CD-53 was a C Type class escort ship (Kaibōkan) of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the Second World War.
CD-53 was laid down by Nippon Kokan K.K. at their Tsurumi shipyard on 15 August 1944, launched on 29 October 1944, and completed and commissioned on 28 November 1944.[1] [2] On 28 November 1944, she was assigned to the 1st Escort Fleet, Kure Guard Force, Kure Naval District with Haruo Yamagata (山縣春雄) as her commanding officer.[2] On 5 February 1945, she was assigned to the Hainan Guard Office under the administration of the Imperial Japanese Army.[2] During the war CD-53 was mostly busy on escort duties.[1]
On 29 January 1945, she departed Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū for Singapore in convoy HI-93 serving as an escort along with CD-61, CD-63, and CD-207 for transport Kiyokawa Maru and oilers Toa Maru and Toho Marun.[1] On 1 February 1945, the convoy reached Hainan Island; on 3 February 1945, the convoy reached Qui Sande Bay; and on 6 February 1945, the convoy reached Vân Phong Bay just north of Cam Ranh Bay.[1] On 7 February 1945, the convoy left Van Phong Bay and at 1050, the American submarine Bergall fired two torpedoes at the convoy damaging the Toho Maru, and sinking CD-53 at (11.8833°N 131°W).[1] [3] 159 of her crew were killed.[1]
CD-53 was struck from the Navy List on 10 March 1945.[1]