The last of the planes recovered on board "Kitkun Bay" shortly after 1100 on 13 September 1945, and she and three of the other carriers and their nine escorts turned toward Tsugaru Strait. The column passed through the strait while gunfire detonated mines to either side (1430–1815), and "Kitkun Bay" detached and entered Mutsu Bay, where she anchored at Ōminato in northern Honshū at 2014. The Japanese used the port as their main naval station in the north, and although rumors circulated that the enemy might oppose the landings, the garrison had obeyed their high command's orders to surrender without resisting on the 9th. A number of ships of the Fourth Fleet and numerous district and harbor craft also plied the busy harbor or lay at anchor.