Japanese destroyer Shinonome (1927)

Shinonome (東雲, ”Daybreak”)[1] was the sixth of twenty-four Fubuki-class destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I.[2] They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Shinonome.
Shinonome in 1930.
History
Empire of Japan
NameShinonome
NamesakeDaybreak
Ordered1923 Fiscal Year
BuilderSasebo Naval Arsenal
Yard numberDestroyer No.40
Laid down12 August 1926
Launched26 November 1927
Commissioned25 July 1928
Stricken15 January 1942
FateSunk on 17 December 1941, bombed by Dutch Aircraft
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:
Another view of Shinonome.

History

Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal year 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.[3] The Fubuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型, Tokugata). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies.[4] Shinonome, built at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal was laid down on 12 August 1926, launched on 26 November 1927 and commissioned on 25 July 1928.[5] Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 40”, she was completed as Shinonome.

Operational history

On completion, Shinonome was assigned to Destroyer Division 12 under the IJN 2nd Fleet. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, Shinonome was assigned to patrols of the southern China coast, and participated in the Invasion of French Indochina in 1940.

World War II history

At the time of the attack on Pearl Harbor, Shinonome was assigned to Destroyer Division 12 of Destroyer Squadron 3 of the IJN 1st Fleet, and had deployed from Kure Naval District to the port of Samah on Hainan Island. From 4 December to 12 December, she covered Japanese landings at Kota Bharu in Malaya.[6]

From 16 December, Shinonome was assigned to cover Japanese landings during "Operation B", the invasion of British Borneo. The Shinonome was sunk on 17 December 1941, after being struck by two bombs from a Dornier Do 24 flying boat X-32 of the Royal Dutch Naval Air Group GVT-7, which detonated her aft magazine. The Shinonome exploded and sank with all hands in the vicinity of Miri, Sarawak (04°24′N 114°0′E) [7]

On 15 January 1942, Shinonome was struck from the navy list.[8]

Shinonome wreckage

The exact position of the wreck of Shinonome remains unknown, but it likely lies somewhere between Seria, Brunei to the north, and Miri town itself. A team of wreck researchers, based in Miri and with help from the Netherlands, has been searching for the ship's remains since 2004. The team has identified several prospective sites, and is in the process of confirming them. The position, orientation and condition of the wreck will help to resolve the lingering uncertainty about the circumstances surrounding the Shinonome's demise.

Notes
  1. Nelson. Japanese-English Character Dictionary. page 213
  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 Shinonome: Tabular Record of Movement". Long Lancers. Combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 2016-07-24.
  7. Brown. Warship Losses of World War Two.
  8. 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
  • Brown, David (1990). Warship Losses of World War Two. Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-914-X.
  • Howarth, Stephen (1983). The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895–1945. Atheneum. ISBN 0-689-11402-8.
  • Jentsura, Hansgeorg (1976). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. US Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
  • Nelson, Andrew N. (1967). Japanese–English Character Dictionary. Tuttle. ISBN 0-8048-0408-7.
  • Watts, Anthony J (1967). Japanese Warships of World War II. Doubleday. ISBN 978-0-3850-9189-3.
  • Whitley, M J (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.
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