MS Nana Maru

The Nana Maru (南阿丸) was a Japanese cargo ship from the Seia Maru-class, which was sunk in military service by ML-KNIL Brewsters during World War II. It was part of the 11th Air Fleet.

History
Empire of Japan
Name: Nana Maru
Owner:
Builder: Harima Zosensho K.K.
Laid down: 17 June 1939[1]
Launched: 16 April 1940[1]
Completed: 29 June 1940[1]
Fate: sunk by Royal Netherlands East Indies Army Air Force aircraft, 23 January 1942
General characteristics
Type: cargo ship
Tonnage: 6,757 GRT[2]
Length: 438 ft 6 in (133.65 m) [3]
Beam: 58 ft 4 in (17.78 m)[3]
Speed: 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h)[3]

History

Construction was ordered on 17 June 1939 by Kokusai Kisen K.K.. During construction, the ship was taken over by Osaka Shosen Kaisha. It was built by Harima Zosensho K.K. and was laid down and named Nana Maru on 16 April 1940. On 29 June, construction was finished and the ship started service between Japan and South Africa. Because of the war, the Japanese Imperial Navy requisitioned the ship on 21 September 1941 so that it could be used as a transport ship.[2]

Sinking

On 23 January 1942, during the Battle of Balikpapan, the Japanese troop convoy of which the Nana Maru was part, was attacked by Dutch aircraft in the Makassar Strait at 00°10′N 118°00′E.[4] Brewster pilots 1st Lt. P.A. Hoyer and Sgt. A.E. Stoové of the 2-VLG-V squadron dropped their bombs upon the ship's deck. At 17:30 the captain ordered abandon ship, and at 21:00, after a large explosion, the Nana Maru sank to the bottom of the ocean.[5]

References
  2. "Nana Maru". Combined Fleet. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  3. "SEIA MARU-Class Auxiliary Transport". Combined Fleet. Retrieved 2013-01-20.
  4. "Nana Maru (4046836)". Miramar Ship Index. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  5. Boer, P.C. De luchtstrijd rond Borneo. Van Holkema & Warendorf. ISBN 90-269-4253-2.
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