Ship History
Built in 1933 and used by the Japanese Navy at the start of the Pacific war.

Wartime History
On May 9, 1942, was part of convoy 206 including Shinsei Maru, Tatsuwa Maru, Tatsuharu Maru, Senzan Maru, Nanyo Maru, Keifuku Maru, Taisho Maru, Meiyu Maru, Wayo Marumei and this ship. Escorted by Tsubame and Destroyer Sanae.

Sinking History
Part of a convoy of eleven transports (Arizona Maru, Kumagawa Maru, Sado Maru, Nagara Maru, Nako Maru, Canberra Maru, Brisbane Maru, Kinugawa Maru, Hirokawa Maru, Yamaura Maru, and Yamatsuki Maru) escorted by twelve destroyers.

Departed Shortland to reinforce Guadalcanal down "The Slot". Scheduled to arrive during the night of November 13, 1942, they were recalled back to Shortland, due to the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal underway in Iron Bottom Sound during November 13.

The convoy again departed Shortland during the afternoon of November 13. Spotted by the Americans, air attacks hit the convoy on the morning of November 14, and overwhelmed the escorting Japanese aircraft and sank six transports and forced one to turn back damage, and later sank.

The remaining four transports and four destroyers continued towards Guadalcanal. After nightfall, they stopped to the west of Guadalcanal, awaiting the conclusion of the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal underway in Iron Bottom Sound during the night of November 14-15.

On November 15 at 0400, the remaining four transports (Kinugawa Maru, Hirokawa Maru, Yamaura Maru, and Yamatsuki Maru) beached themselves on Guadalcanal. Kinugawa Maru beached near Bonegi.

Beginning at 05:55 by American aircraft from Henderson Field and elsewhere, and field artillery. Later, destroyer USS Meade approached and opened fire for an hour with 5" shells, leaving them "blazing with many internal explosions."

These attacks set the transports afire and destroyed most equipment not unloaded before dawn. Approximately 2,000 troops with 260 cases of ammunition and 1,500 bags of rice made ashore. Most of their ammunition and food supplies were lost.

Shipwreck
The wreck remained above water, with the mast collapsed to the side and bow above water. Heavily photographed after the conclusion of the Guadalcanal campagin.

Postwar, the wreck was heavily scrapped, but remained largely intact until at least the late 1950s. Since then, storms and an earthquake in 1977 collapsed the entire bridge area.

Today, this ship is a favorite for SCUBA divers because it is easily accessible from shore. The bow is exposed and the stern is at 27 meters.

Jeff Johnson Reports:
"About a quarter mile from Hirokawa Maru (Bonegi 1). There are still a few pieces left above water, but for the most part, it has deteriorated. You can still get into two or three of the cargo holds.

References
Hell's Islands by Stan Jersey
Thanks to Peter Flahavin for additional information and photos

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Last Updated
October 1, 2009

20m from shore
27m Stern

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