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| IJN Cargo 496 Tons 164' x 27' 5" x 13' 9"  RAN October 25, 1945 |
Ship History Built by Osaka Iron Works, Ltd. at Innoshima. Launched 1935 as Kisaragi Maru with registration number 27791. Owned by Kinkai Kaisoku Kisen K. K. in Osaka. Prewar, operated between Hanshin, Tekkosho and Kobe. Wartime History During the Pacific War, Kisaragi Maru was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) for use as a cargo vessel and was likely armed for military service. During late 1942 until the middle of 1943 used as a transport from Rabaul on supply missions to Shortland, Buin. On November 12-13, 1942 resupplied with munitions and supplies from Shin Yubari Maru in Shortland. On November 16, 1942 again resupplied by Shin Yubari Maru. On January 9, 1943 damaged Yoshinogawa Maru was being towed 22 nautical miles east of Bougainville sinks at roughly Lat 6° 10' S, Long 156° 00' E. The survivors were rescued by Kisaragi Maru. On February 14, 1943 Kisaragi Maru was between Buin and Shortland along with Hitachi Maru, Toyu Maru, Nissan Maru No. 3, Hibari Maru and Nojima Maru. At 10:15am, the vessels are bombed by nine PB4Y-1 Liberators escorted by ten P-38s and twelve F4U Corsairs. Bombs straddle Hitachi Maru and Kisaragi Maru before the formation was intercepted by A6M Zero and A6M2-N Rufes. During the air raid, Kisaragi Maru was damaged but returned to Rabaul. On March 4, 1943 at 4:00pm departs Buin Anchorage (Tonolei Harbor) with Kyoei Maru escorted by CH-22. At 4:20pm, attacked by a dozen U.S. aircraft that are driven off without inflicting any damage. On April 18, 1943 departs Shortland escorting a convoy including Kyosei Maru, Karimo Maru, Sumiyoshi Maru, Tomioka Maru and Kosoku Maru No. 3 escorted by subchaser CH-30. On May 9, 1943 departs Shortland Harbor escorted by minesweeper W-22 to Kolombangara. Afterwards, joins a convoy including Heiwa Maru, Takuei Maru, Karimo Maru and Kureha Maru No. 3 escorted by CH-30 back to Rabaul. On June 7, 1943 at 3:30pm departs Shortland as part of a convoy including Takunan Maru, Koshu Maru No. 2, Kashi Maru, Takunan Maru escorted by subchasers CH-12 and CH-29. On June 18, 1943 departs Rabaul with Sumyoshi Maru, Kaishu Maru and Nissen Maru No. 3 escorted by CH-30 bound for Shortland. On June 27, 1943 at noon departs Rabaul as part of a convoy along with Kashi Maru, Kiri Maru and Nissen Maru No. 3 escorted by CH-12 bound for Shortland Harbor. On July 3, 1943 departs Shortland escorted by CH-12, returns and two days later again departs Shortland escorted by CH-12. During late July, departs Buin and on July 26, 1943 arrives at Rabaul escorted by CH-22. On August 24, 1943 departs Rabaul bound for Shortland as part of a convoy with Fukuei Maru, Giyu Maru, Koshu Maru No. 2 and Tsukinda Maru No. 8. escorted by CH-10. On August 29, 1943 departs Shortland bound for Rabaul with Heiwa Maru, Takuei Maru and Giyu Maru escorted by CH-10. Sometime afterwards, damaged by Allied planes and beached partially sunk in Simpson Harbor. Shipwreck At the end of the Pacific War, Kisargel Maru was partially sunk in Simpson Harbor with the stern above the waterline off the western edge of Lakunai Airfield at Rabaul. On October 10, 1945 the shipwreck was surveyed by Cambrian Salvor. Ultimate fate unknown likely scrapped or otherwise disappeared. References Some sources incorrectly identify this vessel as "Kisargel Maru" [sic Kisaragi Maru]. Note, the Japanese Navy had a Mutsuki-class destroyer Kisaragi. Lloyd's of London 1935 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1937 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1938 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1939 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1940 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1941 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1942 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1943 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1944- No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Lloyd's of London 1945 - No. 27791 Kisaragi Maru 496 Tons Combined Fleet - IJN NOJIMA: Tabular Record of Movement 14 February 1943 Hostages to Freedom (1995) page 369 (photo) Hostages to Freedom Book Update & Errata Contribute
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