Japanese warship Chōgei Maru

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Chōgei
History
NameChōgei Maru / 長鯨丸
General characteristics
Typepaddle steamer with sail
Japanese sailors on the Chōgei, May 13th, 1867. Drawing by Jules Brunet

Chōgei Maru (長鯨丸, Long Whale) was a passenger gunship active during Japan's Boshin War.

Chōgei Maru was originally designed and built in

ferryboat "Danberton". It was acquired by the Tokugawa shogunate in 1866, and became a component of the Shogunal navy. It was captured during the Battle of Hakodate by the new government's forces and placed under the command of Captain Aiura Norimichi [ja] of the Saga Domain. After the Boshin War, it was turned over to the Ministry of Popular Affairs, who subsequently sold it into the private sector where it was renamed "Man'ri Maru" (萬里丸, Ten Thousand Ri). It continued to serve in various capacities until 1880, finally becoming a warehouse hulk used by the Mitsubishi Corporation
.

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