Japanese landing craft carrier Akitsu Maru

Akitsu Maru in 1944
Class overview
NameType C Special Purpose Ship
Operators Imperial Japanese Army
Preceded byShinshū Maru
Succeeded byM Type C Special Purpose Ship
Built1941–1943
Planned2
Completed2
Lost2
History
Empire of Japan
NameAkitsu Maru
BuilderHarima, Harima
Launched24 September 1941
Completed30 January 1942
FateSunk, 15 November 1944
General characteristics
Class & typeType C Special Purpose Ship
Type
Displacement11,800 tons (standard)
Length143.74 m (471 ft 7 in) (pp)
Beam20 m (64 ft)
Draft7.85 m (25 ft 9 in) (maximum)
Installed power
  • 4 boilers, driving
  • 7,500 shp (5,600 kW)
Propulsion2 shafts; 2 geared steam turbines
Speed20 knots (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Armament
Aircraft carried
  • 8 (as aircraft carrier)
  • 30 (as aircraft ferry)

Akitsu Maru (あきつ丸) was a "Type C" landing craft carrier with a full-length flight deck built for the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) during World War II. In some sources Akitsu Maru and Nigitsu Maru are also considered to be the first amphibious assault ships, although, this title can be disputed with Shinshū Maru that served a similar role, and being a template for Akitsu Maru.