WL502 HIKAWAMARU (HOSPITAL)

Hikawa Maru was a Japanese passenger ocean liner, the keel of which was laid in 1928, launched in September 1929 and made its maiden voyage in 1930. In the last months of 1941, she was commandeered by the Japanese Navy and converted into a hospital ship. The length of the ship at the time of launching was 163.3 m and the width was 20.1 m. Hikawa Maru reached a speed of 18.5 knots. The unit was never armed. Upon entering service as a passenger ship, the Hikawa Maru operated primarily between the ports of Yokohama, Vancouver and Seattle. He quickly became famous for its beautiful passenger cabins and an art deco dining room. One of its passengers was Charlie Chaplin in 1932. On the eve of the outbreak of the war, it was confiscated by the Navy and converted into a hospital ship, which was completed by December 21, 1941. During World War II, he transported Japanese wounded from many struggles, including the Battle of Midway (June 1942). Hikawa Maru influenced sea mines three times, but each time - despite the damage - was able to return to the port for repairs. The ship survived the Pacific War and, after 1945, served as a carrier ship for Japanese troops between former Pacific bases and Japan. From 1947 to 1953, it served as a civilian transport ship. In 1961, the Hikawa Maru was decommissioned and converted into a museum ship.