Japanese potential troop transport Ypres Maru in December 1921

On 22 May 1922 (!) received the Dutch naval staff at The Hague, Netherlands from the Dutch embassy at Tokyo, Japan a detailed specification of Japanese merchant ships of minimum 1.500 tons tonnage usable for troop transport over sea on 13 December 1921. If the transport was over a short distance for instance Japan-Philippines or Japan-Chinese harbours was the transport capacity increased with 10% and on a distance within 24 hours even doubled. The figures were supplied by non-Japanese experts, partly based on the troop transports between Japan-China and Japan-Siberia. The transports were kept secret. At that moment was Japan already considered as a potential enemy. For each ship was mentioned how many troops included equipment could be transported over a longer distance, for instance to an island belonging to the Dutch East Indies. In February-March 1942 invaded Japan indeed the Dutch East Indies.

Speed probably less then 10 miles, net tonnage 4,987 tons, gross tonnage 6,783 tons, transport capacity 2,250 men and owned by Teikoku K.K. Coal-fuelled.(1)

Source

Archive Dutch Naval Staff 1886-1942 inventory number 137 (National Archive at The Hague, Netherlands). 

Note

1. Laid down with yard number 45 by Teikoku S.S. Co., Harima/Toba, Japan on 11 May 1920, launched on 6 September 1920, completed on 1 October 1920, since 1928 owned by Yamashita Kisen K.K., homeport Kobe, renamed Kyokko Maru,requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Army on 11 October 1938, became Army No. 98, returned to owners but again requisitioned and converted into a troop transport (including prisoners of war) sunk by the American submarine USS Crevalle (SS-291) on 15 November 1943 off San Antonio, Zambales province, Philippines. Call sign JHID. 6,783 Gross tons, 6.475tons under deck, 4,988 net tons, deadweight 10,692 tons and as dimensions 425.0 x 53.6 x 34.9x 8.8 (light)-28.6 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating 584 nhp propulsion allowing a speed of 10 knots/64 rpm (normal cruising)-11 (maximum) knots and with a coal bunker capacity aof 1,500 tons a range of 9,600 nautical miles/10 knots. According to Lloyds in 1939 oil-fuelled.