The ships had two diesel engines, each driving one propeller shaft, which were rated at a total of 4,200 brake horsepower (3,100 kW) for a speed of 19.7 knots (36.5 km/h; 22.7 mph).

The ships had a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).

A dozen depth charges were stowed aboard initially, but this was doubled in May 1942 when their minesweeping gear was removed.

2 and 3, the Japanese effort to hold Leyte island, and claimed one of the five B-25 Mitchell medium bombers lost in the first wave.

On 25 November, Shimushu was torpedoed by the submarine USS Haddo and lost her bow, and was repaired by 20 January 1945.