Muroto-class collier

The Muroto-class colliers (室戸型給炭艦,) were a class of collier of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving from roughly the end of World War I into World War II. Two vessels were built in 1918-19 under the Eight-four fleet plan.

Background

 * In 1917, World War I was stagnant. The lengthy war led to an increase in shipping and a shortage of merchant ships.
 * The IJN utilized steamship companies to perform coal transportation duties. However, this expedient was very costly. The IJN decided to build new colliers under the Eight-four fleet plan.
 * Their design was ordinary, because the IJN did not impose any special requirements on them.

Service

 * In the 1920s, they engaged in coal transportation duties.
 * In February 1932, the Muroto was remodeled, becoming an auxiliary hospital ship. She was refitted as a supply ship in 1941.
 * In World War II, the value of coal as fuel fell. The ships engaged in transporting goods and troops.