Japan issued in 2015 a mint sheet with 10 stamps in the “Japanese Night Views” series which shows on one stamp and in the margin the ro-ro train/passenger ferry MASHU MARU which is now (2015) a floating Memorial Ship in Hakodate, Japan.
She was built as a train ferry under yard No 955 by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Ltd. Kobe Shipyard & Machinery Works at Kobe for the Japanese National Railways at Tokyo.
18 March 1965 launched as the MASHU MARU. Five sisters.
Tonnage 8,328 grt, 1,999 dwt, dim. 132 x 17.9 x 7,2m, draught 5,2m.
Powered by two 12-cyl. Mitsui B&W diesels, 12,800 bhp, twin shafts, speed 18.2 knots. One bow thruster
Passenger capacity 1,200 people, crew 50.
Can carry 48 rail coaches and 12 auto cars.
1965 Completed.
30 June 1965 maiden voyage between Aomori Station in Honshu to Hakodate Station (Hokkaido), which takes around 25 minutes.
13 March1988 sold to the Hokkaido Ryokyaku Tetsudo KK not renamed where after she was taken out of service when the new Seikan tunnel was opened the same day. She made the passage between the two terminals 35,493 times, and traveld in her career a distance of around 4 million km.
Between 1989 – 1991 restored then used as a theme tourist attraction
During the Seikan Expo the MASHU MARU was anchored in Hakodate port and was used as an exhibition ship.(Most probably the stamp was designed after when she was used as an exhibition ship,)
1991 Sold to Hakodate Sea Port Plaza KK at Hakodate not renamed. Used as a floating restaurant and coffee shop.
From 1993 till 1996 laid up.
2003 Renovated and then used as a floating memorial ship at Hakodate.
2015 Still moored in the vicinity of Hakodate Station. IMO No 6512598. Same owners and name.
Japan 2015 82Y sg?, scott?
Source: Various web-sites http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz Ships Built 1965.