Japanese survey ship Katsuriki

The Katsuriki (勝力) was a minelayer (later converted to survey ship) of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) serving during World War I and World War II, the only ship of her class. She was the first purpose-built ocean-minelayer in the IJN.

Background
In 1914, World War I broke out. Japan, based on the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, joined in World War I as a member of the Allies. Germany dispatched a lot of warships in the Pacific, however, Japan did not have an ocean-minelayer to prevent them from invading their naval bases. They had only small mineboats which remodeled a tugboat. In 1915, Japan decided to build a minelayer in a hurry. Kampon was not able to have much time for her design, and gave her merchant ship structures. Her building cost was managed to under the Eight-six Fleet program with the Muroto-class colliers, because her building was urgent. She was named Katsuriki Maru (勝力丸).

Service in World War I and Interwar period
In World War I, she acted in the Japanese shore water. On 1 April 1920, she classified to minelayer and renamed Katsuriki. Later, she handled a guard duty in the South Seas. On 1 July 1935, she removed minelayer facilities and received surveying devices from retired survey ship Manshū (ex-Russian steamship Manchuria). In 1937–1941, she surveyed in the coast in China for Second Sino-Japanese War. Her action results were useful for building the Tsukushi.

Service in the Pacific War
In the Pacific War, she surveyed in Strait of Malacca, Indian Ocean, Dutch East Indies and north coast of New Guinea. On 20 July 1942, she classified to survey ship, and removed her bow Imperial Seal. On 21 September 1944, she was torpedoed by USS Haddo at southwest off Manila 13.05°N, 119.33333°W and sank. On 10 November 1944, removed naval ship lists.