Posted by Visje visje@tref.nl on August 17, 2001 - transferred from old forum.

Hi,

Recently came across a Japanese tanker by the name
of Kiyo Maru, which was first damaged by USS Rasher
on January 4 1944, and finished off by the same
submarine the next day, in the South China Sea.
This ship supposedly was the Norwegian ship Vigrid,
but after checking, I found the Norwegian
ship by this name was not even a tanker, but in
addition, she was sunk by U-371 in convoy HX-133.
I only have what US Navy Chronology at Hyperwar says about this, and I'm looking for more information. I searched the site, and I came up with a Japanese site that may indicate she wasn't of foreign origin at all.

Thanks in advance

RESPONSES:

Posted by Jan-Olof on August 17.

Japanese Fleet Tanker Kiyo Maru, ex Vigriol. Built 1930 by Deutsche Werft A.G. 7251 tons.

/Jan-Olof
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Posted by Axel van Eesbeeck gemyala@netcologne.de on August 17.

Hallo Visje
Kiyo Maru (7240 BRT) was already a japanese ship in 1939. See Roger W. Jordan "The worlds merchant fleets of 1939" Owner at this time was Asano Bussan KK (Asano Production Co Ltd).

Best regards
Axel van Eesbeeck
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Posted by Visje on August 18.

Hi Axel,

I'm afraid my budget doesn't allow me to get Mr. Jordan's excellent works, but I thank you and Jan-Olof for your replies. They have been most welcome.
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Posted by Roger W Jordan rogwj@aol.com on August 19.

Visje

Kiyo Maru was the former Norwegian tanker Vigrid, which was completed by Deutsche Werft at Hamburg in 1930. In 1935 Vigrid was sold to Asano Bussan and renamed Kiyo Maru.
She was 7240 gross tons, 5639 net tons, 11,210 deadweight tons, 416.6 feet registered length, 57 feet breadth and 27.65 feet draught, and was powered by a MAN diesel engine of 2650 bhp.
She was torpedoed by the submarine USS Rasher and was sunk on 4 January 1944 in position 05 46N 108 36E. At the time Kiyo Maru was running for the Japanese navy.
The cargo vessel Vigrid was owned by Olav Ringdal of Norway and as you rightly say was lost in a Halifax convoy.
Regards
Roger W Jordan