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  Yoshinogawa Maru
IJN
Cargo

1,430 Tons
68.6 x 11 x x ?



Toyo Kaiun 1941
Ship History
Built by Sanoyasu Dock K.K. shipyard in Osaka. Laid down 1940 as a 1,422 ton cargo vessel. Launched December 2, 1940 as Yoshinogawa Maru. Completed June 29, 1941 and purchased by Toyo Kaiun K.K. as no. 48626 registered in Tokyo.

Wartime History
On April 19, 1942 requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) and converted into a military transport. On April 30, 1942 under Navy’s instruction No. 763 registered in Navy as an auxiliary transport of 1,430 tons with a civilian crew attached to the Yokosuka Naval District based at Yokosuka.

On May 8, 1942 departs Yokosuka via Kure assigned to the 8th Fleet as auxiliary transport (Otsu). On June 1, 1942 departs Yokosuka in a convoy southward with Choko Maru and survey ship Komahashi that later detaches and returns. On September 29, 1942 arrives Rabaul. On December 21, 1942 departs Truk in a convoy with Kaihei Maru. On December 25, 1942 arrives Rabaul and remains until early January 1943 when it departs with a convoy.

Sinking History
On January 9, 1943 after 3:00am hit by torpedoes fired by USS Nautilus (SS-168) and was damaged with the loss of eight crew. Early in the engagement, Yoshinogawa Maru reportedly released depth charges against Nautilus, without inflicting damage. Attempts to tow the damaged ship fail and later sinks at roughly Lat 6° 10S Long 156° 00E off Kieta on Bougainville. On April 20, 1943 officially removed from the Navy list.

References
Also spelled "Yosinogawa Maru" in some sources
Lloyds of London - Lloyd's Register - Borneo Maru 1939-40 does not list Yoshinogawa Maru / Yosinogawa Maru
Lloyds of London - Lloyd's Register - Borneo Maru 1940-41 does not list Yoshinogawa Maru / Yosinogawa Maru
Combined Fleet IJN Yoshinogawa Maru: Tabular Record of Movement
NHHC Japanese Naval and Merchant Shipping Losses During World War II by All Causes pages 37, 123 (index), Appendix 26 (USS Nautilus)

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Last Updated
January 8, 2022

 

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