Kinai Maru

[shipstamps]

The Kinai Maru, of 8,360 gross tons, 5,048 net, built by Mitsubishi at Nagasaki in 1930, for Osaka Shosen KK. and registered at Osaka. A twin-screw vessel, with three decks and cruiser stern she had diesel machinery. Length 446 ft., breadth 60 ft. 5 in., depth 40 ft. 7 in. and draft 28 ft. 2 in. Her end is not known to me. SG1429

[D. v. Nieuwenhuijzen]

Built in 1929-’30 by Mitsubishi Shipbuilding & Engineering Co. Ltd., Nagasaki, for Osaka Shosen Kaisha, for the Yokohama – New York cargo run.
Freighter, Gt:8360, Nt:5041, Dw:10.142, Lenght:135,18m. (443’6”) Beam:18,44m. (60’6”) Depth:12,37m. (40’7”) Draft:8,58m. (28’2”) 2 Mitsubishi Zosen Kaisha engines:1495nhp. (8453 hp.) 2 shafts, 18,4 kn. call sign:JJBC.
Launched on 1 April 1930 and completed on 15 June, she was slated for an express service between Yokohama and New York. She broke the industry standard of 35 days by covering the route in 25 days. She plied this route until the outbreak of World War II and was requisitioned into Imperial Japanese Navy as a transport in late 1941. Armament: 2-12 cm. guns, 2-twin 25 mm. and 2-single 25 mm. guns.
Employed in support of Japan's war effort she participated in landing troops at the battle of Milne Bay. On 10 May 1943, she was torpedoed by the submarine USS PLUNGER near Truk at 0400. Stopped in the water the TATSUTAKE MARU comes alongside and starts transferring the 4,000 passengers and troops. At 0748 USS PLUNGER torpedoes the TATSUTAKE MARU while she is still alongside the KINAI MARU and the TATSUTAKE MARU sinks by the stern at 14-29N, 149-23E. At 1253, USS PLUNGER finds the KINAI MARU still afloat and torpedoes her again, without sinking her. The Japanese torpedo boat HIYODORI rescues the survivors of the TATSUTAKE MARU and the KINAI MARU and leaves the area. Still afloat on 11 May at 0600, USS PLUNGER surfaces and sinks her by gunfire at 14-33N, 149-23E.
(Japan 1976, 50 y. StG.1429) internet