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Hashima-class cable layer
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<p>The <i>Hashima</i>-class cable layers (初島型電纜敷設艇,, <i><i>Hashima</i>-gata Denran-Fusetsutei</i>) were the only class of purpose-built cable layers of the <a href="/facts/Imperial_Japanese_Navy/smLn7IyT">Imperial Japanese Navy</a> (IJN), serving during <a href="/facts/World_War_II/2efV5L1U">World War II</a>. Four vessels were built in 1939–41 under the <a href="/facts/4th_Naval_Armaments_Supplement_Programme_(Japan,_1939)/1MEbLpYJ">Maru 4 Programme</a>. </p><p>Apart from laying communications cables, these ships were also designed as <a href="/facts/Mine_planter/IPN23s37">mine planters</a>, for the installation of <a href="/facts/Controlled_mines/pjHP168f">controlled mines</a> in coastal fortifications. </p>