IJN
Kamikawa Class
Seaplane Tender
1938 via Kamino
Dimensions
479' | 62' | 30'
Tons
6,863
Armament
2 x 5.9" Guns
2 x 13mm MG
Two catapults, cranes
Aircraft
12 seaplanes or
24 as cargo
Ship History
Construction was completed in 1937 at Kawasaki's Kobe shipyard.
Wartime History
After the
Kiyokawa Maru was bomb and heavily damaged on March 10, 1942 and transfered its remaining seaplanes to the Kamikawa Maru.
Arriveds at Deboyne Lagoon on May 6, 1942. The next day, launches several floatplanes at 06:30 for search. At 08:20 on spots enemy cruisers 150 miles SSW of Deboyne. On May 9 or 10th, rescues the crew of D3A1 Val 3381. Departs the area on May 10th.
On September 19, 1942 arrives at Shortland and off-loads floatplanes including A6M2-N Rufes, then departs for Rabaul.
Arrives at Shortland on October 18, 1942, then departs.
On November 3, 1942 arrives at Shortland and is designated as the flagship of the 11th Seaplane Tender Division.
On December 7, 1942 arrives at Shortland.
While at Shortland on December 13, 1942, Kamikawa Maru, depleted of pilots, is assigned as the tender for the 802nd Kokutai, operating F1M2 Pete and A6M2-N Rufes.
On January 29, 1943 arrives at Shortland.
Damaged
Damaged by a torpedo fired by USS Wahoo SS-238 on May 4, 1943 that impacted between the stack and bridge; two others missed. Kamikawa Maru turned away and was making only 11 knots with a slight list.
Sinking History
While 255 miles to the NNW of Kavieng near Emirau,
enroute to Palau, she was sunk by a torpedo fired by USS Scamp (SS-227)
while in a storm. 39 of the crew and 3 civilian employees went down with
the ship, which sank on May 29, 1943.
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