Sōya (PL107)

Sōya
Sōya at the Museum of Maritime Science, Tokyo
History
Japan
Name
  • Volochaevets (1938)
  • Chiryō Maru
  • Sōya (1940–)
NamesakeSōya Subprefecture
Owner
Ordered1936
BuilderKoyagi/Kawaminami/Matsuo
Laid down31 October 1936
Launched16 February 1938
Completed10 June 1938
Maiden voyagepossibly 1939
Nickname(s)
  • The Miraculous Ship
  • White Princess of Lighthouses
  • Santa Claus on the Sea
  • Guardian of the Northern Sea
  • The Last IJN Ship
StatusMuseum ship
General characteristics
TypeIcebreaker / Patrol Vessel / Research Vessel
Displacement3,800t(1944)/4,100t(1978)
Length
  • 77.5 m (254 ft) (1944)
  • 83.3 m (273 ft) (1978)
Beam
  • 12.8 m (42 ft) (1944)
  • 13.5 m (44 ft) (1978)
PropulsionVTE steam engine, 2 boilers, 1 shaft. / Diesel engines
Speed12.4 knots (23.0 km/h; 14.3 mph)

Sōya (宗谷) is a Japanese icebreaker that serves as a museum ship in Tokyo after a long and storied service spanning some of the 20th century's historic events. It is named for Sōya Subprefecture in Hokkaido.