PATROL VESSEL 31.
Built as an escort destroyer by the yard of Kawasaki, Kobe for the Japanese Imperial Navy.
20 January 1920 keel laid down.
13 October 1920 launched under the name KIKU.
Displacement 1160 tons, dim. 87.10 x 7.93m.
Powered by two Brown geared steam turbines 4.000 shp, speed 23 knots.
Armament?
Crew ?
10 December 1920 completed. Assigned to DesRon 14.
07 July 1937 during the First China Incident she is dispatched to Northern China.
10 December 1939 transferred from DESRON 14 to reserve.
At the Kure Naval Arsenal, one of her three Kampon boilers removed, reducing her speed to 18 knots, her torpedo tubes aft, 4.7 inch guns and minesweeping gear are removed, and was she converted into an escort or patrol boat.
Displacement 935 tons.
Armament 2 – 25mm AA guns and depth charge racks and throwers fitted, carried 36 depth charges.
01 April 1940 reclassified as a patrol boat and renumbered PB-31.
08 June 1943 she sailed from Palau bound for Moji as escort of convoy P-607. Arrived 13 June at Moji.
30 July 1943 sailed from Saeki for Palau as escort of convoy O-003, and arrived 8 August in Palau.
Thereafter used as escort for convoys in the waters of the Pacific.
30 March 1944 lost when attacked by American aircraft from USS ENTERPRISE and YORKTOWN and PB-31 sank five miles SW of Kossol Passage, she sank in position 07.30N 134 30E.
On Palau 1995 32c sg 861.