Asama Maru Class

(ASAMA MARU in Wartime Colors by Ueda Kihachiro)

ASAMA MARU was completed as a passenger-cargo ship for the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK)(Japan Mail Steam Ship Co. Ltd) Line in 1929. She saw extensive service in the 1930's on NYK's Far East-California route. Requisitioned by the IJN in 1941, she was converted to a troop ship. In 1942, she served as a diplomatic exchange and repatriation vessel. Later, she was used to transport Allied prisoners of war. In November 1944, ASAMA MARU was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in the South China Sea.

TATSUTA MARU, was completed NYK Line in 1930 for service on their Far East-California route. In 1938, the transliteration of her name was changed to TATUTA. She was converted to a troop ship. In 1942, she served as a diplomatic exchange and repatriation vessel. Later, she was used to transport Allied prisoners of war. In February 1943, TATUTA MARU was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine off the coast of Japan.

CHICHIBU MARU was completed for NYK in 1930 for NYK's Far East-California route. In 1938, she was renamed TITIBU MARU. In 1939, she was renamed KAMAKURA MARU. In 1941, she was converted to a troop ship. In 1942, she served as a diplomatic exchange and repatriation vessel. Later, she was used to transport Allied prisoners of war. In April 1943, as a troop ship, KAMAKURA MARU was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine off Panay, Philippines.

Builder: Mitsubishi Nagasaki.
Year Completed: 1929-1930
Displacement: 16,975-tons
Dimensions: Length 583', beam 71', draft 28.5'
Propulsion: 4 Mitsubishi Sulzer diesels, 4 screws, 16,000 (max 19,108) bhp, speed 20.7 knots.
Number of Passengers Carried: 839 passengers.