TENDER KIMIKAWA-MARU

Kimikawa Maru was a Japanese air tender from the Second World War. The keel for this unit was laid in 1936, the launch took place in March 1937, and the entry into service - in July of the same year. The length of the ship was 146 meters and 19 meters wide. The displacement reached approx. 9,700 tons, and the maximum speed - approx. 17 knots. The deck armament, after the conversion, consisted of two 140 mm guns and two 13.2 mm machine guns. The unit could carry up to 6 seaplanes. The Kimikawa Maru was built at the Kawasaki Shipyard in Kobe City as a civilian commercial unit. However, in July 1941, the ship was commandeered by the Japanese Navy and transformed into an airline tender, i.e. a unit operating with more seaplanes, and sometimes also carrying supplies in the form of bombs or torpedoes, as well as aviation fuel. During the reconstruction, the Kimikawa Maru was adapted to carry six Aichi E13A seaplanes. The vessel was sunk as a result of an attack by the USS Sawfish submarine on October 23, 1944.Kimikawa Maru was a Japanese seaplane support and carrier ship. She also acted as a supply ship. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 146.1 m, width 18.97 m, and displacement - 9,687 tons. Kimikawa Maru's top speed was 17 knots. The armament of the ship was marginal - it was limited to two 140 mm guns in single mounts and two 13 mm machine guns. The unit could carry 6 to 8 Aichi E13A Jake seaplanes. The Kimikawa Maru was built at the Kawasaki shipyard in Kobe and originally (in 1937-1941) served as a civilian transport ship. However, in July 1941 it was taken over by the Japanese Navy and adapted to its needs. During the war in the Pacific, the unit served primarily as an element of cover for numerous convoys or performed reconnaissance functions. In May 1942, she took part in an attempt to capture the Aleutians. Kimikawa Maru was sunk on October 23, 1944 by the American submarine USS Sawfish.