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Shane_Currie

The Kansho Maru was launched on 30 June 1938 from the Tama Shipbuilding Co Ltd at Tama, Japan for Inui Kisen K.K. of Kobe, Japan. The new ship was 4,862 tons gross, 116 metres (384.4 feet) long and 16 metres (52.5 feet) wide. She was used before the war by Mitsui and Kawasaki Line but commandeered by the Navy straight after the start of the War.

On 4 December 1943, the Kansho Maru was attacked and damaged while in Kwajalein Lagoon. This attack was by US aircraft from a carrier fleet (a forerunner to the attack on Chuuk). The engine room was partially flooded and the ship is reported to have been run aground.

On 17 February 1944, the Kansho Maru was anchored off Fefan Island, in the channel between that island and Tonoas. It is likely that the ship was hit right on the stern by a bomb dropped by aircraft from USS Yorktown CV10 at about 0630 hours. The same morning at about 0800 hours, dive bombers from USS Essex attacked three ships in the area where the Kansho Maru was anchored. A hit was scored on one ship amidships.

On 18 February 1944, aircraft from USS Enterprise, USS Monterey and USS Bunker Hill CV17 attacked the Kansho Maru. During Strike 3B from the USS Bunker Hill CV17, it was reported that a torpedo hit the Kansho Maru amidships.

Wreck Description

The wreck of the Kansho Maru lies upright with a list of about 15-20° to port. It is fairly level, with the bow being 21 metres, the stern a bit deeper and the sand under the stern just under 40 metres. It is close to the Islands and so is covered in silt which stirs up easily.

At the time of its sinking the Kansho was being repaired and so the wreck is littered with welding cylinders. There is a bow gun which is pointing over the starboard side, large numbers of plates, and the engine room is interesting.

My UWATEC Aladdin Air Dive Profile for the Kansho Maru September 26th 2001

My UWATEC Aladdin Air Dive Profile for the Kansho Maru April 27th 2003