Tokai Maru

The Tokai Maru was a Japanese passenger-cargo ship built by the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries shipyard that was sunk in Apra Harbor, Guam, in 1943, during World War II. It had served as a fast ship service between New York City and Japan for Osaka Shosen Co. before World War II; during the war it was used as a military transport ship for the Imperial Japanese Navy.

TOKAI MARU
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Tokai Maru
Location	Apra Harbor, Naval Station, Guam
Coordinates	13°27′33″N 144°39′15″E
Area	less than one acre
Built by	Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shipyard
Architectural style	Military transport
NRHP reference No.	88000967[1]
Added to NRHP	July 14, 1988

Construction began in 1929; the ship was launched on May 16, 1930; construction was completed on August 14, 1930. The ship went under contract to the Japanese Navy at Kure on October 17, 1941.[2] In Apra Harbor, U.S. submarine USS Flying Fish damaged the Tokai Maru but did not sink it on January 24, 1943. The Tokai Maru was sunk by the USS Snapper later, on August 27, 1943.[2]

The Tokai Maru shipwreck, 120 feet (37 m) under water, is listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places, as is the shipwreck of SMS Cormoran II, a World War I ship against which the Tokai Maru leans. It is one of the few places where divers can explore a World War I shipwreck next to a ship from World War II.[3]

In 1988 the wreck was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.[1][2]

The Tokai Maru was listed because of its association with World War II.[2]

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
2. Lt. F.A. Miller and David T. Lotz. "National Register of Historic Places Inventory/Nomination: Tokai Maru". National Park Service. and accompanying historic undated photo of ship and two 1978 shipwreck photos
3. "Tokai Maru Shipwreck in Guam". Micronesian Divers Association. Archived from the original on 2007-09-30. Retrieved 2007-11-27.

See also

Foreign commerce and shipping of Empire of Japan