History

 



RETURN TO THE HOMEPAGE                                                                                                                                                                                                                         M/S HIKAWA MARU
 

Prewar Era (1929 – 1941):

Nippon Yusen Kaisha (NYK), which literally translates to the Japan Mail Steamship Company, was first created in 1885, the result of a sensible merger between two Japanese shipping companies, Yubin Kisen Mitsubishi Kaisha (The Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company) and Kyodo Unyu Kaisha (The Union Transport Company). Two red stripes were adopted for the new company’s house flag, symbolizing the mutual goodwill of both companies and the hope that their combined fleets would one day serve the entire world. In due course, NYK Line became Japan’s national shipping company. Their subsequent passenger ships were given government-authorized mail-carrying status and therefore the highest priorities. The affixation was similar to the designation R.M.S. (for Royal Mail Ship) used by the most prominent British liners.

Historically, NYK Line opened the first regular Japan to the USA service in 1896 (the first arrival was met at Seattle with a 21-gun salute). They grew quickly. In 1901, just sixteen years after their formation, they already ranked as the seventh-largest shipping company in the world. A decade later, in 1911, an NYK freighter delivered the first cargo of trans-Pacific cherry tree saplings, a gift from the City of Tokyo to Washington, D.C. These same cherry trees line the banks of the Potomac to this day.

One of NYK’s proudest periods in passenger shipping was the 1929 building of two of the finest and most luxurious ocean liners ever to sail the Pacific – Asama Maru and Tatsuta Maru.

Another notable Japanese ship built around this time was the Hikawa Maru. She was built in 1929 by Yokohama Dock Company, for NYK Line. She was launched on the 30th September 1929 and commenced her maiden voyage Kobe to Seattle on the 13th May 1930 via Yokohama, Honolulu, Los Angeles and San Francisco. Service combined with superb food and her beautiful art deco interiors saw her become a much sought after ship and passengers gave her the nickname “Queen of the Pacific.”

War Service (1941 – 1954):

In 1941, she was requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese Navy and converted to serve during the war as a hospital ship. On the 14th August 1945, Japan surrendered unconditionally and amazingly Hikawa Maru was the only mainstream Japanese passenger liner to survive the Second World War. However she was immediately seized by the US government. From 1945 to 1947 she was used to transport US personnel between the USA and Japan. In 1947 Hikawa Maru operated as a simple freighter from Japan to the US East Coast. This service ended in 1954.

Return to Passenger Service (1954 – 1960):

In 1954 she was refitted into a fine passenger liner once more and she re-commenced her original trans-Pacific service for NYK Line. As passenger numbers dwindled, it was decided to end her service in 1960.

Preservation (1960 – Present):

In 1961 Hikawa Maru was fitted out to become a floating youth hostel and museum and permanently berthed at Yokohama in Japan. Sadly some of her engine spaces and lower accommodation decks were gutted to facilitate dormitories. As the years passed visitors to the hostel declined and it closed in 1973. She remained at her berth continuing to serve as a museum and restaurant. On board visitors can view her magnificent art deco interiors and the room once used by Charlie Chaplin. During the summer a beer garden was operated out on her open decks. Then, late 2002, the restaurant closed. Having only a museum and the summer beer garden numbers of visitor’s to the ship dramatically declined and on the 1st September 2004 both the Hikawa Maru and the neighbouring Marine Tower were put up for sale by their operator due to heavy losses. Since then the future of the historic liner has remained uncertain although there is a possibility that NYK Line may purchase the ship and keep her going as museum to their illustrious history. In December 2006 the Hikawa Maru museum ship and the Yokohama Tower closed their doors for the final time due to their operator going bust. The Yokohama Tower has now been handed over to Yokohama City Council while the Hikawa Maru has been handed to her former owners NYK Line. In March 2007 NYK Line decided to take over the Hikawa Maru and she was to be refurbished in preparation for reopening as museum ship.

Hikawa Maru, which had been undergoing renovations since August 2007, was officially renamed NYK Hikawamaru and opened on the 16th April 2008 at an elaborate ceremony held at the wharf adjacent to Yamashita Park in Yokohama. The event was attended by Yokohama mayor Hiroshi Nakata and a number of other distinguished guests. New vessels are often symbolically launched by cutting a rope leading to the ship, and actress Yoshie Ichige, whose father served as a ship doctor on an NYK vessel years ago, proudly cut the rope for the “launch” of NYK Hikawamaru. Prior to the ceremony, the press was given a tour of the newly renovated ship.

Hikawa Maru was delivered to NYK on April 25, 1930, and originally served as a passenger - cargo ship before being requisitioned by the Imperial Japanese navy during World War II to serve as a hospital ship. The vessel fortunately survived the war, and afterward was used for both cargo and passenger transport through turbulent years until this ship’s removal from service in 1960. The ship was then permanently moored at the port of Yokohama and used as a floating museum. However, after more than 75 years of service, the ship was in need of repair so that it could continue to serve as a valuable witness to history.

The renovated ship has an elegant first - class dining room, first - class smoking room, and cabins that include a special suite in the Art Deco style that was common during the ship’s heydays. Visitors can also view large - screen video and photographs of the Hikawa Maru over the years.

At the ceremony, Norio Kanaya, the first captain for NYK Hikawamaru, commented, "So many of us have been greatly looking forward to this moment. NYK Hikawamaru allows us to glimpse the strength, beauty, and grandeur of days long ago."

The vessel will open to the public on April 25, exactly 78 years after the ship was delivered.

Long may this last surviving ocean liner from the Land of the Rising Sun continue to endure and be admired by present and future generations. Well done NYK Line.




 


(c) Cruise Ship History Collection 2018 including www.thecunarders.co.uk                                                                                                                                                                      A Edward Elliott