Japanese transport ship Yamafuku Maru
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan | |
| Name | Yamafuku Maru |
| Builder | Osaka Iron Works K.K. shipyard in Sakurajima |
| Laid down | 1939 |
| Launched | March 1940 |
| Sponsored by | Yamashita Kisen K.K. |
| Completed | 10 July 1940 |
| Acquired | requisitioned by Imperial Japanese Navy, 15 May 1941 |
| Stricken | 5 January 1944 |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk by USS Snook, 28 November 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement | 4,928 long tons (5,007 t) standard |
| Length | 369.8 ft (112.7 m) o/a[1] |
| Beam | 54.1 ft (16.5 m)[1] |
| Draught | 29.2 ft (8.9 m)[1] |
| Propulsion | One steam turbine 3,100 bhp (2,312 kW) and one 1 shaft 2,600 bhp (1,939 kW)[1] |
| Speed | 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)[1] |
Yamafuku Maru was an auxiliary
transport ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II
. She served primarily as a troop transport and cargo ship during the war.
History
Yamafuku Maru was laid down in 1939 at the Sakurajima shipyard of Osaka Iron Works K.K. at the behest of shipping company, Yamashita Kisen K.K.[2] She was launched in March 1940 and completed 10 July 1940.[2] On 15 May 1941, she was requisitioned as an auxiliary transport by the Imperial Japanese Navy and attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under Captain Honda Torao Yokosuka with Yokosuka as her homeport.[2]
In January 1942, she served as a
Rear Admiral Koichiro Hatakeyama. In May 1942, she participated in the Battle of Midway (Operation "MI") where she was assigned to Miyamoto Sadachika's 16th Minesweeper Unit (along with auxiliary minesweepers Tama Maru No. 3, Tama Maru No. 5, Showa Maru No. 7, Showa Maru No. 8; submarine chasers CH-16, CH-17, and CH-18; cargo ship Meiyo Maru; and auxiliary ammunition ship Soya).[2]
On 23 November 1943, she departed
Hachijo-Jima by USS Snapper with all torpedoes missing.[2] On 28 November 1943, the convoy was again attacked, this time USS Pargo and USS Snook 500 nautical miles (930 km; 580 mi) northwest of Guam; the initial attack was unsuccessful.[2] Snook attacked again just before midnight and successfully hit and sank Yamafuku Maru with four torpedoes at (18°21′N 140°08′E / 18.350°N 140.133°E) with 60 men lost.[2] On 5 January 1944, she was struck from the Navy List.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d e Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander (2012). "Zatsuyosen: Tarushima Maru Class Auxiliary Transports". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hackett, Bob; Kingsepp, Sander (2012). "Zatsuyosen: IJN Yamafuku Maru: Tabular Record of Movement". combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 5 November 2019.
Shipwrecks and maritime incidents in November 1943 | |
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| Shipwrecks |
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| Other incidents |
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