Calling all Japanese pre-war/wartime Merchant Marine fans

[Quincy]

I forgot to mention that the Choun Maru will be first on my priority list, followed by Suragu Maru.
Thanks for the Choun Maru pic. Gilbert. I have never seen her before until now.


Bob Pink.

[Gilbert]

I have found CHOUN MARU in Motoyuki San's book on page 40

Gilbert

[Quincy]

Stupid me! I forgot to check his book.



Bob Pink.

[Gilbert]

All three ships kits photos are now on NIKO website: http://www.nikomodel.pl/modele_en.htm .

They look really great

Gilbert

[Caravellarella]

Dear Jim S, as promised, S.S. Yamasimo Maru; buff funnel with black top and red "Yamashita" logo......

S.S. Yamasimo Maru; � Warwick Poole.

S.S. YAMASIMO MARU; a one-off steamship built for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha�s Kobe to Australia route. She was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy on 28th August 1941 as transport ship and then a repair ship after March 1943. She was torpedoed by USS Tang (SS-306) on 23rd February 1944. She is often listed/transliterated as YAMASHIMO MARU.

Builder � Tsurumi Shipyard, Tsurumi. Yard No. 362.

Laid down � 8th September 1937.
Launched � 14th March 1938.
Service 9th June 1939 to 23rd February 1944.

Length 136.1 metres (pp), breadth 18 metres. 6,777Grt.

Want to see more like this one?

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

She is often listed/transliterated a YAMASHIMO MARU.

Terry (Caravellarella)

In fact, it depends on which Transliteration System is being used. In the Kokutai (Japanese official) System, "Si" is used but the most nearly phonetic rendering of spoken Japanese, the Hepburn System, converts "Si" to "Shi", hence the spelling difference.

Want to see more like this one?

Definitely, yes please

Gilbert

[Freighter]

Terry,
Many thanks for the info on Yamasimo Maru. The funnel profile looks like the long thin type favoured by 'Y' line.

Are there any good reference books (still available) that details the various company markings/colour schemes/funnel colours etc. of Japanese shipping companies?
I'm looking for pre-war schemes if possible.

Oh for the Ian Allen Merchant ships books I had in my youth........a long, long time ago!

And yes, I'd love to see more photos of pre-war freighters.

All the best,
Jim S

[Caravellarella]

Dear Jim and Gilbert, here is another, smaller steamship, S.S. Muko Maru of Taihei Kisen Kaisha......

S.S. Muko Maru (i); � A. Duncan; in partial Yamashita Kisen Kaisha livery.

S.S. MUKO MARU; a one-off steamship built for Taihei Kisen Kaisha, which I believe was a division of Yamashita Kisen Kaisha. She was torpedoed by USS Thresher (SS-200) on 12th November 1943 north of Truk.

Builder � Osaka Iron Works, Sakurajima. Yard No. 1,309.

Laid down � unknown.
Launched � unknown.
Service October 1937 to 12th November 1943.

Length 112.7 metres, breadth 16.5 metres. 4,862Grt.

There is a picture of her in full Yamashita Kisen Kaisha livery on "nifty" here; http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/ima ... komaru.jpg

The long, thin funnels are usually associated with steamships; motorships have much shorter funnels......


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

Laid down � unknown.
Launched � unknown.

Terry (Caravellarella)

Thanks for this nice picture, Terry. I found the missing information on the Tokusetsukansen Database website: http://www.geocities.jp/tokusetsukansen/E/index.html

Laid down - 03/1937
Launched - 27/07/1937

Cheers
Gilbert

[Caravellarella]

Thanks Gilbert, I'd been using Miramar, which isn't very comprehensive for pre-war vessels......

Best, Terry (Caravellarella)

[Quincy]

I received the three new Niko IJN kits this past week, and they are 3 beautiful representations of the Suruga, Choun Marus, and av gas tanker Shioya. My Choun Maru had one minor setback, its starboard side bridge faceplate was broken off. It should be an easy fix with some superglue to put it back on.
You can see some pictures of them on the picture post section in the latest GroupBuild ending Jan.2010.

I am building the Suraga Maru, and may actually finish the other two for the groupbuild because the Suraga Maru kit is only about 4 inches long.



Bob Pink.

[Caravellarella]

Dear Motoyuki san, here is a very old Toyo Kisen Kaisha steamship, S.S. Hayo Maru......

S.S. Hayo Maru (i); � A. Duncan.

S.S. HAYO MARU; a steamship built for Toyo Kisen Kaisha. She was torpedoed by USS S-38 (SS-143) while at anchor in Ngaen Bay on 22nd December 1941.

Builder � Asano Dockyard, Asano. Yard No. 37.

Laid down � 12th May 1920.
Launched � 12th December 1920.
Service 3rd March 1921 to 22nd December 1941.

Length 121.9 (pp) metres, breadth 16.2 metres. 5,546grt.


I don't know why she is wearing "AB" on her funnel. Here is a link to the "nifty" page for Taisho era Toyo Kisen Kaisha ships......
http://homepage3.nifty.com/jpnships/com ... ishoki.htm

Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

Thanks for the picture and for the link,Terry

Gilbert

[Caravellarella]

Here is another wartime standard steamship for you Gilbert, though I suspect it is a post-war image from the registration number painted below the bridge wing......

S.S. Daikai Maru No. 1 (i); � A. Duncan.

S.S. DAIKAI MARU No. 1; a wartime standard 2A design steamship built for Osaka Shosen Kaisha.

Builder � Kawaminami Dockyard, Nagasaki. Yard No. A46.

Laid down - unknown.
Launched - unknown.
Service (OSK) 27th February 1945 to 1952.

Length 137.3 metres, breadth 18.2 metres. 6,872Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

Thanks again Terry . I confirm the picture is post-war. There is a similar picture taken from a different angle in the book "Ugly Ducklings", by S.C. Heal on page 108.
Additional information on her is given on page 131 "1952. Transferred to Tamai Shosen K.K., renamed TATSUTAMA MARU. Converted and re-engined postwar to three-island type. Classed by ABS. 11/63 broken up in Japan" .

Keep them coming please !

Gilbert

[reigels]

Has anyone seen the book on Truk diving listed at the bottom of this link:
http://www.petemesley.com/truklagoonwrecks.htm

There are some nice profiles and overhead plans on the site and wonder what is included in the book which may be of use as a modeling reference.

[Caravellarella]

Dear Gilbert, here is another wartime standard steamship for you; again the presence of a radar must indicate a post-war photograph......

S.S. Shozan Maru (iii); � A. Duncan.

S.S. SHOZAN MARU; a wartime standard 2A design steamship built for Miyachi Kisen Kaisha. I do not know why she is wearing the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha emblem on her funnel.

Builder � Mitsubishi Dockyard, Hiroshima. Yard No. 4.

Laid down � 3rd September 1944.
Launched � 12th December 1944.
Service 20th February 1945 to 24th September 1964.

Length 137.3 metres, breadth 18.2 metres. 6,980Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

Thanks Terry. Picture is indeed postwar. In fact, this ship has been according to "Ugly Ducklings" already mentioned book:

26/05/1945, mined and sunk near Ube, Japan. Raised and put back in postwar service. Converted to three island ship. Classed by ABS. 1964, transferred to Sigma Shipping Co. (Trinity Development Co.) Hong Kong, renamed ORIENTAL .
24/09/1964, caught in typhoon off Kimanoto Kasedashi, Japan, on passage Dairen to Chiba, cargo of pig iron. Broke in two. Sold for scrap.

Was she wearing the Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha emblem on her funnel because Miyashi Kisen has been taken over by Kawasaki Kisen ?

Gilbert

[Caravellarella]

Here is another "ugly duckling" for you Gilbert; S.S. Yamadono Maru......

S.S. Yamadono Maru (i); � A. Duncan.

S.S. YAMADONO MARU; a wartime standard 2A design steamship built for for Yamashita Kisen Kaisha.

Builder � Mitsubishi Dockyard, Kobe. Yard No. 691.

Laid down � unknown.
Launched � 5th March 1945.
Service (Yamashita) 1945 to 1956.

Length 137.3 metres, breadth 18.2 metres. 6,888Grt.


Terry (Caravellarella)

[Gilbert]

Thanks, Terry. This picture is from immediately postwar to 1956 because, according to the same book:

Converted postwar to three-island type. Classed by ABS. 1956, transferred to Nakamura Kisen K.K., renamed Asaharu Maru. 1964, broken up in Japan.

Gilbert