Japanese minelayer Kamishima 1945-1947, Russian minelayer Kamishima 1947- and hydrographic vessel Katun -1955 and Chinese Minelayer No. 50 1955-1980s

©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Building ordered under fiscal year 1945, laid down by Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 20 February 1945, launched on 12 June 1945, commissioned on 30 July 1945, stricken on 15 September 1945, used as repatriation vessel vessel between September 1945-June 1947, ceded to the Soviet Union on 3 October 1947, later converted into the hydrographic vessel Katun, boiler ship since 1954, given to China in 1955, commissioned as Minelayer No. 50 and sold to be broken up in the early 1980s.

Sources

Breyer, S. and N. Polmar. Guide to the Soviet Navy, 2nd edition.

Fukui, S. Japanese naval vesse;s at the end of World War II.

Jentschura, H., D. Jung and P. Mickel. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy 1869-1945.

Huan, Cl. La Flotte rouge.

Budzbon, P., J. Radziemski, and M. Twardowski. Warships of the Soviet Fleets 1939-1945, volume I.

Kouznetsov, N. La Marine sovietique en guerre 1941-1945.

Meister, J. Soviet Warships of the Second World War.

Pavlov, A.S. Warships of the USSR and Russia 1945-1995.

Rohwer, J. and M.S. Monakov. Stalin’s Ocean-going Fleet. Soviet naval strategy abd shipbuilding programmes 1935-1953.

Schulz-Troge, U. Die sowjetische Kriegsmarine.

Watts, A.J. and B.G. Gordon. The Imperial Japanese Navy.

Far Eastern Sighting Guide (ONI-F-31-FE).

Jane’s Fighting Ships several editions.

Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Merchant ship Premier chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

Merchant ship Amiral-Baudin chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

American seal hunter Rose in 1804

Entered the harbour of Port Jackson, New South Wales, Australia on 25 January 1804. Master J. Carey.(1) Built foreign. Tonnage 305 tons. Number of guns 8. Number of men 21. Where and when built Nantucket. Where and when registered Nantucket. Owner Paul Gardiner. General cargo 70 tons ebony wood, 3,690 skins, 270 bundles whalebone, From whence Isle of France. Where bond given Sydney.

Note

1. The logbook over the period 29 July 1803-10 June 1804 kept by James Cary still exists and is digitized. The purpose of the voyage was trading especially the so-called China-trade. Owner-agent Paul Gardner. On 21 January is written Isle France towards Canton, on Saturday 4 February from Port Jackson towards Canton, China.

Sources

Historical records of New South Wales. 1803-1805.

Www.archive.org MS220 Log 366.

Russian dry cargo ship ms Vjasma 1964-

Vyborg or Viborg©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Typ VI- or Vyborg-class built for the Soviet Union, China, France, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland. The figures differs depending on the source. Wikepedia mentioned 31 built between 1961 and 1969 while Caribia claims 34. Built by VEB Warnowwerft, Warnemünde, East Germany or German Democratic Republic in 1964. Dimensions 140.0 (between perpendiculars)-150.7 (over all) x 20.0 (moulded) x 11.6 (depth to main deck) x 0.93 (fore light)-5.46 (aft light)-3.18 (mean light)-8.91 (mean loaded ) metres. Five cargo hold with total bale capacity 15,674 M3 and grain capacity 18,268M3.

Swedish chemical/oil products tanker Fure Valentia 2026-

Schelde, Vlissingen 21 October 2010

Sweden-flagged, homeport IMO 1033377, MMSI 2605065000 and call sign SBFR. Built by China Merchants Jinling Shipyard (Yangzhou) Dingheng Co. Ltd., China with hull number CMY0126 in 2026. Ordered by Furetank Rederi AB, Sweden

Merchant ship Isaac-Bell chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

Dutch chemical/oil products tanker (ex-Elka 5 2012, Oralina 2012) Oraluna 2012-

Vlissingen, Netherlands 18 October 2026

Portugal/Madeira-flagged, IMO 9537094, MMSI 255806227 and call sign CQAN9. Built by Xixiakou Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Rongcheng, China in 2012. Owner GTM Belgium BV, manager South End Tanker Management BV, both at Dordrecht, Netherlands.Cyprus-flagged in 2012, Gibraltar-flagged in 2012, Netherlands-flagged in 2021 and 2022, Madeira flagged in 2021 and since 2022. 

Italian car carrier Grande Michigan 2026-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 16 October 2026

Italy-flagged, IMO 1028865, MMSI 247416500 and call sign IBKC. Built by China Merchants Heavy Industries, Jiangsu, China in 2026. Owner Grimaldi Euromed SpA. 

Merchant ship Africa chartered by France for the expedition to China in 1860

In 1856 broke the Second Opium War out as a result of western powers trying to force the Chinese Qing dynasty to open the frontiers for foreign trade and to obtain more influence. A treaty signed in 1858 was to end the war and give the western powers more or less what they wanted. A combined British-America-French effort to pass the Taku forts and go on to Pei-ho (nowadays Hai River) failed and France and the United Kingdom decided to sent out a combined expedition with the first French ships leaving France on 5 December 1859. A joint ultimatum of both countries dated 8 March 1860 was refused on 8 April 1860 followed by fighting. To transport their troops and stores France and especially England hired several merchant ships.

Source

Léopold Pallu de La Barrière. Expédition de Chine en 1860. Paris, Imprimerie Impériale, 1863, p. 15. 

Modified Communist Chinese Kronstadt-class escort vessels sighted according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 April 1956

An item referred to a very reliable source suggesting that the Kronstadt-class escort vessels were fitted out with ahead throwing weapons, one vessel was seen on 28 January with a possible squid-type projector mounted abaft the forward gun. Photographs showed an installation (in normal conditions covered) on the position indicated by the source.

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

Bulk carrier (ex-Kmarin Genoa 2014-2024) Azul 2024-

Schelde off Vlissingen, Netherlands 30 September 2026

Marshall Islands-flagged, IMO 9726504, MMSI 538011305 and call sign V7A6933. Panama-flagged 2014-2024. Built by Jiangsu Hantong Ship Heavy Industry, Tongzhou, China in 2024. As Kmarin Genoa, Panama-flagged, MMSI 354709000, call sign 3FPE8 and owner/manager Kmarin, Seoul, South Korea. 

China interested in building battleships according to the Australian newspaper Clarence and Richmond Examiner dated Thursday 12 August 1909

An item reported that China was planning the building of three 21,000 tons dreadnoughts.(1)

Note

1. Not mentioned in the Naval Annual 1909. 

Luxembourg owned dredgers Arent (2011) and le Guerrier (2007)

Canal Gent, Belgium-Terneuzen, Netherlands 12-9-2026

Dredger Arent. Mauritius-flagged, homeport Port Louis, IMO 9591387, MMSI 645587000 and call sign 3BTX. Built by Xinhe Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, Tianjin, China in 2011. Before 2020 Luxembourg-flagged, call sign LXKU. Owner/manager Dredging&Maritime Management, Luxembourg.

Le Guerrier. Luxembourg-flagged, homeport Luxembourg, IMO 9372250, MMSI 2533110000 and call sign LXGQ. Built by Xinhe Shipbuilding Heavy Industry, Tianjin, China in 2007. Owner/manager Codralux, Luxembourg. 

New kind of Communist Chinese motor torpedo boat sighted according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 April 1956

An item reported that in the Shanghai area several times a new type Motor Torpedo Boat was sighed. The boats seemed to be locally built and certainly longer than the ones already in service and which were of the Russian type (45-55 feet. Possible based on a Russian design probably with as result, a length of 80 feet long and an armament including 2-21” torpedo tubes, fitted out with radar

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

Belgian inland cargo ship (ex-Alja 2002-2008, Tiësto 2008-2026) Kiya 2026-

Canal Gent, Belgium-Terneuzen, Netherlands 12-9-2026

Belgium-flagged, homeport Brasschaat, ENI 02325505, MMSI 205395090 and call sign OT3309. Built by Chengxi Shipyard, Jiangyin, China and completed by De Gerlein-van Tiem, Druten, Netherlands in 2002.

Dutch inland tanker Castor 2009-

Canal Gent, Belgium-Terneuzen, Netherlands 12-9-2026

Netherlands-flagged, homeport Zwijndrecht, ENI 02332934, MMSI 244650754 and call sign PB4189. Built by Hairun Shipbuilding Corp., Yangzhou, China and completed by Dolderman, Dordrecht, Netherlands in 2009. 

Chinese flying boats sighted at Tsingtao according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 April 1956

An item reported that totally 5 flying boats were seen at Tsingtao similar to the appearance of the US Martin Marines. They were located at a locally old Japanese flying boat base . In January was one flying boat see above Shanghai probably on behalf of long-range maritime training for the naval air personal.

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

New Chinese frigates sighted according to the Australia Station Intelligence Summary dated 1 April 1956

An item reported that the on 28 January sighted two small vessels on the river at Shanghai, Communist China were both described as sloops with an over-all length of around 200 feet and steam driven. The armament consisted of fore 1 probably 3” gun and aft several 7.62cm Oerlikons. It was believed that this were the new frigates recently reported from Shanghai.

Source

Website Royal Australian Navy, Sea Power Centre.

Russian dry cargo ship ms Viborg or Vyborg 1963-1987 (Beidor 1987-1987)

Vyborg or Viborg©Warshipsresearch.blogspot.com

Part of Typ VI- or Vyborg-class built for the Soviet Union, China, France, Norway, Singapore and Switzerland. The figures differs depending on the source. Wikepedia mentioned 31 built between 1961 and 1969 while Caribia claims 34. Built by VEB Warnowwerft, Warnemünde, East Germany or German Democratic Republic in 1963. Delivered with yard number 431 on 5 November 1963. Of the Baltic Steamship Company. Broken up at Aliaga, Turkey since 2 August 1987. Dimensions 140.0 (between perpendiculars)-150.7 (over all) x 20.0 (moulded) x 11.6 (depth to main deck) x 0.93 (fore light)-5.46 (aft light)-3.18 (mean light)-8.91 (mean loaded ) metres. Five cargo hold with total bale capacity 15,674 M3 and grain capacity 18,268M3.