YUSOSEN!

(Standard 2AT Tanker KENJO MARU by Ueda Kihachiro)

EISHO MARU
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2011-2013 Bob Hackett


11 July 1944:
Koyagishima, Nagasaki. Laid down at the Kawaminami Kogyo K.K. shipyard as a 6,888-ton Type 2A Standard Cargo Ship for Dairen Kisen K.K., Dairen, Manchuria.

1944:
Converted to a Standard 2AT Tanker while on the ways.

27 September 1944:
Launched and named EISHO MARU

31 October 1944:
Completed.

25 November 1944:
At 2000, EISHO MARU departs Moji for Singapore in convoy HI-83 consisting of tankers KYOKUUN, SEISHIN, HARIMA, TOA MARUs and transport/cargo liners SANUKI, ORYOKU and NISSHO MARUs for Manila. Another unidentified ship in the convoy is bound for Takao. Escort carrier KAIYO, destroyers YUZUKI and KAMIKAZE and kaibokan CD-35, CD-63 CD-64 and CD-207 provide escort.

26 November 1944:
Departs Sasebo.

30 November 1944:
At 0600, convoy HI-83 arrives at Takao. The Manila contingent is detached from the convoy. KAIYO stops at nearby Saei.

1 December 1944:
The convoy departs Takao joined by tanker MIRI MARU and patrol boat PB-102 (ex-USS STEWART, DD-224). KAIYO rejoins the convoy from Saei.

3 December 1944:
At 0522, MIRI MARU opens fire on a surfaced enemy submarine sighted between MIRI and SEISHIN MARUs. One hour later, LtCdr (later Rear Admiral) Frank W. Fenno's USS PAMPANITO (SS-383) torpedoed and damages SEISHIN MARU that heads to Yulin, Hainan Island with CD-207.

At 0607, LtCdr William N. Deragon's USS PIPEFISH (SS-388) torpedoes and sinks CD-64 at 18-36N, 111-54E. The convoy breaks up and each ship independently retreats towards Hainan Island. CD-63 continues searching for survivors.

9 December 1944:
Arrives at Quinhon.

13 December 1944:
HI-83 arrives at Seletar Naval Base, Singapore.

March 1945:
Reconverted to dry cargo service.

1946:
Sold to Toho Kaiun K.K., Tokyo.

February 1962:
Toho Kaiun merges with Shinwa Kaiun Kaisha K.K., Tokyo.

15 September 1963:
Hiroshima. Begins scrapping at Tsuneishi.


-Bob Hackett


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