FUJIKAWA MARU

The Fujikawa Maru was built in 1938 for the Toyo Kaiu Kisen Kaisha. when the war broke out she was requisitioned by the IJN and started life as an auxiliary armed aircraft transport, a role which she performed for the remainder of her life. 

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Length:          133.3m

Beam:               17.8m

Draught:           7.9m

Speed:              13.5 knots

Deadweight:     7049t

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Initially after being requisitioned, she served as a transport vessel based in the indo-pacific area. She was active during the battle of Midway. 

In september 1943 she as hit by a torpedo fired by US submarine Permit off Kwajalein and returned to Japan for repairs. 

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After her repairs in Japan she came back into service, and was again hit on 4 December 1943 nearby Kwajalein by torpedo bombers of the US aircraft carrier Yorktown (CV-10), Lexington (CV-16)  and light carrier USS Independence (CVL-22), of taskforce 50 under the command of rear admiral Charles A. Pownall, which attacked the Kwajalein and Wotje Atolls. For more interesting reading on this battle, please visit the naval history and heritage command page 

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The 24th of December 1943 she departs Kwajalein (Roi) for repairs at Truk Lagoon, possibly for repairs by repairs ship Akashi. She was towed by the IJN Mikage maru no. 18 and arrived at Truk on the 31st of December 1943.  

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On the 17th of February she was hit repeatedly by US bombers and torpedo bombers which damaged her but did not manage to sink her. 

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Dive bombers from the USS Essex scored a direct hit with a 1,000 lb. bomb on the port quarter, and three near misses before the ship was reported to be on fire and smoking. The final attack was by two USS Monterey planes that reported a huge explosion from one or two of their torpedoes launched against the ship. The Fujikawa Maru finally went down early on 18th February at approximately 7:15am.

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