Maru-formerlychinese "Pei An"?

[PF]

Did the Japanese Merchant Marine ever have a "Maru" whose name was formerly chinese "Pei An"?

[Jerry Asher]

Hi PF --I'm operating off the top of my head here and won't be able to get to my notes till the weekend. However, I think the answer is yes--the ship was registered out of Tianjin as part of North China Steam Navigation--taken over perhaps just by charter in late 1937 or 1938. (Date is important in that it misses the usual focus of IJN and maritime reserch will sees Dec 7/8 as all important.) Will check further over the weekend unless I catch that someone else comes to your assistance.

[rjl3]

yes: Pei An was taken over (I do not have date) and known as "Hokuan Go"
Unfortunately I do not have any information on fate of Hokuan Go either.
Ralph

[PF]

Was this the "Hokuan Maru" sunk 14 Feb 1944 by USS Flasher?

[Jerry Asher]

Hi guys: I have the Pei An as under charter to the Japanese from October 1937 on. This is important as it both missess the dates most reserch is done about and is a catagory --charter--not siezed that is also ignored. She was renamed per Ralph as Hokuango. She was sunk October 27th 1942 off Indo China by USS Tautog. This later data is from a post on this board some time earlier. ship sunk 60 years ago identified. Attack is in Alden as unknown Maru sunk. Hope this helps.

[PF]

Thanks for info!