Hikawa Maru-class ocean liner explained

The was a class of ocean liners of Japan, serving during the 1930s, and after World War II.

Background

In 1927-28, the NYK Line placed an order for eight ocean liners to reinforce the Japan - Seattle route (3 × Hikawa Maru class), Japan - San Francisco route (3 × Asama Maru class), and Japan - London route (2 × Terukuni Maru class). The Hikawa Maru class were named the Hikawa Maru, Hiye Maru (later Hie Maru) and Heian Maru.

Service

Hikawa Maru was completed on 25 April 1930. Her maiden voyage was 13 May 1930 for Yokohama - Seattle. Arrived at Seattle on 27 May. She sailed 73 times until August 1941. Her service was popular, and the cuisine was well-regarded, as NYK Line employed a chef trained in Europe.

Hie Maru was completed on 31 July 1930. Her maiden voyage was 23 August 1930 from Kobe.

Heian Maru was completed on 24 November 1930. Her maiden voyage was 18 December 1930 from Hong Kong.

All of them were enlisted by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) in October–November 1941.

Ships in class

NameBuilderLaid downLaunchedCompletedNote
Yokohama Dock Company9 November 192830 September 192925 April 1930She was taken up by the Navy on 21 November 1941.
[1] Yokohama Dock Company25 May 192912 February 193031 July 1930Her name spelling was changed Hie Maru in 1938. She was enlisted by the Navy in 1940.
Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory19 July 192916 April 193024 November 1930She was taken by the Navy on 15 October 1941.

Service in World War II

Ships in class as naval vessel

NameCareerFate
Hikawa MaruClassified to auxiliary hospital ship on 1 December 1941.
Reverted to NYK Line on 10 August 1946.		Retired on 21 December 1960.
She is now anchored at Port of Yokohama.
Hie MaruClassified to auxiliary transport in 1940.
Reverted to NYK Line in October 1940.
Enlisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 22 September 1941.
Enlisted by the Navy on 26 November 1941, classified the auxiliary transport.
Classified to auxiliary submarine tender on 15 February 1942.
Classified to auxiliary transport on 1 October 1943.		Sunk by USS Drum at southwest of Truk on 17 November 1943.
Heian MaruClassified to auxiliary submarine tender on 15 October 1941.Sunk during the Operation Hailstone on 18 February 1944.

See also

Footnotes

  1. Her romanization of Japanese name spelling is Hie Maru by the Hepburn style. However, her bow name spelling was Hiye Maru until 1938. The Kanji and pronunciations were not changed.

Bibliography

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