Protected Cruisers: Chikuma Class

[Brian James]

Lead Ship, Protected Cruiser Chikuma pictured on commissioning day at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on May 17th 1912...The Chikuma Class Cruisers were the first high-speed turbine-driven Cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy, which gave them much greater speed than previous Cruiser designs. Chikuma and Hirado used the newly developed Curtiss turbines, which gave them a rated top speed of 26 knots. During speed trials, they achieved 26.83 and 26.87 knots respectively. Yahagi was built with a Parsons-type turbine engine, and achieved 27.14 knots during speed trials. Although the Class achieved its target of high speed, the new technology of the engines, especially issues with material strength and fatigue, led to maintenance issues...In terms of armaments, the Chikuma Class was unique in its use of a single caliber main battery. The Class was armed with eight Type 41 6 inch 45 calibre naval gun, one each fore and aft, and three mounted in sponsons on each side of the hull. These guns were supplemented by four QF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval guns and two Lewis guns. In addition, each vessel was equipped with three torpedo launchers with 18 in torpedoes.
After 1919, two 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns were added for anti-aircraft defense abeam of the fourth funnel, replacing two of the 12-pounders in Hirado and three of the 12-pounders in Yahagi and Chikuma. All ships of the Class served in World War I. Yahagi and Hirado served in the Second Sino-Japanese War and the first months of World War II, and were scrapped before the outbreak of the Pacific War. Chikuma was stricken on April 1st 1931, and expended as a target in 1935.