Tōya Maru

Toya Maru at an unknown date
History
NameTōya Maru
OwnerJapanese National Railways
Port of registry Japan Tokyo
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries, Kobe, Japan
Yard number816
Launched21 November 1947
In service1948
FateSank during a typhoon in the Tsugaru Strait between the Japanese islands of Hokkaidō and Honshū on 26 September 1954
General characteristics
Class & typeRO/RO ferry
Tonnage3,898 grt (11,040 m3)
Length118.7 m (389 ft)
Beam15.85 m (52.0 ft)
Speed20 knots
Capacity1,128 passengers
Crew120 crew

Tōya Maru (洞爺丸) was a Japanese train ferry constructed by Japanese National Railways (JNR) which sank during Typhoon Marie, known locally as the Tōya Maru Typhoon, in the Tsugaru Strait between the Japanese islands of Hokkaidō and Honshū on September 26, 1954. JNR announced in September 1955 that 1,153 people aboard were killed in the accident. However, the exact number of fatalities remains unknown because some victims managed to obtain passage on the ship at the last minute, and others canceled their tickets just before the incident occurred. Fatalities were later reported as up to 1,170 passengers and crew.