.
27 April 1942:
Arrives at Imidj, Marshalls.
28 April 1942:
Departs Imidj and calls at Jaluit, Marshalls. Departs there later in the day.
30 April 1942:
Arrives at Makin, Gilberts.
1 May 1942:
Departs Makin. Attached to invasion force Supply Unit under Yokosuka Naval instruction No. 78.
2 May 1942:
Arrives at Mili, Marshalls and departs later that day.
4 May 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
6 May 1942:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Ebeye, Marshalls later that day.
7 May 1942:
Departs Ebeye and arrives at Kwajalein later that day.
8 May 1942:
At 0500, departs Kwajalein.
18 May 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 May 1942:
Conversion to military duty starts at the Yokosuka Naval Yard.
15 June 1942:
Attached to invasion force Supply Unit under Yokosuka Naval instruction No. 99.
20 June 1942:
The conversion is completed.
28 June 1942:
Second mission. Departs Yokosuka, apparently alone.
4 July 1942:
Arrives at Marcus Island and departs there later that day.
8 July 1942:
Arrives at Wake.
9 July 1942:
Departs Wake.
12 July 1942:
Arrives at Eniwetok and departs there later that day.
14 July 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein.
16 July 1942:
Departs Kwajalein and arrives at Roi later that day.
17 July 1942:
Departs Roi.
18 July 1942:
Arrives at Wotje.
19 July 1942:
Departs Wotje.
20 July 1942:
Arrives at Taroa.
21 July 1942:
Departs Taroa.
22 July 1942:
Arrives at Majuro.
23 July 1942:
Departs Majuro.
24 July 1942:
Arrives at Mili and departs there later that day.
25 July 1942:
Arrives at Imedj.
26 July 1942:
Departs Imedj and arrives at Jaluit later that same day.
27 July 1942:
Departs Jaluit. Scheduled to be operated by a Navy Captain acting as Supervisor.
8 August 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
11 August 1942:
Transfers to Yokohama.
13 August 1942:
Enters Asano drydock.
25 August 1942:
Undocked.
26 August 1942:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
1 ~ 2 September 1942:
Scheduled for a food transport mission under instruction No. 42 part 29.
3 September 1942:
Third mission. Departs Yokosuka, apparently alone.
6 September 1942:
Arrives at Chichi Jima, Ogasawara (Bonins).
9 September 1942:
Departs Chichi Jima.
10 September 1942:
Arrives at Iwo Jima, Ogasawara (Bonins). Departs there later that day.
17 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
21 September 1942:
Departs Truk.
25 September 1942:
Assigned to Supply Unit under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 126.
26 September 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul, New Britain. Departs there soon after for Shortland, Solomons.
28 September 1942:
Still on third mission. Departs Shortland. At 0223, minesweeper W-22 joins the convoy as escort. At 0710, the convoy returns to Shortland. At 1020, W-22 stops escorting and starts patrolling the bay mouth. Arrives at Kieta, Bougainville, Solomons later that day. Departs later for Rabaul.
30 September 1942:
Still on third mission. Departs Rabaul for Shortland.
1 October 1942:
Still on third mission. Calls at Shortland and later that day, departs there in a convoy also consisting of auxiliary transport OSAKA MARU, auxiliary collier SHINYUBARI MARU and auxiliary ammunition transport NISSHUN MARU. At 1610, minesweeper W-22 joins the convoy as escort.
2 October 1942:
At 0720, an unidentified enemy submarine is detected. At 0750, W-22 drops three depth charges, but without effect.
3 October 1942:
At 0508, the convoy arrives at Rabaul. Apparently SENKAI MARU was detached en route.
5 October 1942:
Arrives at Ponape, Carolines.
7 October 1942:
Departs Ponape for Yokosuka. At 1636, Lt.Cdr. J.A. Bole’s Jr. (USNA '28) USS AMBERJACK (SS-219) fires two torpedoes of which one hits SENKAI MARU. She is damaged but can continue. She changes course in the direction of the torpedo tracks and drops two depth charges without result. Thereafter, she resumes her original course. Bole lets USS AMBERJACK surface and start to pursuit SENKAI MARU. At 1736, both open fire with their deck guns. Firing stops shortly thereafter because both ships are not in range. Bole continues the pursuit and SENKAI MARU zigzags at irregular intervals. At 1942, Bole fires a torpedo which misses due to SENKAI MARU course change. At 1958, Bole fires another torpedo which hits. At 2035, SENKAI MARU sinks stern first at 01-55N, 153-42E with the loss of three crewmen. One of her boats carrying survivors is later seen by USS AMBERJACK.
30 November 1942:
Removed from the Navy list under order No. 2198.
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.
[2] There were two categories of Kyuryosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Berend van der Wal, Gilbert Casse and Peter Cundall.
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