Heian Maru (1930)
Heian Maru, ca. 1937
|
|
| History | |
|---|---|
 Japan
|
|
| Name: | Heian Maru |
| Builder: | Ōsaka Iron Works, Japan |
| Laid down: | 19 June 1929 |
| Launched: | 16 April 1930 |
| Completed: | 24 November 1930 |
| Struck: | 18 February 1944 |
| Fate: | Sunk 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Ocean liner |
| Tonnage: | 11,615 grt |
| Length: | 163.3 m (535 ft 9 in) overall |
| Beam: | 20.1 m (65 ft 11 in) |
| Draught: | 12.5 m (41 ft 0 in) |
| Propulsion: | 2×B&W-Ikegai diesels:*2 shafts:*13,404 bhp |
| Speed: | 18.4 knots (21.2 mph; 34.1 km/h) |
| Capacity: | 330 passengers (76 first class, 69 tourist class, 185 third class) |
| Crew: | 130 |
| Armament: | 4×15 cm/50 41st Year Type naval guns; *4×13 mm AA guns |
Heian Maru (平安丸) was a Japanese ocean liner launched in 1930 and operated primarily on the NYK line's trans-Pacific service between Yokohama and Seattle. Shortly before the outbreak of the Pacific War, it was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to use as an auxiliary submarine tender. In 1944 it was sunk by American aircraft at Chuuk Lagoon during Operation Hailstorm. Its submerged hulk – the largest of Chuuk's "Ghost Fleet" – remains a popular scuba diving destination.
In the late 1920s the Japanese shipping company Nippon Yūsen (NYK) began a major shipbuilding program, aimed at expanding its international passenger service. Of eight passenger liners built, three were of the Hikawa Maru class, designed mainly for service on NYK's Yokohama-Seattle route. The three ships were the Hikawa Maru, Hiye Maru, and Heian Maru.
Construction of the Heian Maru, planned as an 11,616-ton combined passenger-cargo liner, began 19 June 1929 at Ōsaka Iron Works. It was named in honor of Kyoto's historic Heian Shrine and launched on 24 November 1930. Fitting out was completed on 24 November, and on 18 December Heian Maru began her maiden ocean crossing, from Hong Kong to Seattle.
Heian Maru entered regular service, delivering passengers, cargo, and mail, her initial route being Hong Kong, Shanghai, Moji, Kobe, Yokohama, Victoria and Seattle, with occasional stops at Yokkaichi, Nagoya, and Shimizu.
...
Wikipedia