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{{short description|Japanese cargo steamship}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{|{{Infobox ship begin}} 
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{{Infobox ship career
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|Ship country= Japan
|Ship name= ''Rakuto Maru''
|Ship namesake= 
|Ship owner= *1935: [[Mitsui O.S.K. Lines|Osaka Shōsen KK]]
*1939: Toa Kaiun KK
|Ship operator= *1937: {{flagicon|Empire of Japan|army}} [[Imperial Japanese Army]]
*1941: {{flagicon|Japan|navy}} [[Imperial Japanese Navy]]
|Ship registry= *1935: {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Port of Osaka|Osaka]]
*1943: {{flagicon|Japan}} [[Port of Tokyo|Tokyo]]
|Ship route= 
|Ship ordered= 
|Ship builder= [[Uraga Dock Company|Uraga Dock Co]], [[Uraga, Kanagawa|Uraga]]
|Ship original cost= 
|Ship yard number= 
|Ship laid down= 13 April 1935
|Ship launched= 20 July 1935
|Ship sponsor= 
|Ship completed= 15 September 1935
|Ship maiden voyage= 
|Ship refit= November – December 1941
|Ship homeport= *1941: [[Sasebo Naval Arsenal|Sasebo]]
*1942: [[Kure Naval Arsenal|Kure]]
|Ship identification= *[[Maritime call sign|call sign]] JZMH
*{{ICS|Juliet}}{{ICS|Zulu}}{{ICS|Mike}}{{ICS|Hotel}}
|Ship fate= sunk by aerial bombing, 1944
|Ship notes= 
}}
{{Infobox ship characteristics
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|Ship class= 
|Ship type= [[cargo ship]]
|Ship tonnage= {{GRT|2962}}, {{NRT|1723}}
|Ship displacement= 
|Ship length= {{cvt|297.9|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship beam= {{cvt|45.0|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship draught= 
|Ship depth= {{cvt|23.8|ft|abbr=on}}
|Ship decks= 2
|Ship power= *1 × [[Marine steam engine#Compound|compound engine]] + [[Gear train|single reduction gearing]];
*1 × [[:de:Abdampfturbine|exhaust steam turbine]] + double reduction gearing;
*total 109 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]], or 2,000 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]]
|Ship propulsion= 1 × [[Propeller|screw]]
|Ship speed= {{convert|13.9|kn|km/h|0}}
|Ship capacity= 
|Ship crew= 
|Ship complement= 
|Ship armament= 
|Ship sensors= 
|Ship notes= [[sister ship]]s: ''Daido Maru''; ''Ryuko Maru''
}}
|}

'''''Rakuto Maru''''' was a [[Cargo ship|cargo]] [[steamship]] that was built in Japan in 1935. The [[Imperial Japanese Army]] requisitioned her in 1937, and used her in the [[Second Sino-Japanese War]]. The [[Imperial Japanese Navy]] requisitioned her in 1941. In 1942 she took part in the [[Battle of Borneo (1941–1942)|invasion of Tarakan]]. In 1943 she survived hitting a [[Naval mine|mine]], and she aided the [[cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Aoba||2}} after a [[United States Army Air Forces|USAAF]] air raid crippled her. She was sunk in the [[Philippines]] in 1944 by [[United States Navy|US Navy]] aircraft that attacked the convoy in which she was sailing. 199 of the people aboard her were killed.

''Rakuto Maru'' was the first of a series of ships that the [[Uraga Dock Company]] of [[Uraga, Kanagawa]] equipped with a new propulsion system, which used [[Gear train|reduction gearing]] not only for an [[:de:Abdampfturbine|exhaust steam turbine]], but also for a high-speed [[Marine steam engine|reciprocating steam engine]]. Uraga went on to build numerous other ships with the same propulsion system, including at least ten of the same [[Ship class|class]] as ''Rakuto Maru''.

==Building==
In 1935 the Uraga Dock Company launched three [[sister ship]]s for [[Mitsui O.S.K. Lines|Osaka Shōsen KK]].<ref name=CF-class>{{cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |title=Rakuto Maru-Class Auxiliary Hospital Ship/Transport |work=Combined Fleet |year=2013 |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Rakuto_c.htm}}</ref> ''Rakuto Maru'' was the first. Her [[Keel laying|keel plates were laid]] on 13 April 1935; she was launched on 20 July; and completed on 15 September.<ref name=CF-Rakuto>{{cite web |last1=Casse |first1=Gilbert |last2=Hackett |first2=Bob |last3=Cundall |first3=Peter |date=2018 |title=IJN Rakuto Maru |work=Combined Fleet |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Rakuto_t.htm}}</ref>
She was followed by ''Daido Maru'', which was launched on 19 August;<ref>{{cite web |last1=Casse |first1=Gilbert |last2=van der Wal |first2=Berend |last3=Cundall |first3=Peter |date=2021 |title=IJN Daido Maru |work=Combined Fleet |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Daido_t.htm}}</ref>
and ''Ryuko Maru'', which was launched on 21 November.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hackett |first=Bob |date=2013 |title=IJA Hospital/Cargo Ship Ryuko Maru |work=Combined Fleet |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Ryuko_t.htm}}</ref> The three ships were built to the same design as ''[[Sinkyo Maru]]'' and ''Seikyo Maru'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Shinkyo Maru-Class Auxiliary Transport |work=Combined Fleet |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Shinkyo_c.htm}}</ref> which Uraga had built for Chōsen Yusen KK between 1932 and 1934; but with a different propulsion system.<ref name=LR36>{{harvnb|''Lloyd's Register'' 1936|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/36/36b0694.pdf RAH–RAM]}}</ref>{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1936|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/36/36b0228.pdf DAI]}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1936|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/36/36b0721.pdf RYO–RYU]}}

''Rakuto Maru''{{'}}s length was {{cvt|297.9|ft|abbr=on}}; her [[Beam (nautical)|beam]] was {{cvt|45.0|ft|abbr=on}}; and her depth was {{cvt|23.8|ft|abbr=on}}. Her [[tonnage]]s were {{GRT|2962}} and {{NRT|1723}}.<ref name=LR36/> She had a [[Bow (watercraft)#Types|raked bow]], [[Stern#Cruiser|cruiser stern]], and [[well deck]]s fore and aft. She had two masts, and her [[engine room]]; [[Fire room|boiler room]]; [[superstructure]]; and single funnel were amidships.

==Main engines==
''Rakuto Maru'' had one [[Propeller|screw]]; driven by two engines. A four-cylinder [[Marine steam engine#Compound|compound engine]] drove her [[Drive shaft#Marine drive shafts|propeller shaft]] via single reduction gearing. Exhaust steam from the low-pressure cylinders of the reciprocating engine drove an exhaust steam turbine, which drove the same propeller shaft, but via double reduction gearing. The combined power of her two engines was rated at 109 [[Horsepower#Nominal horsepower|NHP]],<ref name=LR36/> or 2,000 [[Horsepower#Indicated horsepower|ihp]]. It gave her a top speed of {{convert|13.9|kn|km/h|0}}; and a cruising speed of {{convert|11.5|kn|km/h|0}}.<ref name=CF-class/>

Reduction gearing allowed the engine to run several times faster than the propeller. This meant that the reciprocating engine could be much smaller and lighter than one that ran at the same speed as the propeller.{{sfn|Hardy|1954|pp=208, 251}} ''Rakuto Maru'' achieved almost the same performance with engines rated at 109 NHP as ''Sinkyo Maru'' did with a low-speed [[Marine steam engine#Triple or multiple expansion|triple-expansion engine]] plus exhaust turbine,<ref>{{cite web |title=Shinkyo Maru-Class Auxiliary Transport |work=Combined Fleet |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://www.combinedfleet.com/Shinkyo_c.htm}}</ref> which together were rated at 171 NHP.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1936|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/36/36b0762.pdf SHI]}}

A British engineer, [[White's Marine Engineering Company|William Albert White]], had invented a combination of a high-speed compound engine with single reduction gearing, and an exhaust steam turbine with double reduction gearing. In 1934 he had installed it in the cargo ship {{SS|Adderstone||2}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Boswell |work=Shipping and Shipbuilding |publisher=Shipping and Shipbuilding Research Trust |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view.php?&ref=203727}}</ref> and in 1935 he installed a smaller version in the [[fishing trawler]] ''[[Mary White (trawler)|White Pioneer]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=White Pioneer |work=Scottish Built Ships |publisher=Caledonian Maritime Research Trust |access-date=26 November 2024 |url= https://shippingandshipbuilding.uk/view.php?&ref=203727}}</ref> At the same time as ''White Pioneer'' was being built, Uraga applied similar principles to ''Rakuto Maru'' and her two sisters.

From 1937 onward, Uraga built several more cargo ships to the same design as ''Rakuto Maru'', and with the same combination of compound engine; exhaust turbine; and reduction gearing. In 1937, ''Yamabato Maru'' was completed for Yamashita Kisen KK, and ''Anshu Maru'' and ''Teishu Maru'' were completed for Chōsen Yusen KK.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1938|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/38/38b0983.pdf X–YAM]}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1938|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/38/38b0051.pdf ANN–ANT]}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1938|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/38/38b0878.pdf TEB–TEK]}} In 1938, ''Nikkai Maru'' was completed for Nissan Kisen KK;{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0638.pdf NIE–NIK]}} and ''Keiko Maru'' and ''Kanko Maru'' were completed for Osaka Shōsen KK.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0475.pdf KED–KEJ]}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0466.pdf KAN]}} In 1939, ''Sinko Maru'' and ''Zuiko Maru'' were completed for Toa Kaiun KK.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0820.pdf SIN]}}{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0997.pdf ZIZ–ZUR]}}

==Civilian and Army career==
''Rakuto Maru'' was [[Ship registration|registered]] in [[Port of Osaka|Osaka]]. Her [[Wireless telegraphy|wireless telegraph]] [[Maritime call sign|call sign]] was JZMH.<ref name=LR36/> After her completion in September 1935, she made [[Short-sea shipping|short-sea voyages]] twice a month for the rest of the year. One of these was to Rashin and Yuki in [[Korea under Japanese rule|Chōsen]], which are now [[Rason]] and [[Sonbong-guyok]] in [[North Korea]].<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

Early in 1937, the Japanese Army requisitioned ''Rakuto Maru''. The Second Sino-Japanese War began that July, and ''Rakuto Maru'' remained in Army service until early 1939, when she was returned to her owners.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 12 August 1939, Toa Kaiun KK acquired ''Rakuto Maru''.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/39/39b0734.pdf RAG–RAL]}} Her registration was transferred to [[Port of Tokyo|Tokyo]],<ref name=CF-Rakuto/> although this was not recorded in [[Lloyd's Register]] until 1943.{{sfn|''Lloyd's Register'' 1943|loc=[https://plimsoll.southampton.gov.uk/shipdata/pdfs/43/43b0798.pdf RAK–RAM]}}

==Naval career==
[[File:Japanese destroyer Wakatake 1920.jpg|thumb|The [[Wakatake-class destroyer|destroyer ''Wakatake'']] ]]
On 10 November 1941, the Imperial Japanese Navy requisitioned ''Rakuto Maru''. On 19 November she arrived at [[Hitachi Zosen Corporation|Osaka Iron Works]] at [[Innoshima, Hiroshima]], to be converted into an auxiliary transport. An order issued the next day attached her to the [[Sasebo Naval District]]. On 1 December her conversion was completed, and she left Innoshima.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

''Rakuto Maru'' sailed via Osaka to [[Kure Naval Arsenal]], where she was in port from 6 to 20 December. She left Kure in convoy with another auxiliary transport, ''Kunitsu Maru'', escorted by the [[Wakatake-class destroyer|destroyer ''Wakatake'']]. On 28 December the three ships reached [[Palau]] in the [[Caroline Islands]]. On 1 January 1942, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Palau in convoy with two other auxiliary transports and an auxiliary [[Replenishment oiler|oiler]]. On 4 January she reached [[Port of Davao|Davao]] in the [[Philippines]]. Later she moved to Daliao, about {{convert|15|km|nmi|0|disp=flip}} southwest of Davao, where she joined the fleet assembling to invade the island of [[Tarakan]] in the [[Dutch East Indies]]. On 6 January 1942, the invasion fleet left Daliao, with ''Rakuto Maru'' in the Second Echelon. On 11 January the fleet [[Battle of Borneo (1941–1942)|landed troops on Tarakan]], and the next day The Dutch garrison surrendered.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

[[File:USS Seal - 19-N-19021.jpg|thumb|The submarine {{USS|Seal|SS-183|6}}]]
On 27 January 1942, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Tarakan on 27 January. She called at [[Balikpapan]] in [[Borneo]]; [[Jolo, Sulu]]; and [[Port of Makassar|Makassar]], [[Sulawesi]]. On 23 February she left Kakassar in convoy with four other transports, and an escort of destroyers. The next day, the [[United States Navy]] submarine {{USS|Seal|SS-183|6}} attacked the convoy. One of her torpedoes hit the transport ''Okitsu Maru'', but failed to detonate. The convoy continued on course, and on 25 February reached [[Bali]]. In the first week of March, ''Rakuto Maru'' supplied [[Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service]] units in southern Bali.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

From Bali, ''Rakuto Maru'' sailed to [[Kupang]] in [[West Timor]], where on 27 March she was slightly damaged in an [[Allies of World War II|Allied]] air raid. After Kupang called at [[Ambon, Maluku]] and Takao (now [[Port of Kaohsiung|Kaohsiung]]) in [[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Taiwan]]. On 10 April, while she was at sea between Ambon and Takao, ''Rakuto Maru'' was transferred from the Navy Air Service to the [[Kure Naval District]]. After Takao, ''Rakuto Maru'' called at Osaka; Seito (now [[Qingdao Port|Qingdao]]) in China); Fushiki in [[Toyama Prefecture]]; and [[Moji-ku, Kitakyūshū|Moji]]. On 23 May she reached Kure Naval Arsenal for her battle-damage to be repaired.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 14 June her repairs were completed, and ''Rakuto Maru'' left Kure. She called at Kirun (now [[Port of Keelung|Keelung]]) in Taiwan; [[Port of Manila|Manila]]; Davao; [[Port of Zamboanga|Zamboanga]]; [[Isabela, Basilan]]; Mako (now [[Magong]]), in the [[Penghu]] archipelago; Osaka; and Moji; and on 31 July arrived back at Kure, where she spent a fortnight in port.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 14 August ''Rakuto Maru'' left Kure again. She called at [[Tokuyama, Yamaguchi]]; Kure; [[Shimonoseki]]; Kirun; Mako; Manila; Davao; Takao; [[Mutsure Island|Mutsure]]; Kure; and Osaka; and on 27 October arrived back in Kure, where she spent a fortnight in port.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 11 November ''Rakuto Maru'' left Kure again. She called at Sasebo; Shimonoseki; Kirun; and Mako. From 1 to 4 December she was in Manila, where she unloaded {{convert|1795|m3|cuft}} of ammunition. From 7 to 11 December she was in Zamboanga, where she unloaded 3,300 tons of salt. She then called at Manila; Takao; and Mako. From 30 December 1942 to 2 January 1943 she was in Moji, where she unloaded 3,150 tons of salt, and two tracked vehicles. On 4 January she arrived back in Kure, where she unloaded 186 tons of shells, and loaded 1,676 tons of steel plate.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

===1943===
On 14 January 1943, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Kure again. She called at Moji; where she unloaded {{convert|350|m3|cuft}} of beer, and [[Bunkering|bunkered]]. From 22 to 25 January she was in [[Japanese occupation of Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], where she unloaded 2,026 tons of steel plate. From 27 January to 1 February she was in [[Haiphong]] in [[French Indochina in World War II|Indochina]], where she loaded cargo including 2,117 tons of zinc ore. From 4 to 7 February she was in Hong Kong, where she loaded cargo including {{convert|1350|m3|cuft}} of cotton, and embarked 30 passengers. From 15 to 21 February she was in Osaka, where she discharged her cargo and disembarked her passengers. She called at Kure, and from 25 to 28 February was in Moji, where she loaded cargo including 3,620 tons of cement. She called at Kirun; and from 9 to 15 March was in Takao, where she loaded {{convert|3020|m3|cuft}} of supplies and 92 tons of other cargo. From 22 to 24 March she was in Palau, where she discharged 85 tons of rice, and loaded one [[landing craft]] and {{convert|19|m3|cuft}} of building materials.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

[[File:NH 97727 Aoba.jpg|thumb|The [[cruiser]] {{ship|Japanese cruiser|Aoba||2}}]]
On 2 April, ''Rakuto Maru'' reached [[Rabaul]] in [[New Britain]]. The next day, the US [[43rd Air Mobility Operations Group]] attacked Japanese naval ships at anchor off [[Kavieng]], [[New Ireland (island)|New Ireland]]. The cruiser ''Aoba'' was badly damaged, and beached to prevent her from sinking. ''Rakuto Maru'' came alongside ''Aoba'', transferred 55 tons of medical supplies to the cruiser, and embarked 62 passengers. From 14 to 26 April, ''Rakuto Maru'' was in Kavieng, where she unloaded 1,284 tons of supplies, and loaded 308 tons of ammunition.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

''Rakuto Maru'' left Kavieng in a convoy with five other transports and the auxiliary oiler ''San Clemente Maru'', escorted by the [[No.13-class submarine chaser|submarine chaser ''CH-37'']]. On 4 May, USS ''Seal'' attacked the convoy. Three torpedoes hit ''San Clemente Maru'', which sank, with the loss of two members of her crew. One of the transports, ''Hoko Maru'', rescued survivors.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

From 5 to 10 May, ''Rakuto Maru'' was in Palau, where she bunkered, and replenished her boiler water. From 10 to 13 May she was in Garasumao (now [[Ngardmau]]), where she loaded 2,000 tons of [[bauxite]]. From 13 to 15 May she was in Palau, where she loaded 23 tons of ammunition, and embarked 23 passengers. She sailed from Palau to [[Niihama]] on [[Shikoku]] in convoy with four other transports, escorted by the [[W-13-class minesweeper#No.17 class|minesweeper ''W-17'']]. From 26 to 29 May she was in Niihama, where she discharged her cargo of bauxite, and 73 passengers. From 30 May to 4 June she was in Kure, where she unloaded 328 tons of cars. She called at [[Komatsushima, Tokushima]], and on 13 June arrived at Kure, where she unloaded scrap iron, and underwent general repairs.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

After repairs, ''Rakuto Maru'' loaded bombs, postal parcels, and general cargo, and on 19 July she left Kure. She bunkered and watered at [[Wakamatsu-ku, Kitakyūshū|Wakamatsu]], and called at Shimonoseki, where she joined four merchant ships in a convoy to Takao, where she bunkered; watered; loaded cargo; and embarked 22 troops. She sailed from Takao to Manila in convoy with three other naval transports and two merchant ships. From 5 to 8 August she was in Manila, where she unloaded {{convert|100|m3|cuft}} of aircraft weapons. She called at [[Port of Cebu|Cebu]]; and from 16 to 28 August was in Balikpapan, where she unloaded 500 tons of iron pipes and {{convert|190|m3|cuft}} of rations, and loaded postal parcels. On 18 August there was an Allied air raid, but ''Rakuto Maru'' was undamaged. She called at Makassar, and from 8 to 14 September was in Ambon, where she unloaded {{convert|630|m3|cuft}} of bombs, aircraft parts, and aircraft weapons; {{convert|250|m3|cuft}} of provisions; and two [[Daihatsu]] landing craft. She survived Allied air raids on 8 and 11 September without damage, and on 11 September she embarked 34 passengers.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

From 17 to 18 September, ''Rakuto Maru'' was in [[Kendari]], Sulawesi, where she unloaded {{convert|300|m3|cuft}} of bombs, aircraft parts, and aircraft weapons; and {{convert|50|m3|cuft}} of other weapons. She called at Makassar; and from 1 to 11 October was in [[Surabaya]] in [[Java]], where she disembarked her passengers and discharged all of her cargo. She then loaded {{convert|878|m3|cuft}} of weapons and other cargo, and embarked 235 troops. From 14 to 18 October she was in Makassar, where she unloaded hemp fibre and trucks, and loaded 2,000 tons of [[nickel]] ore. On 19 October she reached Pomalaa in [[Southeast Sulawesi]], where she disemblarked 242 troops and discharged her nickel ore, and [[diesel engine]]s for trucks. She also helped to refloat the stranded army transport ''Nagara Maru''.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 21 October 1943, while at anchor in the outer harbour of Pomalaa, ''Rakuto Maru'' struck a [[Naval mine|mine]]. It exploded on her [[Port and starboard|starboard]] side amidships, flooding her [[engine room]] and causing extensive damage. She remained afloat; received emergency repairs; and the [[salvage tug]] ''Akitsu Maru'' towed her to the harbour pier. She survived Allied air attacks on 22 and 26 October, and 1 November, without further damage. From 3 to 12 November, ''Akitsu Maru'' towed ''Rakuto Maru'' to Surabaya, stopping from 5 to 8 November at Makassar. ''Rakuto Maru'' was under repair in Surabaya for eight weeks.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

===1944===
[[File:IJN destroyer Karukaya at China.jpg|thumb|The destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Karukaya||2}}]]
On 9 January 1944, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Surabaya. She was in [[Japanese occupation of Singapore|Singapore]] from 13 to 28 January. She called at [[Seletar]]. At [[Keppel Harbour]] she unloaded ammunition; received weapons maintenance; bunkered; and watered. From 18 to 19 January she loaded bauxite at [[Bintan Island]]. From 23 to 29 January she sailed to Saint-Jacques (now [[Vũng Tàu]]) and Saigon (now [[Ho Chi Minh City]]).<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

At Saint-Jacques she joined Convoy Sata-01, which included two other transport ships and three merchant ships, and was escorted by the destroyer {{ship|Japanese destroyer|Karukaya||2}}. The convoy left Saint-Jacques on 1 February, and called at [[Yulin Naval Base|Yulin]], where the auxiliary gunboat ''Huashan Maru'' relieved ''Karukaya'' as its escort. On 10 February, the submarine {{USS|Spearfish}} attacked the convoy, damaging the naval auxiliary transport ''Tatsuawa Maru'' with one torpedo. ''Huashan Maru'' made submarine sweeps, but ''Spearfish'' escaped. On 12 February, the convoy reached Takao. On 16 February, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Takao in Convoy Tamo-04, with four merchant ships. Its escorts were ''Huashan Maru'', and the auxiliary minesweeper ''Takunan Maru No. 3''. The convoy reached Moji on 25 February. ''Rakuto Maru'' reached Kure later that day; unloaded ammunition on 26 February; and left Kure on 27 February. She called at Niihama; Osaka; Tokuyama; Yoshiura; and Osaka; and then returned to Kure. From 11 to 27 March she was in Kure for repairs.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 28 March, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Kure again. she called at Wakamatsu; Yoshiura; Hirohata in [[Himeji]]; Osaka; Moji; Kobe; [[Wakayama (city)|Wakayama]]; [[Aga, Niigata|Aga-Machi]]; Komatsushima; [[Etajima]]; [[Yawata]]; Tokuyama; and Chinnampo in Chōsen (now [[Nampo]] in North Korea). On 28 June 1944 she arrived at Osaka Iron Works in Innoshima for engine repairs. These were completed on 19 July, and she left Innoshima the next day. In July and early August she called at Kure and Shimonoseki.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

[[File:Japanese escort ship Etorofu 1943.jpg|thumb|The [[Kaibōkan]] {{ship|Japanese escort ship|Etorofu||2}}, one of Mota-22's escorts]]
On 4 August 1944, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Moji in Convoy Mota-22. This included at least a dozen military transports; two tankers; a civilian [[Bulk carrier|ore carrier]]; and five other ships. The [[gunboat]] {{ship|Japanese gunboat|Uji|1940|2}}; [[Sokuten-class minelayer (1938)|minelayer ''Takashima'']]; and eight [[Kaibōkan]] escorted the convoy. On 6 August, the submarine {{USS|Pintado|SS-387|6}} attacked the convoy. She sank by torpedo the ore carrier ''Shonan Maru'', killing five of her crew. On 9 August, ''Koshin Maru''{{'}}s cargo exploded, sinking her. The next day the convoy reached Kirun, and on 11 August it reached Saei (now [[Zuoying District|Zuoying]]) near Takao. ''Rakuto Maru'' later moved from Saei to Takao.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

On 22 August, ''Rakuto Maru'' left Takao in Convoy Tama-24. This included nine other ships, and was escorted by four Kaibōkan; the [[W-19-class minesweeper|minesweepers ''W-38'' and ''W-39'']]; and the [[Ōtori-class torpedo boat|torpedo boat ''Hato'']]. On 25 August, the submarine {{USS|Picuda}} stank the tanker ''Kotoku Maru'' by torpedo. Three hours later another submarine, {{USS|Redfish|SS-395|6}}, sank the ore carrier ''Batopahat Maru''. She was carrying 480 troops, an unknown number of whom were killed, along with 17 members of her crew. On 28 August, the surviving ships of the convoy reached Manila.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

[[File:IJN torpedo boat hayabusa 1932.jpg|thumb|The [[Ōtori-class torpedo boat|torpedo boat ''Hayabusa'']] ]]
On 29 August, ''Rakuto Maru'' loaded 2,000 tons of ammunition and 6,000 tons of other cargo, and embarked troops of the 99th Air Defence Unit. On 6 September, she left Manila as a member of Convoy C-067. This included seven other ships, escorted by the [[Ōtori-class torpedo boat|torpedo boat ''Hayabusa'']], [[USS Finch (AM-9)|patrol boat ''No. 103'']], and two auxiliary [[submarine chaser]]s. The convoy called at Cebu on 8–9 September, and Calaguan in the Philippines on 10–11 September. On 12 September, US Navy aircraft of [[Fast Carrier Task Force|Task Force 38]] attacked C-067 off [[Mactan]], sinking five ships: ''Ayazono Maru''; ''Genkai Maru''; ''Keian Maru''; ''Rakuto Maru''; and ''Toyo Maru''. ''Rakuto Maru'' was sunk at position {{coord|10|20|N|124|20|E|display=inline,title}}, killing 170 troops and 29 members of her crew.<ref name=CF-Rakuto/>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==Bibliography==
*{{cite book |last=Hardy |first=AC |year=1954 |orig-date=1948 |title=Modern Marine Engineering |volume=I |edition=revised |place=London |publisher=Caxton Publishing}}
*{{cite book |year=1936 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships over 300 tons |place=London |publisher=[[Lloyd's Register]] of Shipping |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1936}} |via=[[Southampton City Council]]}}
*{{cite book |year=1938 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons gross and over |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1938}} |via=Southampton City Council}}
*{{cite book |year=1939 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons. Trawlers, tugs, dredgers, etc. |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1939}} |via=Southampton City Council}}
*{{cite book |year=1943 |title=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |volume=II.–Steamers and Motorships of 300 tons. Trawlers, tugs, dredgers, etc. |place=London |publisher=Lloyd's Register of Shipping |ref={{harvid|''Lloyd's Register'' 1943}} |via=Southampton City Council}}

{{October 1943 shipwrecks}}
{{September 1944 shipwrecks}}

[[Category:1935 ships]]
[[Category:Cargo ships of Japan]]
[[Category:Maritime incidents in September 1944]]
[[Category:Ships built by Uraga Dock Company]]
[[Category:Ships sunk by US aircraft]]
[[Category:Shipwrecks of the Philippines]]
[[Category:World War II naval ships of Japan]]
[[Category:World War II shipwrecks in the Pacific Ocean]]