Japanese battleship Yamashiro

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Yamashiro at Tateyama, December 1934
History
Japan
NameYamashiro
NamesakeYamashiro Province
BuilderYokosuka Naval Arsenal
Laid down20 November 1913
Launched3 November 1915
Commissioned31 March 1917
Stricken31 August 1945
FateSunk during the
Battle of Surigao Strait
, 25 October 1944
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeFusō-class battleship
Displacement
Length
  • 192.1 m (630 ft 3 in) (pp)
  • 202.7 m (665 ft) (o/a)
Beam28.7 meters (94 ft 2 in)
Draft8.7 meters (28 ft 7 in)
Installed power
Propulsion4 × shafts; 2 × steam turbine sets
Speed22.5 knots (41.7 km/h; 25.9 mph)
Range8,000 nmi (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph)
Complement1,193
Armament
Armor
General characteristics (1944)
Displacement34,700 long tons (35,300 t)
Length212.75 m (698 ft) (o.a.)
Beam33.1 m (108 ft 7 in)
Draft9.69 meters (31 ft 9 in)
Installed power
  • 6 × water-tube boilers
  • 75,000 shp (56,000 kW)
Propulsion4 × steam turbines
Speed24.5 knots (45.4 km/h; 28.2 mph)
Range11,800 nmi (21,900 km; 13,600 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complementapproximately 1,900
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
  • 6 × twin 356 mm guns
  • 14 × single 152 mm guns
  • 4 × twin
    DP guns
  • 92 ×
    25 mm (0.98 in)
    AA guns
ArmorDeck: 51–152 mm (2–6 in)
Aircraft carried3 × floatplanes
Aviation facilities1 × catapult

Yamashiro (山城, "Mountain castle", named for

dreadnought battleships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Launched in 1915 and commissioned in 1917, she initially patrolled off the coast of China, playing no part in World War I. In 1923, she assisted survivors of the Great Kantō earthquake
.

Yamashiro was modernized between 1930 and 1935, with improvements to her armor and machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the pagoda mast style. Nevertheless, with only 14-inch guns, she was outclassed by other Japanese battleships at the beginning of World War II, and played auxiliary roles for most of the war.

By 1944, though, she was forced into front-line duty, serving as the flagship of

Battle of Surigao Strait, the southernmost action of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. During fierce night fighting in the early hours of 25 October against a superior American and Australian force, Yamashiro was sunk by torpedoes
and naval gunfire. Nishimura went down with his ship, and only 10 crewmembers survived.

Description

The ship had a length of 192.1 meters (630 ft 3 in)

full load. Her crew consisted of 1,198 officers and enlisted men in 1915 and about 1,400 in 1935.[2]

During the ship's modernization during 1930–35, her forward superstructure was enlarged with multiple platforms added to her tripod foremast. Her rear superstructure was rebuilt to accommodate mounts for 127-millimeter (5 in)

torpedo bulges to improve her underwater protection and to compensate for the weight of the additional armor. In addition, her stern was lengthened by 7.62 meters (25 ft). These changes increased her overall length to 212.75 m (698 ft), her beam to 33.1 m (108 ft 7 in) and her draft to 9.69 meters (31 ft 9 in). Her displacement increased nearly 4,000 long tons (4,100 t) to 39,154 long tons (39,782 t) at deep load.[2]

Propulsion

The ship had two sets of

kW), using steam provided by 24 Miyahara-type water-tube boilers, each of which consumed a mixture of coal and oil. Yamashiro had a stowage capacity of 4,000 long tons (4,064 t) of coal and 1,000 long tons (1,016 t) of fuel oil,[3] giving her a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at a speed of 14 knots (26 km/h; 16 mph). The ship exceeded her designed speed of 22.5 knots (41.7 km/h; 25.9 mph) during her sea trials, reaching 23.3 knots (43.2 km/h; 26.8 mph) at 47,730 shp (35,590 kW).[4]

During her modernization, the Miyahara boilers were replaced by six new Kanpon oil-fired boilers fitted in the former aft boiler room, and the forward funnel was removed. The Brown-Curtis turbines were replaced by four geared Kanpon turbines with a designed output of 75,000 shp (56,000 kW). On her trials, Yamashiro's sister ship Fusō reached a top speed of 24.7 knots (45.7 km/h; 28.4 mph) from 76,889 shp (57,336 kW).[1] The fuel storage of the ship was increased to a total of 5,100 long tons (5,200 t) of fuel oil that gave her a range of 11,800 nautical miles (21,900 km; 13,600 mi) at a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[3]

Armament

The twelve 45-

superfiring pairs of turrets fore and aft; the middle turrets were not superfiring, and had a funnel between them. The main guns and their turrets were modernized during the ship's 1930 reconstruction; the maximum elevation of the main guns was increased to +43 degrees, increasing their maximum range from 25,420 to 32,420 metres (27,800 to 35,450 yd). Initially, the guns could fire at a rate of 1.5 rounds per minute, and this was also improved during her first modernization.[5]

Originally, Yamashiro was fitted with a secondary armament of sixteen 50-caliber 6-inch guns mounted in casemates on the upper sides of the hull. Each gun could fire a high-explosive projectile to a maximum range of 22,970 yards (21,000 m)[6] at up to six shots per minute.[7] She was later fitted with six high-angle 40-caliber three-inch AA guns, in single mounts on both sides of the forward superstructure and both sides of the second funnel, as well as on both sides of the aft superstructure.[1] These guns had a maximum elevation of +75 degrees, and could fire a 5.99-kilogram (13.2 lb) shell at a rate of 13 to 20 rounds per minute to a maximum height of 7,200 meters (23,600 ft).[8] The ship was also fitted with six submerged 533-millimeter (21.0 in) torpedo tubes, three on each broadside.[9]

Yamashiro and the aircraft carrier Kaga in Kobe Bay, October 1930

During Yamashiro's modernization in the early 1930s, all six three-inch guns were removed and replaced with eight 40-caliber 127-millimeter dual-purpose guns, fitted on both sides of the fore and aft superstructures in four twin-gun mounts.[10] When firing at surface targets, the guns had a range of 14,700 meters (16,100 yd); they had a maximum ceiling of 9,440 meters (30,970 ft) at their maximum elevation of +90 degrees. Their maximum rate of fire was 14 rounds a minute, but their sustained rate of fire was around eight rounds per minute.[11]

The improvements made during the reconstruction increased Yamashiro's draft by 1 meter (3 ft 3 in); the two foremost six-inch guns were removed, as the same guns on her sister ship

25 mm Type 96 light AA guns in twin-gun mounts. Four of these mounts were fitted on the forward superstructure, one on each side of the funnel and two on the rear superstructure.[9] This was the standard Japanese light-AA gun during World War II, but it suffered from severe design shortcomings that rendered it a largely ineffective weapon. According to historian Mark Stille, the twin and triple mounts "lacked sufficient speed in train or elevation; the gun sights were unable to handle fast targets; the gun exhibited excessive vibration; the magazine was too small, and, finally, the gun produced excessive muzzle blast".[12] The configuration of the AA guns varied significantly over time; in 1943, 17 single and two twin-mounts were added for a total of 37.[13] In July 1944, the ship was fitted with another 17 single, 15 twin and eight triple-mounts, for a total of 92 anti-aircraft guns in her final configuration.[14] The 25-millimeter (0.98 in) gun had an effective range of 1,500–3,000 meters (1,600–3,300 yd), and an effective ceiling of 5,500 meters (18,000 ft) at an elevation of 85 degrees. The maximum effective rate of fire was only between 110 and 120 rounds per minute because of the frequent need to change the fifteen-round magazines.[15]

Also in July 1944, the ship was provided with three twin-gun and 10 single mounts for the license-built

13.2 mm Hotchkiss machine gun.[14] The maximum range of these guns was 6,500 meters (7,100 yd), but the effective range against aircraft was only 1,000 meters (1,100 yd). The cyclic rate was adjustable between 425 and 475 rounds per minute, but the need to change 30-round magazines reduced the effective rate to 250 rounds per minute.[16]

Armor

The ship's waterline armor belt was 229 to 305 millimeters (9 to 12 in) thick; below it was a strake of 102 mm (4 in) armor. The deck armor ranged in thickness from 32 to 51 mm (1.3 to 2.0 in). The turrets were protected with an armor thickness of 279.4 mm (11.0 in) on the face, 228.6 mm (9.0 in) on the sides, and 114.5 mm (4.51 in) on the roof. The barbettes of the turrets were protected by armor 305 mm thick, while the casemates of the 152 mm guns were protected by 152 mm armor plates. The sides of the conning tower were 351 millimeters (13.8 in) thick. Additionally, the vessel contained 737 watertight compartments (574 underneath the armor deck, 163 above) to preserve buoyancy in the event of battle damage.[17]

During her first reconstruction Yamashiro's armor was substantially upgraded. The deck armor was increased to a maximum thickness of 114 mm (4.5 in). A longitudinal bulkhead of 76 mm (3.0 in) of high-tensile steel was added to improve the underwater protection.[18]

Aircraft

A Sparrowhawk taking off in 1922

Yamashiro was briefly fitted with an aircraft

fighters from it, the first Japanese ship to do so. During her modernization in the 1930s, a catapult and a collapsible crane were fitted on the stern, and the ship was equipped to operate three floatplanes, although no hangar was provided. The initial Nakajima E4N2 biplanes were replaced by Nakajima E8N2 biplanes in 1938 and then by Mitsubishi F1M biplanes, from 1942 on.[19]

Fire control and sensors

The ship was originally fitted with two 3.5-meter (11 ft 6 in) and two 1.5-meter (4 ft 11 in)

rangefinders in her forward superstructure, a 4.5-meter (14 ft 9 in) rangefinder on the roof of Turret No. 2, and 4.5-meter rangefinders in Turrets 3, 4, and 5.[20]

While in

early warning radar units were fitted on her mainmast.[14]

Construction and service

Yamashiro testing her torpedo nets at Yokosuka in 1917

Yamashiro, named for

launched on 3 November 1915. She was completed on 31 March 1917 with Captain Suketomo Nakajima in command,[14] and was assigned to the 1st Division of the 1st Fleet in 1917–1918. She did not take part in any combat during World War I, as there were no longer any forces of the Central Powers in East Asia by the time she was completed,[22] but she did patrol off the coast of China briefly during the war. On 29 March 1922, a Gloster Sparrowhawk fighter successfully took off from the ship. She aided survivors of the 1923 Great Kantō earthquake in September 1923. Little detailed information is available about Yamashiro's activities during the 1920s, although she did make a port visit to Ryojun Guard District, in Manchuria, on 5 April 1925 and also conducted training off the coast of China.[14]

The ship's reconstruction began on 18 December 1930 at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal where her machinery was replaced, her armor was reinforced, and torpedo bulges were fitted. Yamashiro's armament was also upgraded and her torpedo tubes were removed. Captain

Chuichi Nagumo assumed command of the ship on 15 November 1934, her modernization was completed on 30 March 1935, and she became flagship of the Combined Fleet. Captain Masakichi Okuma relieved Nagumo on 15 November and he, in turn, was replaced by Captain Masami Kobayashi on 1 December 1936. Yamashiro began a lengthy refit on 27 June 1937 and Captain Kasuke Abe assumed command on 20 October. Her refit was completed on 31 March 1938 and Captain Kakuji Kakuta relieved Abe on 15 November. In early 1941, the ship experimentally launched radio-controlled Kawanishi E7K2 floatplanes. Captain Chozaemon Obata assumed command on 24 May 1941 and Yamashiro was assigned to the 1st Fleet's 2nd Division,[Note 1] consisting of the two Fusō-class and the two Ise-class battleships.[14]

World War II

Yamashiro with Fusō and Haruna (in the distance), Tokyo Bay, 1930s

Yamashiro and her sister ship Fusō spent most of the war around Japan, mostly at the anchorage at Hashirajima in Hiroshima Bay.

Operation AL; they were to accompany the fleet under Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto, but were only to provide support to the Aleutian task force if needed.[26] They were not needed, and Yamashiro returned to home waters where she was employed mostly for training duties, in the Inland Sea till 1 February 1943 and at Yokosuka until September, when she became a training ship for midshipmen.[13][23]

In an effort to replace the aircraft carriers lost at the Battle of Midway, the Navy made plans to convert the two Fusō-class ships to hybrid battleship/carriers, but the two Ise-class battleships were chosen instead. In July 1943, Yamashiro was at the Yokosuka drydock for fitting of a radar and additional 25 mm AA guns. The ship was briefly assigned as a training ship on 15 September before loading troops on 13 October bound for Truk Naval Base, arriving with the battleship Ise on the 20th. The two battleships sailed for Japan, accompanied by the carriers Jun'yō and Unyō, on 31 October.[14] On 8 November, the submarine USS Halibut fired torpedoes at Jun'yo that missed, but hit Yamashiro with a torpedo that failed to detonate.[27] Yamashiro resumed her training duties in Japan, and Captain Yoshioki Tawara assumed command. He was promoted to rear admiral on 1 May, but died of natural causes four days later,[14] and Captain Katsukiyo Shinoda was appointed to replace him.[28]

During the

Hideki Tōjō approved the plan, known as Operation Y-GO, but the operation was cancelled after the decisive defeat in the Battle of the Philippine Sea on 19 and 20 June.[29]

The ship was refitted in July at Yokosuka, where additional radar systems and light AA guns were fitted. Yamashiro and her sister ship were transferred to Battleship Division 2 of the

invasion of Leyte.[14]

Battle of Surigao Strait

The Battle of Surigao Strait

As flagship of Nishimura's Southern Force, Yamashiro left

Battle of Surigao Strait would become the southernmost action in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.[30]

At 09:08 on 24 October, Yamashiro, Fusō and the

listed by almost 15 degrees after a bomb's near miss damaged the hull and flooded the starboard bilge, until counter-flooding in the port bilge righted the ship.[32]

Nishimura issued a telegram to Admiral

amidships. The resulting damage temporarily slowed the ship down, gave her a list to port and forced the flooding of the magazines for the two aft turrets. Yamashiro may have been hit a third time near the bow at 03:40.[36]

At 03:52, the battleship was attacked by a large formation to the north commanded by Rear Admiral

HMAS Shropshire also had radar problems and did not begin firing until 03:56.[40]

The main bombardment lasted 18 minutes, and Yamashiro was the only target for seven of them.

Albert W. Grant was taking friendly fire, and the Japanese ships also ceased fire.[45]

Yamashiro increased speed to 15 knots in an attempt to escape the trap,[45] but she had already been hit by two to four torpedoes, and after two more torpedo hits near the starboard engine room, she was listing 45 degrees to port. Shinoda gave the command to abandon ship, but neither he nor Nishimura made any attempt to leave the conning tower as the ship capsized within five minutes and quickly sank, stern first, vanishing from radar between 04:19 and 04:21.[46] Only 10 crewmembers of the estimated 1,636 officers and crew on board survived, many of whom refused rescue.[47]

Wreck

John Bennett claimed to have discovered Yamashiro's wreck in April 2001, but confirmation of the wreck's identity could not be made.[48] On 25 November 2017, Paul Allen and his crew aboard the research ship RV Petrel, discovered the wreck of Yamashiro and confirmed her identity. The ship was found upside down and mostly intact, with the bow folded back over the hull.[49]

Notes

  1. ^ Skulski and Preston use Squadron while Hackett uses BatDiv, presumably Battleship Division.
  2. Hawaiian Standard Time, so in Japan, the attack on Pearl Harbor
    happened on 8 December.

Footnotes

  1. ^ a b c Gardiner & Gray, p. 229
  2. ^ a b Jentschura, Jung and Mickel, p. 25
  3. ^ a b Skulski, p. 17
  4. ^ Jentschura, Jung and Mickel, pp. 25–26
  5. ^ a b Skulski, p. 18
  6. ^ Skulski, p. 20
  7. ^ Campbell, p. 189
  8. ^ Campbell, p. 198
  9. ^ a b Skulski, p. 30
  10. ^ Skulski, p. 21
  11. ^ Campbell, pp. 192–193
  12. ^ Stille, p. 11
  13. ^ a b c Stille, p. 23
  14. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hackett
  15. ^ Campbell, p. 200
  16. ^ Skulski, pp. 21–22
  17. ^ Skulski, pp. 16, 101, 163
  18. ^ Skulski, pp. 16, 101
  19. ^ Skulski, pp. 25–26
  20. ^ Skulski, pp. 28–29
  21. ^ Silverstone, p. 339
  22. ^ Preston, p. 199
  23. ^ a b Whitley, p. 193
  24. ^ Rohwer, pp. 168–169
  25. ^ Parshall & Tully, p. 454
  26. ^ Parshall & Tully, p. 46
  27. ^ Tully, p. 30
  28. ^ Tully, p. 37
  29. ^ Tully, pp. 34–35
  30. ^ Tully, pp. xi, 43, 56
  31. ^ Tully, p. 66
  32. ^ Tully, pp. 68, 73
  33. ^ Tully, p. 100
  34. ^ Tully, pp. 110–112
  35. ^ Tully, pp. 149, 152–153
  36. ^ Tully, pp. 160, 171–172
  37. ^ Tully, pp. 184, 190
  38. ^ Tully, p. 191
  39. ^ Tully, pp. 195–196, 206
  40. ^ Tully, pp. 195, 215
  41. ^ Tully, p. 197
  42. ^ Tully, pp. 198–199
  43. ^ Tully, p. 206
  44. ^ Tully, p. 212
  45. ^ a b Tully, pp. 214–215
  46. ^ Tully, pp. 216–217
  47. ^ Tully, p. 218
  48. ^ Tully, Anthony P. (9 May 2001). "Important Announcement: Dives at Surigao Strait". A.P. Tully Message Board. Combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 5 May 2013.
  49. ^ "RV Petrel". Facebook. 25 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 31 October 2019.

References

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