An item reported that the Japanese merchant ship Kasima Maru which was to arrive at Townsville, Australia on 27 July was on 29 July reported positioned off the north west extreme of New Guinea south of Palau. She seemed to go again to the south. On board was the new Japanese Consul General.
Source
Website Sea Power Centre Australia. O.I.C. Daily Summary of Operational-Intelligence dated 1 August 1941
Similar Kikukawa Maru (1936), Kirikawa Maru (1937), Matukawa Maru/Matsukawa Maru (1938), Momokawa Maru (1939), Nippo Maru (1936), Toei Maru (1936) and Toho Maru (1937). Call sign JNWL. Owner Yamaoto Kisen K.K., Kobe, Japan. Laid down by by Kawasaki Dockyard Co., Kobe, Japan on 4 November 1936, launched on 13 March 1937, completed on 19 1937, requisitioned by the army as transport alloted No. 542 in 1938, returned to owners in 1939, requistioned by the navy as a general transport on 16 July 1941, registered as auxiliary transport on 15 October 1941, torpedoed and sunk by American submarine USS Seahorse underway from Palau towards Rabaul on 1 February 1944 and stricken on 31 March 1944. Gross tonnage 4,004 tons, under deck ? tons, net tonnage 2,318 tons and as dimensions 353.6 x 50.00 x 27.6 x 8’6” (light)-23” (loaded) feet. Steam turbine propulsion, horsepower333 nhp, one screw, coal bunker capacity 1,000 tons and range slightly less than 10,000 nautical miles/12 knots and speed 12-14 (normal cruising)-16 (maximum) knots.
The Japanese embassy at Washington, USA supplied on 16 April 1923 the Department of the US Navy the schedules of the movements of Japanese naval oil tankers which were active in the North American region. Expected to Japan in the middle of May on the same schedule of the Tsurumi but could be later be changed. Schedule Tsurumi: Departure fromSasebo, Japan on 20 April, arrival at Honolulu, Hawaii on 12 May, departure on 16 May, arrival at San Pedro on 29 May, departure on 3 June, arrival at San Francisco on 5 June, departure on 10 June, arrival at Hilo, Hawaii on 21 June and departure for Japan on 25 June. Remarks were that stops at Honulu and Hilo were only made for bunkering coal, water and provisions. The schedule could be slightly changed owing to the weather and other necessities.(1)
Note
1. Notoro or Shiretoko-class navy tankers preceded by Noma succeeded by Kamoi. Consisting of Notoro, Shiretoko, Erimo, Sata, Tsurumi, Shiriya, Iro. Other sources Siretoka/Shiretoka, Erimo, Sata, Turimi/Tsurimi, Sirya.Shiria, Iro, Ondo, Hayamoto and Naruto. Built under the Eight-Four and Eight-Six Fleet plans. Laid down by Osaka Iron Works, Sakuramija Factory on 2 September 1921, launched on 5 August 1922, completed on 30 October 1922, heavily damaged during an air attack on Palau on 31 March 1944 and sunk on 17 April 1944.
Source
Record Group 64: Records of the National Archives and Records Administration Series: Records of the Department of State Relating to Internal Affairs of Japan. Naval Affairs, Navy, Naval Vessels: 894.30 - 894.304 THRU Naval Affairs, Navy, Naval Vessels: Movements of Naval Vessels: 894.33 - 894.3311f. Microfilm 422 roll 19.
A letter of the German naval attache in Japan dated Tokyo, Japan 17 October 1938 reported more details of the Japanese floating workshop Akashi, building started on 18 January 1937, dimensions 152.36 x 20.5 x 5.67 metres, tonnage 9,000 tons. Two turbine propulsion, horsepower 10,000 hp. Armament 3-12.7cm anti aircraft guns, 1 search light.(1)
Note
1. Launched by Sasesbo Naval Arsenal on 29 June 1938, completed on 31 July 1939, sunk during an American air attack off Urukthapel, Palau Islands on 10 May 1944 and stricken on 10 May 1944.
Source
Palau-flagged, homeport Malakal Harbour, IMO 8325119, MMSI 511100783 and call sign T8A3993. Built by Dunston Richard Hessle, Hessle, United Kingdom in 1994. Owner/manager Bas Shipping Ltd., Odessa, Ukraine.
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Call sign JYKD. Laid down by Sir Raylton Dixon&Co. Ld., Cleveland Dockyard, Middlesbrough, England with yard number 559 in end 910, launched on 29 April 1911, completed in July 1911, requisitioned by the army on 2 October 1941, converted into a troop transport and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Peto (SS-265) on 1 October underway prom Palau towards Rabaul. Gross tonnage 4,891 ton, under deck 4,535 ton, net tonnage 2,615 ton and as dimensions 386.0x 53.5 x 27.2 x 14 (light)-24 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw. Horsepower 417 nhp, coal bunker capacity 850 ton, range 5,500 nautical miles/9.5 knots and speed 9.5 (normal cruising 56 rpm)-10.5 (maximum 67rpm) knots.
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Part of Momi-class preceded by Kawakaze-class succeeded by Minekaze-class. Development of the Enoki second-class destroyers building authorized under the 8-4 Fleet Program and planned 28 units of which were 21 were built and the last seven as the Wakatake-class. Laid down by Kawasaki Shipyards, Kobe, Japan on 20 January 1920, launched on 13 October 1920, completed on 10 December 1920, converted into the patrol boat No. 31/Dai-31-Go shokatei on 1 April 1940, sunk at Palau during an air attack on 30 March 1944 and stricken on 10 May 1944/
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Call sign JWEL. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukyogo K.K., Nagasaki, Japan on 3 May 1937, launched on 23 October 1937, completed on 10 March 1938, requisitioned by the army Alloted Army No. 675 on 30 August 1938, returned to shipping company on 26 December 1938, requisitioned by the navy a general purposes ship on 23 August 1941, torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Tinosa (SS-283) underway from Balikpapan via Palau to Truk on 3 December 1943 and stricken on 5 February 1944. Gross tonnage 6,646 tons, under deck 5,654 tons, netto tonnage 3,670 tons, deadweight 9,166 tons and as dimensions 461.6 x 62.3 x 31.5 x 13 (light)-27.5 (loaded) feet. Diesel propulsion, single screw, horsepower 2,248 nhp, oil bunker capacity 1,466 tons and speed 16 (normal cruising)-19.5 (maximum) knots.
Stellendam, Netherlands 19 February 2025
Palau-flagged, homeport Malakal Harbour, IMO 8325119, MMSI 511100783 and call sign T8A3993. Built by Dunston Richard Hessle, Hessle, United Kingdom in 1994. Owner/manager Bas Shipping Ltd., Odessa, Ukraine.
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Sister ships Akagi Maru, Arima Maru, Asaka Maru and Awata Maru. Call sign JIZK. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K., Nagasaki, Japan on 18 March 1936, launched on 10 September 1936, completed on 30 November 1936, requisitioned by the army as transport on 6 July 1942, despatch vessel since 3 October 1942, transport in November 1942, converted into a tanker between 30 December 1942-20 February 1942, assigned to the navy on 15 February 1943, torpedoed by the American submarine USS Haddock (SS-231) north of Palau on 3 April 1943, sunk on 4 April 1943 and stricken on 14 May 1943. Gross tonnage 7,390 tons, under deck 6,531 tons, netto tonnage 4,326 tons and as dimensions 462.7 x 62.3 x 34.4 x 15 (light)-19 (loaded) feet. Diesel propulsion, horsepower 2,248 np/8,000 bhp, oil bunker capacity 2,500 tons included deep tanks, range nautical 36,000 miles/15 knots, 16 knots/105 rpm, 19 knots/118 rpm and speed 15 (normal cruising)-19 (maximum) knots.
Part of Wakatake-class preceded by Minekaze-class succeeded by Kamikaze-class. Slightly modified Momi-class and rated as second class destroyer. Planned 13 but 5 cancelled and 8 completed. Laid down by Kawasaki Shipyards on 13 December 1921, launched on 24 July 1922, completed/commissoned on 30 September 1922and sunk in an air attack during Operation Desecrate One off Palau on 30 March 1944 and stricken on 10 May 1944.
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Similar Tokusima Maru-Kuwayama Maru-Siraha Maru-Tatuha Maru-Tottori Maru. Call sign JSQB. Laid down by Russell&Co., Port Glasgow, Scotland in end 1917, launched on 27 September 1918, completed in 1918, requisitioned by the army on 14 October 1941 as troop transport Alloted IJA No. 608 and north west of Palau torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Searaven (SS-196) on 14 January 1943.
Gross tonnage 5,693 tons, under deck 5,344 tons, netto tonnage 3,553 tons and as dimensions 423.3 x 56.0 x 28.7 x 10 (light)-25 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw, horsepower 556 nhp/3,203 ihp, bunker capacity 2,300 tons, range 15,000 nautical miles/10 knots and speed 10 (normal cruising)-12 (maximum) knots.
An item referred to British Intelligence Singapore reporting that according to radio traffic and RDF several locations of the Japanese navy were known:
CinC Combined Fleet-Mandate area
CinC Second Fleet-Kamranh Bay Area [[Cam Ranh Bay, deep-water bay, Khánh Hòa Province, Vietnam]
Southern Expeditionary Force-Palau area [Western Pacific]
1 aircraft Carrier-Saigon [French Indochina=Vietnam]
7 units-northeast coast of Malaya
1 carrier and 40 other units-northeast coast of Borneo
8 ships sighted off Miri [Malaysia]
2 ships sighted of Belait [Brunei]
Source
Map Room Papers (Roosevelt Administration), 1942 - 1945. U.S. Joint Intelligence Committee. Daily summary No. 11 dated 21 December 1941.
similar to the Horai Maru
Call sign JHTA. Built by Osaka Iron Works Ld., Osaka, Japan in April 1918 and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Sailfish (SS-192) south of Kyushu, Japan underway as army cargo ship from Saiki to Palau. Gross tonnage 3,194 tons, under deck 2,757 tons, net tonnage 1,997 tons and as dimensions 20.50 x 43.7 x 27.2 x 7 (light)-23.4 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw, 287 nhp, coal bunker capacity 1,215 ons, range 13,000 nautical miles/9 knots and speed 9 (normal cruising)-11.5 (maximum) knots.
Call sign JNWA. Laid down by Yokohama Dock Co., Yokohama, Japan on 16 December 1922, launched on 7 May 1923, completed on 20 June 1923, requsitioned by the navy as general transport in September 1938, returned to owners in April 1939, rerequisitioned by the navy in October 1939, returned to owners in April 1940, rerequistioned by the navy in September 1940, returned to owners in 1941, rerequistioned by the navy as general transport on 19 September 1941, clasified as special transport/stores ship on 15 October 1941, sunk after a collision around 68 nautical miles southwest of Palau bound for Balikpapan, Borneo, Dutch East Indies on 16 January 1944 and stricken on 10 March 1944. Active in the interbellum in the fishery. Gross tonnage 1,549 tons, under deck 1,200 tons, net tonnage 845 tons, deadweight 1,682 tons and as dimensions 250.0 x 37.0 x 19.0 x 9 (light)-17 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, single screw, 126 nhp, coal bunker capacity 350 tons, fuel oil capacity 289 tons, range 11,000 nautical miles/10 knots and speed 10 (normal cruising)-11 (maximum) knots. Refrigerating ship.
Call sign JOKB. Launched by John Blumer&Co., North Dock, Sunderland, England with yard number 210 on 15 February 1912, completed in March 1912 and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Silversides 50 miles west north west of Palau on 29 December 1943. Gross tonnage 3,311 tons, under deck 2,972 tons, net tonnage 2,010 tons and as dimensions 332.5 x 48.7 x 21/9 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.
Call sign JCAB. Laid down by Yokohama Dock Co., Yokohama, Japan on 24 December 1923, launched on 28 September 1925, completed on 10 November 1925, chartered by the army as emergency troop transport 10/11-end February 1932, requisituined by the army, converted into the transport IJA No. 12 on 12 July 1937, returned to owners on 10 July 1942, rerequistioned by the army on 24 December 1942 and torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Seahorse (SS-304) 282 miles south east of Palau on 21 January 1944. Gross tonnage 3,156 tons, under deck 2,700 tons, net tonnage 1,887 tons and dimensions 352.7 x 46.0 x 27.0 x 9 (light)-21 (loaded) feet. Reciprocating propulsion, 284 nhp, single screw, coal bunker capacity 455 tons, range 6,000 nautical miles/12.5 knots and speed 12.5 (normal cruising)-15 (maximum) knots.
Netherlands-flagged, homeport Maassluis, Netherlands, MMSI 244498000 and call sign PHAP, bought by Sima Shipsales in October 2023 and manager Sima Charters BV, Maassluis. As Sea Lord Palau-flagged, homeport Malakal Harbour, IMO 8325119, MMSII 511100783 and call sign T8A3993. Owner/manager Bas Shipping Ltd., Odessa, Ukraine. Built by Dunston Richard Hessle, Hessle, United Kingdom in 1994. In the past managed/owned bySmit International Gabon and owned by Damen Marine Service and Smit Salvor BV in Panama. Ex-Annelies renamed July 2015 and Sl Annelies renamed April 2020. Gross tonnage 487 tons, summer deadweight 454 tons and as dimensions 40.6 x 9.5 x 5 metres.
Japanese Notoro or Shiretoko-class navy tankers preceded by Noma succeeded by Kamoi. Consisting of Notoro, Shiretoko, Erimo, Sata, Tsurumi, Shiriya, Iro. Other sources Siretoka/Shiretoka, Erimo, Sata, Turimi/Tsurimi, Sirya.Shiria, Iro, Ondo, Hayamoto and Naruto. Built under the Eight-Four and Eight-Six Fleet plans. Laid down by Osaka Iron Works, Sakuramija Factory on 2 September 1921, launched on 5 August 1922, completed on 30 October 1922, heavily damaged during an air attack on Palau on 31 March 1944 and sunk on 17 April 1944.
Japanese Notoro or Shiretoko-class navy tankers preceded by Noma succeeded by Kamoi. Consisting of Notoro, Shiretoko, Erimo, Sata, Tsurumi, Shiriya, Iro. Other sources Siretoka/Shiretoka, Erimo, Sata, Turimi/Tsurimi, Sirya.Shiria, Iro, Ondo, Hayamoto and Naruto. Built under the Eight-Four and Eight-Six Fleet plans. Laid down by Yokohama Dock Company on 6 March 1920, launched on 28 October 1920, completed on 24 February 1921, converted into a submarine rescue ship and sunk during Operation Desecrate One at Palau on 31 March 1944.
