ZATSUYOSEN!

KATSUYAMA MARU - Class Auxiliary Transport


(Little is known of KATSUYAMA MARU Class appearance. This drawing of KINZAN MARU is what the ships might look like noting that KINZAN MARU is of different dimensions and slightly larger tonnage and a different builder – Peter Cundall collection)

This class consists of KATSUYAMA and MATSUYAMA MARUs and SUMIYOSHI MARU No. 23, completed between ’40 and Feb ‘43 for different owners. KATSUYAMA MARU and SUMIYOSHI MARU No. 23 remained under civilian control until their loss. MATSUYAMA MARU was requisitioned by the IJN in Aug ‘41 as a general requisitioned transport and rerated in Apr ’44 an auxiliary transport. All were bombed and sunk by USAAF Aircraft or shelled and sunk by USN warships between Oct ’43 and May ’44.

Builder and Year Completed: Kobe. Murakami Zosensho K.K.
Between 1940 and 1943
Gross tonnage: Between 340 and 385-tons.
Dimensions: 132.2' (Lpp) x 24.0' x 12.8'
Propulsion: One diesel engine, one shaft, power unknown.
Speed: Unknown.
Armament: Unknown