The Kagerō class was an enlarged and improved version of the preceding
propeller shaft, using steam provided by three Kampon water-tube boilers. The turbines were rated at a total of 52,000 shaft horsepower (39,000 kW) for a designed speed of 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph). The ships had a range of 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[3]
The main armament of the Kagerō class consisted of six
Type 96 25-millimeter (1.0 in) anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts, but more of these guns were added over the course of the war. The ships were also armed with eight 610-millimeter (24.0 in) torpedo tubes for the oxygen-fueled Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo in two quadruple traversing mounts; one reload was carried for each tube.[2] Their anti-submarine weapons comprised 16 depth charges.[3]
Construction and career
On 9 June 1944, she rescued 126 survivors from the destroyer
Battle of Philippine Sea, she assisted survivors of the aircraft carrier Shōkaku, which was sunk by the submarine USS Cavalla
, and slightly damaged the attacking submarine with depth charges.
On 21 November 1944, Urakaze was torpedoed and sunk with all hands - including Commander Destroyer Division 17 (Captain Tamotsu Tanii) - by the submarine USS Sealion,[4] 65 miles (105 km) north-northwest of Keelung, Formosa (26°09′N121°23′E / 26.150°N 121.383°E / 26.150; 121.383). The torpedo that sank her was one out of three launched by the submarine, one of which inadvertently sank her with the two others missing their intended target, the battleship Nagato, and hitting the battleship Kongō, sinking her several hours later.
Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute.
Empire of Japan
Imperial Japanese Navy
Republic of China Navy
