Ships furnished with a safe-conduct or licenseAbout Ships furnished with a safe-conduct or licenseEven in war, there were ships whose voyage was guaranteed to be safe. One was, of course, hospital ships based on international treaties, and the other was ships furnished with a safe-conduct or license. During the Pacific War, ships that were given safe-conduct or licenses included exchange ships and relief ships. Exchange ships were used to exchange diplomats and civilians left behind in enemy territory after the outbreak of war and return them to their home countries, while relief ships were ships that were requested by enemy countries to deliver comfort goods to prisoners of war. During the Pacific War, there were Japanese-American exchange ships twice (the first: Asama Maru and Conte Verde, next: Teia Maru), and Japanese-British exchange ship once (Kamakura Maru and Tatsuta Maru). Three relief ships (Hakusan Maru, Hoshi Maru, and Awa Maru) were also furnished. Unlike hospital ships, the voyage schedule was decided based on the mutual agreement between the governments in advance. The Japan-US exchange ships prepared by the allied force were M/S Gripsholm, and the Japan-UK exchange ships were S/S El Nil, City of Paris, and City of Canterbury. The Conte Verde was chartered from Italia, and the Teia Maru was from France. M/S Awa Maru was illegally sunk breaking the agreement by USS Queenfish (SS-393) and more than 2,000 crews and passengers were killed. Data of Ships furnished with a safe-conduct or licenseClick here! History of Ships furnished with a safe-conduct or licenseClick each thumbnail! (Sorry Japanese version is only available.)
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