Japanese minesweeper Banshu Maru No. 52

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]

Japanese auxiliary minesweeper Banshu Maru No. 52
History
Empire of Japan
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:
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]

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).[3][4] She was removed from the Navy List on 5 February 1942.[3][4] Her wreck is a popular dive site.[5]

References
  1. Nagasawa, Fumio (1998). "播州丸 BANSHU MARU (1921)". Nostalgic Japanese Steamships (in Japanese).
  2. 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).
  3. 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).
  4. 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.
  5. Bennet, Tom. World War II Wrecks of the Philippines.
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