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).

On 26 February 1945 damaged by US Navy aircraft from Task Force 58 east of Izu Shima, 26 crewmen killed.

On 9 August 1945, while lying in harbor at the Onagawa Bay, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan, the ship came under attack by a Corsair piloted by Royal Navy Lieutenant Robert Hampton Gray and was sunk; 71 crewmen, and Lt. Gray (while he earned the Victoria Cross), were killed.

[3] In 2007, a memorial was dedicated to both the crew of Amakusa and Lt. Gray overlooking the town of Onagawa in Sakiyama Scenic Park.