Kashii Maru Class

(Hokoku Maru by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of Japanese Warships")

The KASHII MARU Class consisted of the KASHII, KIYOSUMI, KONGO, KAGU and KINUGASA MARUs.

The KASHII MARU was requisitioned from her owner by the IJA. In 1937, the merchants KAGU and KINUGASA MARUs were requisitioned by the IJN and ordered converted to seaplane tenders. Before the start of the Pacific War, both tenders were rerated transports. The KONGO MARU was requisitioned by the IJN and converted to an armed merchant cruiser.

In 1941, the cargo-passenger ship KIYOSUMI MARU was requisitioned from her owners by the IJN and converted to an Armed Merchant Cruiser. She was rerated a transport in 1943 and sunk at Truk in 1944 during Operation "Hailstone."

Year Completed:	1934
Displacement:	8,613-tons.
Dimensions:	Length 454', beam 61', draft 31'
Propulsion:	1 Mitsuibishi-Sulzer diesels, 1 shaft, 7,600 shp, 18 knots.
Armament:	4 x 5.5-inch (140-mm), 2 x 13. 5-mm MG, two 21-inch (533-mm) torpedo tubes.
Aircraft:	1 Type 94 Kawanishi E7K2 “Alf” reconnaissance floatplane.