KYURYOSEN!
(CHIYO MARU, prewar – Peter Cundall Collection)
IJN CHIYO MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2019 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall
8 February 1935:
Hikoshima. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K. Hikoshima Zosensho as a 658-tons deep-sea trawler for K.K. Hayashikane Shoten.
1 June 1935:
Launched and named CHIYO MARU. [1]
7 August 1935:
Completed and registered at Shimonoseki, Yamaguchi Prefecture.
15 August 1935:
K.K. Hayashikane Shoten receives a steamer trawl fishing permit (No. 1) available for 10 years. Operation area include: South China Sean S of 20N Latitude.
Harvesting ports are: Tokyo, Osaka, Shimonoseki and Nagasaki.
14 August 1937:
Requisitioned and registered as an auxiliary stores ship attached to the Sasebo Naval District under instruction No. 448. An unknown IJN officer is appointed supervisor.
15 August 1937:
Attached to the Sasebo Naval District, Sasebo Naval Base under instruction No. 454.
18 August 1937:
Departs Shimonoseki.
20 August 1937:
Arrives at Wusong (Woosung), China. Departs later.
25 August 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo. Departs later.
30 August 1937:
Departs Shimonoseki for central China waters.
7 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
13 September 1937:
Departs Saishu Island (now Jeju Island, South Korea).
15 September 1937:
Arrives off Shidongkou, China coast and drops anchor.
16 September 1937:
Departs Shidongkou waters.
20 September 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
25 September 1937:
Departs Shimonoseki for central China waters.
1 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
6 October 1937:
Departs Saishu Island for central China waters.
14 October 1937:
Arrives at Sasebo.
15 October 1937:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 703.
17 October 1937:
Released to her owners.
17 August 1938:
Navy Resv. Lt(jg) Kukida Yukio is appointed supervisor.
31 August 1938:
Requisitioned again by the IJN. Chartered as a general requisitioned stores ship.
16 October 1938:
Departs Bias Bay (Daya Bay), China. Later this day comes along to starboard bow of auxiliary seaplane carrier KINUGASA MARU and provisions her with food.
24 October 1938:
Arrives at Chuanbi Waterway road, China (138°, 5000m of Three Plate State lighthouse). From 1520 till 1627 alongside auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
3 November 1938:
Arrives at Chusan (now Zhoushan, China) anchorage. From 1805 till 1825 alongside to starboard bow of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU, provisions her with fresh food and supplies Navy shirts.
16 November 1938:
From 1635 till 1730 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
16 December 1938:
Arrives at Michireishima (now Dao Ling Dao), China. From 0835 till 1000 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
E 17 ~ 26 December 1938:
Departs and arrives at Michireishima.
28 December 1938:
From 1030 till 1128 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
29 December 1938:
Departs Michireishima.
30 December 1938:
Arrives at Michireishima. Departs later.
4 January 1939:
Arrives at Michireishima. Departs there later that day and arrives at Wanshan archipelago, China.
18 January 1939:
Arrives at Humen, Pearl River estuary, southern China. Departs later.
20 January 1939:
Arrives at Wanshan archipelago. Departs later.
26 January 1939:
Arrives at Humen.
28 January 1939:
Alongside to port of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
29 January 1939:
Departs Humen.
16 March 1939:
At Samah, (now Sanya) Hainan Island, southern China. At 1520, provisions auxiliary repair ship KAGU MARU with fresh food.
E 17 ~ 26 March 1939:
Departs Samah.
27 March 1939:
Arrives at Samah.
30 March 1939:
Provisions auxiliary repair ship KAGU MARU with fresh food.
E 31 March ~ 19 April:
Departs Samah.
20 April 1939:
Arrives at Humen.
E 21 ~ 23 April 1939:
Departs Humen.
24 April 1939:
Arrives at Humen. From 1852 till 2015 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
25 April 1939:
Departs Humen. Later that day returns there.
26 May 1939:
From 0626 till 0705 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
E 27 May ~ 13 June 1939:
Departs Humen.
14 June 1939:
Arrives at Humen.
23 June 1939:
Departs Humen.
3 July 1939:
Arrives at Humen.
4 July 1939:
From 0705 till 0855 alongside to starboard of auxiliary gunboat DELHI MARU and provisions her with fresh food.
E 5 July ~ 28 September 1939: BR>
Departs Humen.
29 September 1939:
Arrives at Haikou (Haikow), Hainan Island, China.
1 October 1939:
Departs Haikou.
15 October 1941:
Registered as an auxiliary stores ship attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under instruction No. 1256.
E 16 October ~ 5 December 1941:
Attached to the Combined Fleet as an auxiliary stores ship (Otsu) category. [2]
6 December 1941:
Assigned to invasion forces supply units under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 14.
E 5 ~ 7 December 1941:
Loads 250t fresh food.
8 December 1941:
Navy Resv. Lt(jg) Kukida is confirmed as supervisor. Departs Yokosuka for Ponape, Eastern Carolines and Truk, Central Carolines.
January 1942:
Assigned to food supply mission under instruction No 40 part 8.
20 January 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for the South Seas (Japanese mandated islands) with auxiliary stores ship CHICHIBU MARU. Auxiliary gunboat HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO departs Uraga, meets up with the two ships and starts escorting them. At an unknown point, HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO detaches and returns to Uraga.
28 January 1942:
Attached to Invasion forces supply units under Yokosuka Naval District instruction No. 45.
1 April 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
10 April 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
15 April 1942:
Departs Truk.
10 April 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul, New Britain, Bismarck Islands, Australia (now Papua New Guinea).
21 April 1942:
Provisions auxiliary gunboat NIKKAI MARU with fresh food.
24 April 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
25 April 1942:
Arrives at Kavieng, New Ireland, Bismarck Islands, Australia (now Papua New Guinea).
28 April 1942:
Departs Kavieng.
7 May 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
May 1942:
Assigned to food supply mission under instruction No. 40 part 94.
16 May 1942:
Departs Yokosuka for Saipan, Marianas. At 1630, departs off Futtsu in a convoy also consisting of KENSHO MARU. Auxiliary gunboat HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO departs Uraga, meets up with the two ships and starts escorting them. At an unknown point, HIYOSHI MARU No. 2 GO detaches and returns to Uraga.
22 May 1942:
Arrives at Saipan.
25 May 1942:
Departs Saipan.
E 31 May 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
7 June 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
12 June 1942:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima, Ogawasara Gunto (Bonins).
13 June 1942:
Departs Chichi-Jima.
19 June 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
27 June 1942:
At 1500, departs Truk escorted by auxiliary gunboat CHOUN MARU.
30 June 1942:
At 0800, arrives at Kavieng. Departs later.
1 July 1942:
At 1000, arrives at Rabaul with CHOUN MARU.
4 July 1942:
Departs Rabaul escorted by CHOUN MARU.
8 July 1942:
Arrives at Truk with CHOUN MARU.
9 July 1942:
Departs Truk.
18 July 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
26 July 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
1 August 1942:
Arrives at Marcus Island (renamed Minami Torishima after its capture).
2 August 1942:
Departs Marcus.
5 August 1942:
Arrives at Wake (renamed Otorishima after its capture).
6 August 1942:
Departs Wake.
9 August 1942:
Arrives at Eniwetok (Brown), Marshalls.
10 August 1942:
Departs Eniwetok.
12 August 1942:
Arrives at Kwajalein, Marshalls.
18 August 1942:
Departs Kwajalein.
19 August 1942:
Arrives at Wotje, Marshalls.
21 August 1942:
Departs Wotje and arrives at Taroa, Marshalls later that same day.
24 August 1942:
Departs Taroa.
25 August 1942:
Arrives at Majuro, Marshalls.
26 August 1942:
Departs Majuro.
27 August 1942:
Arrives at Mille (Mili), Marshalls. Departs there later that day.
28 August 1942:
Arrives at Imiedji, Marshalls.
30 August 1942:
Departs Imiedji.
10 September 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
September 1942:
Assigned to food supply mission. Departs Yokosuka heading S, presumably for Truk.
23 September 1942:
Departs Truk.
26 September 1942:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima. Departs there and arrives at Hahajima, Ogawasara Gunto later this day.
27 September 1942:
Departs Hahajima.
7 October 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
10 October 1942:
Departs Truk with tanker NISSHIN MARU No. 2.
15 October 1942:
Arrives at Rabaul.
18 October 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
20 October 1942:
Arrives at Shortland, Bougainville, Solomons, Australia (now Papua New Guinea).
24 October 1942:
At 1355, departs Shortland in a convoy also consisting of KISARAGI MARU escorted by minesweeper W-22.
25 October 1942:
At 0500, detaches for Ponape.
28 October 1942:
Arrives at Ponape.
30 October 1942:
Departs Ponape.
10 November 192:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
16 November 1942:
Departs Yokosuka.
27 November 1942:
Arrives at Truk.
30 November 1942:
At 1400, departs Truk.
4 December 1942:
At 1500, arrives at Rabaul.
9 December 1942:
Departs Rabaul.
11 December 1942:
Arrives at Shortland.
12 December 1942:
Provisions seaplane carrier SANYO MARU with fresh food.
14 December 1942:
Departs Shortland.
18 December 1942:
Arrives at Ponape.
19 December 1942:
Departs Ponape.
29 December 1942:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
8 January 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
11 January 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima. Departs there and arrives at Hahajima later this day.
14 January 1943:
Departs Hahajima.
15 January 1943:
Arrives at Iwo Jima, Ogawasara Gunto. Departs there later that day.
22 January 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
24 January 1943:
Departs Truk escorted by auxiliary minesweeper HAGOROMO MARU.
27 January 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
E 27 ~ 28 January 1943:
Departs Rabaul.
28 January 1943:
Arrives at Kavieng. From 0900 till 1040 provisions heavy cruiser KUMANO with food, then from 1110 till 1240 provisions heavy cruiser CHOKAI with food.
E 28 January ~2 February 1943:
Departs Kavieng for Rabaul.
2 February 1943:
Departs Rabaul.
7 February 1943:
Arrives at Ponape.
9 February 1943:
Departs Ponape.
19 February 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
E 20 February ~ 28 February 1943:
Departs Yokosuka.
11 March 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
12 March 1943:
Departs Truk escorted by auxiliary netlayer OSEI MARU.
15 March 1943:
Arrives at Rabaul.
31 March 1943:
Her owners are changed to Nishi Taiyo Gyogyo Tosei K.K. Departs Rabaul that same day.
4 April 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
20 April 1943:
Departs Truk.
30 April 1943:
Arrives at Kure. Stays there during May and a large part of June. Then departs for Shimonoseki.
20 June 1943:
Departs Shimonoseki.
24 June 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
2 July 1943:
At 1010, departs Yokosuka for Truk via Saipan in convoy No. 3702B also consisting of IJA transport MANJU MARU, auxiliary stores ship TAKUNAN MARU and auxiliary transport HIYOSHI MARU escorted by minesweeper W-26 and auxiliary subchasers CHa-5 and CHa-12.
3 July 1943:
Near Aogashima, Izu Shoto. At 0530, W-26 is detached from the convoy and reverses course.
5 July 1943:
At 1000, arrives at Futami harbor, Chichi-Jima and waits there because of a typhoon in the area.
9 July 1943:
At 1255, departs Futami harbor in convoy No. 3702-B.
14 July 1943:
At 1420, arrives in convoy No. 3702-B at Saipan. HIYOSHI MARU is detached from the convoy.
17 July 1943:
At 1200 departs Saipan in convoy No. 3702-B now also consisting of IJN requisitioned cargo ship (B-AK) MANJU MARU, auxiliary transport SANSEI MARU and auxiliary storeship TAKUNAN MARU escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-5 and CHa-12.
20 July 1943:
Auxiliary minelayer KINJO MARU, arriving from Truk, joins the convoy No. 3702-B escort.
21 July 1943:
At 1230, arrives in convoy No. 3702-B at Truk.
3 August 1943:
Departs Truk as only ship in convoy No. 4803 escorted by destroyer IKAZUCHI.
13 August 1943:
Arrives at Yokosuka.
21 August 1943:
Departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3821B also consisting of auxiliary stores ship MANKO MARU escorted by auxiliary subchasers CHa-28 and CHa-46 and auxiliary minesweeper HAKATA MARU No. 6 (or No. 7). The convoy sails at 8.5 knots.
23 August 1943:
Departs Chichi-Jima.
29 August 1943:
Arrives at Saipan.
1 September 1943:
Departs Saipan.
4 September 1943:
Arrives at Truk.
20 September 1943:
At 1300, departs Truk in convoy No. 4920 also consisting of Naval tanker NOTORO, auxiliary collier SHIN YUBARI MARU and auxiliary transport CHOKO MARU escorted by destroyer OITE, subchaser CH-29 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No ?.
21 September 1943:
About 80 nautical miles W Onoun (Ulul), Ororu Shoto, Carolines. LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Roy M. Davenport's (USNA ’33) USS HADDOCK (SS-231) intercepts the convoy. At 1821, at 08-53N, 148-30E SHIN YUBARI MARU is torpedoed by USS HADDOCK. She is hit just below the port bridge but is able to made for Saipan, arriving there 23 Sep. OITE is struck by a dud torpedo, possible launched by USS HADDOCK. About 2300 that same day, W of Truk, in a radar attack on the surface, USS HADDOCK (SS-231) fires a spread of six bow torpedoes. One hits and damages NOTORO. She makes for Truk assisted by CH-29.
24 September 1943:
Arrives at Tinian, Marianas. Departs later.
8 October 1943:
At 0400, departs Truk in convoy No. 4008 with TSUNESHIMA MARU and CHOAN MARU No. 2 GO, escorted by cable layer HATSUSHIMA and subchaser CH-12.
9 October 1943:
At 0515, HATSUSHIMA and CH-12 are detached.
10 October 1943:
Arrives at Saipan in convoy No. 4008.
11 October 1943:
Departs Saipan in convoy No. 4008 now also consisting of TSUNESHIMA and MUKO MARUs, without escort.
13 October 1943:
The convoy is joined by MANJU, TAIAN, SANKO and TATEBE MARUs, escorted by kaibokan FUKUE, auxiliary gunboat CHOAN MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser TAKUNAN MARU No. 10.
15 October 1943:
Cha-1 is detached.
18 October 1943:
Arrives at Tateyama in the merged convoy.
19 October 1943:
Departs Tateyama and arrives at Yokosuka at 0900.
31 October 1943:
At 1200, departs Yokosuka in convoy No. 3031 with auxiliary stores ship KOSOKU MARU No. 3 with unknown, if any, escort.
10 November 1943:
At 1100, arrives in the convoy at Truk.
14 November 1943:
At 1200, departs Truk in convoy No. 4114 also consisting of UDO, NIKKO, and HOKKO MARUs escorted by destroyer YUZUKI, kaibokan FUKUE and patrol boat PB-46. HOKKO MARU is towing damaged subchaser CH-10.
18 November 1943:
At 0415, at 22-20 N, 147-48 E, NE Asuncion Island, Northern Marianas, Cdr (MOH, posthumously) Samuel Dealey's (USNA '30) USS HARDER (SS-257) torpedoes HOKKO MARU. At 0435, she sinks, 24 crewmen and 21 passengers are KIA.
Dealey swings USS HARDER around and fires his four stern tubes. At 0435, UDO MARU is hit and badly damaged. YUZUKI takes UDO MARU in tow, but at 1040, the transport's hull splits and the aft part of the ship sinks with the loss of five crewmen.
19 November 1943:
CHIYO MARU takes up towing CH-10 and heads for Chichi-Jima with kaibokan FUKUE.
21 November 1943:
Arrives at Chichi-Jima.
23 November 1943:
Departs Chichi-Jima.
26 November 1943:
At 1700, arrives at Yokosuka.
17 December 1943:
Departs Yokosuka in a convoy likely with auxiliary stores ships HOKO and TAIYO MARUs and auxiliary transport HYAKUFUKU MARU escorted by auxiliary minesweeper WA-14.
20 December 1943:
Arrives with the convoy at Chichi-Jima. The slower HYAKUFUKU MARU arrives the next day at Chichi-Jima.
21 December 1943:
HYAKUFUKU MARU and WA-14 detach. Departs Chichi-Jima in a convoy with HOKO MARU and likely TAIYO MARU with unknown if any escort.
25 December 1943:
Arrives with the convoy at Saipan.
26 December 1943:
Departs Saipan in convoy No. 1210 with HOKO and TAIYO MARUs and now also consisting of auxiliary stores ship SHINYO MARU escorted by auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 8. [3]
28 December 1943:
At 1200, auxiliary netlayer KOKO MARU and auxiliary minesweeper Wa-6 are scheduled to meet up with the convoy and replace FUMI MARU No. 2 and KYO MARU No. 8 as escorts. FUMI MARU No. 2 and KYO MARU No. 8 will return to Saipan.
29 December 1943:
At 1217, the convoy reports a torpedo attack in 07.57N 147.46E but it causes no damage.
30 December 1943:
Scheduled to arrive at 1530, in the convoy at Truk South Channel.
1 January 1944:
Attached to Vice Admiral Kusaka Jinichi’s (37) Southeastern Area Fleet under instruction No. 6.
7 January 1944:
Departs Truk in convoy No. 4107 also consisting of KAIKO, FUKUYAMA and SUMIYOSHI MARUs escorted by subchaser CH-28, auxiliary subchasers SHONAN MARU No. 3 and SHONAN MARU No. 11, auxiliary patrol boat KENKAI MARU and possibly others.
12 January 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
17 January 1944:
Departs Saipan.
26 January 1944:
Arrives at Yokosuka and stays there during February and most part of March.
27 March 1944:
Departs Yokosuka.
28 March 1944:
Arrives at Yokohama.
31 March 1944:
Departs Yokohama.
April 1944:
Attachment to Southeastern Area Fleet is confirmed under instruction No. 18.
4 April 1944:
Arrives at Saipan.
7 April 1944:
Departs Saipan.
16 April 1944:
Arrives at Truk.
22 April 1944:
At 0400, departs Truk in a convoy consisting of TATEBE (KEMBU), SHOZUI, auxiliary stores ship SHINYO, Naval supply ship KINEZAKI and IJA transport SHIMA MARU, and possibly others escorted by subchaser CH-28. En route, CH-28 is detached to rescue shipwrecked crews.
26 April 1944: <>BR>
At 0900, arrives in the convoy at Saipan. TATEBE (KEMBU) and SHOZUI MARUs are detached.
27 April 1944:
At 0300, departs Saipan still in convoy. The escort is unknown.
4 May 1944:
At 2100, arrives in the convoy at Yokohama. Departs later.
26 May 1944:
At 1415, LtCdr (later Cdr) Russell Kefauver's (USNA '33) USS TAMBOR (SS-198) discovers two ships. At 2320, USS TAMBOR fires four torpedoes of which two hit CHIYO MARU. She sinks at 20-30N, 141-45E, about 170 nautical miles W Urracas (Farallón de Pájaros), Northern Marianas with the loss of 13 crewmen. The escort drops six depth charges without result.
Auxiliary netlayer KOA MARU No. 2 GO (likely the second vessel acting as escort) rescues the crew of CHIYO MARU 170 km west of Farallon de Pajaros, Marianas.
10 July 1944:
Removed from the Navy list under instruction No. 855.
Authors' Notes:
[1] Not to be confused with IJN requisitioned transport (4,700 GRT, ’42) and IJA transport No. 711 (338 GRT, ’37).
[2] There were two categories of Kyuryosen. (Ko) category with an IJN Captain as supervisor aboard and (Otsu) category without.
[3] The 901 air Kokutai reports on 27 December 1943 that it provided air cover for a convoy consisting of six ships that departed Saipan probably late on 26 December 1943. The convoy likley consisted of CHIYO, HOKO and TAIYO MARUs and three unidentified vessels. Depending whether or not escorts are included in this total number, these unidentified vessels could be auxiliary stores ship SHINYO MARU with escorts auxiliary minesweeper FUMI MARU No. 2 and auxiliary subchaser KYO MARU No. 8 or SHINYO MARU and IJA auxiliary transport MOMOKAWA MARU and one unidentified vessel. SHINYO MARU supposedly departed Saipan at 1300 on 26 December and arrives 0715 at Truk on 31 December 1943. MOMOKAWA MARU supposedly departed Saipan at 27 December 1943 escorted by minelayer NASAMI and arrives at Truk on 31 December 1943. Authors assume escorts were included in the report about the six ship convoy.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.
- Berend van der Wal, Gilbert Casse and Peter Cundall.
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