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| IJN Repair Ship 9,000 Tons (Standard) 10,500 Tons (Trail) 520' x 67' 3" x 20' 8" 4 x 127mm AA 12 x 25mm AA |
Ship History Built by Saesbo Navy Yard at Sasebo. Laid down on January 18, 1937 as the first dedicated repair ship in the Japanese Navy based on the the U.S. Navy (USN) repair ship USS Medusa (AR-1). Launched June 29, 1938 as Akashi 明石 named for the Akashi Strait between Honshu and Awaji. Completed July 31, 1939 and placed on the Navy Reserve List. During November 1939 began installation of 23-ton crane, two 10-ton cranes and two 5-ton cranes forward and aft to transfer repair parts and for handling replenishment stores. Outfitted with a tool room, blueprint room, electric repair shop and a machine shop equipped with 114 various machine tools as well as an assembly plant and facilities for casting, forging, welding, copper working and woodworking. Commissioned March 10, 190 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) under the command of Captain Shutoku Miyazato. PARTIAL HISTORY On March 10, 1944 Bichu Maru damaged by a torpedo is docked alongside Akashi for repairs. On March 11, 1944 provisioned by auxiliary storeship Kitakami Maru. On March 14, 1944 divers from Akashi inspect Patrol Boat No. 102 (PB-102) hit by a dud torpedo. On March 28, 1944 completes repairs on Bichu Maru. Sinking History On March 30, 1944 Akashi was anchored off the northern tip of Urukthapel Island. Spotted by U.S. Navy carrier planes from Task Group 58 (TG 58) during Operation Desecrate One, the ship was targeted by bombs and rockets and suffered at least seven hits to the stern, two on her port bow, one on her superstructure forward of the well deck, two amidships and another aft of her stack that causes a fire. Akashi sank by the bow in shallow water. At least 35 are killed in the attack and sinking. Officially removed from the Navy list on May 10, 1944. Fates of the Crew Captain Kameyama and many of the crew survive the sinking and swim to nearby Urukthapel Island. Shipwreck Akashi sinks in shallow water with the bridge, cranes and mast remained above the surface. During 1954, the Fujita Salvage Company, under the authority of the government of Palau salvaged the shipwreck for scrap metal. References Combined Fleet - IJN Repair Ship Akashi Tabular Record of Movement World War II Wrecks of Palau (1999) pages 47, 50, 54, 58-60, 63, 64, 68, 70, 71, 75, 80-82, 85, 86, 89, 90, 92, 101, 105, 123-126 (Akashi Shipwreck), 124 (map), 129, 140, 147, 153, 154, 175, 227 (index Akashi) Contribute
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