Japanese auxiliary gunboat Keijo Maru

The Keijo Maru (Japanese: 京城丸) was an auxiliary gunboat of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

History
Empire of Japan
NameKeijo Maru
BuilderUraga Senkyo
Launched12 October 1939
AcquiredRequisitioned by Imperial Japanese Navy, September 1941
FateSunk by USS S-44, 21 June 1942
General characteristics
Tonnage2626 gross register tons / 1493 net register tons[1]
Length295 feet (89.9 m)
Beam45 feet (13.7 m)
Depth22.75 feet (6.9 m)
Installed power1400 horsepower
Propulsion1 VTE + low pressure steam turbine

History

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She was laid down as a merchant ship by shipbuilder Uraga Senkyo and launched on 12 October 1939. In September 1941, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to an auxiliary gunboat, She participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea and the Invasion of Tulagi in May 1942. On 21 June 1942, she was sunk by the submarine USS S-44 (  United States Navy) at (09°00′S 160°00′E / 9.000°S 160.000°E / -9.000; 160.000)[2] west of the Nggela Islands in the Solomon Islands. 63 crewmen were killed and 62 crewmen were rescued by Japanese minesweeper W-20 (  Imperial Japanese Navy).[3]

References

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  1. ^ Lloyd's Register of Shipping, 1945-46
  2. ^ "Japanese Naval And Merchant Shipping Losses During World War II By All Causes - All Japanese Naval and Merchant Vessels Sunk During World War II by United States Submarines". Joint Army-Navy Assessment Committee.
  3. ^ "S-44". Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships. Navy Department, Naval History and Heritage Command. Retrieved 28 December 2011.