701.0090/1840
The Spanish Embassy to the Department of State
No. 220
Ex. 108.03
The Spanish Embassy presents its compliments to the Department of State and begs to transmit hereafter a telegram received from the Japanese Government through the “Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores” in Madrid, regarding the characteristics, markings and itineraries of the exchange vessel Teia Maru which will effect the second exchange voyage from Japan to Marmagão.
“The Imperial Japanese Government requests that the American and British Governments and the other Allied Governments be informed of the characteristics, markings, itineraries and other data of the vessel Teia Maru which will be used in the second exchange of Japanese and American nationals, and that the corresponding safe conduct be obtained from said Governments.
(First)
1. Markings of ‘Teia Maru’—
(1) Daytime
- (a)
- Hull outside of deckhouses and funnels are grey.
- (b)
- On each side of hull two white crosses with a Japanese ensign in between are painted amidships.
- (c)
- On each side of bow and stern a white cross is painted about same height as above mentioned ensign.
- (d)
- Japanese ensign is on fore deck and white cross on quarter deck and on both sides of bridge.
- (e)
- Large Japanese flag hoisted on foremast.
- (f)
- White cross on both sides of funnels.
(2) After Dark
- (a)
- Ship be lit normally.
- (b)
- Series of light signals visible all round horizon to be hoisted on top of main mast in vertical order of green red.
- (c)
- White cross illumination amidships on both sides of hull and on stern.
- (d)
- White crosses on both sides of back funnel and quarter deck illuminated.
- (e)
- Illuminating lamp fixed on each side of stern so as to project light slantingly upwards.
2. Characteristics of ‘Teia Maru’
- Tonnage Gross—Seven [Seventeen]80 thousand five hundred thirty seven (7,537) [(17,537)]
- Net—Nine thousand nine hundred ninety (9,990)
- Length—One hundred seventy two metres (172)
- Width—Twenty-one point twenty metres (21.20)
- Depth—Fourteen point three metres (14.3)
- Two funnels (low and equal)
- Two masts
- Built in 1932
- Speed—Fifteen knots
- Stern ordinary type
(Second) Itinerary of the Vessel ‘Teia Maru’
[Here follows itinerary of the Teia Maru. For corrected schedule, see memorandum by the Department of State to the Spanish Embassy, September 15, printed on page 927.]
(Third) Course to be Taken by Exchange Ship ‘Teia Maru’
- (1)
- Leave Yokohama for Kobe via west of Osima (Sagaminada) and off Siono Misaki.
- (2)
- Leave Kobe for Shanghai via inland sea and Sirnonoseki Straits.
- (3)
- Leave Shanghai for Hongkong sailing close to Chinese Coast.
- (4)
- Leave Hongkong for Northern San Fernando by direct course.
- (5)
- Leave Northern San Fernando for Cap Saint-Jacques by direct course.
- (6)
- Leave Cap Saint-Jacques for Syonan (Singapore) by direct course.
- (7)
- Leave Syonan and pass through Sunda Straits via Karimata Channel then proceed to Marmagão via four point forty81 N, ninety four point forty E and five point fifty N, seventy six point fifty N [E].
- (8)
- Leave Marmagão for Syonan via Sunda Straits by course reverse to outward voyage.
- (9)
- Leave Syonan for Manila via West of Anabas Islands and twelve point twenty N, one hundred fourteen point zero zero E.
- (10)
- Leave Manila for Yokohama via West Coast of Luzon Balingtang Straits thirty point zero zero N one hundred thirty three point twenty five [E] and west of Osima (Sagami Nada).
(Fourth)
The vessel will be provisioned with water and fuel for its round trip in the neighborhood of the Port of Syonan (Singapore).” (August 15th, 1943)
The Spanish Embassy would appreciate an early reply from the Department of State in order to communicate same to the Japanese Government to the ends in view.