Japanese steam warship Takao

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Takao Maru, later renamed Kaiten No.2, was a steam warship from the Tokugawa shogunate used in the Boshin War of 1868–69. It was built in New York as USRC Ashuelot, a Pawtuxet-class cutter for the US Revenue Marine during the Civil War. Akita Domain bought the ship and named it Takao Maru. After the shogunate fell, it joined the Republic of Ezo and became Kaiten No.2.

The ship carried four side cannons and a powerful Armstrong cannon on a rotating base. In the Battle of Miyako Bay, French officer Eugene Collache commanded Kaiten No.2, leading 40 sailors and 30 samurai. The fleet also included Kaiten No.1 (Kaiten Maru) and Banryu. Bad weather and engine trouble slowed the ships; Banryu turned back, and Kaiten No.1 tried to deceive the enemy by flying an American flag.

Kaiten No.1 moved in to attack the Imperial ironclad Kōtetsu, but the assault was repelled by a Gatling gun. Kaiten No.1 then escaped to Hokkaido. Kaiten No.2 could not pull free and was set on fire by its crew, then exploded.

Collache was captured, sentenced to death but pardoned, sent to Tokyo, and later rejoined Jules Brunet before leaving for France. The Kaiten No.2 was destroyed on 25 March 1869.