The Hashima-class cable layers(初島型電纜敷設艇,, Hashima-gata Denran-Fusetsutei) were the only class of purpose-built cable layers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. Four vessels were built in 1939–41 under the Maru 4 Programme.

Apart from laying communications cables, these ships were also designed as mine planters, for the installation of controlled mines in coastal fortifications.

Ships in class

Project number J21.

ShipBuilderLaid downLaunchedCompletedFate
Hashima(初島) ex-HatsushimaKawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard15 October 1939 as Hatsushima10 April 194025 October 1940 as HashimaRenamed Hashima on 25 October 1940. Sunk by USS Sennet off Owase 33°58′N 136°17′E/33.967°N 136.283°E/ 33.967; 136.283 on 28 April 1945. Decommissioned on 10 July 1945.
Tsurushima(釣島)Kawasaki, Kōbe Shipyard15 January 194024 May 194028 March 1941Decommissioned on 30 November 1945. Transferred to Ministry of Communications and Transportation and renamed Tsurushima Maru(釣島丸) in 1945. Transferred to Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Public Corporation on 8 September 1951. Retired in March 1968.
Ōtate(大立)Harima Zōsen22 April 194011 December 194031 July 1941Sunk by air raid off Kusagaki Islands 30°40′N 127°50′E/30.667°N 127.833°E/ 30.667; 127.833 on 27 March 1945. Decommissioned on 10 July 1945.
Tateishi(立石)Harima Zōsen22 April 19401 March 194131 August 1941Sunk by air raid in South China Sea 11°50′N 109°18′E/11.833°N 109.300°E/ 11.833; 109.300 on 21 March 1945. Decommissioned on 10 May 1945.

Photos

  • Tsurushima on 20 March 1941
  • Ōtate in 1941
  • Tateishi on 21 March 1945
  • Tsurushima Maru in postwar

Footnotes

Bibliography

  • Monthly Ships of the World, Special issue Vol.45, "Escort Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy", ., (Japan), February 1996
  • The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.47, "Japanese naval mine warfare crafts", . (Japan), January 1981
  • Senshi Sōsho Vol.31, Naval armaments and war preparation (1), "Until November 1941", Asagumo Simbun (Japan), November 1969