NAVYPEDIA

Photo

    1-go 1905 Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.

Ships

Name	No	Yard No	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Comp	Fate
第1号艦 [1-go]		123	Fore River, Quincy, USA	1904	30.3.1905	8/1905	stricken 1921
第2号艦 [2-go]		124	Fore River, Quincy, USA	1904	2.5.1905	9/1905	stricken 1921
第3号艦 [3-go]		125	Fore River, Quincy, USA	1904	16.5.1905	9/1905	stricken 1921
第4号艦 [4-go]		126	Fore River, Quincy, USA	1904	27.5.1905	10/1905	stricken 1921
第5号艦 [5-go]		127	Fore River, Quincy, USA	1904	13.5.1905	10/1905	stricken 1921

Technical data

Displacement standard, t
Displacement normal, t	103 / 124
Length, m	20.4 oa 18.3 pp
Breadth, m	3.60
Draught, m	3.10
No of shafts	1
Machinery	1 4-cyl gasoline engine / 1 electric motor
Power, h. p.	180 / 70
Max speed, kts	8 / 7
Fuel, t	petrol 2
Endurance, nm(kts)	184(8) / 21(7)
Armament	1 - 450 TT (bow, 2)
Complement	13
Diving depth operational, m	30

Standard scale images

Graphics

Project history

The first Japanese submarines, they were ordered from the Fore River Co (Holland company design) in 1902, after a Japanese naval mission visited Britain, France, and the United States. Built in great secrecy, they were sent disassembled by rail to Seattle, thence onboard to Yokosuka, where they arrived 12 December 1904. Assembly was delayed; they were launched only in March and May 1905, the first being ready in June 1905. They differ from contemporary boats in greater hull strength, reinforced by a broad strip of bronze plating. Two bilge keels, 7.5x2.9m, also stiffened the hull to resist pressure at a maximum diving depth of 38m. Similar to USN 'A' class, single-hulled.

Modernizations

None.

Naval service

4-go sank at Kure by petrol explosion on 14 November 1916 but was raised and repaired.

Many thanks to Wolfgang Stöhr for additional information on this page.