Hikawa Maru class ocean liner
Encyclopedia
The was a class of ocean liner
s of Japan
, serving during 1930s, and after World War II
.
Ocean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
s of Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
, serving during 1930s, and after World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Background
- In 1925, Swedish American LineSwedish American LineSwedish American Line was a passenger and cargo shipping line. It was founded in December 1914 under the name Rederiaktiebolaget Sverige-Nordamerika, beginning ocean liner service from Gothenburg to New York in 1915...
was constructed the excellent passenger MS KungsholmMS Kungsholm (1928)MS Kungsholm was a passenger liner owned and operated by the Swedish American Line from 1928 to 1941 on transatlantic services from Gothenburg to New York as well as cruising out of New York. It was built at the Blohm & Voss shipyard in Hamburg, Germany...
. The was shocked for her. - In 1927-28, the NYK Line placed an order for eight ocean liners to reinforce the JapanJapanJapan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
–Seattle route (3 × Hikawa Maru class), Japan–San Francisco route (3 × Asama Maru class), and Japan–LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
route (2 × Terukuni Maru classTerukuni Maru class ocean linerThe was a class of ocean liners of Japan, serving during the 1930s, and after World War II.-Background:* In 1925, Swedish American Line was constructed the excellent passenger MS Kungsholm...
). 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 YokohamaYokohamais the capital city of Kanagawa Prefecture and the second largest city in Japan by population after Tokyo and most populous municipality of Japan. It lies on Tokyo Bay, south of Tokyo, in the Kantō region of the main island of Honshu...
–Seattle. Arrived at Seattle on 27 May. She sailed 73 times until August 1941. Her service was popular by passengers. Her dishes were delicious, because NYK Line was employed the chef who trained itself in EuropeEuropeEurope is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. - Hie Maru was completed on 31 July 1930. Her maiden voyage was 23 August 1930 from KobeKobe, pronounced , is the fifth-largest city in Japan and is the capital city of Hyōgo Prefecture on the southern side of the main island of Honshū, approximately west of Osaka...
. - Heian Maru was completed on 24 November 1930. Her maiden voyage was 18 December 1930 from Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
. - All of they were enlisted by the Imperial Japanese NavyImperial Japanese NavyThe Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
(IJN) in October–November 1941.
Ships in class as ocean liner
| Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Note |
| Yokohama Dock Company | 9 November 1928 | 30 September 1929 | 25 April 1930 | She was enlisted by the Navy Imperial Japanese Navy The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes... on 21 November 1941. |
|
| Yokohama Dock Company | 25 May 1929 | 12 February 1930 | 31 July 1930 | Her name spelling was changed Hie Maru in 1938. She was enlisted by the Navy in 1940. | |
| Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory | 19 July 1929 | 16 April 1930 | 24 November 1930 | She was enlisted by the Navy on 15 October 1941. | |
Service in WWII
- Hikawa Maru was classified to auxiliary hospital ship on 1 December 1941, and she assigned to the 4th FleetIJN 4th FleetThe was a fleet designation of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Fourth Fleet designation was used during three separate periods. The initial designation was for a group of ships that were assigned to work together during the Russo-Japanese conflict and the period of its immediate aftermath...
. - Hie Maru was classified to auxiliary submarine tender on 15 February 1942, and she assigned to the 6th FleetIJN 6th FleetThe was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, primarily responsible for command of submarine operations.-History:The IJN 6th Fleet was formed on 15 November 1940, and was assigned general control of all Japanese submarine operations...
. - Heian Maru was classified to auxiliary submarine tender on 15 October 1941, and she assigned to the 6th Fleet.
- 17 November 1943, Hie Maru was sunk by USN submarine.
- 18 February 1944, Heian Maru was sunk by air raid at ChuukChuukChuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's...
. - 10 August 1946, Hikawa Maru survived war, and she was reverted to the NYK Line.
Ships in class as naval vessel
| Name | Career | Fate |
| Hikawa Maru | Classified to auxiliary hospital ship on 1 December 1941. Reverted to NYK Line on 10 August 1946. |
Retired on 21 December 1960. She anchoring at Port of Yokohama Port of Yokohama The is operated by the Port and Harbor Bureau of the City of Yokohama in Japan. It opens onto Tokyo Bay. The port is located at a latitude of 35.27.–00°N and a longitude of 139.38–46°E. To the south lies the Port of Yokosuka; to the north, the ports of Kawasaki and Tokyo.-Facilities:Yokohama Port... now. |
| Hie Maru | Classified to auxiliary transport in 1940. Reverted to NYK Line in October 1940. Enlisted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan) The is a cabinet level ministry of Japan responsible for the country's foreign relations.The ministry is due to the second term of the third article of the National Government Organization Act , and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Establishment Act establishes the ministry... 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 USS Drum (SS-228) USS Drum is a Gato-class submarine of the United States Navy, the first Navy ship named after the drum, any of various types of fish capable of making a drumming sound. Drum is presently on display as a museum ship in Mobile, Alabama, at Battleship Memorial Park.Drum was laid down on 11 September... at southwest of Truk Chuuk Chuuk — formerly Truk, Ruk, Hogoleu, Torres, Ugulat, and Lugulus — is an island group in the south western part of the Pacific Ocean. It comprises one of the four states of the Federated States of Micronesia , along with Kosrae, Pohnpei, and Yap. Chuuk is the most populous of the FSM's... 01°45′N 148°45′E on 17 November 1943. |
| Heian Maru | Classified to auxiliary submarine tender on 15 October 1941. | Sunk during the Operation Hailstone Operation Hailstone Operation Hailstone was a massive naval air and surface attack launched on February 17–18, 1944, during World War II by the United States Navy against the Japanese naval and air base at Truk in the Caroline Islands, a pre-war Japanese territory.-Background:Truk was a major Japanese logistical base... on 18 February 1944. |