I.J.N. Shinano Maru
1905
(HB/M-45a)
- Class: Shinano Maru - 1 auxiliary cruiser of 1900
- Displacement: 6,388 tons
- Dimensions: 445 x 49 ft
- Machinery: 2-shaft reciprocating vertical triple expansion, 5,144ihp = 12.5 knots
- Armament: 2-6in (2x1), 2-3in (2x1)
- Passengers: 238 (26 first class, 20 second class, 193 third class)
- Builder: D. W. Henderson, Glasgow, Scotland
- Laid down: Jan 1900
- Launched:
- Completed: Apr 1900
- Notes: Operated by the Nippon Yusen Kaisha. In collision with Empress of Japan 3 Jun 1902 at Victoria. Requisitioned by Japanese Navy and converted to armed merchantman in Mar 1905 during the Russo-Japanese War. On the night of May 26-27, she was on patrol in the strait between Goto Island and Jeju-do, where she made first contact with the Russian fleet that led to the decisive Battle of Tsushima. After the battle, she helped locate the sinking Russian battleship Sissoi Veliky and forced its surrender, taking the survivors into captivity at Sasebo. Returned to commercial service after war. Transferred to Kinkai Yusen Kaisha 1923; sold to Hokushin Kisen KK 1929; sold to Nichiro Gyogyo 1930. Transferred to Taiheiyo Gyogyo 1932 and then to Nichiro Gyogyo 1943. Torpedoed 18 Jan 1944 with moderate damage, then slightly damaged by mine 1 Jun 1945 and again by airstrike 15 Jul 1945, with two dead. At Nagasaki at war's end. Scrapped in 1951.
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