No.1-class auxiliary minelayer
# No.1-class auxiliary minelayer

The No.1 class auxiliary minelayer (第一号型敷設特務艇,, Dai Ichi Gō-gata Fusetsu-Tokumutei) was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. They were built to supplement the timeworn Sokuten-class. 4 vessels were built in 1941–42 under the Maru Rin Programme (Ship # 257–260).

## Background

* In 1939, the Sokuten-class was the main minelayer of the local guard districts. However, they were too old. The IJN wanted new small minelayers for local guard districts.
* In 1940, the IJN found out a handy boat. It was a standard longline fishing ship Sōyō Maru (160 tons) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry. The IJN made a model of it and completed a design of new small minelayer. Uraga Dock Company built all of the vessels.

## Ships in class

| Ship # | Ship | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 257 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 1 ex-Minelayer No. 1 | 4 June 1941 | 20 August 1941 | 28 February 1942 as Minelayer No. 1 | Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 1 on 1 February 1944, struck a naval mine and sunk off Medan on 27 March 1945, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |
| 258 | Minelayer No. 2 | 4 June 1941 | 30 August 1941 | 10 April 1942 | Struck a naval mine and sunk off Surabaya on 31 December 1942, decommissioned on 20 March 1943. |
| 259 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 3 ex-Minelayer No. 3 | 8 September 1941 | 14 January 1942 | 30 June 1942 as Minelayer No. 3 | Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 3 on 1 February 1944, survived war at Chuuk, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |
| 260 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 4 ex-Minelayer No. 4 | 8 September 1941 | 24 January 1942 | 20 August 1942 as Minelayer No. 4 | Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 4 on 1 February 1944, sunk by HMS Tally-Ho off Car Nicobar on 20 November 1944, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |

## Photos

* Minelayer No.2 on 7 April 1942
* Auxiliary Minelayer No.3 in 1942
* Auxiliary Minelayer No.4 in 1942
