KYUSETSUMOKAN!
HOKAKUMOTEI!

SHINTO MARU No. 2 Class - Auxiliary netlayer


(KATSURA MARU, sistership of SHINTO MARU No. 2, in wartime)

This class consists of SHINTO MARU No. 2, AZUSA, GISHO, HINOKI, IWATO, KASHI, KATSURA, KOKAI, KOKOKU and KOREI MARUs, completed between Dec ’38 and Sep ‘43 for various shipping companies. SHINTO MARU No. 2, IWATO, KASHI, KATSURA, KOKAI and KOREI MARUs were requisitioned by the IJN and converted to auxiliary netlayers. AZUSA and HINOKI MARUs were also requisitioned by the IJN and served as general transports, GISHO and KOKOKU MARUs were requisitioned by the IJA as Army transports. Only HINOKI MARU survived the war to be deleted from Lloyds Register in 2006. All others were sunk from various causes between Dec ’42 and Apr ‘45.

Builder and Year Completed: Various shipyards
Between 1938 and 1943
Gross tonnage: From 526-tons to 544-tons
Dimensions: 159.8’(lpp) x 27,2' x 13.5'
Propulsion: One diesel engine, one shaft, 420 shp.
Speed: Cruising: 10 knots
Armament: Standard military equipment:
One 8cm/40cal deck gun, one Type 93 13mm MG, one 7.7mm MG, one 60cm searchlight, Two Type 1 DC throwers, 24 DCs (Type 95 from Mar ’43), four catch nets, one hydrophone.