Japanese minesweeper Banshu Maru No. 52
![]() Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Banshu Maru No. 52
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History | |
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Name | Banshu Maru No. 52 |
Builder | Mitsubishi Zosen Kobe Zosensho |
Laid down | 4 September 1921 |
Launched | 5 November 1921 |
Sponsored by | Hayashikane Shoten |
Completed | 28 November 1921 |
Acquired | requisitioned by Imperial Japanese Navy, 15 October 1940 |
Decommissioned | 31 March 1944 |
Stricken | 5 February 1942 |
Identification | 28262 |
Fate | Sunk after hitting mine, 20 January 1942 |
Notes |
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General characteristics | |
Tonnage | 234 GRT |
Length | 37.19 m (122 ft 0 in) o/a[1] |
Beam | 6.93 m (22 ft 9 in)[1] |
Draught | 3.96 m (13 ft 0 in)[1] |
Installed power | 550 bhp (410 kW)[1] |
Banshu Maru No. 52 (Japanese: 第五十二播州丸) was an auxiliary minesweeper of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.[2][3]
History
She was laid down on 4 September 1921 at the Kobe shipyard of Mitsubishi Zosen Kobe Zosensho at the behest of shipping company, Hayashikane Shoten[4] as Banshu Maru No.2.[3] She was launched on 5 November 1921 and completed 28 November 1921.[4] Registered in the port of Shimonoseki, she operated as a fishing trawler.[3] On 14 September 1939, she was renamed Banshu Maru No. 52.[3] On 15 October 1940, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to an auxiliary minesweeper under Reserve Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Kubo Tadahiko (久保忠彦)[4] and assigned to Auxiliary Minesweeper division 3 (AM Div 3).[3] Kubo served until 1 December 1941 when he was replaced by Reserve Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Uchida Shoji (内田正二) and assigned to Auxiliary Minesweeper division 46 (AM Div 46), Bako Guard District.[4] On 24 December 1941, she departed Sasebo, Nagasaki for Magong, Taiwan and then on to Subic Bay arriving on 17 January 1942.[3] She commenced mine sweeping activities in Subic Bay during the Battle of Bataan despite facing artillery fire from the shore.[3] Gunboats Aso Maru (阿蘇丸) and Nampo Maru (南浦丸) were assigned to the area to suppress additional fire and allow the minesweeper to continue with its activities.[3]
On 20 January 1942, she struck a mine and sank in Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines (14°45′N 120°17′E / 14.750°N 120.283°E).[3][4] She was removed from the Navy List on 5 February 1942.[3][4] Her wreck is a popular dive site.[5]
References
- ^ a b c d Nagasawa, Fumio (1998). "播州丸 BANSHU MARU (1921)". Nostalgic Japanese Steamships (in Japanese).
- ^ Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "Tokusetsu Kansen (Temporary Naval Vessels)> Tokusetsu Sokaitei (Converted Minesweepers) > Tokusetsu Sokaitei (Page 5)". Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen (in Japanese).
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Toda, Gengoro S. (21 September 2019). "第五十二播州丸の船歴 (Banshu Maru No. 52 - Ship History)". Imperial Japanese Navy - Tokusetsukansen (in Japanese).
- ^ a b c d e f Niehorster, Leo; Donahoo, Jeff. "Auxiliary Minesweepers of the Imperial Japanese Navy". World War II Armed Forces - Orders of Battle and Organizations. Retrieved 12 February 2020.
- ^ Bennet, Tom. World War II Wrecks of the Philippines.