KYURYOSEN!
(SHINYO MARU, prewar)
IJN SHINYO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2018 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
6 December 1917:
Uraga. Laid down by Uraga Dock K.K. as a 4,736 GRT cargo ship for Kishimoto Kisen K.K.
12 February 1918:
Launched and named SHINPO MARU.
26 March 1918:
Completed and registered at Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture. Her Gross Registered Tonnage (GRT) and Net Registered Tonnage (NRT) respectively are 4,736-tons and 3,397-tons. [1]
1923:
Her registered homeport changes to Kobe.
27 July 1924:
In dense fog, three nautical miles W Noshintoro, Karafuto (now Sakhalin), collides with Kitanihon Kisen K.K. passenger-cargo ship TAIREI MARU. Subsequently TAIREI MARU sinks.
26 December 1925:
Renamed SHINYO MARU. [2]
24 November 1933:
Her ownership changes to Nihon Godo Kosen K.K.
15 May 1934:
Daido Gyogyo K.K obtains a ‘Mother ship type salmon’ fishery approval certificate No. 691. Operation areas include: Bering Sea N of 52N, E of 160E, N of 51N, E of 160E near S of Cronokie Cape.
E May ~ August 1934:
Chartered by Daido Gyogyo K.K.
31 August 1934:
The ‘Mother ship type salmon’ fishery approval certificate expires (Abolition of use of mother ship).
28 October 1936:
Her ownership changes to Kyodo Gyogyo K.K.
24 April 1937:
Her ownership changes to Nippon Suisan K.K.
1939:
Converted to a crab cannery factory ship.
4 February 1939:
Arrives at Wanshan Archipelago, southern China.
1940:
Her GRT and NRT respectively are changed to 4,658-tons and 3,461-tons. [1]
E 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJA as Army transport No. 354.
11 October 1941:
Departs Moji.
21 October 1941:
Arrives at Haiphong, French Indochina (now Vietnam).
22 October 1941:
Departs Haiphong.
2 November 1941:
Arrives at Ujina, Hiroshima Prefecture. Departs later for Moji.
3 November 1941:
Departs Moji.
24 November 1941:
Arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
30 November 1941:
Departs Kirun.
1 December 1941:
Arrives at Ujina.
15 December 1941:
Departs Ujina.
17 December 1941:
Arrives at Pusan, Chosen (now Busan, South Korea) and departs later that day.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Moji and departs later that day.
19 December 1941:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later that day.
21 December 1941:
Arrives at Ujina.
22 December 1941:
Departs Ujina.
24 December 1941:
Arrives at Pusan.
26 December 1941:
Departs Pusan.
27 December 1941:
Arrives at Ujina and departs later that day.
29 December 1941:
Arrives at Pusan, departs there and arrives at Moji this same day.
14 January 1942:
Departs Ujina.
16 January 1942:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later this day.
18 January 1942:
Arrives at Ujina.
19 January 1942:
Departs Ujina.
21 January 1942:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later that day.
23 January 1942:
Arrives at Ujina. Departs later for Moji.
24 January 1942:
Departs Moji.
26 January 1942:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later this day.
28 January 1942:
Arrives at Ujina.
17 February 1942:
Departs Ujina.
19 February 1942:
Arrives at Pusan and departs later that day.
20 February 1942:
Arrives at Ujina.
24 February 1942:
Departs Moji.
27 February 1942:
Arrives at Shanghai, southern China.
28 February 1942:
At 1800, departs Shanghai in convoy with HOKURYU MARU escorted by auxiliary gunboat UNKAI MARU No. 10. The ships sail at 9 knots.
1 March 1942:
At 1033, UNKAI MARU No. 10, having detached, arrives at Ssu Chiao Shan.
5 March 1942:
Arrives at Huangpu, southern China.
E6 March 1942:
Departs Huangpu.
E19 March 1942:
Arrives at Rangoon, Burma (now Yangon, Myanmar).
20 March 1942:
Departs Rangoon.
2 April 1942:
Arrives at Singapore. Departs Singapore later that day in the 2nd Burma Invasion Convoy (U convoy).
8 April 1942:
Arrives at Rangoon, later departs for Saigon, French Indochina (now, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).
30 April 1942:
At 0800, departs Saigon in a convoy also consisting of NITTAI, KENZAN, KYOKO and KEIZAN MARUs escorted by minelayers KAMOME and TSUBAME.
6 May 1942:
At 1630, arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
19 May 1942:
Conversion starts at the Sasebo Naval Yard.
26 ~ 29 May 1942:
Derequisitioned and requisitioned again by the IJN.
15 June 1942:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship attached to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 1058.
1 July 1942:
Navy Captain Tsubata Kiichi (36) is appointed CO.
E July 1942:
Attached directly to the Combined Fleet as a special transport (Ko) category. [3]
9 September 1942:
Conversion is completed.
19 September 1942:
Departs Sasebo.
30 September 1942:
Departs Truk, Central Carolines (now Chuuk, Chuuk State, Micronesia) escorted by auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU.
22 October 1942:
Departs Truk in convoy with OMI MARU escorted by destroyer ASANAGI.
25 October 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
1 November 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
12 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for Truk.
6 December 1942:
Departs Truk alone.
16 December 1942:
An enemy submarine shells the ship, W Torishima (Wake Island) but SHINYO MARU escapes.
18 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
19 ~ 21 December 1942:
Unloads 300t of surrender and repatriation goods.
22 ~ 24 December 1942:
Undergoes various hull parts repairs.
25 December 1942 ~ 9 January 1943:
Fitted with a 25kW generator.
25 ~ 31 December 1942:
Loads 700t of goods, 225t fresh food, 350t of sake, 117t submarine rations for Vice Admiral Samejima Tomoshige’s (37) Fourth Fleet, Fourth Naval Accounting department and 16t various food products.
1 ~ 9 January 1943:
Loads 10t consignment goods for the Fourth Naval Accounting Department, 5t consignment goods for Vice Admiral Komatsu Teruhisa’s (37) Sixth Fleet and about 1t mail.
10 January 1943:
At 1020, departs Yokosuka.
20 January 1943:
At 1558, arrives at Truk.
21 ~ 31 January 1943:
Unloads cargo.
26 January 1943:
Supplies seaplane carrier SANYO MARU with warehouse goods and drinking supplies.
27 January 1943:
Alongside auxiliary submarine tender HIE MARU and supplies 90t of submarine rations and various food.
28 January 1943:
Supplies seaplane carrier SANYO MARU with fresh food.
1 ~ 3 February 1943:
Loads 60t stored goods, 9.2t fresh food and 0.4t ice for the Navy Department.
4 ~8 February 1943:
Loads 66t empty refund bottles and empty barrels for Yokosuka Naval District, Munitions Department.
9 February 1943:
At 0900, departs Truk escorted by subchaser CH-10.
13 February 1943:
At 1110, arrives at Saipan, Marianas.
14 ~17 February 1943:
Loads 900t sugar, 162t copra, mail and confidential books for Yokohama.
18 February 1943:
At 0750, departs Saipan.
27 February 1943:
At 1120, arrives at Yokohama.
28 February ~ 1 March 1943:
Unloads sugar and copra.
2 March 1943:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
2 ~ 4 March 1943:
Unloads empty bottles and barrels, confidential books and Navy munitions.
5 ~ 18 March 1943:
Undergoes various repairs.
10 ~ 26 March 1943:
Loads 1,057t stored grain products, 267t fresh food, 130t sake and 17t care (clothing, hobbies and food) products.
27 March 1943:
At 1200, departs Yokosuka in convoy with auxiliary stores ships HOKO and CHOKO MARUs.
8 April 1943:
At 1720, arrives at Truk.
31 March 1943:
Her ownership changes to Nihon Kaiyo Gyogyo K.K.
1 April 1943:
Attached to Truk, 4th Base Force.
9 April 1943:
Unloads 17t goods for 4th Base Force, Navy Munitions Department (clothes, preference food).
10 April 1943:
Anchors at Moen Island, anchorage, Truk.
10 ~ 22 April 1943:
Transfers goods to the present ships.
16 April 1943:
Anchors at Dublon anchorage, Truk.
23 ~ 25 April 1943:
Loads about 300t empty bottles and barrels, and 1t mail.
26 April 1943:
Departs Truk in convoy No. 4426 also consisting of KAISHO, NOSHIRO and NANKAI MARUs escorted by destroyer ASANAGI and auxiliary netlayer OSEI MARU.
5 May 1943:
At 0730, arrives at Yokosuka.
5 ~ 8 May 1943:
Unloads about 300t empty bottles and barrels and 1t mail.
9 ~ 18 May 1943:
Undergoes various repairs.
15 ~ 25 May 1943:
Loads 367t fresh food, 894 stored grain products, 20t ice, 156t sake, 13t various goods and some mail for Fourth Fleet, Fourth Military Division.
25 May 1943:
Navy Captain Tsubata is confirmed as CO.
26 May 1943:
At 1600, departs Yokosuka in convoy 3526B also consisting of IJN transport CHOKO MARU and IJA transports TOKO and KAIKO MARUs escorted by auxiliary minelayer TOSHI MARU No. 8.
4 June 1943:
At 1124, arrives at Saipan.
4 ~ 7 June 1943:
Transfers cargo to the present ships.
7 June 1943:
At 1730, departs Saipan in a convoy also consisting of TOKO and KAIKO MARUs with unknown escort.
9 June 1943:
At 2048, the convoy is unsuccessfully attacked by LtCdr (later Cdr) Albert C. Burrows' (USNA '28) USS WHALE (SS-239).
11 June 1943:
At 1800, arrives at Truk.
12 ~29 June 1943:
Unloads 13t various goods for Fourth Fleet, Fourth Military Division and some mail. Distributes these among the present ships.
30 June 1943:
Loads exercise bombs and an electric pole, and embarks 37 passengers.
1 July 1943:
At 0400, departs Truk in convoy No. 4701 also consisting of FUKUYAMA MARU and two unidentified merchant ships with unknown escort. The ships sail at 8 knots.
4 July 1943:
Arrives at Saipan after been detached from the convoy.
5 July 1943:
Unloads exercise bombs and the electric pole.
6 ~14 July 1943:
Loads 1,078t sugar, 70t tapioca and 80 cans whiskey.
16 July 1943:
At 1300, departs Saipan.
22 July 1943:
Attacked by an unidentified submarine but suffers no damage.
23 July 1943:
Attacked again by an unidentified submarine but suffers no damage. At 1030, arrives at Yokohama.
24 July 1943:
Unloads 1,078t sugar, 70t tapioca and 80 cans whiskey.
25 July 1943:
Navy Captain (later Rear Admiral) Ikeda Keinosuke (34) is appointed CO.
26 July 1943:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
27 ~ 30 July 1943:
Undergoes various hull parts repairs.
28 July 1943:
Captain Tsubota is relieved by Captain Ikeda.
5 August 1943:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Uraga later that day. Later enters Uraga Dock K.K. shipyard drydock.
14 August 1943:
Undocked. Transfers to Yokosuka and tethers to pier No. 3.
E 1 September 1943:
Actual generator (25kW) is replaced by a 88kW generator.
30 September 1943:
Loads ammunition and depth charges.
30 September ~8 October 1943:
Loads stored grain products. Completes various hull part repairs.
1 October 1943:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship (Otsu) category. [3]
7 October 1943:
Captain Ikeda disembarks and is reassigned to Yokosuka Naval District.
9 October 1943:
At 0900, departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3009B also consisting of UDO, KENSHIN and HOKUYO MARUs and EIKO MARU No. 2, escorted by destroyer YUZUKI. The ships sail at 8 knots.
13 October 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima. Departs for Truk at an unknown date.
20 October 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Truk.
21 ~ 31 October 1943:
Unloads cargo and undergoes various hull and engine repairs.
1 November 1943:
Loads sundries.
8 November 1943:
At 0620, departs Truk in convoy No. 4108 also consisting of auxiliary stores ship HOKO MARU and IJN transport CHOAN MARU No 2 GO escorted by destroyer OITE.
11 November 1943:
At 2150, in 14-30N, 146-03E the convoy is attacked by an unidentified submarine but suffers no damage.
12 November 1943:
At 0615, arrives at Saipan and at 1538, departs for Yokosuka still in convoy No. 4108 also consisting of IJN auxiliary transports HIYOSHI MARU and CHOAN MARU No 2, auxiliary stores ship HOKO MARU escorted by destroyer OITE.
19 November 1943:
Arrives off Tateyama.
20 November 1943:
Departs Tateyama waters and at 0900, arrives at Yokosuka.
21 ~ 30 November 1943:
Unloads sundries and undergoes various hull and engine repairs.
25 November ~ 10 December 1943:
Loads food and beverages.
8 December 1943:
Embarks 30 passengers.
11 December 1943:
At 1000, departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3211A also consisting of MITAKESAN and HAKOZAKI MARUs escorted by kaibokan OKI, patrol boat PB-46 and subchaser CH-31.
14 December 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima where the ship is detached from the convoy.
17 December 1943:
At 1500, departs Chichi-Jima escorted by auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 8.
19 December 1943:
Anti-submarine combat by shelling at 20-37N, 141-24E.
22 December 1943:
At 1615, arrives at Saipan.
23 ~ 25 December 1943:
Carries out food and beverages distribution to IJA forces and loads sundries.
26 December 1943:
At 1300, departs Saipan in convoy No. 1210 with auxiliary stores ships HOKO, CHIYO and TAIYO MARUs escorted by auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 8. [4]
28 December 1943:
At 1200, auxiliary netlayer KOKO MARU and auxiliary minesweeper Wa-6 are scheduled to meet up with the convoy and replace FUMI MARU No. 2 and KYO MARU No. 8 as escorts. FUMI MARU No. 2 and KYO MARU No. 8 will return to Saipan.
29 December 1943:
At 1217, the convoy reports a torpedo attack in 07.57N 147.46E but it causes no damage.
30 December 1943:
Scheduled to arrive at 1530, in the convoy at Truk South Channel.
1 ~ 26 January 1944:
Carries out food, beverages and consigned goods distribution to Fourth Fleet submarine squadron.
8 January 1944:
Disembarks 30 passengers.
26 January 1944:
Embarks 73 passengers.
27 January 1944:
At 0545, departs Truk in convoy No. 4127 also consisting of MATSUE MARU and YOSHIDA MARU No. 3 escorted by kaibokan FUKUE, minesweeper W-22 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8 and auxiliary minesweeper KINJO MARU.
30 January 1944:
At 1100, auxiliary subchaser FUMI MARU No. 2 joins the escort and KINJO MARU is detached.
3 February 1944:
At 0614, arrives at Saipan. Disembarks 38 passengers.
5 ~ 7 February 1944:
Loads sugar.
9 February 1944:
At 0522, departs Saipan in convoy No. 4127 escorted by W-22, subchaser CH-50, auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 8 and KYO MARU No. 10.
10 February 1944:
At 1832, drops to the rear of the convoy due to engine failure. At 1912, issue is solved and ship takes up her original position in the convoy.
12 February 1944:
At 1200, KYO MARU No. 10 is detached and returns to Saipan. At 1700, auxiliary minesweeper TOSHI MARU No. 5 joins.
14 February 1944:
At 0338, arrives at Chichi-Jima.
15 February 1944:
At 1139, departs Chichi-Jima in convoy No. 4127 now also consisting of MATSUE, and HYAKUFUKU MARUs and TOMI MARU No. 3 escorted by W-22 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8.
16 February 1944:
Anti-submarine combat by shelling. At 1650, subchaser CH-52 joins the convoy and takes up a position at its rear.
19 February 1944:
At 0715, W-22 detaches and steams ahead of the convoy. Later at 0934, the rest of the convoy arrives at Yokohama. Disembarks 43 passengers.
21 February 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
1 ~ 27 March 1944:
Undergoes various repairs.
26 March 1944:
Loads sundries.
28 March 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
28 ~ 30 March 1944:
Loads fresh food, beverages and warehouse goods.
31 March 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
1 April 1944:
At 1100, departs Tokyo Bay as part of 26-ship convoy “Higashi-Matsu” (East Pine) No. 4. The ships and their destinations are:
Saipan: SHOUN, TOKO, TAKASAN, AKIKAWA, KOKO, SHIRAMINE, TAIKAI, KAKOGAWA and MACASSAR MARUS.
Guam: MIMASAKA, TOAN, AZUCHISAN and NISSHU MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
Truk: Fleet supply ship KINESAKI, SHOZUI, TATEBE, SHIMA, auxiliary stores ship SHINYO and HAVRE MARUs.
Palau: Fleet supply ship MAMIYA, TENRYUGAWA, TAIAN and TOSEI MARUs and SHINSEI MARU No. 5.
Yap: SHINSEI MARU.
The convoy commander is Rear Admiral Kiyota Takahiko (42) (former CO of NACHI) in destroyer SAMIDARE. The other escorts are destroyer ASANAGI, torpedo-boat HIYODORI, kaibokan MIKURA, FUKUE, OKI, CD-2, CD-3 and subchaser CH-50.
3 April 1944:
5 nautical miles S Tori-Shima. At about 1457, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Bafford E. Lewellen's ( USNA '31) USS POLLACK torpedoes and sinks TOSEI MARU loaded with ammunition and rations, at 30-14N, 139-45E. One passenger is KIA. The escorts counter-attack USS POLLACK and drop 55 depth-charges without effect.
8 April 1944:
N of Saipan. At 0228 (JST), LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Frederick J. Harlfinger's (USNA '37) USS TRIGGER (SS-237) fires four torpedoes at the convoy, but fails to get any hits. OKI and SAMIDARE counter-attack unsuccessfully.
9 April 1944:
62 miles WNW of Saipan. At 1625, LtCdr (later Captain) Slade D. Cutter's (USNA '35) USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) torpedoes and hits MIMASAKA MARU at 15-30N, 145-00E. One gunner, 10 crewmen and seven troops are KIA. The damaged vessel is taken in tow by TOAN MARU. The escorts counter-attack USS SEAHORSE unsuccessfully.
10 April 1944:
At about 0100 (JST), MIMASAKA MARU founders. She was carrying 1,146 IJN personnel and 1,437-tons of luggage.
At 1200, the convoy arrives at Saipan, then is split into separate groups that continue on to their respective destinations.
At 1230, arrives at Saipan port because of engine failure.
At 1630 engine is repaired and recommences voyage. Later joins oiler KYOEI MARU.
12 April 1944:
Two escorts join.
16 April 1944:
The four ships arrive at Truk.
17 ~ 21 April 1944:
Unloads 150t submarine rations and 1,070t food. Distributes beverages and warehouse goods.
21 April 1944:
Embarks 88 passengers.
22 April 1944:
At 0400, departs Truk in a convoy also consisting of TATEBE, SHOZUI, SHIMA, CHIYO MARUs and stores ship KINEZAKI and possibly others escorted by subchaser CH-28.
26 April 1944:
At 0900, arrives at Saipan. Disembarks 22 passengers.
27 April 1944:
Embarks 37 passengers. At 0300, departs Saipan in the same convoy as above but with unknown escort.
4 May 1944:
At 2100, arrives at Yokohama.
5 May 1944:
Disembarks 37 passengers.
7 May 1944:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Uraga later that day.
9 May ~ 19 July 1944:
Undergoes various hull and weapons repairs at Uraga Dock K.K. shipyard.
15 July 1944:
Attached to Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi’s (38) Southwest Area Fleet.
19 July 1944:
Departs Uraga and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
19 July ~ 22 July 1944:
Loads fresh food, alcohol, warehouse goods and replenishes fuel.
23 July 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day. Begins loading food, warehouse goods and munitions.
23 July ~ 25 July 1944:
Loads grain, beverages and ammunition.
24 July 1944:
Embarks four passengers.
26 July 1944:
Departs Yokohama in convoy No. 7726B with two unidentified vessels. The convoy sails at 8 knots.
28 July 1944:
Anti-submarine combat by depth charge attack at 33-29N, 135-25 E.
30 July 1944:
Arrives at Moji.
1 August 1944:
Embarks 268 passengers.
2 August 1944:
Embarks 108 passengers.
2 ~ 4 August 1944:
Loads movers, aviation torpedoes, radio equipment, machine tools and other communication equipment.
4 August 1944:
Disembarks two passengers. At 1655, departs Moji and arrives at Mutsure later that day.
5 August 1944:
Departs Mutsure.
14 August 1944:
At 1420, arrives at Kirun.
15 August 1944:
Departs Kirun.
16 August 1944:
Arrives at Saei, Formosa (now Tsoying harbour, Taiwan) near Takao (now Kaoshiung).
22 August 1944:
Departs Saei and arrives at Takao later that day.
23 ~ 25 August 1944:
Disembarks 374 passengers. Unloads movers, aviation torpedoes, radio equipment, machine tools and communication equipment. Loads stored grain products and embarks 533 passengers.
26 August 1944:
Departs Takao and arrives outside Takao port later that day.
28 August 1944:
Departs Takao in convoy MI-15 also consisting of RIKKO, TAISHO. CHIYODA, NANSEI, HOSEN, OKUNI, EIKYU MARUs, OKINOYAMA MARU No. 5, KYOEI MARU No. 10 and UNKAI MARU No. 5 escorted by minelayer SHIRATAKA, minesweeper W-21, and Kaibokan CD-10 and CD-20.
29 August 1944:
Arrives at Toko (now Donggang), Formosa. Disembarks one passenger.
30 August 1944:
Departs Toko.
31 August 1944:
Luzon Strait, S of Formosa. At about 0220, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Charles E. Loughlin's (USNA '33) USS QUEENFISH (SS-393) hits CHIYODA MARU with four torpedoes and sets her afire. At 0240, as the moon sets, CHIYODA MARU sinks. She was carrying 430 passengers, coal briquettes and drummed gasoline. 382 passengers and 15 of the crew are KIA. Loughlin also damages oiler RIKKO MARU steaming in ballast.
LtCdr (later Vice Admiral) Eli T. Reich's (USNA '35) USS SEALION (SS-315), a member of "Ben's Busters" with USS GROWLER (SS-215) and USS PAMPANITO, enters the Bashi Strait. USS SEALION's SJ radar picks up the convoy and Reich makes a night surface approach. He sets up and fires six torpedoes, but they all run erratically. About 0500, Reich swings USS SEALION and fires his four stern torpedoes at a large tanker. He claims two hits.
Alerted by code-breaker's "Ultra" signals, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Eugene B. Fluckey's (USNA '35) USS BARB (SS-220) intercepts the convoy. At about 0700, Fluckey torpedoes OKUNI MARU. She sinks stern first with three of her crewmen dead. Fluckey also sinks the 45th Minesweeper Squadron's HINODE MARU No. 20 that was patrolling in the area. Two crewmen are KIA.
USS SEALION evades the convoy's escorts. Still surfaced, LtCdr Reich makes an "end-around" approach and works his way ahead of the convoy. At 0715 (JST), SHIRATAKA's lookouts spot a submarine on the surface at 21-05N, 121-26E. Reich misidentifies SHIRATAKA as a destroyer. He begins a submerged approach. At 0730, Reich hits SHIRATAKA with two of three torpedoes. At 1115, SHIRATAKA sinks at 20-55N, 121-07E. Captain Miki Takahide (46) is KIA. He is promoted Rear Admiral, posthumously.
SHINYO MARU later arrives at Borio (now Fangliao), Formosa.
3 September 1944:
Departs Toko.
6 September 1944:
Arrives at San Fernando, Philippines.
7 September 1944:
Departs San Fernando.
8 September 1944:
Arrives at Manila, Philippines.
8 ~ 10 September 1944:
Unloads food, beverages, munitions and warehouse goods and disembarks personnel. Loads ammunition and embarks passengers.
12 September 1944:
At 0500, departs Manila.
13 September 1944:
At 1700, arrives at Nin Bay, Masbate Island, Philippines.
18 September 1944:
At 1300, departs Nin Bay.
19 September 1944:
At 1400, arrives at Cebu, Philippines.
20 September 1944:
Unloads food, munitions and disembarks personnel. Loads rice, beer and other sundries and embarks 285 passengers.
21 September 1944:
At 0700, departs Cebu escorted by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-7 and joins convoy C-203 also consisting of SIBERIA MARU and KOSHU MARU No. 2 escorted by auxiliary TERUKAZE MARU and auxiliary subchaser CHa-39 and CHa-42.
22 September 1944:
At 0700, arrives at Looc Bay, Masbate Island.
24 September 1944:
At 0500, departs Looc Bay still in convoy C-203. Sustains an air attack at 12-23N, 122-50E, about 8 nautical miles SE Kahidokan, Sibuyan Island while heading for Sibuyan Island with CHa-39 and Wa-7. The convoy id attacked by USN TG.38.1, TG.38.2 and TG.38.3 totaling 48 aircraft. SHINYO MARU starboard coal bunker is hit. A fire starts and ship becomes unnavigable. She starts sinking and all hands abandon ship. At midnight, she slips beneath the waves.
10 November 1944:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 1258.
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] Not to be confused with auxiliary transport (’37, 4,163 GRT), captured ex-Greek PANANIS (’94, 2,634 GRT) or Wartime Std. 2A Type (’45, 6,888 GRT).
[3] There were two categories of Kyuryosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
[4] The 901 air Kokutai reports on 27 December that it provided air cover for a convoy consisting of six ships that departed Saipan probably late on 26 December 1944. The convoy likely consisted of CHIYO, HOKO and TAIYO MARUs and three unidentified vessels. Depending whether or not escorts are included in this total number, these unidentified vessels could be auxiliary stores ship SHINYO MARU with escorts auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 8 or SHINYO MARU and IJA auxiliary transport MOMOKAWA MARU and one unidentified vessel. SHINYO MARU supposedly departed Saipan at 1300 on 26 December and arrives 0715 at Truk on 31 December 1944. MOMOKAWA MARU supposedly departed Saipan at 27 December 1944 escorted by minelayer NASAMI and arrives at Truk on 31 December 1944. Authors assume escorts were included in the report about the six ship convoy.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Berend van der Wal, Gilbert Casse and Peter Cundall.
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