Japanese escort ship Matsuwa
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan | |
| Name | Matsuwa |
| Builder | Mitsui, Tamano |
| Laid down | 20 February 1942 |
| Launched | 13 November 1942 |
| Commissioned | 23 March 1943 |
| Fate | Sunk by USS Harder, 22 August 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | escort ship |
| Displacement | 870 long tons (884 t) |
| Length | 77.7 m (255 ft) |
| Beam | 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in) |
| Draught | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Speed | 19.7 knots (22.7 mph; 36.5 km/h) |
| Complement | 150 |
| Armament |
|
Matsuwa (松輪) was one of fourteen
escort ships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy
during World War II.
Background and description
The Etorofu class was an improved version of the preceding
propeller shaft, which were rated at a total of 4,200 brake horsepower (3,100 kW) for a speed of 19.7 knots (36.5 km/h; 22.7 mph). The ships had a range of 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km; 9,200 mi) at a speed of 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[2]
The main armament of the Etorofu class consisted of three
Type 96 25-millimeter (1.0 in) anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts, but the total was increased to 15 guns by August 1943. 36 depth charges were stowed aboard initially, but this later increased by August 1943 to 60 depth charges with a Type 97 81-millimeter (3.2 in) trench mortar[2]
and six depth charge throwers. They received Type 22 and Type 13 radars and Type 93 sonar in 1943–44.
Construction and career
Matsuwa was
launched by Mitsui, Tumano, on 19 April 1942 and completed on 1 April 1943. On 2 August 1944, she was torpedoed and sunk by the submarine USS Harder in Hidai Bay.[2]
Notes
References
- Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- 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.
