KYURYOSEN!
PICTURE WANTED
IJN TAKUNAN MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2019 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
E 1938:
Osaka. Laid down by Asano Zosensho K.K. for Taiwan Kaiun K.K.
24 March 1939:
Launched and named TAKUNAN MARU.
1 June 1940:
Completed and registered at Takao, Formosa (now Kaohsiung, Taiwan).
9 July 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
15 November 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship (Otsu) category attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 1430. [1]
23 November 1941:
First mission. Departs Yokosuka.
1 December 1941:
Arrives at Marcus Island. Departs there later that day.
7 December 1941:
Arrives at Eniwetok, Marshalls.
8 December 1941:
Departs Eniwetok.
10 December 1941:
Arrives at Roi, Marshalls.
12 December 1941:
Departs Roi and arrives at Kwajalein, Marshalls later that day.
13 December 1941:
Departs Kwajalein.
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Wotje, Marshalls.
15 December 1941:
Departs Wotje.
16 December 1941:
Arrives at Taroa, Marshalls. Departs later that same day.
17 December 1941:
Arrives at Majuro, Marshalls. Departs later that day.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Jabor, Jaluit, Marshalls. Departs there and arrives at Imiedji, Jaluit later in the day.
19 December 1941:
Departs Imiedji and arrives at Jabor later that day.
22 December 1941:
Departs Jabor.
7 January 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
E8 January 1942:
Assigned to food supply mission under instruction No. 23.
22 January 1942:
Second Mission. Departs Yokosuka apparently alone and unescorted.
25 January 1942:
Arrives at Chichi Jima, Ogasawara Gunto (Bonins).
26 January 1942:
Provisions auxiliary gunboats MAGANE and YOSHIDA MARUs with fresh food.
27 January 1942:
Departs Chichi Jima and arrives at Hahajima, Ogasawara Gunto later that day. Departs there later in the day.
28 January 1942:
Arrives at Iwo Jima, Ogasawara Gunto and departs there later that day. Assigned to resupply invasion forces troops under instruction No. 45.
31 January 1942:
Arrives at Pakan Jima, Marianas and departs there later that same day.
1 February 1942:
Arrives at Saipan, Marianas.
3 February 1942:
Departs Saipan.
4 February 1942:
Arrives at Omiya Jima (Guam), Marianas.
8 February 1942:
Departs Omiya Jima.
12 February 1942:
Arrives at Palau, Western Carolines.
15 February 1942:
Departs Palau.
25 February 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
E1 April 1942:
Assigned to fresh food transport mission under instruction No. 130.
5 April 1942:
Third mission. Departs Yokosuka, apparently alone and unescorted.
10 April 1942:
Assigned to resupply invasion forces troops under instruction No. 74.
12 April 1942:
Arrives at Pakan Jima and departs there later in the day.
13 April 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
15 April 1942:
Departs Saipan.
16 April 1942:
Arrives at Omiya Jima.
17 April 1942:
Departs Omiya Jima.
20 April 1942:
Arrives at Palau.
22 April 1942:
Departs Palau.
1 May 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Assigned to resupply invasion forces troops under instruction No. 78.
E2 May 1942:
Assigned to fresh food supply mission under instruction No. 182.
10 May 1942:
Fourth Mission. At 1730, departs from off Futtsu, Tokyo Bay with auxiliary oiler TONAN MARU No. 2 escorted by destroyer OKIKAZE and auxiliary netlayer KOKAI MARU. The escorts detach and TAKUNAN MARU and TONAN MARU No. 2 head S to Ponape, Carolines.
13 May 1942:
Arrives at Chichi Jima, having detached from TONAN MARU No. 2.
14 May 1942:
Departs Chichi Jima and arrives at Hahajima. Departs there later that day.
15 May 1942:
Arrives at Iwo Jima and departs there later in the day.
22 May 1942:
Arrives at Truk, Central Carolines.
26 May 1942:
Departs Truk.
4 June 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
15 June 1942:
Assigned to resupply troops under instruction No. 99.
E16 June 1942:
Assigned to fresh food supply mission under instruction No. 42/4.
20 June 1942:
Fifth mission. Departs Yokosuka, apparently alone and unescorted.
23 June 1942:
Arrives at Chichi Jima.
25 June 1942:
Departs Chichi Jima and arrives at Hahajima. Departs there later that same day.
26 June 1942:
Arrives at Iwo Jima and departs there later that day.
2 July 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
7 July 1942:
Departs Truk.
11 July 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul, New Britain.
14 July 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
18 July 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
22 July 1942:
Departs Truk.
24 July 1942:
Arrives at Mereyon (Falalap, now Woleai), Yap, Carolines.
26 July 1942:
Departs Mereyon.
3 August 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
14 August 1942:
Scheduled for fresh food transport mission from Yokosuka to Rabaul under instruction No. 42/26.
15 August 1942:
Sixth mission. Departs Yokosuka.
29 August 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
2 September 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
3 September 1942:
Arrives at Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Archipelago.
4 September 1942:
Departs Kavieng.
7 September 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
10 September 1942:
Departs Truk.
15 September 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
18 September 1942:
Replenished with fresh water by auxiliary gunboat NIKKAI MARU. Departs Rabaul later that day.
19 September 1942:
Arrives at Kavieng.
20 September 1942:
Departs Kavieng.
25 September 1942:
Scheduled to supply troops under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 126.
3 October 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
22 October 1942:
Seventh mission. Departs Yokosuka.
3 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
6 November 1942:
Departs Truk.
11 November 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
20 November 1942:
Departs Rabaul likely escorted by minesweeper W-21.
22 November 1942:
Arrives at Shortland, Bougainville, Solomons.
25 November 1942:
Departs Shortland.
27 November 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
1 December 1942:
Departs Rabaul in convoy with auxiliary collier-tanker SHINYUBARI MARU.
5 December 1942:
At 05-20N, 152-10E destroyer YUNAGI meets up with the ships.
6 December 1942:
At 0600, arrives at Truk.
14 December 1942:
Departs Truk in a convoy also consisting of stores ships MANKO, MINATO and MITSU MARUs with an unknown escort.
18 December 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
1 January 1943:
At 1600, departs Rabaul escorted by destroyer YUGURE.
5 January 1943:
At 0728, arrives at Truk.
14 January 1943:
Departs Truk.
18 January 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
25 January 1943:
Departs Rabaul.
6 February 1943:
Eighth mission. Departs Yokosuka.
14 February 19432:
Arrives at Saipan.
16 February 19432:
Departs Saipan, apparently alone and unescorted.
21 February 19432:
Arrives at Palau.
24 February 19432:
Departs Palau in convoy with IJN requisitioned cargo (B-AK) NICHIZUI MARU and unknown escort. TAKUNAN MARU is detached at some point, probably to Saipan.
9 March 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
14 March 1943:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
16 April 1943:
Enters Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K. Yokohama shipyard drydock for maintenance and repairs.
21 April 1943:
Undocked.
12 May 1943:
Departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
24 May 1943:
Ninth mission. Departs Yokosuka.
29 May 19423:
Arrives at Minami Tori Shima (Marcus Island).
30 May 1943:
Departs Marcus Island.
3 June 1943:
Arrives at Omiya Jima (Guam).
7 June 1943:
Departs Omiya Island (Guam).
14 June 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 July 1943:
Assigned to fresh food transport mission under secret instruction No. 234.
Tenth mission. At 1010, departs Yokosuka for Suzaki where convoy No. 3702-B is organized and consists also of IJA transports MANJU and HIYOSHI MARUs and auxiliary stores ship CHIYO MARU escorted by minesweeper W-26 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-5 and CHa-12. Later, the convoy departs for Truk via Saipan.
3 July 1943:
Near Aogashima. At 0530, W-26 is detached from convoy No. 3702-B and reverses course.
5 July 1943:
At 1000, convoy No. 3702-B arrives at Futami harbor, Chichi- Jima and waits there due to a typhoon in the area.
9 July 1943:
At 1255, convoy No. 3702-B departs Futami harbor.
14 July 1943:
At 1420, convoy No. 3702-B arrives at Saipan. HIYOSHI MARU is detached from the convoy.
E 14 ~ 17 July 1943:
Auxiliary transport SANSEI MARU joins convoy No. 3702-B.
15 July 1943:
Auxiliary netlayer SHUKO MARU joins the convoy No. 3702-B escort.
16 July 1943:
SHUKO MARU is detached from escort duty.
17 July 1943:
Convoy No. 3702-B departs Saipan.
20 July 1943:
Auxiliary minelayer KINJO MARU, arriving from Truk, joins the convoy No. 3702-B escort.
21 July 1943:
At 1230, convoy No. 3702-B arrives at Truk.
31 July 1943:
At 1200, departs Truk in convoy No. 1312 also consisting of auxiliary transport SHOEI MARU (1,986 GRT) escorted by torpedo boat HIYODORI.
4 August 1943:
At 1200, convoy No. 1312 arrives at Rabaul.
4 ~ 8 August 1943:
Supplies fresh food.
10 August 1943:
The 8th Base Force, 8th Ports and Docks Unit repairs starboard anchor winch.
12 August 1943:
Alongside oiler NARUTO to be supplied with lubricating oil. Later that day, comes alongside water tanker KOAN MARU to be replenished with water.
17 August 1943:
At 0900, departs Rabaul in convoy No. 7701 escorted by fleet stores ship ARASAKI.
27 August 1943:
At 1100, arrives at Davao, Philippines.
27 ~ 29 August 1943:
Loads fresh food.
1 September 1943:
At 0900, departs Davao escorted by fleet stores ship ARASAKI.
9 September 1943:
At 0600, arrives at Rabaul.
9 ~ 22 September 1943:
Delivers fresh food.
24 September 1943:
Alongside auxiliary oiler AKEBONO MARU and supplied with 30t heavy oil.
25 September 1943:
Alongside auxiliary transport OKITSU MARU and replenished with 35t water.
27 September 1943:
At 0600, departs Rabaul for Truk in convoy No. 2274 also consisting of fleet supply ship SOYA, auxiliary transport OKITSU MARU and IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) TATSUURA MARU, escorted by subchasers CH-30 and CH-12.
28 September 1943:
At 1300, suffers a main engine failure and has to stop for repairs. At 1500, repairs are completed.
29 September 1943:
At 1200, rejoins convoy No. 2274.
30 September 1943:
At 0530, TATSUURA MARU suffers a main engine failure and is left behind with CH-12 in attendance. At 1200, both TATSUURA MARU and CH-12 rejoin convoy No. 2274.
2 October 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Truk.
3 October 1943:
Supplied with fresh food.
5 October 1943:
Undergoes ammonia gas leakage repairs.
6 October 1943:
Cooler failure is repaired.
7 October 1943:
Supplied with eight Type 95 depth charges.
8 October 1943:
At 0400, departs Truk in convoy No. 4008 also consisting of TSUNESHIMA and CHIYO MARUs and CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO, escorted by cable layer HATSUSHIMA and subchaser CH-12.
9 October 1943:
At 0515, HATSUSHIMA and CH-12 are detached.
10 October 1943:
Arrives at Saipan.
11 October 1943:
Auxiliary transport MUKO MARU joins convoy No. 4008.
13 October 1943:
Auxiliary transports MANJU, TAIAN, SANKO, and TATEBE MARUs, escorted by kaibokan FUKUE, auxiliary minelayer CHOAN MARU, auxiliary subchaser CHa-1 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 10 join convoy No. 4008.
15 October 1943:
Cha-1 is detached.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama in convoy No. 4008. Departs there and arrives at Yokosuka later that day.
E 19 ~ 30 October 1943:
Undergoes repairs to engine and switchboard of cooler at Yokosuka Naval Yard.
31 October 1943:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
1 November 1943:
At Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K. Yokohama shipyard for maintenance and repairs to main engine, No. 1 and No. 2 heavy oil compressor coolers, ammonia condenser and No. 2 rescue boat.
4 ~ 22 November 1943:
Repair items are landed.
23 November 1943:
Items landed are under repairs.
29 ~ 30 November 1943:
Fitted with hydrophones for testing.
1 December 1943:
Ammonia condenser and ammonia tube installation are repaired.
2 ~ 3 December 1943:
Ammonia condenser is reinstalled.
3 December 1943:
Distortion wheel shaft, strained wheel mounting adjustment and refrigerating unit are repaired.
4 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is restored.
5 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is adjusted. Electric line in crew quarters is repaired. Departs Yokohama on trials and returns there later in the day.
6 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is reinstalled as start-up resistor and switchboard.
7 December 1943:
Strained wheel mounting is adjusted, switchboard terminal and conductor are modified.
8 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is tested again.
9 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler sustains a failure and a cylinder is replaced.
10 December 1943:
Undergoes lubricant oil cleaning and preparation for operation of various machines.
11 December 1943:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is tested again.
12 December 1943:
Undergoes gas release valve rod repair.
13 December 1943:
Departs Yokohama on engine cooler trials but sustains a main engine failure and returns to port later in the day.
14 December 1943:
Repaired items are disassembled and unloaded.
15 December 1943:
Provisioned with fresh food.
17 December 1943:
Provided with new clothes.
18 December 1943:
Maintenance and repairs continue at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries K.K. Yokohama shipyard.
23 December 1943:
Placed under alert ‘A’.
24 December 1943:
Auxiliary rudder command and main engine are adjusted.
25 December 1943:
Gets trials acceptance to compressors but remains tethered to pier due to an ammonia condenser gas leak.
26 December 1943:
Ammonia condenser gas system is extracted and disassembled.
27 December 1943:
Ammonia condenser is landed and tested with pressured water.
28 ~ 30 December 1943:
Ammonia condenser gets emergency repairs.
31 December 1943:
Decision is made to totally renew ammonia condenser circulating water pipe.
4 January 1944:
Ammonia condenser circulating water pipe is extracted.
6 January 1944:
Ammonia condenser circulating water pipe is pressure tested and its section adjusted.
7 January 1944:
Ammonia condenser is reinstalled and No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler tested.
8 January 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler is adjusted.
9 ~ 10 January 1944:
Provisioned with food.
11 January 1944:
Cooling supply is mounted and lubricating oil provided.
15 January 1944:
No. 1 fuel oil compressor is repaired.
18 January 1944:
Provisioned with food.
25 January 1944:
Sustains a failure to No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler which is disassembled. Lubricating oil is cleaned.
26 January 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler drive cylinder is reassembled. Lubricating oil is cleaned.
27 ~ 28 January 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is reassembled.
29 January 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler exhaust pipe is damaged.
30 January 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler exhaust pipe is repaired.
31 January 1944:
Provided with sake. No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler is restored.
8 February 1944:
Provided with food and clothes.
20 February 1944:
Loads war supplies and grain products. Repairs are completed.
21 February 1944:
Loads fresh food and consumables.
Eleventh mission. At 1630, departs Yokohama with NISSHO MARU No. 5 escorting a fishing boat convoy consisting of HOKO, TENYO, KOTOHIRA and SHINSEI MARUs, TOKUEI MARU No. 4, DAIHAKU MARU No. 15, KOKO MARU No. 3, KOMPIRA MARU No. 1, KOFUKU MARU No. 2, KYOSHO MARU No. 1, YAKUSHI MARU No. 2, ARIAKE MARU No. 3, SHOCHU MARU No. 3, KAMESHIMA MARU No. 2, EFUKU MARU No. 2, KICHIBEI MARU No. 2 GO and WAKASA MARU No. 3 The ships sail in four echelons with TAKUNAN MARU responsible for the third and fourth echelons.
25 February 1944:
Arrives at Chichi Jima. TAKUNAN MARU had taken the slowest ship, KICHIBEI MARU No. 2 GO under tow.
28 February 1944:
Unloads 48t fresh food.
1 March 1944:
Loads 2t tomatoes.
4 March 1944:
Loads depth charges.
7 March 1944:
Departs Chichi Jima escorting third fishing boat convoy.
12 March 1944:
Arrives at Saipan. Repairs diesel engine.
13 March 1944:
Unloads fresh food.
14 March 1944:
Loads 60t water and grade 1 heavy oil.
15 ~ 16 March 1944:
Undergoes repairs of diesel engine.
24 March 1944:
At 0700, departs Saipan in convoy HIGASHI MATSU No. 2 (return) consisting of stores ship SOYA, NACHI, AWA, DAITEN, MIHO, BINGO, RYUKA, TAKAOKA, HIBI, TAMAHOKO, auxiliary minelayer TATSUHARU and SHINFUKU MARUs and an unidentified MARU escorted by destroyers NOWAKI and ASAKAZE, kaibokan MANJU, subchasers CH-17, CH-31, CH-32 and minelayer KYOSAI.
1 April 1944:
At 1000, convoy HIGASHI MATSU No. 2 (return) arrives at Yokohama. Later that day departs Yokohama and arrives at Yokosuka.
8 April 1944:
Fitted with one Type 93 13mm MG (replacing one 7.7mm MG).
9 ~ 10 April 1944:
Condenser circulating water pipe is removed.
9 ~ 15 April 1944:
Refrigerating storage is replaced.
11 ~ 15 April 1944:
Ammonia condenser is pressure tested. Bridge handrails are repaired. Platforms for 13mm and 7.7mm MGs are relocated.
17 ~ 23 April 1944:
Ammonia condenser is landed. Bridge handrails are repaired. MGs platforms and DCs racks are modified.
24 April 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
E 25 April 1944:
No. 2 rescue boat is loaded.
26 April 1944:
Loads fresh food. Scheduled to join convoy No. 3428 under instruction No. 319.
27 April 1944:
Undergoes repairs to auxiliary press.
29 April 1944:
Twelfth mission. At 0400, departs Yokohama in convoy No. 3428 also consisting of IJN transport KYUSHU MARU (632 GRT) and IJA transports YAGI MARU and BANEI MARU No. 6, escorted by auxiliary netlayers KISHIN MARU, NISSHO MARU No. 3 and SHINTO MARU No. 2 and arrives at Niijima, Izu Shoto (Islands) later in the day.
1 May 1944:
Convoy No. 3428 departs Niijima.
4 May 1944:
At 0930, convoy No. 3428 arrives at Chichi-Jima.
7 May 1944:
Undergoes anti-corrosion coating to her bottom hull.
14 May 1944:
Departs Chichi Jima in convoy No. 3506 at this point also consisting of auxiliary stores ship MAMIYA MARU, IJA transport KAIKO MARU, auxiliary transports TAITO and SHOSEI MARUs (998 GRT) and UNKAI MARU No. 10 escorted by auxiliary cable layer OSEI MARU, auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 7 and SHONAN MARU No. 8, CHa-54, CHa-56 and CHa-57 and auxiliary netlayer KISHIN MARU.
15 May 1944:
UNKAI MARU No. 10 is detached at some point and heads towards Iwo Jima, where it arrives later that day.
18 May 1944:
SHOSEI MARU straggles and is left behind escorted by KISHIN MARU and CHa-67.
20 May 1944:
Convoy No. 3506 arrives at Saipan. Delivers 36 mail bags and 11 pieces of consignment goods. Departs Saipan in a 280° direction after an alarm is raised.
21 May 1944:
Returns to Saipan after the alarm is cancelled.
22 May 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
23 May 1944:
Inboard hull is painted. Loads 30t water.
24 May 1944:
At 1700, departs Saipan in convoy No. 4525 also consisting of MANSHU and MAMIYA MARUs escorted by kaibokan AMAKUSA and two unidentified subchasers (likely CH-16 and CH-18).
25 May 1944:
Arrives at Omiya Island (Guam). Loads and unloads mail and fresh food.
26 May 1944:
Loads and unloads fresh food.
28 May 1944:
Loads 20t aircraft parts and 40t fresh water.
29 May 1944:
At 0400, departs Omiya Island in ‘Batavia Maru’ convoy also consisting of IJA transport BATAVIA MARU and auxiliary transport NISSHO MARU No. 18 escorted by kaibokan CD-12, minesweeper W-20, minelayer SARUSHIMA and auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2. At 2030, arrives at Saipan.
30 May 1944:
Unloads 20t aircraft parts.
31 May 1944:
At 0600, departs Saipan escorting with destroyer HATAKAZE, kaibokan CD-12, minelayer SARUSHIMA, minesweeper W-20 and auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 escorting convoy No. 4530 consisting of HAKUSAN, JINZAN, EIKO, NATSUKAWA, SHUNSEN, KAIKO and CHIYO MARUs and UNYO MARU No. 8.
2 June 1944:
250 miles W of Uracas Island. At 2207, CHIYO MARU is attacked by LtCdr Edward N. Blakely’s (USNA ’34) USS SHARK (SS-314) and hit by two torpedoes port side under the rear of the bridge. About ten minutes later, CHIYO MARU sinks at 21-00N 140-30E taking down 97 of her 143 passengers and five crewmen. TAKUNAN MARU and the other escorts counter-attack. TAKUNAN MARU drops two Type 95 depth charges. The other escorts drop a total of 37 depth-charges, but without causing damage to USS SHARK.
3 June 1944:
Anti-submarine combat: drops two Type 95 depth charges. 7.7mm MG, 13mm MG and 8cm deck gun each fire three rounds.
4 June 1944:
About 317 nautical miles WSW Iwo-Jima. At 0405, HAKUSAN MARU is attacked by LtCdr John D. Crowley’s (USNA ’34) USS FLIER (SS-250) and hit port side by two of three torpedoes he fires. At 0415, HAKUSAN MARU’s stern rises vertically and she sinks at 22-37N 136-50E. 23 crewmen, nine gunners, 16 of 71 troops and 277 of 375 passengers (mostly women and children) are KIA. TAKUNAN MARU and the other escorts counter-attack. TAKUNAN MARU drops one Type 95 depth charge and the other escorts drop 33 depth-charges, but without damage to USS FLIER.
8 June 1944:
At 0800, arrives with the remainder of convoy No. 4530 at Yokosuka.
9 June 1944:
Loads fresh food.
10 June 1944:
Repairs and loads an ammonia condenser.
11 June 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
13 June 1944:
Enters Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Yokohama No. 3 drydock for maintenance and repairs.
14 June 1944:
Provided with clothes.
16 June 1944:
Loads equipment and consumables. No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler is disassembled and ammonia condenser system landed.
17 June 1944:
Undergoes maintenance to No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler and to 75hp electric motor.
19 June 1944:
Undergoes maintenance to cooler.
20 ~ 21 June 1944:
Undergoes maintenance to ammonia condenser system. Circulating water motor is disassembled.
22 June 1944:
Undergoes maintenance to 75hp electric motor.
23 ~ 24 June 1944:
Undergoes repairs to refrigerator. No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler shaft is replaced.
26 ~ 27 June 1944:
Undergoes repairs to No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler and to rear shipboard.
28 June 1944:
No. 1 and No. 2 heavy oil compressor coolers are tested.
29 June 1944:
Undergoes hull bottom cleaning. No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is restored and No. 1 heavy oil compressor cooler oil removal plate installed.
30 June 1944:
Undocked. Executes a trial run. Ammonia condenser is installed.
1 July 1944:
Ammonia assembly valve is removed.
3 July 1944:
Another ammonia assembly valve is removed.
4 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler start valve is repaired.
5 July 1944:
No. 1 generator is painted.
6 July 1944:
Undergoes MGs and generator maintenance.
7 July 1944:
Loads weapons and ammunition.
12 ~ 13 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler intake and exhaust valves are adjusted. Ammonia assembly valve is partially completed.
14 July 1944:
Ammonia assembly valve and circulating water pipe are installed.
15 July 1944:
Crew quarters gets renovation.
18 ~ 19 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler is prepared for trials.
19 July 1944:
Lubricant cylinder failure point is surveyed.
20 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler lubricating oil cylinder is opened for inspection.
21 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler gets a test run.
22 July 1944:
Lubricating oil cylinder is repaired.
23 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor cooler cylinders No. 5 and No. 6 intake and exhaust valves are fitted again.
24 July 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor gets a test run.
25 July 1944:
Fitted with four additional Type 93 13mm MGs and related ammunition.
2 August 1944:
Preparation is made for engine cooler to be filled with lubricating oil and ammonia.
3 August 1944:
Gets lubricating oil replacement and exhaust valve push screw installation.
5 August 1944:
Preparation is made for MGs acceptance.
6 August 1944:
MGs, guns, related ammunition and clothes pass successfully acceptance tests.
7 ~ 8 August 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor gets a test run.
8 August 1944:
Undergoes cooler oiler repair and expansion of MGs platforms.
9 August 1944:
Sustains an air pressure failure.
10 August 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor failure is under repair.
11 August 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor is under maintenance.
12 August 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor gets a test run.
14 August 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor is adjusted. Parts of cooler and exhaust are inspected.
15 August 1944:
Departs Yokohama on trials and returns there later that day.
16 August 1944:
No. 1 heavy oil compressor is adjusted again. Cooler and oiler are restored.
17 ~ 19 August 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor gets a test run. No. 2 ammonia condenser exhaust is under maintenance.
18 August 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor fuel valve alignment is adjusted.
19 August 1944:
No. 2 heavy oil compressor is under maintenance.
21 August 1944:
Tethers to No. 6 pier.
22 August 1944:
Scheduled for a transport mission to Hahajima under Yokosuka Transport Department instruction No. 248.
22 ~ 24 August 1944:
Loads stored grain products.
23 August 1944:
Loads canteen goods. No. 1 heavy oil compressor and cooler are tested.
24 August 1944:
Type 95 DCs are replaced by eight Type 2 DCs which pass successfully acceptance tests.
25 August 1944:
Loads fresh food.
27 August 1944:
Loads fresh food.
29 August 1944:
Ship total AA defense amounts to 12 MGs (13mm and 7.7mm) and three Type 96 25mm guns with shields.
30 August 1944:
Thirteenth mission. At 1100, departs Yokohama with kaibokan YASOJIMA (ex-Chinese light cruiser PING HAI), first-class transport (APD) No. 7 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 10 escorting convoy No. 3830 consisting of TOKIWASAN and TAKUNAN MARUs and HAKUUN MARU No. 2. Late that night, the convoy anchors off Tateyama in Tokyo Bay.
31 August 1944:
At 0400, departs Tateyama. Type 96 25mm guns are tested. After receiving reports that Chichi-Jima is under air attack, convoy No. 3830 reverses course and returns to Yokosuka where it is dissolved.
2 September 1944:
Arrives at (Konominato), Hachijojima (with TAKUNAN MARU No. 10).
5 September 1944:
Departs Hachijojima.
8 September 1944:
Arrives at Hahajima.
9 September 1944:
Departs Hahajima and arrives at Chichi Jima later that day.
10 September 1944:
At 1600, departs Chichi Jima in convoy No. 4910 also consisting of HAKUUN MARU No. 2 escorted by auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 10.
11 September 1944:
At 0400, LtCdr Robert R. William's (USNA '34) USS FINBACK (SS-230) torpedoes and sinks HAKUUN MARU No. 2 at 27-45N, 140-00E. Four men are KIA. TAKUNAN MARU No. 10 carries out a depth charge attack without result.
13 September 1944:
At 1635, arrives with the remainder of convoy No. 4910 at Yokosuka.
24 September 1944:
Convoy No. 3928 consisting of auxiliary transport (ex-auxiliary gunboat) HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO bound to Hahajima and TAKUNAN MARU bound to Iwo Jima, is formed under Transport Department telegram No. 666.
26 September 1944:
Departs Yokosuka and arrives at Yokohama later that day.
Under general Escort Command order No. 4:
1. HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO bound to Hahajima and TAKUNAN MARU to Iwo Jima, will both sail in convoy No. 3928.
2. Direct escort will be provided by torpedo boat CHIDORI, minesweeper W-29 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8.
3. Commander of escort is Navy Resv. LtCdr Nakamura Sadahiko, Co of torpedo boat CHIDORI.
28 September 1944:
Fourteenth mission. At 1200, departs Yokohama in convoy No. 3928 also consisting of HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO escorted by torpedo boat CHIDORI, minesweeper W-29 and auxiliary subchaser SHONAN MARU No. 8. At 1630, the convoy anchors at Tateyama.
29 September 1944:
At 1000, convoy No. 3928 departs Tateyama for Iwo Jima.
1 October 1944:
At 0328, about 108 nautical miles W Torishima, Izu Shoto, Cdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy M. Davenport's (USNA ’33) USS TREPANG (SS-412), on her first war patrol, torpedoes and sinks TAKUNAN MARU at 30-30N, 38-27 E. One crewman is KIA.
10 December 1944:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 1348.
Authors' Notes:
[1] There were two categories of Kyuyosen. (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.
Back to the Storeships Page
