ZATSUYOSEN!

SANTO MARU Class Auxiliary Transports

(SANTO MARU prewar)

This class consists of SANTO and SANSEI MARUs, both completed in '31 for Dairen Kisen, K. K. Both were requisitioned by the IJN, SANTO MARU first being converted to an auxiliary gunboat, then to an auxiliary fleet replenishment vessel and finally rerated as an auxiliary transport; SANSEI MARU was converted to an auxiliary transport. SANTO MARU survived the war and was wrecked in 1950, SANSEI MARU was damaged by an American submarine in Dec '43 and sunk while under repairs in Mar '44.

Builder and Year Completed: Tama. Mitsui Bussan Zosembu K.K., 1931
Gross tonnage: 3,266-tons
Dimensions: 336.0' lpp x 48.6' x 24.0'
Propulsion: One diesel DB &W 4SA engine, 1 shaft, 930 n.h.p.
Speed: 10.5 cruising, 13 max.
Armament: Unknown.