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  Chidori 12.1936

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
友鶴 [Tomozuru]			Maizuru K K	11/1932	1.10.1933	2.1934	sunk 24.3.1945
千鳥 [Chidori]			Maizuru K K	10/1931	1.4.1933	11.1933	sunk 24.12.1944
真鶴 [Manazuru]			Fujinagata, Osaka	12/1933	11.7.1933	11/1934	sunk 1.3.1945
初雁 [Hatsukari]			Fujinagata, Osaka	4/1933	19.12.1933	7.1934	surrendered 8.1945, BU 1946

Technical data

Data variant	as completed	1936 modernization
Displacement standard, t	535	600
Displacement full, t	737	815
Length, m	77.5 pp 79.0 wl 82.0 oa	77.5 pp 79.0 wl 82.0 oa
Breadth, m	7.40	7.40
Draught, m	2.50
No of shafts	2	2
Machinery	2 sets Kampon geared steam turbines, 2 Kampon boilers	2 sets Kampon geared steam turbines, 2 Kampon boilers
Power, h. p.	11000	11000
Max speed, kts	30	28
Fuel, t	oil 150	oil 150
Endurance, nm(kts)	9000(10)	9000(10)
Armament	1 x 2 - 127/50 3-shiki, 1 x 1 - 127/50 3-shiki, 1 x 1 - 40/62 HI 91-shiki, 2 x 2 - 533 TT, 2 DCT	3 x 1 - 120/45 11-shiki, 1 x 1 - 7.7/80, 1 x 2 - 533 TT, 2 DCT
Complement	113	113

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

First Japanese ships built according to requirements of London Naval Treaty to 600t torpedo boats. Four ships (Nos1-4) were ordered under the 1931 programme. As well as all Japanese designs of that period, they had the maximum fire power at minimum sizes. Armament originally consisted of three 127mm/50 guns in twin and single mounts, 40mm Vickers MG and two twin 533mm TTs. These torpedo boats considerably exceeded French and Italian, developed on conditions of the same treaty. On arms they could be compared even to some destroyers, armament shared 22.7% of displacement! For redundant upper weight it was not necessary to wait for payment long. After three weeks after commission Tomozuru has shared in manoeuvres. On March, 12th, 1934 during night torpedo attack going in rough sea with 14kts speed torpedo boat has turned over and remained afloat with bottom up. Soon she was searched and towed off to Sasebo. Next day Tomozuru was returned to normal position and entered into dock. Catastrophe became a direct consequence of an insufficient stability. Building of remained Manazuru and Hatsukari at once have suspended.

In August-December, 1936 all 4 ships passed full reconstruction at Maizuru DYd. Both 127mm mounts and aft TT were removed, being replaced by 3 120mm/45 single guns with shields, two of which have taken former places, and third was mounted on a place of removed TT, armament weight has thus decreased more than on 60t. 40-mm MG was removed. Bridge height was moderated by one level. Standard displacement after modernization was increased from 535 to 600t and full from 737 to 815t (98t of solid ballast were added), and max speed has fallen to 28kts. After carrying out of all works the stability accepted comprehensible value.

Modernizations

8 - 12.1936, all: After capsizing of Tomozuru all units of the class were reconstructed with data as given in the table.

1942, all: - 1 x 1 - 120/45 (No 3), 1 x 1 - 7.7/80; + 2 x 2 - 25/60 96-shiki, 4 DCT (totally 48)

1944, all: + 6 x 1 - 25/60 96-shiki

Naval service Manazuru 9.9.1944 was damaged by US submarine Queenfish, 1.3.1945 she was sunk at Okinawa by US carrier aircraft. Chidori 24.12.1944 was sunk SW off Yokos

Manazuru 9.9.1944 was damaged by US submarine Queenfish, 1.3.1945 she was sunk at Okinawa by US carrier aircraft. Chidori 24.12.1944 was sunk SW off Yokosuka by US submarine Tilefish. Tomozuru 24.3.1945 was sunk by US carier aircraft in 230nm SE off Shanghai. Hatsukari 20.3.1945 was damaged by US Army aircraft.