Japanese Navy motorship. Built 1938 by Koyakijime, Kowaninemi.
3953 tons, length 259.3ft, speed 14 knots.
Built as the Chiryo Maru for Russia but taken over by Japanese Navy and reconstructed as a transport for Northern waters. She wqas given an icebreaker bow and commissioned on June 4, 1940.
After the War she became a Navigational Aid Vessel (LL-class) before being coverted into a South Pole research ship with icebreaking capabilities of one metre.
Conversion began in March 1956 and was completed the following October.
Two helicopters are carried in the Soya and her operating radius is 10,000 miles at 12.5 knots.
Log Book September 1986. Sea Breezes September 1957.
Japan SG766
Soya.
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aukepalmhof
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- Joined: Thu Apr 02, 2009 1:28 am
Re: Soya.
Japan resumed its activities in the Antarctic to participate in the scientific programmes of the International Geophysical Year in 1957-58 about a half century after the first Japanese party led by Lt. Nobu Shirase was sent there in 1910-1912.
The first Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) was sent on board the Japan Coast Guard research vessel SOYA to the Antarctic in 1956 to carry out scientific research in various fields. On 29 January 1957, the Japanese Syowa Station was established at 69 00S and 39 35E on the Ongul Islands Prince Harald Coast.
Six expeditions were dispatched between 1956 and 1962. Syowa Station is about 14.000 km from Japan.
Supplies for the station are transported by ship.
Syowa Station was closed between 1962 and 1965 because of the decommissioning of the resupply ship SOYA.
The icebreaker FUJI was built during this period. With the new means of transportation Syowa Station was reopened on 1 February 1966 by the seventh JARE and the facilities at the station expanded.
In July 1970, Mizuho Station was established at 70 42S 44 20E (2230 meter above sea level), about 270 km southeast of Syowa Station.
Between 1976-85 the station was occupied year-round by several scientists, conducting research on meteorology, glaciology, and upper physics.
The third icebreaker SHIRASE was launched in 1981 and took over the task of FUJI in 1983. The commissioning of SHIRASE made it possible for JARE to expand the area of its activities and to establish the Asuka Station at 71 32S 24 08E (930 meter above sea level) to the north of the Sir Rondane Mountains, about 670 km west-southwest of Syowa Station. The station has been used as a base for geological field work in the summer season. Research parties wintered over the station every winter from January 1987 to November 1991.
2007 Asuka Station now in use as an unmanned observation station.
The vessels depict on this stamp issues:
Built under yard No 107 by Kawaminami Shipyard, Nagasaki for account of the Russian Government.
31 October 1936 keel laid down.
16 February 1938 launched under the name VOLOCHAEVETS, but when tensions increased between the two countries the contract was cancelled. (Watercraft Philately gives the name BOROCHAVETS, while http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz gives launched as SERGEY KIROV.)
Tonnage 2.224 gross, dim. length bpp. 78.4m. beam 12.3m. draught 6.17m.
One triple expansion steam engine 1.597 ihp., one shaft, speed 12.4 kn.
10 June 1938 completed as an ice-breaking cargo freighter for Tatsunan Kisen Co, and renamed CHIRYO MARU.
Three ships were ordered by the Soviet Government in Japan as payment for the purchase of the North Southern Manchuria Railway, the contract was later cancelled and the three ships were completed for Japans account.
July 1939 she was chartered by Kuribayasi Steam Ship Co.
November 1939 requisitioned by the Imperial Japans Navy.
20 February 1940 renamed SOYA and fitted out as an auxiliary ammunition/survey ship by the Ishikawajima shipyard at Tokyo.
Armament 1 – 8cm AA gun and 2 – 25mm AA guns.
04 June 1940 in service under command of Cmdr. Yamada.
Autumn 1940 took part in survey work off the Hokkaido and weather reports and surveys off Sakhalin and Kurile Islands.
November 1940 sailed for Saipan, Marianas for survey work.
When war broke out between Japan and the USA the SOYA was at Yokosuka, and sailed fully loaded with fuel and food for the Southwest Pacific.
January 1942 arrived at Truk.
28 May 1942 took part in Operation “MI” (Battle of Midway)
After the occupation of Midway after the battle was cancelled the SOYA headed north.
Then used as troopship to bring Japanese troops to Guadalcanal, but when underway she was recalled to Rabaul, then sailed for Yokosuka.
September assigned to the Japanese Eight Fleet and sailed from Yokosuka to Rabaul, based at Truk she made regular voyages to other Japanese positions.
In Operation “Hailstone” 17 – 18 February 1944 the allied forces destroyed the Japanese navy base at Truk, the SOYA escaped but she ran aground on a coral head off east of Dublon Island, she was attacked but got lightly damaged.
She later sailed for Tokyo where she arrived in convoy on 1 April 1944.
At Tokyo refitted in a transport ship, armament increased with 4 – 25mm AA guns.
24 June 1945 sailed from Yokosuka in convoy loaded with heavy machinery and aircraft parts for Manchukuo (Manchuria).
During the voyage on 26 June the convoy was attacked by the USS submarine PARCHE, but SOYA escaped unharmed, on the 09 August under attack of USA fighter bombers but again she was not damaged.
15 August 1945 Japan surrendered; the SOYA was at that time at Muroran, Hokkaido.
23 August arrived at Yokosuka.
05 September 1945 removed from Navy List.
All her armament removed, and inside her hold accommodation was made for evacuees.
01 October 1945 transferred to the Department of Finance of Japan.
From 6 October 1945 till 31 l July 1946 made voyages in this roll to the Pacific and Saigon and Japan.
As repatriation transport the SOYA repatriates nearly 19.000 people, including settlers.
1949 Transferred to the Maritime Safety Agency, Government Japan and fitted out as a lighthouse supply ship.
08 November 1956 after a major renovation by Asano Dockyard of Nippon Steel Tube Co. Ltd., Asano, Japan, the SOYA (PL 107) becomes the agency’s first Antarctic Research ship, and leaves Harumi pier Tokyo for her first Antarctic voyage.
Between 1956 and 1962 she makes six round voyages to the Antarctic.
Between 1956 and 1958 re-engined with 1 diesel engine 4.800 bhp., speed 14 knots.
Range by 11 knots, 16.400 mile.
Crew 81.
Two Sikorsky S-58 and two Bell 47G-2 helicopters.
From 1962 till 1978 in use as an icebreaker and rescue ship at Hokkaido
03 October 1978 out of service at Odiaba Bay, Tokyo, and moored at the Museum of Maritime Science in Tokyo as part of its permanent exhibit.
Japan 2005 80y sg?, scott? (comparing the stamp with the photo she must be complete alternate later)
Japan 2007 80y sgMS 3526A and stamp sg 3528, scott? November 8th in 1956, Soya, the ship of Antarctic Expedition left Harumi pier, Tokyo with its first expedition crew and opened Showa Station in Antarctica. Since then, the Japanese Antarctic Expedition has been contributed and played an important role in international society like the discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole. The two Shakalin dogs depict are the Taro and Jiro who were left behind in the Antarctic and found 1 year later still alive.
Source: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Soya_t.htm Partly copied from Watercraft Philately Vol 53 no 6 page 78.
The first Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) was sent on board the Japan Coast Guard research vessel SOYA to the Antarctic in 1956 to carry out scientific research in various fields. On 29 January 1957, the Japanese Syowa Station was established at 69 00S and 39 35E on the Ongul Islands Prince Harald Coast.
Six expeditions were dispatched between 1956 and 1962. Syowa Station is about 14.000 km from Japan.
Supplies for the station are transported by ship.
Syowa Station was closed between 1962 and 1965 because of the decommissioning of the resupply ship SOYA.
The icebreaker FUJI was built during this period. With the new means of transportation Syowa Station was reopened on 1 February 1966 by the seventh JARE and the facilities at the station expanded.
In July 1970, Mizuho Station was established at 70 42S 44 20E (2230 meter above sea level), about 270 km southeast of Syowa Station.
Between 1976-85 the station was occupied year-round by several scientists, conducting research on meteorology, glaciology, and upper physics.
The third icebreaker SHIRASE was launched in 1981 and took over the task of FUJI in 1983. The commissioning of SHIRASE made it possible for JARE to expand the area of its activities and to establish the Asuka Station at 71 32S 24 08E (930 meter above sea level) to the north of the Sir Rondane Mountains, about 670 km west-southwest of Syowa Station. The station has been used as a base for geological field work in the summer season. Research parties wintered over the station every winter from January 1987 to November 1991.
2007 Asuka Station now in use as an unmanned observation station.
The vessels depict on this stamp issues:
Built under yard No 107 by Kawaminami Shipyard, Nagasaki for account of the Russian Government.
31 October 1936 keel laid down.
16 February 1938 launched under the name VOLOCHAEVETS, but when tensions increased between the two countries the contract was cancelled. (Watercraft Philately gives the name BOROCHAVETS, while http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz gives launched as SERGEY KIROV.)
Tonnage 2.224 gross, dim. length bpp. 78.4m. beam 12.3m. draught 6.17m.
One triple expansion steam engine 1.597 ihp., one shaft, speed 12.4 kn.
10 June 1938 completed as an ice-breaking cargo freighter for Tatsunan Kisen Co, and renamed CHIRYO MARU.
Three ships were ordered by the Soviet Government in Japan as payment for the purchase of the North Southern Manchuria Railway, the contract was later cancelled and the three ships were completed for Japans account.
July 1939 she was chartered by Kuribayasi Steam Ship Co.
November 1939 requisitioned by the Imperial Japans Navy.
20 February 1940 renamed SOYA and fitted out as an auxiliary ammunition/survey ship by the Ishikawajima shipyard at Tokyo.
Armament 1 – 8cm AA gun and 2 – 25mm AA guns.
04 June 1940 in service under command of Cmdr. Yamada.
Autumn 1940 took part in survey work off the Hokkaido and weather reports and surveys off Sakhalin and Kurile Islands.
November 1940 sailed for Saipan, Marianas for survey work.
When war broke out between Japan and the USA the SOYA was at Yokosuka, and sailed fully loaded with fuel and food for the Southwest Pacific.
January 1942 arrived at Truk.
28 May 1942 took part in Operation “MI” (Battle of Midway)
After the occupation of Midway after the battle was cancelled the SOYA headed north.
Then used as troopship to bring Japanese troops to Guadalcanal, but when underway she was recalled to Rabaul, then sailed for Yokosuka.
September assigned to the Japanese Eight Fleet and sailed from Yokosuka to Rabaul, based at Truk she made regular voyages to other Japanese positions.
In Operation “Hailstone” 17 – 18 February 1944 the allied forces destroyed the Japanese navy base at Truk, the SOYA escaped but she ran aground on a coral head off east of Dublon Island, she was attacked but got lightly damaged.
She later sailed for Tokyo where she arrived in convoy on 1 April 1944.
At Tokyo refitted in a transport ship, armament increased with 4 – 25mm AA guns.
24 June 1945 sailed from Yokosuka in convoy loaded with heavy machinery and aircraft parts for Manchukuo (Manchuria).
During the voyage on 26 June the convoy was attacked by the USS submarine PARCHE, but SOYA escaped unharmed, on the 09 August under attack of USA fighter bombers but again she was not damaged.
15 August 1945 Japan surrendered; the SOYA was at that time at Muroran, Hokkaido.
23 August arrived at Yokosuka.
05 September 1945 removed from Navy List.
All her armament removed, and inside her hold accommodation was made for evacuees.
01 October 1945 transferred to the Department of Finance of Japan.
From 6 October 1945 till 31 l July 1946 made voyages in this roll to the Pacific and Saigon and Japan.
As repatriation transport the SOYA repatriates nearly 19.000 people, including settlers.
1949 Transferred to the Maritime Safety Agency, Government Japan and fitted out as a lighthouse supply ship.
08 November 1956 after a major renovation by Asano Dockyard of Nippon Steel Tube Co. Ltd., Asano, Japan, the SOYA (PL 107) becomes the agency’s first Antarctic Research ship, and leaves Harumi pier Tokyo for her first Antarctic voyage.
Between 1956 and 1962 she makes six round voyages to the Antarctic.
Between 1956 and 1958 re-engined with 1 diesel engine 4.800 bhp., speed 14 knots.
Range by 11 knots, 16.400 mile.
Crew 81.
Two Sikorsky S-58 and two Bell 47G-2 helicopters.
From 1962 till 1978 in use as an icebreaker and rescue ship at Hokkaido
03 October 1978 out of service at Odiaba Bay, Tokyo, and moored at the Museum of Maritime Science in Tokyo as part of its permanent exhibit.
Japan 2005 80y sg?, scott? (comparing the stamp with the photo she must be complete alternate later)
Japan 2007 80y sgMS 3526A and stamp sg 3528, scott? November 8th in 1956, Soya, the ship of Antarctic Expedition left Harumi pier, Tokyo with its first expedition crew and opened Showa Station in Antarctica. Since then, the Japanese Antarctic Expedition has been contributed and played an important role in international society like the discovery of the Antarctic Ozone Hole. The two Shakalin dogs depict are the Taro and Jiro who were left behind in the Antarctic and found 1 year later still alive.
Source: http://www.combinedfleet.com/Soya_t.htm Partly copied from Watercraft Philately Vol 53 no 6 page 78.
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