Thousands died in World War II Japanese 'Hell Ships'

The Shinyo Maru was one of 23 Japanese World War II prison vessels which became known as ''hell ships.'' Many Americans died aboard the ships, with through executions, privations or from attack by U.S. and allied ships and planes.

Here is a timeline of the voyages of 11 of the ships, which sailed from from the Philippines:

- Tattori Maru, departed Manila on Oct. 8, 1942, with 1,202 American POWs. Arrived in Mukden, Manchuria on Nov. 11, 1942, 11 dead.

- Umeda Maru, departed Manila with 1,500 American POWs. Arrived in Japan on Nov. 25, 1942, five dead.

- Nagato Maru, departed Manila with 1,700 American POWs on Nov. 25, 1942. Seven men died in route; 150 dying men were left on dock and were never seen again.

- Taga Maru, departed Manila in Sept. 1943, with 850 American POWs. Arrived in Japan with 70 dead.

- Shinyo Maru, departed Mindanao on Sept. 3, 1944 with 750 American POWs. Torpedoed by USS Paddle on Sept. 7, 1944; 668 dead.

- Haro Maru, departed Manila on Oct. 3, 1944, with 1,100 American POWs. Arrived Takao, Formosa, on Oct. 25, 1944; 39 dead.

- Arisan Maru, departed Manila on Oct. 10, 1944, with 1,800 American POWs. Torpedoed by USS Snook in Oct. 1944; 1,795 dead.

- Unknown Maru, departed Manila on Oct. 16, 1944, with 1,100 American POWs. Torpedoed by unknown submarine on Oct. 18, 1944; 1,100 dead.

- Oryoku Maru, departed Manila on Dec. 13, 1944, with 1,800 American POWs. Sunk by U.S. Navy carrier planes off Bataan peninsula on Dec. 15, 1944. Brazil Maru, departed Lingayen Gulf, Dec. 27, 1944, with survivors of the Oryoku Maru, arrived Japan on Jan 2, 1945. Enuri Maru departed with additional survivors on Jan. 14, 1945, arrived Japan on Jan. 29, 1945; 1,426 died on the three voyages.

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Source: The Shinyo Maru Survivors Association.