SS Takao Maru (1927)

History
Japan
Name	Takao Maru
Owner	Osaka Shosen Kaisha
Operator	Imperial Japanese Navy
Builder	Uraga Dock Company
Yard number	317
Laid down	19 July 1926
Launched	2 April 1927[1]
Completed	1927
Fate	Beached on 10 December 1941 at 17-29N, 120-26E[2]
General characteristics
Class and type	Takao Maru Class[1]
Type	Passenger/cargo
Tonnage	4,282 GRT
Length	108.4 m (356 ft)
Height	7.1 m (23 ft)
Depth	14.8 m (49 ft)
Propulsion	Mitsubishi turbine engine, 3,915 SHP
Speed	16.32 knots

Takao Maru (高雄丸) was a 4,282-ton Japanese combined cargo vessel/passenger ship built in 1927 by Uraga Dock Company for Osaka Shosen Kaisha.^[3] She was originally conceived as a high speed transport for perishable fruits, especially bananas, and had an advanced mechanical ventilation system to cool her cargo hold. She could also accommodate six first-class and 64 third-class passengers.

Fate[]

During the opening days of World War II, while assisting Japanese troops in the Japanese invasion of Vigan in northern Luzon, Philippines on 10 December 1941, she was attacked by Curtiss P-40 Warhawks, Boeing B-17 Flying Fortresses and Seversky P-35 fighters and of the Far East Air Force and was beached to prevent sinking.^[4][5] The beached ship was later attacked by Filipino guerrillas and was rendered a complete loss.

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