Japanese food supply ship Mamiya

The Mamiya (間宮) was a food supply ship of the Imperial Japanese Navy which was in service from the 1920s to the Second World War.

Construction
The Mamiya was originally meant to be an oil transporter but was instead out-fitted to be a food supply ship. The navy sent her to the Kawasaki Shipbuilding Yard where she was fitted with facilities for carrying enough food for 18,000 men over three weeks, and kitchens to produce large quantities of food including Yōkan, Manjū, Tofu, Konjac. A number of chefs and pastry chefs were employed aboard and she became part of the Combined Fleet.

Service in Pacific War
Already old by the outbreak of war, she continued to be part of the navy's operations in the Pacific. On 12 October 1943, she was damaged by the US Navy submarine USS Cero near Chichi-jima, and on 6 May 1944, was again damaged by USS Spearfish in the East China Sea. In both cases she was repaired and returned to service. She was finally sunk by the USS Sealion on 20 December 1944 in the South China Sea at 17.8°N, 114.15°W.

Books

 * The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.34 Japanese Auxiliary ships, Ushio Shobō (Japan), December 1979, Book code 68343-34
 * Collection of writings by Sizuo Fukui Vol.10, Stories of Japanese Support Vessels, Kōjinsha (Japan), December 1993, ISBN 4-7698-0658-2