Lewin of Greenwich Naval History & Forum

IJNS Fusō pictured undergoing trials,post her major reconstruction,May 10th 1933. She was the lead ship of the two Fusō-Class Dreadnought Battleships,built at Kure Naval Arsenal,launched in 1914 and commissioned in 1915, she initially patrolled off the coast of China, playing no part in World War I. In 1923, she assisted survivors of the Great Kantō earthquake.
Fusō was modernized in 1930–1935 and again in 1937–1941, with improvements to her armor and propulsion machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the pagoda mast style. With only 14-inch guns, she was outclassed by other Japanese Battleships at the beginning of World War II, and played auxiliary roles for most of the war.
Fusō was part of Vice-Admiral Shōji Nishimura's Southern Force at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She was sunk in the early hours of October 25th 1944 by torpedoes and naval gunfire during the Battle of Surigao Strait. Some reports claimed that Fusō broke in half, and that both halves remained afloat and burning for an hour, but according to survivors' accounts,she sank after 40 minutes of flooding. Of the few dozen crewmen who escaped, only 10 survived to return to Japan.

A rare shot of IJNS Fuso (foreground) pictured with IJNS Nagato and IJNS Mutsu at Mitajiri in 1928.

Fusō-Class Dreadnought Battleship IJNS Yamashiro pictured undergoing reconstruction at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal,April 20th 1932.

Several more shots of the modernized FUSO. The most "impressive" pagoda in the IJN!! ......DFO

Thanks lads , she looks very top heavy , but I assume her bulk beneath counteracted that but even so quite unmistakable in elevation

FUSO's sister, the YAMASHIRO, had a "heavier" looking pagoda and C turret zeroed pointing aft thereby distinguishing her from FUSO after their modernizations. Note the extra structural bracing on rear of modified pagoda, compared to rear of FUSO's. DFO

What was the tracking on the aft deck for Dennis , was it for the benefit of the aircraft please

Lead Ship,Fusō Class Dreadnought Battleship IJNS Fusō pictured on May 10th post her 1933 reconstruction.
Fusō was modernized in 1930–1935 and again in 1937–1941, with improvements to her armor and propulsion machinery and a rebuilt superstructure in the pagoda mast style. With only 14-inch guns, she was outclassed by other Japanese Battleships at the beginning of World War II, and played auxiliary roles for most of the war.
Fusō was part of Vice-Admiral Shōji Nishimura's Southern Force at the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She was sunk in the early hours of October 25th 1944 by torpedoes and naval gunfire during the Battle of Surigao Strait.Of the few dozen crewmen who escaped, only 10 survived to return to Japan.

I believe it was to move planes around. A few more shots of them, the inclining pic is quite interesting........DFO

Good grief she looks like she is liable to capsize [ might be all those floatplanes aft ] big ole girl it has to be said .thanks for the post Dennis ......