KOSAKUKAN!
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(AKASHI by Takeshi Yuki scanned from "Color Paintings of
Japanese Warships")
IJN Repair Ship SHOEI (MATSUE) MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement
© 2008-2009 Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
25 August 1937:
Tamano. Laid down at Tama Zosensho as a 5, 644-ton cargo ship
for Matsuoka Kisen K. K., Sedo.
24 December 1937:
Launched and named SHOEI MARU.
26 February 1938:
Completed.
November 1940:
Port of registry changed to Ashiya.
13 January 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1 March 1941:
Registered as a specially installed construction warship
in the Yokosuka Naval District. Assigned to the Fourth Fleet. Captain (later
Rear Admiral) Ikeuchi Masamichi (40)(former CO of CHITOSE) assumes command.
Enters Dock and begins conversion at Sasebo Naval Yard.
20 April 1941:
Sasebo Navy Yard. Completes conversion.
5 May 1941:
Departs for Yokosuka.
18 May 1941:
Departs Yokosuka.
20 May 1941:
From this date, SHOEI MARU is referred to in records as
MATSUE MARU. [1]
11 August 1941:
Captain Matsumoto Shojiro (40)(former XO of FUSO)
assumes command.
2 January 1942:
Truk. In preparation for the invasion of Rabaul, SHOEI
MARU provides repairs for light cruiser TATSUTA that suffered minor damage at
Wake Island.
12 May 1942:
Off New Ireland. LtCdr Oliver G. Kirk's USS S-42 (SS-153)
sights minelayer OKINOSHIMA through driving rain. At 0439, in a night submerged
attack, Kirk fires four torpedoes. At 0452, he gets two or three hits. By 0515,
OKINOSHIMA's escorts close S-42's position and begin dropping depth charges that
continues for over six hours until 1130. Although damaged by the attacks, S-42
slips away.
SW of Buka Island, Bougainville. At 0640, OKINOSHIMA capsizes and sinks
in St. George's Channel, Bismarck Sea while being towed by destroyer MOCHIZUKI.
6 miles NE of Cape St. George, near New Ireland. SHOEI MARU and an
unidentified trawler are returning to Rabaul after being dispatched earlier to
assist OKINOSHIMA. At 0957, LtCdr John R. Moore's USS S-44 (SS-155) fires four
torpedoes and two hit SHOEI MARU portside. She sinks about 1440 at 04-51S,
152-54E. The trawler drops 16 or more depth charges, but S-44 evades.
Captain Matsumoto is KIA. He is promoted Rear Admiral, posthumously.
25 May 1942:
Removed from the Navy List.
Authors’ Note:
[1] The name changed occurred because of confusion with
gunboat SHOEI MARU. MATSUE MARU is an alternate reading of SHOEI MARU in kanji.
- Bob Hackett and Peter Cundall
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