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Takachiho

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
浪速 [Naniwa]			Armstrong, Elswick, UK	27.3.1884	18.3.1885	1.12.1885	wrecked 26.7.1912
高千穂 [Takachiho]			Armstrong, Elswick, UK	10.4.1884	16.5.1885	26.3.1886	sunk 17.10.1914

Technical data

Displacement normal, t	3650
Displacement full, t	3708
Length, m	91.4 pp 97.5 oa
Breadth, m	14.0
Draught, m	6.10 full load
No of shafts	2
Machinery	2 HC, 6 cylindrical boilers
Power, h. p.	7000
Max speed, kts	18.5
Fuel, t	coal 800
Endurance, nm(kts)	9000(13)
Armour, mm	deck: 76 - 51, barbettes: 51, shields: 38, CT: 38
Armament	Naniwa: 2 x 1 - 263/32 RKL/35 C/84, 6 x 1 - 149/32 RKL/35 C/80, 2 x 1 - 57/40 6pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 4 - 25/60 Nordenfelt Mk I, 4 x 10 - 11.4/94, 4 - 350 TT (beam) Takachiho: 2 x 1 - 263/32 RKL/35 C/84, 6 x 1 - 149/32 RKL/35 C/80, 2 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I, 10 x 4 - 25/60 Nordenfelt Mk I, 4 x 10 - 11.4/94, 4 - 350 TT (beam)
Complement	325

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The first protected cruisers built for the Japanese Navy, they were to an improved Esmeralda design prepared by Sir William White. They were completed with a cellular double bottom as an added protection against underwater damage from mine or grounding. The space could be flooded to adjust trim for the operation of the guns. Armour protection was much stronger than in Esmeralda and increased freeboard enabled the designer to arrange for the armoured deck to be placed above the waterline. Further protection was afforded by using the wing passages above and below the armoured deck abreast the machinery spaces as coal bunkers.

The armament was similar to Emeralda's with the 25t 26cm Krupp guns having a 240° arc of fire forward and aft about the keel line. Three 15cm/35 Krupp guns were mounted to port and starboard amidships, each commanding a field of fire of 130°.

Ship protection

Protected deck consisted of two layers and had 51mm flat and 76mm slopes. Engine glacises also were 76mm-thick.

Modernizations

1895-1896, Naniwa: fighting tops were lowered; - 6 x 1 - 149/32, 2 x 1 - 57/40, 10 x 4 - 25/50, 4 x 10 - 11.9/94; + 6 x 1 - 152/40 Armstrong W, 6 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I

1895-1896, Takachiho: fighting tops were lowered; - 6 x 1 - 149/32, 10 x 4 - 25/50, 4 x 10 - 11.9/94; + 6 x 1 - 152/40 Armstrong W, 4 x 1 - 47/40 3pdr Hotchkiss Mk I

1900-1901, both: - 2 x 1 - 263/32; + 2 x 1 - 152/40 Armstrong W

1907, Takachiho: + mines

Naval service

Both ships served with distinction at the Battle of the Yalu and during the Russo-Japanese war. They were relegated to minor duties in 1907. Naniwa was wrecked off Uruppa Island, in the Kuriles, 26.7.1912. Takachiho was used as a minelayer since 1907 and was torpedoed and sunk by the German torpedo boat S90 while taking part in the attack on Tsing Tao 17.10.1914.