Japanese destroyer Suzunami (1943)

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For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Suzunami.
Right elevation and plan of a Yūgumo-class destroyer
History
Empire of Japan
NameSuzunami
BuilderUraga Dock Company
Laid down27 March 1942
Launched12 March 1943
Completed27 July 1943
Stricken5 January 1944
FateSunk, 11 November 1943
General characteristics
Class and typeYūgumo-class destroyer
Displacement2,520 long tons (2,560 t)
Length119.15 m (390 ft 11 in)
Beam10.8 m (35 ft 5 in)
Draught3.75 m (12 ft 4 in)
Speed35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h)
Complement228
Armament

Suzunami (涼波, "Breaking Waves") was a Yūgumo-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy.

Design and description

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The Yūgumo class was a repeat of the preceding Kagerō class with minor improvements that increased their anti-aircraft capabilities. Their crew numbered 228 officers and enlisted men. The ships measured 119.17 meters (391 ft 0 in) overall, with a beam of 10.8 meters (35 ft 5 in) and a draft of 3.76 meters (12 ft 4 in).[1] They displaced 2,110 metric tons (2,080 long tons) at standard load and 2,560 metric tons (2,520 long tons) at deep load.[2] The ships had two Kampon geared steam turbines, each driving one 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 3 127-millimeter (5.0 in) guns in three twin-gun turrets, one superfiring pair aft and one turret forward of the superstructure.[2] The guns were able to elevate up to 75° to increase their ability against aircraft, but their slow rate of fire, slow traversing speed, and the lack of any sort of high-angle fire-control system meant that they were virtually useless as anti-aircraft guns.[4] They were built with four 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 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

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On 11 November 1943, Suzunami was sunk in a U.S. carrier air raid on Rabaul, New Britain. Reportedly she took a direct bomb hit while loading torpedoes near mouth of Rabaul Harbor (04°13′S 152°11′E / 4.217°S 152.183°E / -4.217; 152.183). She blew up and sank; 148 were killed, including Commander Kamiyama.

Notes

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

References

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  • Campbell, John (1985). Naval Weapons of World War II. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-459-4.
  • 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.
  • 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. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
  • Whitley, M. J. (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Cassell & Co. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.
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