The Kawasaki-type oiler (川崎型油槽船,, Kawasaki-gata Yusōsen) was a type of oiler from Japan, serving during the 1930s and World War II. They do not have an official class name.[1] Therefore, this article uses common class names. And, this type has some variants. This article handles them collectively.
Kyokutō Maru (left), Kokuyō Maru, Nippon Maru and Shinkoku Maru (right) on 1 December 1941
| |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name |
|
Builders | |
Operators | |
Preceded by | Fujisan Maru |
Succeeded by | Type 1TL wartime standard ship |
Cost | Tōa Maru: 2,600,000 JPY |
Built | 1933 – 1943 |
In commission | 1934 – 1964 |
Planned | 17 |
Completed | 17 |
Lost | 17 |
Retired | (1) |
General characteristics | |
Type | Oiler |
Displacement | approx. 10,000 long tons (10,160 t) |
Length | around 152 m (498 ft 8 in) Lpp |
Beam | around 20.0 m (65 ft 7 in) |
Draught | around 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in) |
Propulsion |
|
Speed | around 20 knots (23 mph; 37 km/h) |
Armament |
|
Background
edit- The London Naval Treaty forced shrinkage of a budget to the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). And it meant the cooling of the Japanese shipbuilding industry worlds. The Great Depression accelerated it more. The IJN wanted to update their Notoro-class oilers and Ondo-class oilers, because these oilers were not able to chase the aircraft carrier.
- In 1929, the IJN decided their combat ship (battleship, aircraft carrier, cruiser, destroyer, submarine and torpedo boat) fuel only to heavy crude oil. And, the IJN was paid a grant to newly build large/high-speed tankers.
- In 1931, two marine transportation companies built the tankers which the IJN wanted. One was the 9,900 tons/17.5 knot Teiyō Maru, the other the 9,500 tons/18.8 knots Fujisan Maru.
- The IJN was satisfied by Fujisan Maru. The IJN recommended building of the improved Fujisan Maru class tanker.
Construction
edit- In 1932, the Iino Kaiun Kaisha (飯野海運,, Iino Lines) ordered two tankers Tōa Maru and Kyokutō Maru to the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Corporation. In total 17 tankers were built with the same basic drawings, until 1943.
- All sisters participated to World War II. However, they were not able to survive at all.
Ships in classes
editTōa Maru class
edit- This is the first production model of the Kawasaki-type tankers. Their success gave courage to other steamship companies.
Subsidy # | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Owner |
13 | Tōa Maru (東亜丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 24 April 1933 | 2 April 1934 | 23 June 1934 | Iino Lines |
18 | Kyokutō Maru (極東丸, 旭東丸) [2] | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 25 November 1933 | 11 October 1934 | 15 December 1934 | Iino Lines |
Tatekawa Maru class
edit- The second production model. They were built according to the same Tōa Maru class drawings. However, their details were different by the steamship company which they placed an order with (example: Nippon Maru removed one dry cargo hold). Narrow sense of the Kawasaki-type tanker was until the Kyūei Maru. Kyūei Maru was equipped for surplus stocks of the Argentina Maru machinery.
Subsidy # | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Owner |
Tatekawa Maru (建川丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 20 October 1934 | 20 April 1935 | 30 June 1935 | Kawasaki Line | |
Nippon Maru (日本丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 18 October 1935 | 24 April 1936 | 30 June 1936 | Yamashita Line | |
Tōhō Maru (東邦丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 1 May 1936 | 31 October 1936 | 24 December 1936 | Iino Lines | |
101 | Itsukushima Maru (厳島丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 21 April 1937 | 4 September 1937 | 20 December 1937 | Nippon Suisan |
102 | Gen'yō Maru (玄洋丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 12 June 1937 | 30 December 1937 | 28 April 1938 | Asano Bussan |
104 | Nichiei Maru (日栄丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 4 September 1937 | 15 April 1938 | 30 June 1938 | Nittō Mining |
Tōei Maru (東栄丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 15 April 1938 | 24 October 1938 | 21 February 1939 | Nittō Mining | |
106 | Kokuyō Maru (国洋丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 17 June 1938 | 26 December 1938 | 16 May 1939 | Kokuyō Line |
Ken'yō Maru (健洋丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 29 June 1938 | 6 April 1939 | 28 October 1939 | Kokuyō Line | |
107 | Shinkoku Maru (神国丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 25 October 1938 | 13 December 1939 | 28 February 1940 | Kōbe Pier |
Kyūei Maru (久栄丸) | Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard | 20 November 1942 | 3 June 1943 | 6 September 1943 | Nittō Mining |
Nisshō Maru class
edit- One of the variants of the Kawasaki-type tankers. Mitsubishi used many curves to reduce her air friction strength.
Subsidy # | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Owner |
103 | Nisshō Maru (日章丸) | Misubishi, Yokohama Shipyard | 10 August 1937 | 13 June 1938 | 29 November 1938 | Shōwa Shipping |
Kuroshio Maru class
edit- One of the variants of the Kawasaki-type tankers. Kuroshio Maru was equipped with a La-Mont boiler. Her design was used for the Type 1TL wartime standard ship.
Subsidy # | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Owner |
105 | Kuroshio Maru (黒潮丸) | Harima Zōsen, Aioi Factory | 21 January 1938 | 8 December 1938 | 28 February 1939 | Chūgai Line |
Akatsuki Maru class
edit- One of the variants of the Kawasaki-type tankers. The Harima Zōsen used the Sulzer diesel.
Subsidy # | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Owner |
108 | Akatsuki Maru (あかつき丸) | Harima Zōsen, Aioi Factory | 21 June 1937 | 20 August 1938 | 31 October 1938 | Japan Line |
Akebono Maru (あけぼの丸) | Harima Zōsen, Aioi Factory | 25 January 1938 | 10 June 1939 | 15 August 1939 | Japan Line |
Service
editName | Career (extract), fate | |
Date | Contents | |
Tōa Maru | 1934–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan (67 times). |
1 September 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 20 September, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
1 December 1941 | Assigned to the 6th Fleet. | |
5 April 1942 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
21 May 1942 | Entry to the 1st Fleet. | |
25 November 1943 | Sunk by USS Searaven at north of Pohnpei 08°30′N 158°00′E / 8.500°N 158.000°E. | |
5 January 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Kyokutō Maru Ōyashima Maru (大八州丸) California Maru (かりほるにあ丸) |
1934–1938 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan (35 times). |
1 July 1938 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 7 July, classified to auxiliary fleet oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
15 January 1942 | Renamed Ōyashima Maru.[3] | |
5 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
1 August 1944 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
6 September 1944 | Entry to the Kamoi Convoy (Singapore-Manila). On 20 September, arrived at Manila. | |
21 September 1944 | Heavy damaged by aircraft at Manila Bay, later sunk in shallow water. | |
10 March 1945 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
1951 | Salvaged and sold to Nihon Tanker. | |
5 September 1952 | Repairs were completed, and renamed California Maru. | |
21 July 1964 | Retired. | |
Tatekawa Maru | 1935–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
20 December 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. | |
1 September 1943 | Classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Ministry of the Navy. | |
9 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
24 May 1944 | Sunk by USS Gurnard at east of Mindanao 05°45′N 125°43′E / 5.750°N 125.717°E. | |
10 July 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists. On 20 July, discharged. | |
Nippon Maru | 1936–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
7 September 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 20 September, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
12 May 1943 | Entry to the Northeast Area Fleet. | |
14 January 1944 | Sunk by USS Scamp at southwest of Woleai 05°02′N 140°03′E / 5.033°N 140.050°E. | |
10 March 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Tōhō Maru | 1936–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan (51 times). |
20 August 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 20 September, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
26 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
27 May 1942 | Entry to the 4th Carrier Division. | |
29 March 1943 | Sunk by USS Gudgeon at east-northeast of Samarinda 00°00′N 118°18′E / 0.000°N 118.300°E. | |
1 May 1943 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Itsukushima Maru | 1937–1941 | Accompanied to fleet of whalers. |
22 November 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. | |
1 September 1943 | Classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Ministry of the Navy. | |
9 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
20 September 1944 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
20 September 1944 | Entry to the 2nd Fleet. | |
27 October 1944 | Heavy damaged by USS Bergall at southwest of Balambangan Island 07°17′N 116°45′E / 7.283°N 116.750°E. On 31 October, sunk. | |
10 December 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Gen'yō Maru | 1938–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
2 November 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 10 December, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the 3rd Fleet. | |
10 March 1942 | Assigned to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet. | |
25 August 1942 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
5 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
20 June 1944 | Sunk during the Battle of the Philippine Sea at north-northwest of Palau 15°35′N 133°30′E / 15.583°N 133.500°E. | |
10 August 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Nichiei Maru | 1938–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
31 October 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 10 November, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
August 1942 | Assigned to the Southeast Area Fleet. | |
25 December 1943 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
5 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
23 July 1944 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
16 October 1944 | Assigned to the 2nd Fleet. | |
3 January 1945 | Heavy damaged by USS Besugo at north of Kuantan. On 7 January, sunk at 06°45′N 102°55′E / 6.750°N 102.917°E. | |
10 March 1945 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Tōei Maru | 1939–1940 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, several times. |
23 December 1940 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 26 December, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
1 July 1941 | Classified to auxiliary fleet oiler. | |
15 October 1941 | Classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
18 January 1943 | Sunk by USS Silversides off Truk 06°19′N 150°15′E / 6.317°N 150.250°E. | |
1 April 1943 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Kokuyō Maru | 1939–1940 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, several times. |
16 November 1940 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 26 December, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
15 June 1941 | Classified to auxiliary fleet oiler. | |
15 October 1941 | Classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
5 May 1944 | Assigned to the 1st Mobile Fleet. | |
30 July 1944 | Sunk by USS Bonefish at east of Sandakan 06°07′N 120°00′E / 6.117°N 120.000°E. | |
10 September 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Ken'yō Maru | 1939–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, several times. |
17 August 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 5 September, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
10 August 1942 | Entry to the 3rd Fleet. | |
14 January 1944 | Sunk by USS Guardfish at southeast of Yap 05°23′N 141°32′E / 5.383°N 141.533°E. | |
10 March 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Shinkoku Maru | 1940–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, several times. |
18 August 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 5 September, classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
18 November 1941 | Entry to the 1st Air Fleet. | |
17 February 1944 | Sunk during the Operation Hailstone. | |
31 March 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Kyūei Maru | 15 October 1943 | Enlisted by the IJN. Classified to auxiliary oiler, and assigned to the Yokosuka Naval District. |
25 October 1943 | Assigned to the Ministry of the Navy. | |
21 December 1943 | Entry to the Hi-27 Convoy. | |
27 December 1943 | Sunk by USS Flying Fish at southeast of Kaohsiung 21°25′N 118°05′E / 21.417°N 118.083°E. | |
5 February 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Nisshō Maru | 1938–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
23 February 1942 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 25 February, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
1 July 1942 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
25 February 1944 | Sunk by USS Hoe at Bohol Sea 05°50′N 126°00′E / 5.833°N 126.000°E. | |
31 March 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
Kuroshio Maru | 1939–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
15 August 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 5 September, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
10 January 1942 | Assigned to the Ministry of the Navy. | |
20 March 1942 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. | |
September 1942 | Allotted to the Imperial Japanese Army. | |
31 December 1944 | Entry to the Hi-87 Convoy. | |
21 January 1945 | Sunk by aircraft at Kaohsiung. | |
Akatsuki Maru | 1938–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
17 November 1941 | Enlisted by the Navy.[4] | |
29 May 1943 | Sunk by USS Saury at northwest of Naha 27°40′N 125°55′E / 27.667°N 125.917°E. | |
30 June 1943 | Discharged. | |
Akebono Maru | 1939–1941 | Sailed for the import oil into Japan, many times. |
1 December 1941 | Enlisted by the IJN. On 7 December, classified to auxiliary oiler. | |
10 January 1942 | Assigned to the Combined Fleet. | |
30 March 1944 | Entry to the PaTa-07 Convoy. | |
31 March 1944 | Heavy damaged by aircraft at Palau. Later scuttled. | |
10 May 1944 | Removed from naval ship lists, and discharged. |
Characteristics
editName | Displacement (gross) | Length | Beam | Draught | Propulsion | Speed | Capacity |
Tōa Maru | 10,052 long tons (10,213 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.2 m (36 ft 9 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 8,911 bhp |
18.4 knots (21.2 mph; 34.1 km/h) | 16,093 cubic meters oil[5] 4 passengers[5] |
Kyokutō Maru (Ōyashima Maru) |
10,051 long tons (10,212 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 8,963 bhp |
18.9 knots (21.7 mph; 35.0 km/h) | 16,100 cubic meters oil 8 passengers |
Tatekawa Maru | 10,091 long tons (10,253 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 10,658 bhp |
19.9 knots (22.9 mph; 36.9 km/h) | |
Nippon Maru | 9,971 long tons (10,131 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 9,773 bhp |
19.2 knots (22.1 mph; 35.6 km/h) | 14,590 cubic meters oil[6] 6 passengers[7] |
Tōhō Maru | 9,997 long tons (10,157 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 9,903 bhp |
20.1 knots (23.1 mph; 37.2 km/h) | |
Itsukushima Maru | 10,007 long tons (10,168 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,693 bhp |
19.8 knots (22.8 mph; 36.7 km/h) | |
Gen'yō Maru | 10,018 long tons (10,179 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,100 bhp |
19.7 knots (22.7 mph; 36.5 km/h) | |
Nichiei Maru | 10,020 long tons (10,181 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,570 bhp |
20.0 knots (23.0 mph; 37.0 km/h) | |
Tōei Maru | 10,022 long tons (10,183 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,210 bhp |
19.4 knots (22.3 mph; 35.9 km/h) | |
Kokuyō Maru | 10,026 long tons (10,187 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,033 bhp |
19.6 knots (22.6 mph; 36.3 km/h) | |
Ken'yō Maru | 10,024 long tons (10,185 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,380 bhp |
20.2 knots (23.2 mph; 37.4 km/h) | |
Shinkoku Maru | 10,020 long tons (10,181 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × MAN/Kawasaki D8Z-70/120 diesel single shaft, 11,565 bhp |
19.8 knots (22.8 mph; 36.7 km/h) | |
Kyūei Maru | 10,171 long tons (10,334 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.8 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.3 m (37 ft 1 in) | 1 × Mitsubishi MS11-72/125 diesel single shaft, 7,360 bhp |
||
Nisshō Maru | 10,526 long tons (10,695 t) | 159.0 m (521 ft 8 in) Lpp | 20.0 m (65 ft 7 in) | 12.0 m (39 ft 4 in) | 1 × MAN/Mitsubishi D8Zu-72/120P diesel single shaft, 9,400 bhp |
19.6 knots (22.6 mph; 36.3 km/h) | |
Kuroshio Maru | 10,384 long tons (10,551 t) | 153.8 m (504 ft 7 in) Lpp | 20.1 m (65 ft 11 in) | 11.4 m (37 ft 5 in) | 3 × La-Mont/Kawasaki high-pressure boiler Ishikawajima turbine, single shaft, 11,805 shp |
20.7 knots (23.8 mph; 38.3 km/h) | |
Akatsuki Maru | 10,216 long tons (10,380 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.81 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in) | 1 × Sulzer/Kōbe diesel single shaft, 10,678 bhp |
20.13 knots (23.17 mph; 37.28 km/h) | |
Akebono Maru | 10,182 long tons (10,345 t) | 160.2 m (525 ft 7 in) overall 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) Lpp |
19.81 m (65 ft 0 in) | 11.43 m (37 ft 6 in) | 1 × Sulzer/Kōbe diesel single shaft, 10,820 bhp |
20.063 knots (23.088 mph; 37.157 km/h) |
Photos
editFootnotes
edit- ^ Iino Lines called Tōa Maru class, Kawasaki Line called Tatekawa Maru class, Nittō Mining called Nichiei Maru class, and more...
- ^ Kyokutō Maru renamed Kanji name 極東丸 to 旭東丸 on 5 July 1938.
- ^ In the IJN official document, Ōyashima Maru appears once. However, their later official document used Kyokutō Maru.
- ^ Akatsuki Maru was not registered to naval ship list.
- ^ a b Shutei Kyokai Shuppanbu, p. 69
- ^ Shutei Kyokai Shuppanbu, p. 86. Original book was described 644,590 cubic meters oil. Perhaps it is a misprint.
- ^ Shutei Kyokai Shuppanbu, p. 86
Bibliography
edit- Tashirō Iwashige, The visual guide of Japanese wartime merchant marine, "Dainippon Kaiga". Archived from the original on 7 December 2002. (Japan), May 2009
- Monthly Armor Modelling special issue, "Navy Yard Vol.8 Tora! Tora! Tora!", Dainippon Kaiga (Japan), July 2008
- Kunio Matsumoto, The Lives of the Japanese Tankers, "Seizando-Shoten". Archived from the original on 17 April 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2009. (Japan), January 1995
- Shinshichirō Komamiya, The Wartime Convoy Histories, "Shuppan Kyōdōsha". Archived from the original on 22 July 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2009. (Japan), October 1987
- The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.53, "Japanese support vessels", "Ushio Shobō". (Japan), July 1981
- 60 Years of the Iino Lines, "Iino Lines". (Japan), June 1959
- 50 year History of Harima Zōsen, Harima Zōsen Corporation, November 1960
- Photo Gallery of the Japanese merchant ships, Shutei Kyokai Shuppanbu (Japan), August 1950
- Grobmeier, Alvin H. (1991). "Question 28/90". Warship International. XXVIII (3): 310–311. ISSN 0043-0374.