BAAG records of shipping in HK during 1944-45 – the Katoto (Katoshima) Maru
Elizabeth Ride has sent British Army Aid Group (BAAG) records of shipping movements in Hong Kong in 1944-45 during the Japanese occupation in World War Two.
These provide information not only about the ships themselves but what cargo was being brought into and out of Hong Kong during the latter stages of WW2, passengers carried, and of godowns, docks etc that were being utilised.
The Katoto (Katoshima) Maru was seen on 6th August 1944.
Arrived on 5th August 1944 from Burma.
Inward cargo: 1,760 bags of coal, 700 lbs. of green hemp, 600 bags of wolfram ore, 460 damaged tank motors, 6 4″ field guns, 80 twin HMGs, 2,000 bags of rice, 700 bags of flour. Cargo discharged 6-9 Aug and taken into Kowloon Godown, Naval Dockyard, Naval Keipitai Dept (ie Wellington Barracks), Hongkong Naval Auto Repairs Dept (ie former Hongkong Hotel Garage).
Departed on 14th August 1944 for Formosa.
Transit cargo: green hemp, wolfram ore and coal for shipment to Formosa or elsewhere.
An image of this ship would be helpful.
Further information:
- For general information about the Elizabeth Ride collection, her father Sir Lindsay Ride, and the British Army Aid group during WW2 a very useful introduction is through http://gwulo.com/node/13968
- The BAAG papers are kept at the Hong Kong Heritage Project https://www.hongkongheritage.org/Pages/FindingAids/LibraryCollection/Elizabeth_M_Ride_Collection.aspx