The ship
Mitsubishi built her at Nagasaki as a cargo ship for Toyo Kaiun. Building began in October 1937. She was launched on 15 April 1938 and completed on 1 July 1938. Before the war she sailed on North American routes. She passed through the Panama Canal several times. The navy took her over on 9 December 1940. It converted her into an armed aircraft transport. She carried aircraft and personnel for the Malaya invasion. She did the same on later runs between Japan, Rabaul and the Marshalls. A torpedo from USS Permit damaged her on 12 September 1943. Carrier aircraft hit her at Kwajalein on 4 December 1943. After that she was towed to Truk for repairs.
How she sank
Fujikawa Maru was anchored at Truk. She was unloading aircraft she had brought in. On 17 February 1944 US carrier aircraft attacked during Operation Hailstone. A torpedo from a TBF Avenger hit her starboard (right) side amidships (middle).…
