SS China Maru (1920)
Encyclopedia
The China Maru was a 5,870 gross ton cargo ship built by Kawasaki Dockyard Company, Kobe
for Kawasaki Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha in 1920. She was requisitioned in 1941 by the Imperial Japanese Navy
during World War II
. On 10 March 1942, during the invasion of Lae-Salamaua, China Maru was damaged by SBD’s from the United States Navy
aircraft carriers and off Lae, New Guinea.
Task Force 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3 aircraft, and sunk at 14°35´N, 120°55´E.
Kobe
, 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...
for Kawasaki Kisen Kabushiki Kaisha in 1920. She was requisitioned in 1941 by the Imperial Japanese 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...
during 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...
. On 10 March 1942, during the invasion of Lae-Salamaua, China Maru was damaged by SBD’s from the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
aircraft carriers and off Lae, New Guinea.
Fate
On 21 September 1944, while anchored off Manilla, Philippines, China Maru was hit by bombs from United States NavyUnited States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
Task Force 38.1, 38.2, and 38.3 aircraft, and sunk at 14°35´N, 120°55´E.