Japanese netlayer Kanko Maru (1940)

Kanko Maru (Japanese: 漢江丸) was a steel-hulled steamer that was converted into an auxiliary net layer by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

History
Empire of Japan
Name: Kanko Maru (漢江丸)
Builder: Nakata Shipyard
Launched: 26 December 1940
Sponsored by: Sanko Kisen Co., Ltd.
Completed: 1 May 1941
Acquired: Requisitioned by Imperial Japanese Navy, 4 December 1941
Commissioned: 20 December 1941
Homeport: Amagasaki[1]
Identification: 47973[1]
Notes:
General characteristics
Class and type: Steamer
Tonnage: 909 GRT[1][2][3]
Length: 56.9 m (186 ft 8 in) o/a[1]
Beam: 9.4 m (30 ft 10 in)[1]
Draught: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)[1]
Propulsion: 1 diesel engine, single shaft, 1 screw[2]
Armament: 1 x 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun
1 x Type 93 13 mm AT/AA machine gun
1 x Lewis gun
24 depth charges
4 x Type 14 capture nets
1 x hanging hydrophone

History

She was launched on 26 December 1940 at the Nakata Shipyard (中田造船所) for the benefit of Sanko Kisen K.K. (jp:三光汽船) and completed on 1 May 1941.[1][4] On 4 December 1941, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy, commissioned on 20 December 1941 into the Sasebo Guard Force, Sasebo Naval District, and then sent to the shipyard of Tochigi Shoji K.K. for conversion into an auxiliary net layer.[4] On 31 December 1941, she was reassigned to the Chinkai Guard District.[4] On 5 November 1942, her net-laying equipment was removed and she was converted into a cargo/transport ship although she retained her mine-sweeping equipment.[4] On 10 November 1942, she was reassigned to the Southern Expeditionary Fleet.[4]

On 5 January 1945, the US submarine Cavalla torpedoed and sank Kanko Maru and her fellow auxiliary net layer Shunsen Maru in the Java Sea at coordinates 05°00′S 112°20′E.[4][5]

References
  1. Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "特設特務艇 (Auxiliary Net Layer - Stats)" (PDF). Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen (in Japanese).
  2. Lettens, Jan (15 November 2014). "Kanko Maru [+1945]". wrecksite.eu.
  3. ONI 208-J (Supplement no. 2) Far Eastern Small Craft. Division of Naval Intelligence. March 1945. p. 5.
  4. Toda, Gengoro S. "漢江丸の船歴 (Kanko Maru - Ship History)". Imperial Japanese Navy -Tokusetsu Kansen (in Japanese).
  5. Cressman, Robert. The Official Chronology of the U.S. Navy in World War II. 2016. p. 604.
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