Japanese minesweeper Banshu Maru No. 52
Banshu Maru No. 52 (Japanese: 第五十二播州丸) was an auxiliary minesweeper of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.[2] HistoryShe was laid down on 4 September 1921 at the Kobe shipyard of Mitsubishi Zosen Kobe Zosensho at the behest of shipping company, Hayashikane Shoten[3] as Banshu Maru No.2.[2] She was launched on 5 November 1921 and completed 28 November 1921.[3] Registered in the port of Shimonoseki, she operated as a fishing trawler.[2] On 14 September 1939, she was renamed Banshu Maru No. 52.[2] On 15 October 1940, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to an auxiliary minesweeper under Reserve Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Kubo Tadahiko (久保忠彦)[3] and assigned to Auxiliary Minesweeper division 3 (AM Div 3).[2] Kubo served until 1 December 1941 when he was replaced by Reserve Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Uchida Shoji (内田正二) and assigned to Auxiliary Minesweeper division 46 (AM Div 46), Bako Guard District.[3] On 24 December 1941, she departed Sasebo, Nagasaki for Magong, Taiwan and then on to Subic Bay arriving on 17 January 1942.[2] She commenced mine sweeping activities in Subic Bay during the Battle of Bataan despite facing artillery fire from the shore.[2] Gunboats Aso Maru (阿蘇丸) and Nampo Maru (南浦丸) were assigned to the area to suppress additional fire and allow the minesweeper to continue with its activities.[2] On 20 January 1942, she struck a mine and sank in Subic Bay, Luzon, Philippines (14°45′N 120°17′E / 14.750°N 120.283°E).[2][3] She was removed from the Navy List on 5 February 1942.[2][3] Her wreck is a popular dive site.[4] References
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