Destroyers: Fubuki Class

[Brian James]

IJNS Ikazuchi pictured in 1936...She was the twenty-third Fubuki-Class Destroyer, or the third Akatsuki class (if that sub-class is regarded as a separate class), built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the inter-war period. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world.They remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.
Ikazuchi, built at the Uraga Dock Company, was the third of the “Type III” improved series of Fubuki Destroyers, incorporating a modified gun turret which could elevate her main battery of Type 3 127 mm 50 caliber naval guns to 75° as opposed to the original 40°, thus permitting the guns to be used as dual purpose guns against aircraft. Ikazuchi was laid down on March 7th 1930, launched on October 22nd 1931 and commissioned on August 15th 1932. While escorting the transport Sanyō Maru to Woleai, Ikazuchi was torpedoed and sunk by Gato Class Submarine USS Harder, approximately 200 miles south-southeast of Guam,there were no survivors.

[designeraccd]

A robust destroyer design that, when introduced, was the envy of Fleets all over the world! HIBUKI was 1 of, IIRC, 2 survivors along with USHIO....DFO

[Brian James]

Fubuki Class Destroyer IJNS Murakumo,she was the fifth of twenty four built in the late 1920's and when introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world at the time.They served as first-line Destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.
Construction of the advanced Fubuki Class Destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.The Fubuki Class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous Destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type Destroyers (特型 Tokugata). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these Destroyers the firepower similar to many Light Cruisers in other navies.Armament consisted of six Type 3,5inch/50 calibre guns,twenty two Type 96,1 inch AA guns,ten .5 inch AA guns,nine 24 inch torpedo tubes and carried 36 depth charges. Murakumo was built at the Fujinagata Shipyards in Osaka and was laid down on April 25th 1927, launched on September 27th 1928 and commissioned on May 10th 1929.Originally assigned hull designation 'Destroyer No. 39', she was completed as Murakumo.In october 1942 as Murakumo was attempting to assist the Cruiser Furutaka in the aftermath of the Battle of Cape Esperance, she was attacked by Allied aircraft. Three near misses, a torpedo hit and then a bomb hit left the ship unmanoeuverable and aflame, with 22 crewmen dead. The Destroyer Shirayuki rescued survivors, including Murakumo's skipper, Lieutenant Commander Higashi, then scuttled Murakumo with a torpedo 90 nautical miles west-northwest of Savo Island.

[designeraccd]

The FUBUKI class destroyer YUGURI in 1930, and after "meeting" a USN sub, the GRAYBACK.............oopz. DFO

[Brian James]

Fubuki Class Destroyer Ayanami pictured on completion at Fujinagata Shipyards, Osaka on April 30th 1930...She was sunk by gunfire during the Battle of Savo Island, from North Carolina Class Battleship USS Washington on November 15th 1942...She lies in Ironbottom Sound at a depth of approx 2,300ft.

[Brian James]

Fubuki Class Destroyer Ayanami pictured on completion at Fujinagata Shipyards, Osaka on April 30th 1930...She was sunk by gunfire during the Battle of Savo Island, from North Carolina Class Battleship USS Washington on November 15th 1942...She lies in Ironbottom Sound at a depth of approx 2,300ft.

[Brian James]

The second of twenty four ....Fubuki Class Destroyer Shirayuki pictured at Kure Naval Arsenal on May 11th 1929: Built at Yokohama Shipyards in 1928. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful Destroyers in the world. They served as first-line Destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War. Shirayuki was sunk in the Battle of the Bismarck Sea on March 3rd 1943 while under attack by American and Australian aircraft.

[designeraccd]

Here is the FUBUKI on her trials in 1928......a MAJOR advance in destroyer design! DFO

[Brian James]

Fubuki Class Destroyer Sagiri pictured off Tateyama on sea trials on August 10th 1936, post her hull strengthening refit..The '4th Fleet Incident' occurred only a year after her commissioning, and Sagiri was quickly taken back to the Shipyards for strengthening of her hull...The Japanese Admiralty held a hearing on the damage suffered by the Fourth Fleet in a storm, resulting in recommendations for changes on Japanese warship design and construction. A number of new designs that used heavier guns and taller superstructures were found to be top heavy, and efforts were made to stabilize these ships by reducing weight above the waterline. In addition, cracks in the hulls of the new Cruisers indicated the recently adopted practice of electric welding hull seams was suspect, and the practice was canceled on all new Japanese warship construction. The event was kept secret from the public.....From December 17th 1941, Sagiri covered Japanese landings at Miri and at Kuching in Sarawak. On December 24th 1941, approximately 35 nautical miles off Kuching, Sagiri was torpedoed by the Dutch Submarine HNLMS K XVI. Her aft magazine caught fire and exploded, sinking the ship with the loss of 121 of her crew. Some 120 survivors were rescued by her sister ship, Destroyer Shirakumo.

[designeraccd]

FUBUKIs steaming in formation, 1931. No doubt the best destroyers in any Fleet in 1931! Well....maybe a wee bit ticklish about handling HEAVY SEAS in '31......

Also, two nice drawings clearly showing the bridge layout. DFO