Kaibōkan

IJN Etorofu in May 1943.

Kaibōkan (海防艦, "sea defence ship") or coastal defense ship refers to a type of naval ship used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II for escort duty and coastal defense. The term escort ship is used by the United States Navy to describe this category of Japanese ships.

In the course of the war, the design was simplified and scaled down to permit larger numbers of vessels to be built more quickly.

Classes

Shimushu class (Ishigaki)

• Also known as Type A - multi purpose patrol, escorts or minesweeper.
• Main Engine: Diesel X 2, double shaft (4,200shp)
• Max Speed: 19.7kn
• Range: 8,000 mile (16kn)
• Fuel: Oil X 120t

Etorofu class (Matsuwa)

• Modified Type A
• Main Engine: Diesel X 2, double shaft (4,200shp)
• Max Speed: 19.7kn
• Range: 8,000 mile (16kn)
• Fuel: Oil X 120t

Mikura class (Chiburi)

• Also known as Type B
• Main Engine: Diesel X 2, double shaft (4,200shp)
• Max Speed: 19.5kn
• Range: 6,000 mile (16kn)
• Fuel: Oil X 120t

Ukuru class (Okinawa)

• Modified Type B
• Main Engine: Diesel X 2, double shaft (4,200shp)
• Max Speed: 19.5kn
• Range: 5,754 mile (16kn)
• Fuel: Oil X 120t

Others

• Type C
• Type D

In addition two former Chinese light cruisers were used, renamed the Ioshima and Yasoshima.

See also

• Convoy HI-81

References

• Stories and Battle Histories of the IJN's Escorts 9 July 2011 By Bob Hackett, Sander Kingsepp and Peter Cundall
• Kimata Jirō (木俣 滋郎). Military history of Japan's coastal defense ships (『日本海防艦戦史』). Toshu Publishing (図書出版社), 1994. p. 299