Fubuki class destroyer

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Fubuki-class
Fubuki
General characteristics Japanese Navy Ensign
Displacement: 1750tons
Length: 388 feet 9 in (118.5 m)
Beam: 34 ft (10.36 m)
Draft: 10 ft 6 in (3.2 m)
Propulsion: four (groups I & II) or three (group III) boilers, Kanpon geared turbines: 50000 hp (37 MW: two shafts
Speed: 38 knots (70 km/h)
Bunkerage:
Armament: 6 × 5 in (127 mm) /50 caliber DP guns (3×2),
two 13.1 mm (.51") Type 93 machineguns (2×1),
9 × 24in (60cm) torpedo tubes (3x3, 18 Type 91 torpedoes)
18 depth charges
Complement: 197[1]

The Fubuki Class destroyers (吹雪型), originally only known as numbered destroyers 35 to 54 of the Imperial Japanese Navy "Special Type", were completed between 1928 and 1931. They were assigned names as they were launched, in keeping with Japanese practise.

Intended to set a new standard for IJN destroyers, the Fubukis were part of a program after World War One to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.[2] As a result, they had heavy armament, high speed, and large radius of action. The Fubukis not only set a new standard for Japanese vessels, but for destroyers around the world. At a time when British and American destroyers had changed little from their unturreted, single-gun mounts and light weaponry, the Japanese destroyers were bigger, more powerfully armed, and faster than anything that any other fleet possessed. They were to remain formidable opponents to the end of the war, despite being much older than many of their adversaries. (They also sparked the U.S. Navy's Porter class, only eight of which were built.[3])

Contents

[edit] Description

Initially designed as a 2000 tonner with 5" (127 mm) battery, two twin 24" torpedo tubes (just introduced in Mutsukis), and capable of 40 knots (74 km/h), they were modified in response to the Washington Treaty as 1680 tonners with more tubes, but slower, only 35 knots (65 km/h).[4] Contrary to previous IJN destroyer practise, Fubukis had the forward torpedo tubes not in the fo'c'sle break but between the siamesed[5] stacks (a location similar to U.S. ships). In addition, they introduced splinterproof, gas-tight turrets for the 5", far ahead of their time.[6]

To increase comfort, the fo'c'sle was raised, the bridge enlarged and enclosed[7] , and the bows given a significant flare, to offer protection against weather in the Pacific.

Between June 1928 and March 1933, twenty-four Fubukis were built, in three groups.[8] The second and third groups had new 5" DP mounts, capable of elevating to 75° for AA use, making them the world's first destroyers with this ability.[9] The first group can be distinguished from later ships by their lack of ventilators atop the stacks,[10] while the third group's larger boilers gave them a narrower fore funnel.[11] As completed, group three introduced a unique splinterproof torpedo tube turret (later retrofitted),[12] allowing the tubes to be reloaded in action (both of which Western destroyers still did not do in the 1990s).

In 1934, Miyuki was sunk in a collision.[13]

As a result of several IJN ships suffering damage in a 1935 typhoon,[14] the Fubukis were rebuilt between 1935 and 1937 to improve hull strength and stability. This increased the displacement to 2050 tons standard and 2400 tons full load. The rebuild reduced the top speed slightly. They had a range of roughly 5,000 miles (8,000 km) at 14 knots.

As completed, Fubukis had twin 5" in "A", "X", and "Y" positions, with triple torpedo tubes in "D", "P", and "Q",[15] making them the most powerful destroyers in the world at the time of their completion. During the Pacific War, "X" turret was replaced by more AA, and radar was installed.

Only Hibiki and Ushio survived the war. An astounding eight were sunk by submarines, and two by mines.

As was common with most ships during World War II, the anti-aircraft armament was steadily upgraded during the war as the extent of the aircraft threat was realized. The anti-submarine capability was also upgraded. By 1945, the surviving ships of the class had one aft turret removed to create space and lighten the top for the addition of 14 - 25 mm anti-aircraft guns, 2 additional 13 mm anti-aircraft machine guns, and 18 more depth charges.

[edit] Types

There were actually two models of Fubuki, the original Type I (Fubuki) type, built in 1928 and 1929 and the following Type II (Ayanami) type built in 1930 and 1931. The Type I's primary 5" turret was known as the Model 'A', and could only elevate to 40°, whereas the Type II's Model 'B' turret could elevate to 75°. Furthermore, the Type II's bridge was enlarged and the boiler room's air inlet was changed from a pipe to a bowl shape. Sometimes listed as a third type, the Akatsuki-class was based heavily on the Fubuki.

The Fubuki destroyers sorted by type and order of registration are as follows:

[edit] Type I (Fubuki)

[edit] Type II (Ayanami)

[edit] Type III (Akatsuki class)

[edit] John F. Kennedy's PT-109

In 1943, John F. Kennedy's PT-109 was allegedly rammed and sunk by the Amagiri of this class.

[edit] References

  1. ^ Specification from Fitzsimons, Bernard, ed. Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare (London: Phoebus, 1978), Volume 10, pp.1040-1, "Fubuki".
  2. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040; Peattie & Evans, Kaigun.
  3. ^ Lenton, H. T. American Fleet and Escort Destroyers. (Doubleday, 1971), p.45-47.
  4. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  5. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040, diagram. This pipe design was unusual. It was, however, in line with Japan's preference for two-stackers; destroyers almost universally had one or two.
  6. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  7. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040. This would not be common on American destroyers until postwar.
  8. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  9. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  10. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  11. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  12. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  13. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1041.
  14. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040.
  15. ^ Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040-1 diagram.
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