© 2016 Bob Hackett
CHOYO MARU was completed in 1919 as the first of nine new 5,450(nominal) ton passenger/cargo ships built by the Asano shipyard. In 1936, CHOYO MARU ran aground in dense fog off the east coast of Sakhalin.
CHOYO MARU’s sisters were MEIYO, TOKUYO, FUKUYO, BIYO, REIYO, HAYO, OYO (ex-WOYO) and JUYO MARUs.
CHOYO, MEIYO and TOKUYO MARUs were lost pre-war by marine casualties. During the Pacific War, FUKUYO, HAYO and OYO MARUs were torpedoed and sunk by American submarines while MEIYO and
REIYO MARUS were bombed and sunk by American air attacks. BIYO MARU survived the war in a battle-damaged, non-navigable condition.
| Builder and Years Completed: |
Asano Shipbuilding Co., Tsurumi
1919-1926 |
| Gross tonnage: | 5,450 (nominal)tons. |
| Dimensions: | 121.9 x 16.2 x 32’ |
| Propulsion: | 1 x 3-cyl. triple expansion engine, single shaft, 1 screw, 513 n.h.p. |
| Speed: | 12 knots |
| Armament: | Unknown |
