Kawakaze-class destroyer

The Kawakaze-class destroyers (江風型駆逐艦, Kawakazegata kuchikukan) were a class of two destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy.[1] The class is sometimes referred to as the Tanikaze class in some sources; however, Tanikaze was launched and commissioned later than Kawakaze.

Japanese destroyer Tanikaze
Class overview
NameKawakaze class
Builders
Operators Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded byEnoki class
Succeeded byMomi class
In commission11 November 1918 – 1 April 1935
Completed2
Active0
Lost0
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeDestroyer
Displacement
  • 1,300 long tons (1,300 t) normal,
  • 1,580 long tons (1,610 t) full load
Length
  • 97.3 m (319 ft) pp,
  • 103.6 m (340 ft) overall
Beam8.8 m (29 ft)
Draught2.8 m (9.2 ft)
Propulsion2-shaft steam turbine, 4 boilers 34,000 ihp (25,000 kW)
Speed37.5 knots (69.5 km/h)
Range4,400 nautical miles (8,100 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement128
Armament

Background

Construction of the new Kawakaze-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 8-4 Fleet Program in fiscal 1915. A large destroyer with long range, capable of providing escort to the new battleship Nagato and the two Tenryū-class cruisers were considered a part of this reduced spending naval program from the previous Eight-eight fleet project..

Although funding was authorized for only one destroyer, Tanikaze, the Italian government unexpectedly refunded Japan for its down payment of 870,000 Yen on the Urakaze-class destroyer Kawakaze, which had been transferred to the Royal Italian Navy before completion in England during World War I. These funds were used to complete a second vessel, which was also named Kawakaze.[2]

Design

Initially conceived of as a follow-on version of the earlier Isokaze-class destroyers, however, it was the first to use the new Type 3 120 mm 45 caliber naval guns that were to be used many subsequent classes of Japanese destroyers. In addition, given the experience with deployment of Japanese destroyers for extended periods overseas in World War I, the hull and bow needed to be reinforced to handle heavy seas. Furthermore, the navy wanted to add the latest technologies in terms of the new 533 mm torpedoes in three double launchers.

It was furthermore decided to use the same Brown-Curtis heavy fuel oil fired geared steam turbine engines as on the Tenryū-class cruisers. The result was a ship was much more powerful that the earlier Isokaze class, and capable of high speed operation.

Operational history

The Kawakaze-class destroyers served during the interwar period. Kawakaze was retired on 1 April 1934 and Tanikaze a year later.[3]

List of ships
Construction data
Kanji Name Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate
江風 Kawakaze
"Inlet Wind"		 Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan 15 February 1917 10 October 1917 11 November 1918 Retired, 1 April 1934
谷風 Tanikaze
"Valley Wind"		 Maizuru Naval Arsenal, Japan 20 September 1916 20 July 1918 30 January 1919 Retired, 1 April 1935

References

Notes
  1. Jentsura, Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945
  2. Howarth, The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun
  3. Nishida, Imperial Japanese Navy

Books
  • Evans, David (1979). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941. US Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-192-7.
  • 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.
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