KYURYOSEN!

MINOO MARU- Class Auxiliary storeship


(MINOO MARU, prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)

This class consists of MINOO, SENDAI, HIMEJI, SHINKYO and MOMOYAMA MARUs, all completed in 1933 for Kyodo Gyogyo K.K. HIMEJI MARU was sold in 1936 to an Argentinian Company and renamed PRESIDENTE MITRE. She was ultimately broken up in 1970. SHINKYO and MOMOYAMA MARUs respectively foundered in Aug ’29 and Aug ’33. SENDAI and MINOO MARUs were requisitioned by the IJN and converted to auxiliary stores ships. Both were torpedoed and sunk by American submarines respectively in Nov ‘42 and Jan ‘44.

Builder and Year Completed: Osaka Iron Works K.K. or Shimonoseki. Mitsubishi Zosen K.K.
1933
Gross tonnage: 423-tons to 472-tons
Dimensions: 163.3’(lpp) x 25.2' x 14.1'
Propulsion: One diesel engine, one shaft, 470 shp.
Speed: Cruising: 12.2 knots
Armament: One 8cm/40cal deck gun, one Type 92 7.7mm type A MG and five type 38 Arisaka rifles.