W-1-class minesweeper
| W-3 in 1923
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | W-1-class minesweeper |
| Builders | |
| Operators | Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Succeeded by | W-13 class |
| Subclasses |
|
| Cost | 700,000 JPY (in 1920) |
| Built | 1922–1929 |
| In commission | 1923–1946 |
| Planned | 6 |
| Completed | 6 |
| Lost | 5 |
| Scrapped | 1 |
| General characteristics W-1-class | |
| Type | Minesweeper |
| Displacement | 600 long tons (610 t) standard |
| Length | 76.20 m (250 ft 0 in) overall |
| Beam | 8.03 m (26 ft 4 in) |
| Draught | 2.29 m (7 ft 6 in) |
| Installed power | |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2 ×ばつ triple-expansion steam engines |
| Speed | 20.0 knots (37.0 km/h; 23.0 mph) |
| Range | 2,000 nmi (3,700 km; 2,300 mi) at 10 knots (19 km/h; 12 mph) |
| Complement | 97 |
| Armament |
|
| General characteristics W-5-class (differences only) | |
| Displacement | 620 long tons (630 t) standard |
| Length | 77.00 m (252 ft 7 in) overall |
| Beam | 8.25 m (27 ft 1 in) |
| Draught | 2.25 m (7 ft 5 in) |
| Complement | 91 |
| Armament | 2 ×ばつ paravanes or 50 ×ばつ Mk.5 naval mines |
The W1 class minesweeper (第一号型掃海艇,, Dai Ichi Gō-gata Sōkaitei) was a class of minesweepers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during the 1930s and World War II. 6 vessels were built in 1922–29 under the Eight-eight fleet plan. They have two sub-classes, this article handles them collectively.
Background
[edit ]In 1920, the IJN developed an Eight-eight Fleet Plan which would provide them with eight modern battleships and eight battle cruisers. However, they did not forget the Hatsuse and Yashima, which had struck naval mines during the Russo-Japanese War; afraid of such events occurring again, the IJN also ordered the No.1-class of purpose-built minesweepers, to replace converted old destroyers in the minesweeping role.
As the IJN anticipated its minesweepers to operate in front of the main battle fleet, and therefore to encounter enemy warships, the No.1-class were more heavily armed than minesweepers of other nations, with each ship mounting two 120 mm (4.7 in) L/45 naval guns. In addition each ship could carry 50 naval mines, making them multi-purpose vessels visually resembling small destroyers.
Ships in classes
[edit ]No.1 class
[edit ]- Project number I1. 4 vessels were built in 1922–1925. W-4 was behind with the laid down by the Washington Naval Treaty.
No.5 class
[edit ]- Project number I2. 2 vessels were built in 1928 and 1929. Improved model of the No.1-class. In terms of their appearance, their foremast was changed to a tripod-type.
Photos
[edit ]-
1st Minesweeping Squadron W-3 and W-2 in front
-
W-4 in July 1930
-
W-5 in the 1930s (after the Tomozuru-Incident)
-
W-6 on 28 May 1933
Footnotes
[edit ]- ^ Minesweeper W-1 (第一号掃海艇, Dai 1 Gō Sōkaitei). The same shall apply hereafter.
- ^ In the vicinity of the wreck, many parts from a Type 93 torpedo were discovered. The Japanese destroyers which participated in the Battle of Sunda Strait were not equipped with Type 93 torpedoes.
Bibliography
[edit ]- Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
- Ships of the World special issue Vol.45, Escort Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), February 1996
- The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.50, Japanese minesweepers and landing ships, "Ushio Shobō". (Japan), April 1981