Seian Maru Class Auxiliary Oiler

(Sister HOKUAN MARU, prewar)


SEIAN and HOKUAN MARUs were identical sisters built the same year. Their civilian service time was short.

SEIAN MARU was requisitioned by the IJN in September 1940 as an auxiliary anti-submarine netlayer and patrol boat
before being rerated as an auxiliary transport in August 1942. She was converted to an emergency tanker in January 1943
and bombed and sunk by American carrier-based aircraft off Subic Bay, Luzon in November 1944.

HOKUAN MARU was requisitioned by Sempaku Uneikai in September 1940 before being enlisted in IJN as an auxiliary transport
in October 1941. She was converted to an emergency tanker in January 1943 and torpedoed and sunk by an American submarine
in Mindoro Strait in February 1944.

Builder and
Year Completed:
Tama Zosensho K.K. Tamano.
1938
Gross tonnage: 3,712-tons.
Dimensions: 350.39' x 50.2' x 24.3'
Propulsion: 1 Mitsui B & W diesel engine, 1,400 NHP,
1 shaft.
Speed: 13 knots cruising
Oil Cargo Capacity: Unknown
Armament: Unknown.