Japanese passenger-cargo ship Dairen Maru 1924-1944

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Similar Dairen Maru, Hoten Maru and Tsingtao Maru although the latter two ships haven forward part of promenade decks enclosed. Call sign JGAB. Homeport Dairen, Japan. Owner in 1939 Dairen Kisen K.K. Laid down by Mitsubishi Zosen Kaisha Ld., Kobe, Japan on 1 December 1924, launched on 8 July 1925, completed on 15 October 1925 and torpedoed and sunk by American submarine USS Sunfish (SS-281) off Inchon, (South) Korea on 30 November 1944. Gross tonnage tons 3,748, under deck 3,035 tons, net tonnage 2,021 tons, deadweight 3,000 tons and as dimensions 360.0 x 46.0 x 28.5 x 20 (loaded) feet. Coal fuelled-propulsion, coal bunker capacity 525 tons, 2 screws and speed 14 (normal cruising)-17 (maximum) knots. 

Russian cargo ship Argun seized by the Japanese in 1904

Gross tonnage 2,458 tons. Underway from Dalny [Dalian, China?] to Nagasaki, Japan. Type cargo general. Captured off the Korean south-west coast on 7 February 1904. Condemned on final appeal. The war between the Russian and Japanese empires was between 8 February 1904-5 September1905.

Source

Official history (Naval and Military) of the Russo-Japanese War. Vol. II. Liao Yang, the Sha Ho, Port Arthur. Prepared by the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. London, 1912. 

Japanese merchant ship Yobu served as auxiliary vessel in the Russo-Japanese war between 1904-1905

War between the Russian and Japanese empires 8 February 1904-5 September 1905. Former Korean gunboat.

Source

Official history (Naval and Military) of the Russo-Japanese War. Vol. II. Liao Yang, the Sha Ho, Port Arthur. Prepared by the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. London, 1912. 

Russian cargo ship Rossiya seized by the Japanese in 1904

Gross tonnage 2,312 tons. Underway from Dalny [Dalian, China?] to Karatsu, Japan. Type cargo general. Captured off Korean south-west coast on 7 February 1904. Appeal rejected, now owned as the Saishiu Maru by the Japanese government. The war between the Russian and Japanese empires was between 8 February 1904-5 September1905.

Source

Official history (Naval and Military) of the Russo-Japanese War. Vol. II. Liao Yang, the Sha Ho, Port Arthur. Prepared by the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. London, 1912. 

Russian whale oil factory ship Michail seized by the Japanese in 1904

Gross tonnage 3,603 tons. Underway fishing. Type cargo iron bars etc. Captured off Korean east coast on 10 February 1904. Condemned on final appeal. The war between the Russian and Japanese empires was between 8 February 1904-5 September1905.

Source

Official history (Naval and Military) of the Russo-Japanese War. Vol. II. Liao Yang, the Sha Ho, Port Arthur. Prepared by the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. London, 1912. 

Russian whaler Nikolai seized by the Japanese in 1904

Gross tonnage 124 ton. Underway fishing. Type cargo none. Captured off Korean east coast on  10 February 1904. Condemned on final appeal. The war between the Russian and Japanese empires was between 8 February 1904-5 September1905. .

Source

Official history (Naval and Military) of the Russo-Japanese War. Vol. II. Liao Yang, the Sha Ho, Port Arthur. Prepared by the Historical Section of the Committee of Imperial Defence. London, 1912. 

French marshall Jofre visiting the Far East and USA according to the Weekly Intelligence Summary (W.I.S.) No. 44 dated 5 November 1921

sister ship Dupetit-Thouars. ©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

An item reported that the French marshal Joffre (1) went on 11 November at Marseille, France on board of the ss Porthos bound for the Far East. At Singapore he was to go on board of the flagship Montcalm (2) destined to Saigon and around 20 December he intended to visit the king of Siam [Thailand] (3) at Bangkok and from there the kings of Cambodia (4) and Annam (5). At Tongkin he would rejoin the Montcalm bound for Yokohama, Japan, planned arrival between 20-25 January 1922. After a month he would continue his voyage to China via Seoul, Korea and Mukden and the USA before returning home.

Notes

1. Joseph Jacques Césare Joffre (12 January 1852 Rivesaltes-3 January 1911 Paris), Chief of the Army Staff 1911-1916 and Commander-in-Chief of the French forces on the Western Front 1914-1916.

2. Part of Gueyon-class armoured cruisers, preceded by Jeanne d’Arc, succeeded by Dupleix-class, laid down by Forges et Chantiers de la Méditerranée, La Seyne-sur-Mer, France on 27 September 1898, launched on 27 March 1900, commissioned on 24 March 1902, decommissioned and reclassified as accommodation ship on 28 October 1928, renamed Trémintin on 26 September 1934 and sunk at Brest, France during an RAF air attack on 16 August 1944.

3. Vajuravudh (1 January 1881-26 November 1925), titled Rama VI.

4. Cambodia was a French protectorate between 1863-1953 (in 1945 a Japanese puppet state), king was Sisowath (7 September 1840-9 August 1927) between 27 April 1904-9 August 1927.

5. Born as prince Prince Nguyễn Phúc Bửu Đảo (8 October 1885 – 6 November 1925), emperor as Khải Định between 18 May 1916-6 November 1925. Annam [Central Vietnam] and Tonkin [North Vietnam] were French protectorates between 1883-1945. Annam, Tonkin and Cochinchina [South Vietnam]formed since 1887 French Indochina.

Source

The National Archives, Kew Gardens, England CAB-24-129-73

Japanese passenger-cargo ship Melbourne Maru 1929-1945

Call sign JIFC. Laid down by Yokohama Dock Co. Ld., Yokohama, Japan on 12 June 1929, launched on 15 December 1929, completed on 28 March 1930, requisitioned by the army as troop transport AA No. 911 on 25 December 1941 and destroyed in a Russian air attack ar Rajin, Chosen (nowadays Rashon, North Korea) on 9 August 1945. Gross tonnage 5,423 tons, under deck 4,955 tons, net tonnage 3,219 tons and as dimensions 380.0 x54.5 x 34.2 x 9 (light)-24 (loaded) feet. Diesel propulsion, 489 nhp, 846 tons bunker oil capacity, range 22,000 nautical miles/13.5 knots. Speed 13.5 (normal cruising)-6 (maximum) knots. 

Japanese cargo ship (ex-Porpoise 1903-1907, Graf Stroganof 1907-1920, San Fortunio 1920-1921,Galston 1921-1924,Kanko Maru 1924-1943

Call sign JOAU. Data for names probably incorrect. Launched by Furness, Withy&Co. Ltd., West Hartlepool, England with yard number 268 on 24 August 1903, completed in October 1903 and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Wahoo (SS-238) off Olga Peninsula east of Korea in the Japan Sea lost on 9 October 1903.Gross tonnage 2,967 tons, under deck 2,791 tons, net tonnage 1,821 tons and as dimensions 324 x 47.0 x 22.3 feet. Reciprocating propulsion 83 nhp, coal bunker capacity 740 tons, range 6,100 nautical miles/8.5 knots and speed 8.5 (normal cruising)-10 (maximum) knots. 

Japanese cargo ship (ex-ss Cape Leeuwin 1897, Paroo 1897-1917, Iran 1917-1922) Mikage Maru 1922-1944

Laid down by Russell&Co., Glasgow for account of Australasian United Steam Navigation Co., Sydney, Australia in 1896, launched in 1897. Requisitioned by the Army and converted into the troop transport IJA No. 161 in 1941, returned to owners in 1943 and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Croakeer (SS-246) south eastt of Korea on 24 October 1944. Call sign JUEB. Gross tonnage 2,761 tons, inder deck 2,231 tons, net tonnage 1,685 tons, deadweight 3,750 tons and as dimensions 315.6 x 40.1 x 14.6 x 10.5 (light)-20.5 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, 291 nhp, one screw, coal bunker capacity 562 tons, range 4,300 nautical miles/8 knots and speed 8 (normal cruising)-10 (maixmum) knots. 

Outbreak of war between Russia and Japan to be feared according to the Dutch newspaper De Sumatra Post dated 23 December 1903

The Aurora. Original postcard Chocolate La Estrella

Dmitrii Donskoi. Original postcard

Dmitrii Donskoi. 

An item dated London, England 21^st reported that in London was feared for a possible escalation in the Far East while it was almost certainly that Japan would not accept the Russian ideas. Further more started Russia with a more aggressive attitude. Japanese representatives spoke with bankers in New York, USA about a possible loan to be used for financing a war. Reported was that the Russian battleships Oslyzbya (1), the cruisers Aurora (2) and Dmitrodonski (3) with 5 destroyers commanded by admiral Wirenius within some days were to be strengthened with 6 more destroyers with as destination the Far East.(4)

Notes

1. Oslyabya, part of Peresvet-class second class battleships, preceded by Rostislav, succeeded by Potemkin, laid down by the New Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 21 November 1895, launched on 8 November 1898, commissioned in 1903 and sunk in the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese fleet on 27 May 1905.

2. Part of Pallada-class protected cruisers, preceded by Svetlana, succeeded by Varyag, building ordered in June 1896, laid down at the Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 23 May 1897, launched on 11 May 1900, completed on 16 July 1903, commissioned on 16 July 1903, decommissioned on 17 November 1948 and became a museum ship in 1956.

3. Smitrii Donskoi. Armoured cruiser, laid down by New Admiralty Shipyard, Saint Petersburg, Russia on 21 May 1881, launched on 30 August 1883, completed in early 1885, scuttled after the Battle of Tsushima against the Japanese fleet on 29 May 1905 and stricken on 28 September 1905.

4. Russian and Japanese ambitions in Manchuria and Korea conflicted. The Russo-Japanese War 8 February 1904-5 September 1905 ended disastrous for Russia. 

British cruiser HMS Cairo intended to visit Japan and Korea according to the Weekly Intelligence Summary Nr. 10 for the week ending 11 September 1920

A selection of Ships' Badges of His Majesty's Royal Navies. Gutta Percha&Rubber Limited, 1942

An item reported that the British cruiser HMS Cairo would probably leave Wei-hai-Wei around 29 September towards Japan and Korea, returning at Shanghai, China on 13 November.

Note

1. Part of the C-class light cruisers Carlisle sub-class, preceded by Arethusa-class, succeeded by Danae-class. Laid down by Cammell Laird on 17 November 1917, launched on 19 November 1918, commissioned on 23 September 1919, converted into an aircraft cruiser in 1939 and sunk by the Italian Adua-clas submarine Axum off Bizerta, Tunisia on 12 August 1942.

Source

The National Archives CAB-24-111-56. Weekly Intelligence Summary Nr. 10 for the week ending 11 September 1920.

Dutch mother whaling factory ship Willem Barendsz II 1955-1965 (2001)

 

Scheepvaartmuseum Amsterdam, Netherlands 23 February 2019

Ijmuider Zee- en Havenmuseum, Ijmuiden, Netherlands 2 June 2018

MO 5389906 and call sign PIQE. Gross tonnage 23.799/26.830 tons, net tonnage 15.090 tons, summer deadweight 26.152 tons, bale capacity 38.000 cubic feet and as dimensions 639.6 x 90.6 x 44.4 (depth) feet. Launched by Dok- en Werf Maatschappij Wilton-Fijenoord N.V., Schiedam, Netherlands with yard number 743 on 20 November 1954, delivered on 9 July 1955 to the N.V. Nederlandse Maatschappij voor de Walvisvaart, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Vinke&Co.), since 27 October 1967 homeport Cape Town, South Africa, call sign ZSUL, owned by Willem Barendsz Ltd. and managed by Silverman-Group, both of Cape Town, since 1973 as the Yu Sin, homeport Busan, South Korea-flagged, owned and managed by Korea Wonyang Fisheries Co. Ltd., Busan, renamed Gae Cheog No. 1 in 1978, renamed Gae Cheog in 1981, renamed Ocean Pioneer in 1987 and renamed Gae Cheog in 1996. Sold to be broken up in second quart of 2001 arrived at the shipyard Xinhui, China on 1 June 2001

Japanese cargo ship (ex-Toko Maru) Kanko Maru 1917-≥1939

Japan-flagged, call sign JEJG. Gross tonnage 1.288 tons, net tonnage 759 tons and as dimensions 230.0 x 33.0 x 19.7 feet. Built by Ishikawajima Shipbuilding&Engineering Co. Ltd., Tokyo, Japan in 1917. Owned by Chosen Yusen K.K., Jinsen, Korea. 

Japanese cargo ship (ex-Nanyo Maru No. 3 1922-1923, Nagpur, Nanyo Maru No. 3) Hokusei Maru 1935-1945

Call sign JVDA. Gross tonnage 1.285 tons, under deck 1.061 tons, net tonnage 746 tons and as dimensions 228.0 x 33.0 x 16.3 feet.Built by Uraga Dock Co. Ltd., Uraga, Japan in 1918. Owned by Hinode Kisen K.K., Fusan, Japan. Sunk by American aircraft on 29 July 1945 off the Korean south east coast. Was used by the army as cargo ship.

China buying torpedo boats in the United States according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 16 October 1894

A Chinese agent was negotiating in the United States to buy 30 torpedo boats.(1)

Note
1. China and Japan were since 1 August 1894 in war and which ended on 17 April 1895 primarily for which country obtained the control over Korea. China lost this war.

The Japanese navy program according to the Dutch newspaper Middelburgsche Courant dated 10 August 1895

According to the correspondent at Yokohama of the newspaper Journal des Débats intended the Japanese government to use the reparations to be paid by China to use immediately for buying 8 fast cruisers, 4 armoured cruisers, 12 torpedo boats and a flotilla of gunboats.(1)

Note
1. China and Japan were between 1 August 1894 and 17 April 1895 in war primarily for which country obtained the control over Korea. China lost this war.

Russia not interested in increasing her navy according to the Dutch newspaper Midddelburgsche Courant dated 3 February 1904

An item referred to a tiding from Berlin to the Journal des Débats as an example that Russia was not interested in a war with Japan as a result of the Korea developments while the cabinet tenders from several foreign shipyards offering the sale to her of warships refused.

German gunboat Cormoran destroyed by her crew according to the Dutch newspaper Nieuwe Rotterdamsche Courant dated 8 April 1917

An item dated Washington 7 April reported that the crew of the German gunboat Cormoran which was interned Guamo Santo (Guam) scuttled their ship refusing it to hand over to the American authorities. (1) Two non-commissioned officers and 5 sailors were killed, 20 officers, 12 non-commissioned officers and 321 sailors taken prisoner.

Note

1. On 4 August 1914 captured as the Russian steamship Ryaezan South East of Korea by the German cruiser Emden. At the German colony Kiautschou (China) converted into the armed merchant Cormoran  II as a replacement of the old German cruiser Cormoran. The armament of the old Cormoran was used to arm her with 8-4.1cm quick firing guns.

Japan founding several new airforce bases according to the Dutch magazine Marineblad 1934 no. 7

An item referred to the R.U.S.I. dated November 1934 reporting that Japan was founding airforce bases at Tomobe, Kisarazu near Tokyo, Ochischi in the north, Kagoshima and Chinkai in Korea.