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| IJN Muroto-class collier Supply Ship 8,215 Tons (as built) 7,190 Tons (reclassified) 345' x 50' x 23' 2 x 76.2mm L/40 AA guns |
Ship History Built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd at Kobe. Laid down July 16, 1918 as a Muroto-class collier. Launched February 3, 1919 as Nojima Maru. Also known as "Noshima Maru" or "Nozama Maru". Completed and commissioned March 31, 1919 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). On April 1, 1920 rated as an auxiliary transport (coaling) ship. During 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War joins the China Area Fleet and operates off Shanghai. On September 20, 1941 assigned to Captain Koichi Itagaki and continues to operate off China. During 1941 refitted as a supply ship of 7,190 Tons. Wartime History On July 19, 1941 requisitioned as a transport (Ippan Choyosen). Registered in the as an auxiliary transport under internal order No. 1093 and attached to the Kure Naval District as an auxiliary transport, (Ko) category based at Kure. On December 1, 1941 assigned as an auxiliary transport to the Combined Fleet, Southern Fleet, 9th Base Force. Two days later departs Samah on Hainan Island bound for Pulo Condor Island (Poulo Condor, Island) in Indochina (Vietnam) arriving December 5, 1941. PARTIAL HISTORY On December 27, 1941 roughly 30 nautical miles southwest of Hong Kong, hit by a torpedo fired by USS Perch (SS-176) that damages the bow and leaves the ship stranded in the South China Sea at roughly Lat 22°14'N, Long 115°13'E. On December 28, 1941 aided by Shosei Maru into Hunghai Bay (Honghai Wan). On December 29, 1941 her cargo of foodstuff is transfered onto Shosei Maru and the same day Chohakusan Maru arrives to assist. During January 1942, salvage operations commence on the damaged ship. On January 3-4, 1942 Heiyu Maru transfers timber and cement aboard and Chohakusan Maru departs. On January 18, 1942 Shosei Maru returns and transfers more salvage material and departs the next day. On January 29, 1942 arrives Hong Kong for extensive repairs. Over the next ten months, extensive repairs are made to the damaged bow. On December 8, 1942 repairs are complete and returns to service. On December 10, 1942 at 11:00am departs Hong Kong. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 13, 1943 Nojima Maru escorted by two destroyers was returning from a supply run to Kolombangara and during the morning was roughly 25 miles off Kahili (Buin) on southern Bougainville. PARTIAL HISTORY On February 17, 1943 arrives Rabaul and at the end of the month embarks 1,225 personnel including Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) 51st Division and Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 3rd Air Defense Unit plus 600 Special Naval Landing Force (SNLF). On February 28, 1943 departs Rabaul for "Operation 81" as one of eight transports escorted by eight destroyers bound for Lae. The transports include: Nojima Maru, KYOKUSEI Maru, Oigawa Maru, Aiyo Maru, SHINAI Maru, TAIMEI Maru and KEMBU Maru and TEIYO Maru. The escorting destroyers include Shirayuki (flagship), Asashio, Arashio, Tokitsukaze, Uranami, Shikinami, Yukikaze and Asagumo. On March 1, 1943 the convoy was spotted by B-24D "Miss Deed" 41-24070 off Kimbe Bay that reported the convoy by radio and used cloud cover to shadow. On March 2, 1943 at the start of the Battle of the Bismarck Sea the Japanese convoy was targeted by Allied bombers and fighters. Sinking History On March 3, 1943 during the Battle of the Bismarck Sea reached the Dampier Strait when damaged by Allied planes and a collision with Arashio. Afterwards, sinks roughly 50 miles southeast of Finschafen at approximately Lat 07-15S, Long 148-30E. Aboard, roughly 400 are lost, others deploy lifeboats. Rescue On March 7, 1943 patrolling Japanese submarine RO-101 rescues Captain Matsumoto and 44 infantrymen in lifeboats south of Dampier Strait. References Also spelled "Noshima Maru" or "Nozama Maru" in English sources. Combined Fleet - IJN NOJIMA MARU: Tabular Record of Movement "Operation KE" by Richard Dunn Contribute
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