Translate

Monday 5 August 2019

Japanese general cargo ship (ex-Nora Maersk 1933-1937) Terukawa Maru 1937-1943


Laid down Odense Staalkibsvaerft, Odense, Denmark in 1933 for account of AP Möller [Maersk Line], Copenhagen, Denmark, launched in August 1934, on 19 July 1936 underway towards the Philippines, China, Japan and the USA became she total loss when her oil tanks exploded, her wrecked was sold on an auction at Hong Kong to the Kitagawa Shoten K.K., between September 1937-April 1938 repaired by Osaka Iron Works, sold in 1937 to Shimatani Kisen renamed Hokoku Maru was she immediately resold to the Goyo Syosen KK line and commissioned as the Terukawa Maru, acquired by the Japanese navy on 11 December 1942 and between 12 December 1942-15 January 1943 converted into a fleet tanker at Kobe, classified as an auxiliary transport/oil supplier on 1 March 1943, torpedoed by the American submarine USS Skate (SS-305) off Truk on 21 December 1943 and stricken on 5 February 1944. Gross tonnage 6.429 tons, deadweight 9.298 tons and as dimensions 458 (between perpendiculars)-402 (over all) x 58 x 10½ (light)-26 (loaded) feet. Diesel machinery with a horsepower of 1.026 nhp/7.900 bhp, a speed of 15 (cruising)-17 (maximum) and with speed of 14 knots a range of 50.000 nautical miles. Cargo capacity 2.670 tons included deep tanks.