ZATSUYOSEN!

SHOKEI MARU-Class Auxiliary Transport

(Launching of SHOKEI MARU)

This class consists of SHOKEI, NICHIEI and RYUOSAN MARUs. They were completed between May ’38 and Apr ’40 for various shipping companies. All were requisitioned by the IJN. SHOKEI and NICHIEI MARUs were converted to auxiliary transports, RYUOSAN MARU served as a general requisitioned transport. All were sunk between Nov ’43 and Sep ’44, RYUOSAN MARU was mined, SHOKEI MARU was torpedoed by a US submarine and NICHIEI MARU was bombed by USN aircraft.

Builder and Year Completed: Osaka. Naniwa Dock K.K. shipyard
1938-1940
Gross tonnage: 2,446-tons to 2,557-tons
Dimensions: 279.9' Lpp x 43.0' x 23.0'
Propulsion: Steam. One triple expansion reciprocating engine, 1 shaft, 1,500 n.h.p.
Speed: 13 knots cruising
Armament: SHOKEI MARU only = one 8-cm/40 Type 88 gun, one 7.7 mm MG Type 92 and five Arisaka rifles, Type 38.