Japanese destroyer Sakura (1944)

Coordinates: 34°36′N 135°28′E / 34.600°N 135.467°E / 34.600; 135.467
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For other ships with the same name, see Japanese ship Sakura.
Sister ship Momi, 4 September 1944
History
Empire of Japan
NameSakura
NamesakeCherry blossom
BuilderYokosuka Naval Arsenal
Laid down2 June 1944
Launched6 September 1944
Completed25 November 1944
Stricken10 August 1945
FateSunk by mine, 11 July 1945
General characteristics (as built)
Class and typeMatsu-class escort destroyer
Displacement1,282 t (1,262 long tons) (standard)
Length100 m (328 ft 1 in) (
o/a
)
Beam9.35 m (30 ft 8 in)
Draft3.3 m (10 ft 10 in)
Installed power2 ×
kW
)
Propulsion2 shafts, 2 × geared
steam turbines
Speed27.8 knots (51.5 km/h; 32.0 mph)
Range4,680 nmi (8,670 km; 5,390 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement210
Sensors and
processing systems
Armament
  • 1 × twin, 1 × single
    DP guns
  • 4 × triple, 13 × single
    AA guns
  • 1 × quadruple 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × rails, 2 × throwers for 36 depth charges

Sakura (桜 or 櫻, "cherry blossom") was one of 18 Matsu-class destroyers built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) during the final stages of World War II. Completed in late 1944, the ship was assigned to convoy escort duties in February 1945. She was slightly damaged when she struck a mine in May. Sakura sank after striking another mine near Osaka on 11 July with heavy loss of life.

Design and description

Designed for ease of production, the Matsu class was smaller, slower and more lightly armed than previous destroyers as the IJN intended them for second-line duties like escorting convoys, releasing the larger ships for missions with the fleet.

kW) for a speed of 27.8 knots (51.5 km/h; 32.0 mph). The Matsus had a range of 4,680 nautical miles (8,670 km; 5,390 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[5]

The main armament of the Matsu-class ships consisted of three

amidships for 610-millimeter (24 in) torpedoes. They could deliver their 36 depth charges via two stern rails and two throwers.[2][6]

Construction and career

Authorized in the late 1942

laid down on 2 June 1944 at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal and launched on 6 September.[8] Upon her completion on 25 November, the ship was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 11 of the Combined Fleet for training. On 12 February 1945, Sakura departed Moji as part of the escort for Convoy MOTA-36 bound for Keelung, Taiwan. She then escorted the cruiser Kashima to Shanghai, China and remained in the area, tasked with patrol and escort duties. On 15 March the ship was reassigned to the squadron's Destroyer Division 53. Six days later Sakura arrived at Kure, Japan. The squadron was briefly attached to the Second Fleet from 1–20 April before rejoining the Combined Fleet.[9]

Sakura was slightly damaged when she struck a mine in

navy list on 10 August.[9]

References

  1. ^ Stille, p. 38
  2. ^ a b Sturton, p. 196
  3. ^ Stille, p. 45
  4. ^ Whitley, p. 206
  5. ^ Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 151
  6. ^ a b Stille, p. 41
  7. ^ Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 152
  8. ^ Stille, p. 40
  9. ^ a b Nevitt

Bibliography

  • Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute.
    ISBN 0-87021-893-X
    .
  • Nevitt, Allyn D. (1998). "IJN Sakura: Tabular Record of Movement". www.combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 21 September 2020.
  • Stille, Mark (2013). Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919–45 (2): Asahio to Tachibana Classes. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing.
    ISBN 978-1-84908-987-6
    .
  • Sturton, Ian (1980). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press.
    ISBN 0-85177-146-7
    .
  • ISBN 0-87021-326-1
    .
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