Kashiwara-Maru-Class
Versatile Auxiliary Class - Kashiwara Maru-class were large cargo-passenger liners converted for various military roles in WWII. 5+ ships (1935-1940 built). 17,500 GRT. 20 knots. Served as armed merchant cruisers, transports, submarine tenders. Kasuga Maru famously converted to escort carrier Taiyo. Represented Japan's flexible use of merchant fleet.
Specifications
- Displacement (std)
- 24150 t
- Displacement (full)
- 17500 t
- Length
- 719.6 ft
- Beam
- 87.6 ft
- Crew
- 300
- Ships built
- 5+ similar conversions
- Commissioned
- 1935-1940 (civilian), 1941-1942 (military)
- Decommissioned
- 1942-1945 (most lost)
Performance
- Top speed
- 25.5 kn
- Range
- 10000 at 16 knots
Armament
- Main guns
- 4-6× 140mm or 120mm guns (as armed merchant cruisers)
- Torpedoes
- None
Armor & Systems
- Belt
- None
In-Game
- Tier
- T4
- Game power
- 82.97
- Research cost
- 29,205
- Credit cost
- 58,079
Notable
- Multi-role conversions (transport/AMC/carrier)
- Kasuga Maru became escort carrier Taiyo
- German-built ships seized by Japan
- Versatile auxiliary warfare platforms