RIKUGUN BOKU KIKANSEN!

(YASUKAWA MARU, prewar)


IJA Anti-Aircraft Transport YASUKAWA MARU:
Tabular Record of Movement

© 2011-2012 Bob Hackett


Completed in Ireland in 1930 for the Silver Line as SILVERCYPRESS, she was almost destroyed in the Philippines by an engine room fire in 1937 that gutted her. She was towed to Japan for scrapping, but Kawasaki Kisen bought the hulk and decided to rebuild her for their “K” Line’s service. In 1941, before the start of the Pacific War, YASUKAWA MARU was requisitioned by the Imperial Army and served in the China area operations. That same tear, she was converted to a Boku Kikansen (anti-aircraft) vessel. In '42, YASUKAWA MARU was bombed and sunk by the USAAF off New Guinea.

Builder: Harland & Wolff Ltd., Belfast, Ireland
Year Completed: 1930
Displacement: 6,770-tons.
Dimensions: 450.7' x 61.4' x 30.2'
Propulsion: Diesel, 6,600 BHP.
Speed Unknown.
Armament: Unknown.