Japanese destroyer Yūgumo (1941)

Coordinates: 07°33′S 156°14′E / 7.550°S 156.233°E / -7.550; 156.233
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Right elevation and plan of a Yūgumo-class destroyer
History
Empire of Japan
NameYūgumo
BuilderMaizuru Naval Arsenal
Laid down12 June 1940
Launched16 March 1941
Completed5 December 1941
Commissioned5 December 1941, 10th Destroyer Division
Stricken1 December 1943
FateSunk 6 October 1943
General characteristics
Class and typeYūgumo-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 2,077 long tons (2,110 t) standard
  • 2,520 long tons (2,560 t) battle condition
Length119.15 m (390 ft 11 in)
Beam10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Draught3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Speed35.5 knots (40.9 mph; 65.7 km/h)
Complement225 (1941)
Armament

Yūgumo (夕雲, "Evening Clouds") was the lead ship of her class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

Design and description

The Yūgumo class was a repeat 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).[3]

The main armament of the Yūgumo class consisted of six

Type 96 25-millimeter (1 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 in) torpedo tubes in a two quadruple traversing mounts; one reload was carried for each tube. Their anti-submarine weapons comprised two depth charge throwers for which 36 depth charges were carried.[2]

Construction and career

Yūgumo participated in the battles of Midway, the Eastern Solomons, and the Santa Cruz Islands. The destroyer made troop transport runs to Guadalcanal on 7 and 10 November 1942. She then made troop transport runs to Buna, Papua New Guinea on 17 and 22 November. The ship then performed troop evacuation runs to Guadalcanal on 1 and 4 February 1943. Three days later, Yūgumo took part in a troop evacuation run to the Russell Islands. The destroyer made troop transport runs to Kolombangara on 1 and 5 April.

On 29 July, Yūgumo evacuated 479 soldiers from

Battle of Vella Lavella, she charged U.S. destroyers, irreparably damaging USS Chevalier with a torpedo. She was sunk in turn by gunfire and at least one torpedo from Chevalier and USS Selfridge, 15 nautical miles (28 km; 17 mi) northwest of Vella Lavella (07°33′S 156°14′E / 7.550°S 156.233°E / -7.550; 156.233), with 138 killed. U.S. PT boats
rescued 78 survivors and another 25 reached friendly lines in an abandoned U.S. lifeboat, but Commander Osako was killed in action.

Notes

  1. ^ Sturton, p. 195
  2. ^ a b c Whitley, p. 203
  3. ^ Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 150
  4. ^ Campbell, p. 192

References

  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. .
  • Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. .
  • Sturton, Ian (1980). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. pp. 167–217. .
  • .

External links