Japanese Auxiliary Minelayers

FUSETSUTEI!

(URARA MARU, prewar – Berend van der Wal collection)

IJN URARA MARU :
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2019 Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall

9 July 1934:
Kobe. Laid down by Mitsubishi Jukogyo K.K shipyard as a 407-tons passenger ship for Awanokuni Kyodo Kisen K.K.
24 October 1934:
Launched and named URARA MARU.
30 March 1935:
Completed and registered at Tokushima.
22 November 1941:
Requisitioned by the IJN.
1 December 1941:
Registered as a small auxiliary minelayer attached to the Yokosuka Naval District under Navy’s instruction No. 1571. Conversion to military duty begins at Hakodate in Senkyo K.K. shipyard.
10 December 1941:
Attached to Vice Admiral Okuma Masakichi’s (37) Ominato Guard District, Local Defense Squadron under Navy’s instruction No. 1632.
27 December 1941:
Conversion is completed.
28 December 1941:
Departs Hakodate. Arrives at Ominato later this day.
4 January 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 1 and No. 2.
10 January 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
15 January 1942:
Assigned to Tsugaru Defense Force under Ominato Guard District instruction No. 17.
19 January 1942:
Departs Ominato on mine laying training. Arrives back at Ominato later this day.
26 January 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 1.
29 January 1942:
At Tairadate harbor, 50° and 600m of the jetty scratches a reef. That same day, Navy (Resv.) Lt. Kanaisawa Saburo is appointed CO.
30 January 1942:
At 0533, at Tairadate harbor, 14° degrees and 600m of the jetty runs aground on a reef.
1 February 1942:
Small minelayer KUROSAKI and rescue boats No. 1 and No. 2 arrive and tow URARA MARU off the reef.
2 February 1942:
Arrives at Ominato towed by KUROSAKI.
E 3 ~ 25 February 1942:
Undergoes repairs at Ominato drydock.
26 February 1942:
Undocked. Departs Ominato.
28 February 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
4 March 1942:
Departs Ominato on trials.
5 March 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
12 March 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol Tsugaru Strait E exit area.
20 March 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
24 March 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 1.
31 March 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
10 April 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol Tsugaru Strait.
15 April 1942:
Assigned to Tsugaru Defense Force under Ominato Guard District instruction No. 24. Assigned to patrol Tsugaru W exit in Minelayer Unit under Tsugaru Defense Force instruction No. 8.
16 April 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
22 April 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol Tsugaru Strait.
26 April 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
27 April 1942:
Departs Ominato on gunnery training. Arrives at Ominato later that day.
4 May 1942:
Her owners are changed to Seki Nishi Kishen K.K. and her port of registry to Osaka.
5 May 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
10 May 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
22 May 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
31 May 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
1 June 1942:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. Kayama Tatsuo is appointed CO.
7 June 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
16 June 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
23 June 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
30 June 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
1 July 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
2 July 1942:
Arrives at Ominato. < /P> 7 July 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
10 July 1942:
Arrives at Ominato. < /P> 11 July 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
18 July 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
20 July 1942:
Departs Ominato on gunnery training. Arrives back at Ominato later this day.
21 July 1942:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. Kayama disembarks.
25 July 1942:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. Minobe Muneshige is appointed CO.
1 August 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
7 August 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
11 August 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
12 August 1942:
Arrives at Hakodate. Undergoes main engine repairs.
13 August 1942:
Departs Hakodate to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
22 August 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
27 August 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4. Arrives at Muroran later that day.
28 August 1942:
Departs Muroran. Arrives at Hakodate later this day.
29 August 1942:
Departs Hakodate to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
5 September 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
6 September 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
9 September 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
11 September 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
21 September 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
26 September 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
1 October 1942:
Assigned to patrol Tsugaru W exit under Tsugaru Defense Force instruction No. 9.
4 October 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
8 October 1942;
Departs Ominato to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
17 October 1942:
Arrives at Hakodate.
24 October 1942:
Departs Hakodate to patrol areas No. 2 and No. 4.
31 October 1942:
Arrives at Hakodate.
1 November 1942:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area No. 4.
7 November 1942:
Arrives at Hakodate.
9 November 1942:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area No. 4. Arrives back at Ominato later this day.
23 November 1942:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. Minobe disembarks.
25 November 1942:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. (jg) Nakano Fusao is appointed CO. Assigned that same day to Tsugaru Defense Force under Ominato Guard District instruction No. 36.
16 December 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
17 December 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
20 December 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
25 December 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
27 December 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4. Arrives back at Ominato later that day.
30 December 1942:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
31 December 1942:
Arrives at Ominato.
1 January 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
2 January 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
4 January 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
8 January 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
11 January 1943:
Departs Ominato. Avoids outer Hakodate port.
13 January 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
17 January 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
21 January 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
25 January 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
30 January 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
2 February 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
3 February 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
5 February 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
11 February 1943:
Arrives at Hakodate.
14 February 1943:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area No. 4.
17 February 1943:
Arrives at Hakodate.
20 February 1943:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area No. 4.
23 February 1943:
Arrives at Hakodate.
26 February 1943:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area No. 4.
28 February 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
1 March 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
7 March 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
10 March 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
15 March 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
18 March 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
25 March 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
28 March 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
31 March 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
1 April 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
2 April 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
5 April 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area No. 4.
7 April 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
9 April 1943:
Attached to the Muroran Corps. Departs Ominato to patrol area A.
13 April 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
15 April 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
16 April 1943:
Discovers an enemy submarine periscope. Drops three depth charges at 37° and 41 nautical miles off Mount Esan.
18 April 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
19 April 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
21 April 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
23 April 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
26 April 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
28 April 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
1 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
3 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
5 May 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
15 May 1943:
Departs Ominato for sanitation work at Fukuyama.
17 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
19 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
20 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
22 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
24 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
25 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
27 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
29 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
30 May 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
31 May 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives at Ominato later this day.
3 June 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area A.
4 June 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
6 June 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area A.
7 June 1943:
Arrives at Muroran. Assigned to Tsugaru Defense Force under Ominato Guard District instruction No. 44.
9 June 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
10 June 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
11 June 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
13 June 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
14 June 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
15 June 1943:
Carries out anti-submarine attack at 350° and 16° degrees off Cape Esan. Drops eight depth charges.
18 June 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
20 June 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
24 June 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
29 June 1943:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. (jg) Nakano disembarks.
7 July 1943:
Navy (Resv.) Lt. Sawatari Noboru is appointed CO.
20 July 1943:
Departs Ominato on speed trials. Arrives at Ominato later that day.
22 July 1943:
Departs Ominato. Arrives at Hakodate later this day.
23 July 1943:
Departs Hakodate to patrol areas No. 2 and A. Arrives at Muroran later that day.
25 July 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
26 July 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
27 July 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives at Muroran later this day.
29 July 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
31 July 1943:
Arrives at Muroran. Navy (Resv.) Lt. Sawatari is relieved by Navy (Resv.) Lt. (jg) Ozaki Shuhei as CO.
2 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
4 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
6 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
8 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
10 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
12 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
14 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
16 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
18 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
20 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
22 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
24 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
26 August 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
28 August 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
29 August 1943:
Picks up an anchor and anchor chain off Esashi. Thereafter, departs for Esashi port.
30 August 1943:
Arrives at Esashi.
1 September 1943:
Departs Esashi to patrol area A. Arrives at Muroran later that day.
2 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives at Ominato later this day.
7 September 1943:
Departs Ominato to patrol area A and convoy escort.
9 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
11 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives back at Muroran later that day.
12 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
13 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
15 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
17 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
19 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
21 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
23 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
25 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
27 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
29 September 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
30 September 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
2 October 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
4 October 1943:
Departs Muroran on anti-submarine sweep and patrol in area A, and convoy escort.
6 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
7 October 1943:
Departs Muroran on anti-submarine sweep and patrol in area A, and convoy escort.
9 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
10 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
12 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
14 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
16 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
18 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
20 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
22 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
24 October 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
25 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
26 October 1943:
Ordered to cooperate with dredger SHOWA on the Mitsuishi coast, about eight nautical miles W of Urakawa. Due to heavy weather, drifts back near to Chikyu Saki.
27 October 1943:
Couldn’t find the Hokkaido dredger SHOWA. Arrives at Urakawa later this day. Work position of SHOWA turns out to be a reef 200m off Horobetsu River.
29 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives back at Muroran later that day.
31 October 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
1 November 1943:
Lt. (jg) Ozaki is confirmed as CO.
2 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
4 November 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
5 November 1943:
Departs Muroran on mine laying mission E of Mount Esan.
6 November 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
8 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A.
9 November 1943:
Arrives at Ominato.
17 November 1943:
At 1640, arrives at Hakodate. Later that day departs Muroran on gunnery training in Mutsu Bay.
18 November 1943:
At 0600, departs Hakodate and later that day arrives at Muroran escorting a convoy.
20 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
21 November 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
23 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
24 November 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
26 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A and convoy escort.
27 November 1943:
Arrives at Muroran.
29 November 1943:
Departs Muroran to patrol area A. Arrives at Hakodate later this day.
30 November 1943:
Departs Hakodate to patrol area A. Arrives at Ominato later that day.
1 December 1943:
Attached to Vice Admiral Kobayashi Masashi’s (38) Fourth Fleet in 6th Base Force, 61st Naval Guard Unit based at Kwajalein, Marshalls under Navy’s instruction No. 2579.
15 December 1943:
Departs Ominato.
14 January 1944:
Depart Saipan, Marianas for Truk, Central Carolines with subchaser CH-28 escorting convoy No. 3231B consisting of NIKKO, AWAJI, HAKUHO and TAINAN (3,175 GRT) MARUs and salvage tug KURE No. 5.
16 January 1944:
375 miles NNW of Truk. At 2010, LtCdr (later Captain-Ret) Slade D. Cutter's (USNA ’35) USS SEAHORSE (SS-304) attacks and sinks NIKKO MARU at 12-48N, 150-18E. Eight crewmen are KIA.
19 January 1944:
Arrives with convoy No. 3231B at Truk.
20 January 1944:
Departs Truk with subchaser CH-33 escorting convoy No. 5202 consisting of AKIBASAN and TAIYO MARUs bound for Kwajalein.
26 January 1944:
At 0500, due to arrive at Kwajalein with additional escort of auxiliary patrol boat EBON MARU.
30 January 1944:
Sinks after being bombed in an air attack at Mille, Marshalls. Casualties are unknown. [1]
31 March 1944:
Removed from the Navy’s list under instruction No. 508.

Authors' Notes:
[1] There are several conflicting versions of Urara Maru’s demise. Some show the ship lost at Kwajalein on this date, another shows the ship sunk at Atapoepoe, Dutch Timor; which seems improbable. Mille seems the most likely sinking location.
Thanks go to Gengoro S. Toda of Japan.

- Gilbert Casse, Berend van der Wal and Peter Cundall.

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