RIKUGUN BYOINSEN/YUSOSEN

Rakuto Maru-Class Auxiliary Hospital Ship/Transport

(Ryuko MARU, prewar)

© 2013 Bob Hackett


RAKUTO MARU was completed as a passenger cargo ship in 1935. She was bombed and sunk off Cebu, Philippines in September 1944. Her sisters were DAIDO and RYUKO MARU. DAIDO MARU was torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine in 1943. RYUKO MARU was requisitioned in 1937 by the IJA and converted to a hospital ship, but subsequently reverted to a cargo ship. She was torpedoed and sunk by a British submarine in 1944 off the Andaman Islands.

Builder and
Year Completed:
Uraga Drydock Co., Ltd
1935-1936
Gross tonnage: 2,962-tons.
Dimensions: 295' x 45' x 23.9
Propulsion: Triple reciprocating steam engine, 2,000 IHP, 1 shaft
Speed: 11.5 knots crusing, 13.9 knots maximum.
Armament: None as AH, unknown as AK.