IJN
Kamikawa Class
Seaplane Tender
Prewar 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
24 August 1942:
Departs Kure to operate from the Shortlands area off Bougainville.
2 December 1942:
Departs Yokosuka to operate in the Shortland area and deliver 12 F1M2 Petes to support the evacuation of Guadalcanal.
31 December 1942:
Departs Yokosuka to operate in the Shortland area.
Departs Yokosuka to operate in the Shortland area.
Mine Damage
While departing Balikpapan, it was damaged on the port side by a mine laid by RAAF PBY Catalina on April 29, 1944. After completing temporary repairs on May 8, 1944 the ship was being towed and while departing Balikpapan it hit another mine, and became grounded. The ship was refloated on on September 29, 1944 and remains at Balikpapan and moved to No. 5 berth.
Sinking History
While moored at No. 5 berth, Kunikawa Maru was targeted by a bombing raid. Hit by a bomb in her No. 7 hold and damaged by several near misses during an air raid, that kills eight sailors. The ship sank at 13:10 on May 21, 1945.
Tabular Movement
