Japanese destroyer Usugumo (1927)

Coordinates: 47°43′N 147°55′E / 47.717°N 147.917°E / 47.717; 147.917
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Usugumo at full speed during sea trials, 1927-1928
History
Empire of Japan
NameUsugumo
NamesakeJapanese destroyer Usugumo (1900)
Ordered1923 Fiscal Year
BuilderIshikawajima Shipyards
Yard numberDestroyer No.41
Laid down21 October 1926
Launched26 December 1927
Commissioned26 July 1928
Stricken10 September 1944
FateTorpedoed and sunk by USS Skate, 5 July 1944
General characteristics
Class and typeFubuki-class destroyer
Displacement
Length
  • 111.96 m (367.3 ft) pp
  • 115.3 m (378 ft) waterline
  • 118.41 m (388.5 ft) overall
Beam10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Draft3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Propulsion
  • 4 × Kampon type boilers
  • 2 × Kampon Type Ro geared turbines
  • 2 × shafts at 50,000 ihp (37,000 kW)
Speed38 knots (44 mph; 70 km/h)
Range5,000 nmi (9,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement219
Armament
Service record
Operations:

Usugumo (薄雲, ”Thin Clouds”)[1] was the seventh of twenty-four Fubuki-class destroyer, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world.[2] They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.

History

Usugumo in August 1928

Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.

launched on 26 December 1927 and commissioned on 26 July 1928.[5]
Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 41”, she was completed as Usugumo.

Operational history

On completion, Usugumo was assigned to Destroyer Division 12 under the

IJN 2nd Fleet. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Usugumo was assigned to cover landings of Japanese forces in southern China. On 15 August 1940, she was severely damaged by a naval mine, and was taken back to Maizuru Naval Arsenal
.

World War II history

At the time of the

Paramushiro and Attu and Kiska in the Aleutian Islands to the end of January 1943. In February 1943, she returned to Kure Naval Arsenal for repairs.[6]

During the

Paramushiro and Attu in April, and in July and August assisted in the evacuation of surviving Japanese forces from Kiska.[8]
At the end of November, Usugumo returned to Kure for refit.

After spending January 1944 in training in the Inland Sea, Usugumo returned to Ōminato at the start of February to resume northern patrols and escort duty. At the end of March, she escorted a troopship convoy to Uruppu Island

On 5 July 1944, after departing

Otaru, Hokkaidō with another convoy for Uruppu, Usugumo was torpedoed by the submarine USS Skate in the Sea of Okhotsk, 330 nautical miles (610 km) west-southwest of Paramushiro at position 47°43′N 147°55′E / 47.717°N 147.917°E / 47.717; 147.917. Two torpedoes broke her back; she sank in six minutes, leaving 49 survivors from a crew of 316.[9][10]

On 10 September 1944, Usugumo was struck from the

Notes

  1. ^ Nelson. Japanese-English Character Dictionary. page 791
  2. ^ Globalsecurity.org. "IJN Fubuki class destroyers".
  3. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040
  4. ^ Peattie & Evans, Kaigun page 221-222.
  5. ^ Nishidah, Hiroshi (2002). "Fubuki class 1st class destroyers". Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
  6. ^ Nevitt, Allyn D. (1997). "IJN Usugumo: Tabular Record of Movement". Long Lancers. Combinedfleet.com.
  7. ^ Lorelli. The Battle of the Komandorski Islands, March 1943
  8. ^ Morison. Aleutians, Gilberts and Marshalls, June 1942-April 1944.
  9. ^ IJN Usugumo: Tabular record of movements
  10. ^ Brown. Warship Losses of World War Two
  11. ^ Nishidah, Hiroshi (2002). "Fubuki class destroyers". Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2009-03-01.

References

External links