Japanese Transports

ZATSUYOSEN!

(TARUSHIMA MARU, prewar)

IJN TARUSHIMA MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2013-2015 Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
Revision 1

28 April 1937:
Sakurajima. Laid down by Osaka Iron Works K.K. shipyard for Hamane Shoten K.K., as a 4,865-ton cargo ship.
21 September 1937:
Launched and named TARUSHIMA MARU.

15 February 1938:
Completed and registered in Kobe.
25 July 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN as a general requisitioned transport (Ippan Choyosen).
15 October 1941:
Registered in the IJN as an auxiliary transport, (Otsu) category and attached to the Sasebo Naval District with Sasebo as homeport under internal order No. 1256. [1].
14 December 1941:
Arrives at Mako, Pescadores.
18 December 1941:
Arrives at Amoy (now Xiamen), southern China.
21 December 1941:
Arrives at Nan’ao Island, southern China. Departs later that same day.
22 December 1941:
Arrives at Manzan Islands southern China.
26 December 1941:
Arrives at Haikow, Hainan Island, southern China.
4 January 1942:
At 1130, arrives at Samah, Hainan Island.
10 January 1942:
At 0710, departs Samah and at 1055, arrives at Yulin, Hainan Island.
15 January 1942:
At 1550, arrives at Takao, Formosa (now Kaohsiung, Taiwan). That same day, tactically assigned to the Sasebo Naval District Guard Force as graduated transport.
Arrives at Mutsure Jima. Departs later and at 1125, arrives at Yawata, Fukuoka Prefecture.
25 January 1942:
At 1500, departs Yawata Yawata. Assigned that same day to transport personnel and supplies under Sasebo Naval District secret order No. 46.
1 February 1942:
At 0800, departs Sasebo and at 0935, arrives at Sakito, Nagasaki Prefecture.
6 February 1942:
At 0850, departs Mako and at 1900, arrives at Takao.
12 February 1942:
At 1730, arrives at Haikow.
24 February 1942:
At 0810, departs Samah. At 1200, arrives at Yulin.
1 March 1942:
At 1000, arrives at Nan’ao Island. Departs at 1815.
6 March 1942:
At 2115, arrives at Hashima Island, S of Nagasaki.
7 March 1942:
At 0635, departs Hashima Island and at 1100, arrives at Sasebo.
9 March 1942:
Arrives off Mutsure Jima coast. Departs and at 1315, arrives at Yawata.
11 March 1942:
At 0750, departs Yawata and at 1000, arrives at Moji.
16 March 1942:
Assigned to transport personnel and supplies under Sasebo Naval District secret order No. 144.
19 March 1942:
At 1500, departs Sasebo.
23 March 1942:
At 0835, arrives at Takao.
25 March 1942:
At 1325, departs Takao.
26 March 1942:
At 2000, arrives at Hong Kong.
27 March 1942:
At 1400, departs Hong Kong.
28 March 1942:
At 1540, arrives at Haikow.
30 March 1942:
At 0905, departs Haikow.
31 March 1942:
At 1400, arrives at Samah.
April 1942:
Merchant Captain Sota Eiichi is posted Commanding Officer.
7 April 1942:
At 1450, departs Samah.
10 April 1942:
Arrives at Saint Jacques, Indochina. Attached that same day to the Kure Naval District with Kure as homeport under internal order No. 659. Departs later and arrives at Saigon, Indochina (now Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam).
17 April 1942:
Departs Saigon.
19 April 1942:
Arrives at Camranh Bay, Indochina. Departs later that day for Samah.
21 April 1942:
Arrives at Samah. Departs at 1925 for Takao.
22 April 1942:
Underway, detonates a drifting mine by gunnery fire.
24 April 1942:
Arrives at Takao.
27 April 1942:
Departs Takao.
28 April 1942:
Arrives at Mako. Departs that same day probably in convoy No. 201 also consisting of IJA transports CALCUTTA, SYDNEY and GENKAI MARUs, civilian cargo ship (C- AK) BOKO (ex British SAGRES) MARU, IJA tanker KAISOKU MARU and one other unidentified ship escorted by torpedo boat SAGI.
E 2 May 1942:
Arrives at Sasebo. Departs later.
5 May 1942:
S of Ikitsuki-shima, Nagasaki Prefecture. Collides with IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B- AK) (ex-auxiliary collier/oiler) TAGONOURA MARU at 33-29N, 129-24E, and sustains bow damage.
E 6 May 1942:
Arrives in Kanmon Straits, Yamaguchi Prefecture. Arrives later at Moji.
8 May 1942:
Ordered to go and dock at Osaka after completing loading operations, for maintenance and repairs under telegram No. 711.
10 May 1942:
Arrives at Osaka.
E 10 May-19 June 1942:
Under repairs at Osaka Machinery Works K.K. Shipyard.
20 June 1942:
Departs Osaka.
21 June 1942:
Arrives at Kure.
26 June 1942:
Departs Kure.
27 June 1942:
Arrives at Kobe.
28 June 1942:
Departs Kobe.
30 June 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka. Departs later in the day and arrives at Yokohama.
1 July 1942:
Departs Yokohama.
4 July 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure Jima. Departs later that day and joins convoy No. 133 that departed Sasebo consisting of IJA transports REKIZAN, TOYAMA and KANJO MARUs escorted by torpedo boat SAGI.
9 July 1942:
At some point, TARUSHIMA MARU is detached from the convoy and arrives at Kirun, Formosa (now Keelung, Taiwan).
13 July 1942:
Departs Kirun.
14 July 1942:
Arrives at Mako. Departs later in the day in convoy No.709 also consisting of IJA transports TSUYAMA and ADEN MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer NAGATSUKI.
17 July 1942:
Arrives at Manila, Luzon.
21 July 1942:
Departs Manila.
26 July 1942:
Arrives at Macassar, Celebes (now Sulawesi).
30 July 1942:
Departs Macassar.
1 August 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya, Java.
10 August 1942:
Departs Surabaya.
12 August 1942:
Arrives at Macassar.
15 August 1942:
Departs Macassar.
16 August 1942:
Arrives at Balikpapan, Borneo.
24 August 1942:
Departs Balikpapan in convoy No. 007 probably also consisting of auxiliary transport KOSEI MARU (3,551GRT) escorted by destroyer NAGATSUKI.
27 August 1942:
At some point, KOSEI MARU is detached and steams towards Iloilo, Panay, Philippines.
28 August 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
2 September 1942:
Departs Manila in convoy No. 813 also consisting of two unidentified merchant ships escorted by destroyer NAGATSUKI.
6 September 1942:
Arrives at Takao.
8 September 1942:
Departs Takao and arrives at Mako later in the day.
13 September 1942:
Departs Mako in convoy No. 261 also consisting of auxiliary transports TOKAI and KAGU MARUs, TAKETOYO MARU and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by torpedo boat SAGI.
17 September 1942:
At some point, TARUSHIMA MARU is detached from the convoy and arrives at Mutsure Jima.
18 September 1942:
Departs Mutsure Jima and arrives at Moji later in the day.
20 September 1942:
Departs Moji and arrives at Yawata later that day.
26 September 1942:
Departs Yawata and arrives at Kure later in the day.
12 October 1942:
Departs Kure.
13 October 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure Jima.
16 October 1942:
Departs Mutsure Jima in convoy No.126 also consisting of IJA transports TEIRYU (ex-German AUGSBURG), MACASSAR, RAKUYO, NISSHU MARUs and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer MINAZUKI.
21 October 1942:
Arrives at Kirun.
26 October 1942:
Departs Kirun and arrives at Mako later that day.
27 October 1942:
Departs Mako as only ship in convoy No.723 without escort.
29 October 1942:
Arrives at Manila.
2 November 1942:
Departs Manila.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Balikpapan.
12 November 1942:
Departs Balikpapan.
14 November 1942:
Arrives at Surabaya.
22 November 1942:
Departs Surabaya.
26 November 1942:
Arrives at Ambon, Moluccas escorted by auxiliary gunboats HIROTAMA and MANYO MARUs.
E 27 November-1 December 1942:
Loads 12 consignment goods and embarks 68 passengers.
2 December 1942:
Departs Ambon.
8 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila. Unloads 83 aircraft weapons and disembarks 11 passengers.
9 December 1942:
Departs Manila.
10 December 1942:
Arrives at San Fernando, Luzon.
E 11-12 December 1942:
Loads 3,400-tons of copper ore and embarks one passenger.
13 December 1942:
Departs San Fernando.
14 December 1942:
Arrives at Manila. Unloads 800-tons of copper ore, disembarks one passenger and embarks 39 other passengers.
19 December 1942:
Departs Manila in convoy No. 827 also consisting of auxiliary transport RAKUTO MARU and two unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat ASO MARU.
E 21 December 1942:
ASO MARU is detached and returns to Manila.
22 December 1942:
Arrives at Takao.
E 23-24 December 1942:
Unloads 14 aircraft weapons and disembarks two passengers.
25 December 1942:
Departs Takao and arrives at Mako later in the day. Embarks two passengers and joins a convoy also consisting of unidentified ships.
26 December 1942:
Departs Mako in convoy No 213 also consisting of auxiliary transport (ex-auxiliary gunboat) TOZAN MARU without escort.
31 December 1942:
Arrives at Mutsure Jima. Departs and arrives later that same day at Moji.
3 January 1943:
Departs Moji.
4 January 1943:
Arrives at Saganoseki, Oita Prefecture, Kyushu.
E 4-5 January 1943:
Unloads 650-tons of copper ore.
6 January 1943:
Departs Saganoseki.
7 January 1943:
Arrives at Niihama, Shikoku.
E 7-8 January 1943:
Unloads 2,700-tons of copper ore. Loads 510 empty drums.
9 January 1943:
Departs Niihama.
10 January 1943:
Arrives at Kure.
E 11-18 January 1943:
Unloads 320 empty drums. Loads clothing and quartermaster supplies totaling 657-tons.
19 January 1943:
Departs Kure.
20 January 1943:
Arrives at Tokuyama, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
E 20-24 January 1943:
Loads 13,400 empty cans and No. 3 grade oil dismantled tank totaling 750-ton.
25 January 1943:
Departs Tokuyama and arrives at Moji later that day.
26 January 1943:
At 1530, departs Moji in convoy No. 122 also consisting of three unidentified merchant ships without escort.
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
1 February 1943:
At 1650 departs Takao in convoy No.735 also consisting of two unidentified merchant ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat HUASHAN (KAZAN) MARU.
4 February 1943:
At 1300 arrives at Manila.
E 5-6 February 1943:
Disembarks 82 passengers. Unloads 10-tons of copper wire, radio and kitchen equipment. Loads machinery tools and hemp rope totaling 70-tons.
6 February 1943:
Departs Manila.
11 February 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan.
E 12-17 February 1943:
Disembarks 5 passengers. Unloads refrigerated and treatment products totaling 71m3. Embarks 123 passengers. Loads 2,656 drums filled with refined, mostly volatile oil.
18 February 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
20 February 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya.
E 21-26 February 1943:
Disembarks 66 passengers. Unloads 1,171m3 dismantled oil tank. Embarks 78 passengers. Loads hemp totaling 229-tons.
27 February 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
3 March 1943:
Arrives at Pomalaa, Celebes.
E 4-8 March 1943:
Embarks 12 passengers. Loads nickel ore and other sundries totaling 4,050-tons.
9 March 1943:
Departs Pomalaa.
12 March 1943:
Off the Aru Bank, SE Borneo. W-16 meets TARUSHIMA MARU and escorts her to Balikpapan, where the ship arrives later that day.
E 13-16 March 1943:
Loads four electric motors, one hydrophone and 15 refueling devices.
17 March 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
22 March 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
E 23-24 March 1943:
Embarks 21 passengers, 19 funerary urns and 60-tons of lead.
25 March 1943:
Departs Manila in convoy No. 839 also consisting of ERIE MARU escorted by auxiliary gunboat ASO MARU.
28 March 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
E 29 March 1943:
Disembarks four passengers. Loads carbohydrates supply.
30 March 1943:
Departs Takao for Moji in convoy No. 247 also consisting of auxiliary transport KOTO MARU No. 2 GO and four unidentified merchant ships without escort.
4 April 1943:
At some point, KOTO MARU No.2 GO is detached from the convoy and steams to Sasebo.
5 April 1943:
Arrives at Moji. Undergoes sulfur disinfection. Disembarks 103 military passengers and lands 107 mail bags.
6 April 1943:
Departs Moji.
7 April 1943:
Arrives at Niihama.
E 8-9 April 1943:
Unloads 4,700-tons of nickel ore.
10 April 1943:
Departs Niihama and arrives at Kure later that day.
E 11-15 April 1943:
Unloads hemp and other cargo.
16 April 1943:
Docks and undergoes hull repair.
21 April 1943:
Undocked.
3 May 1943:
Departs Kure.
4 May 1943:
Arrives at Moji.
E 5 May 1943:
Loads 2,500-tons of cement.
6 May 1943:
Departs Moji.
7 May 1943:
Arrives at Kobe.
E 8-9 May 1943:
Unloads 2,500-tons of cement.
10 May 1943:
Departs Kobe.
11 May 1943:
Arrives at Kure.
E 12-15 May 1943:
Loads 2,500-tons of aircraft weapons and 231 mail bags. Embarks 44 passengers.
16 May 1943:
Departs Kure.
17 May 1943:
Arrives at Tokuyama.
E 18 May 1943:
Loads 5,000 empty cans.
19 May 1943:
Departs Tokuyama and arrives at Moji later that same day.
20 May 1943:
Departs Moji in convoy No.158 also consisting of IJA transports NISSHO (6526 GRT), RYUYO, USSURI MARUs and KONAN MARU No. 1, IJA tanker OTORISAN MARU, civilian tanker (C-AO) RONSAN MARU and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer SHIOKAZE. IJN requisitioned (B-AK) ATLANTIC MARU joins the convoy from Miike the same day.
25 May 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
E 26 May 1943:
Loads one AA gun, 610-tons of aircraft weapons and 182 mail bags. Embarks four passengers.
27 May 1943:
Departs Takao in convoy No. 752 also consisting of civilian tanker (C-AO) RONSAN MARU and possibly others without escort.
30 May 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
E 31 May-1 June 1943:
Unloads 330-tons of aircraft weapons and 150 mail bags. Disembarks 41 passengers.
2 June 1943:
At 1500 departs Manila in a convoy also consisting of tanker SHINSHU MARU (bound for Tarakan) and IJA Transport KOFUKU MARU escorted by auxiliary minesweeper CHOUN MARU No. 21.
8 June 1943:
At 0800, arrives at Balikpapan.
14 June 1943:
At 0800 departs Balikpapan escorted by minesweeper W-16.
15 June 1943:
At 1400 W-16 is detached. Later arrives at Macassar.
16 June 1943:
Departs Macassar.
17 June 1943:
Arrives at Kendari, Celebes.
22 June 1943:
Departs Kendari and arrives at Masaloke, Celebes that same day.
23 June 1943:
Departs Masaloke and arrives at Pomalaa later in the day.
29 June 1943:
Departs Pomalaa.
30 June 1943:
Arrives at Macassar.
1 July 1943:
Departs Macassar.
2 July 1943:
Arrives at Kota Baru, Borneo.
3 July 1943:
Departs Kota Baru and arrives at Balikpapan later in the day.
13 July 1943:
At 0755 departs Balikpapan in a convoy also consisting of SHOHEI and KORYU MARUs escorted by minesweeper W-16 and auxiliary gunboat OKUYO MARU.
E 14 July 1943:
At 1830 at 04-01S, 113-23E SHOHEI MARU and OKUYO MARU are detached for Surabaya.
16 July 1943:
At 1600 the remaining ships arrived at Pontianak where W-16 was detached.
18 July 1943:
Arrives at Singapore, Malaya.
23 July 1943:
At 1600, departs Singapore in convoy HI-02 also consisting of auxiliary oiler TATEKAWA MARU escorted by kaibokan SADO.
29 July 1943:
Arrives at Takao.
30 July 1943:
Departs Takao still in convoy HI-02 now also consisting of auxiliary oiler TATEKAWA MARU, auxiliary transport MANKO MARU and two unidentified ships that join at Takao, escorted by kaibokan SADO.
3 August 1943:
Arrives at Moji. Departs later in the day.
4 August 1943:
Arrives at Niihama.
E 5-6 August 1943:
Unloads about 3,000-tons of nickel ore.
7 August 1943:
Departs Niihama and arrives at Kure later that same day.
E 8-15 August 1943:
Unloads approximately 500m3 of lead, empty cans and rawhide. Loads about 4,000m3 of iron plates and bombs.
16 August 1943:
Departs Kure.
17 August 1943:
Arrives at Moji.
18 August 1943:
Departs Moji in convoy No. 188 also consisting of civilian tanker (ex-ore carrier) (C-AO) SEINAN MARU, civilian cargo ship INARI MARU and eight unidentified merchant ships escorted by destroyer KURETAKE.
23 August 1943:
Arrives at Mako.
24 August 1943:
Departs Mako in convoy No. 767 also consisting of IJA shared cargo ships (A/C- AK) MANSHU and SEIZAN MARUs, IJA transport MAEBASHI MARU and one unidentified merchant ship escorted by destroyer KARUKAYA.
28 August 1943:
Arrives at Manila.
E 29 August- 4 September 1943:
Unloads approximately 300m3 of steel and weapons.
5 September 1943:
At 1400, departs Manila in a convoy also consisting of IJA transport KOHO MARU escorted by auxiliary minesweeper Wa-7.
7 September 1943:
At 1800, arrives at Cebu, Philippines.
8 September 1943:
At 0800, departs Cebu with auxiliary minesweeper Wa-7 as escort.
9 September 1943:
At 1400, arrives at Zamboanga, Mindanao.
10 September 1943:
Departs Zamboanga.
11 September 1943:
Arrives at Tarakan, Borneo.
18 September 1943:
Departs Tarakan.
20 September 1943:
Arrives at Balikpapan.
23 September 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
26 September 1943:
Arrives at Surabaya.
E 27 September-10 October 1943:
Loads 420m3 of shells. Embarks 22 passengers.
11 October 1943:
Departs Surabaya.
12 October 1943:
Arrives at Kota Baru.
14 October 1943:
Departs Kota Baru and arrives at Balikpapan later in the day.
E 15-29 October 1943:
Unloads 500m3 of dismantled oil tanks.
30 October 1943:
Departs Balikpapan.
31 October 1943:
Arrives at Macassar.
E 1-7 November 1943:
Unloads 500 lubricating oil drums, eight trucks and 386m3 of private goods.
8 November 1943:
Departs Macassar.
13 November 1943:
Arrives at Singapore.
E 14 November 1943:
Loads 700m3 of palm oil cans.
15 November 1943:
Departs Singapore and arrives at Bintang Island later that day.
E 16 November 1943:
Loads 3,700-tons of bauxite.
17 November 1943:
Departs Bintang and arrives at Singapore that same day.
E 18 November 1943:
Embarks 120 passengers.
19 November 1943:
Departs Singapore in convoy No. 637 also consisting of two unidentified merchant ships without escort.
23 November 1943:
Arrives at Saint Jacques.
24 November 1943:
At 1300, departs Saint Jacques in convoy No. 444 also consisting of auxiliary transport (ex-submarine tender) SANTOS MARU, IJN transport MANKO MARU (4471 gt)and IJA shared passenger/cargo ship (A/C- APK) TEIRITSU MARU (ex-Vichy French LECONTE DE LISLE), IJN requisitioned tanker (B-AO) TAINAN MARU, IJA shared tanker (A/C-AO) OGURASAN MARU and three unidentified ships escorted by auxiliary gunboat KAZAN (HUASHAN) MARU.
26 November 1943:
At 0445, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral-Ret) Walter T. Griffith's (USNA ’34) USS BOWFIN (SS-287) torpedoes and sinks OGURASAN MARU carrying aviation gasoline, at 13-25N, 109-30E. 30 crewmen are killed and there are only two survivors. That same morning, at about 1000, USS BOWFIN (SS-287) torpedoes and sinks TAINAN MARU in the same vicinity. 24 crewmen are KIA.
1 December 1943:
At 1100, TARUSHIMA MARU arrives at Takao in a convoy now consisting of SANTOS and TEIRITSU MARUs. MANKO MARU arrives at 1520. It is probable the three unidentified ships were detached for Yulin or Hong Kong.
7 December 1943:
At 1600, departs Takao in convoy No. 225 also consisting of auxiliary transport TOYOSAKA MARU, IJA transports GYOKO and YASUKUNI MARUs, civilian tankers (C-AO) TOKUWA MARU, KYOEI MARU No. 5 and five unidentified merchant ships with unknown escort.
14 December 1943:
At 1600, arrives at Moji.
December 1943:
Calls at Niihama ~ Kure and Miike, Fukuoka Prefecture.
E 2 January 1944:
Departs Miike.
3 January 1944:
Arrives at Saeki, Kyushu.
11 January 1944:
Convoy O-105 departs Saeki consisting of IJN requisitioned ship (B-AK) (ex-IJA transport) YAMATSURU MARU and IJA transports ERIE, DENMARK and NARITA MARUs escorted by minelayer NUWAJIMA, minesweeper W-18 and auxiliary minesweeper TAMA MARU. YAMATSURU MARUs is towing Type A midget submarine HA-50. In addition, YAMATSURU MARU carries the midget submarines' crews and technical personnel.
WSW of Cape Ashizuri. About 1230, ERIE MARU is torpedoed in hold No. 2 by LtCdr Charleton L. Murphy’s (USNA ’32) old USS STURGEON (SS-187) at 32-31N, 132-34E. At 1417, ERIE MARU lists over and sinks. She is carrying about 2,500 Army troops from the 5th Nanyo (South Seas) Group consisting of two large infantry groups, a tank group and an AA group of which about 200 are KIA. The escorts counter-attack and drop 51 depth-charges. STURGEON incurs slight damage, but escapes. The convoy returns to port.
13 January 1944:
Saeki. At 0200, the convoy again sets outs for Palau joined by TARUSHIMA MARU towing another unidentified midget submarine.
14 January 1944:
155 miles SE of Tanega-Jima. At 2025, YAMATSURU MARU towing midget submarine HA-50, is attacked by LtCdr (later Cdr) Royce L. Gross’ (USNA ’30) USS SEAWOLF (SS-197) at 28-25N, 133-30E. The ship, that has just discontinued zigzagging, is hit by a torpedo in her No. 2 hold. There is a heavy explosion followed by great fires. YAMATSURU MARU’s cargo of aviation fuel and ammunition catches fire and begins to cascade into the sea. Another torpedo strikes her between the engine room and No. 3 hold. YAMATSURU MARU lists to port and sinks within a few minutes taking down the midget submarine. Four passengers, two gunners and 30 of the crew are killed.
15 January 1944:
Philippine Sea. At 0130, USS SEAWOLF running on surface, targets TARUSHIMA MARU. Gross opens fire with her deck gun at 28-00N, 134-28E but the shells miss the transport and fall in the sea near the stern of DENMARK MARU. The submarine is later driven off.
16 January 1944:
Philippine Sea. At 1806, LtCdr (later Cdr) Albert C. Burrow's (USNA ’28) USS WHALE (SS-239) torpedoes and sinks DENMARK MARU with the loss of 1,653 men out of 2,899 troops of the 66th Infantry Regiment and 51st transportation Regiment, 51st Infantry Division, and 20 gunners and 31 crewmen. At 2250, Gross’ USS SEAWOLF damages TARUSHIMA MARU by gunfire at 22-34N, 135-46E. She straggles behind the convoy.
17 January 1944:
Burrow’s USS WHALE continues to shadow TARUSHIMA MARU. At 0540, he fires one torpedo that hits the transport causing heavy flooding. She sinks with her midget in tow at 23-00N, 135-10E, taking down 20 crewmen and 613 troops.
10 March 1944:
Removed from the Navy’s list under internal order No. 232.
E 25 June 1944:
Destroyer YUKIKAZE rescues about 10 survivors on a liferaft of whom three die soon after. The surviving men have survived the longest of any survivors at sea in World War II, surpassing the 134 days of two survivors of FORT LONGUEUIL and the 133 days of the better known account of Poon Lim, only survivor of BENLOMOMD.

Authors' Notes:
[1] There were two categories of Zatsuyosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain assupervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan and Matthew Jones of Mississippi, USA.
Gilbert Casse, Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall

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