ZATSUYOSEN!

SUWA MARU-Class Auxiliary Transport


(SUWA MARU, prewar)

This class consists of SUWA, YASAKA and FUSHIMI MARU, all completed in ’14 for Nippon Yusen K.K. (NYK). YASAKA MARU had a very short career, being torpedoed and sunk by a German submarine in Dec ’15. FUSHIMI MARU remained under civilian control and was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in Feb ’43. SUWA MARU was requisitioned by the IJN in Dec ’40 and converted to an auxiliary transport. She was torpedoed and damaged beyond repair by an American submarine in Mar ’43 being beached off Wake Island.

Builder and Years Completed: Kojagijima. Nagasaki. Mitsubishi G.K. Shipyard YASAKA MARU: Kobe. Kawasaki Zosensho K.K.
1914
Gross tonnage: 10,932-tons to 11,758-tons
Dimensions: 515.7' (Lpp) x 63.3' x 37.4'
Propulsion: Two Triple Expansion Steam Engines, two shafts, 7,200 bhp
Speed: 14 knots cruising, 16.5 knots max.
Armament and equipment: SUWA MARU in Dec ’41: Two Type 88 7cm AA field guns.