Japanese destroyer Akigumo (1941) facts for kids
Officers of the destroyer Akigumo in 1944
|
|
Quick facts for kids History |
|
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan |
|
| Name | Akigumo |
| Ordered | 4 March 1939 |
| Builder | Uraga Dock Company |
| Laid down | 2 July 1940 |
| Launched | 11 April 1941 |
| Commissioned | 27 September 1941 |
| Stricken | 10 June 1944 |
| Fate | Torpedoed and sunk by USS Redfin, 11 April 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Kagerō-class destroyer |
| Displacement | 2,490 long tons (2,530 t) |
| Length | 118.5 m (388 ft 9 in) |
| Beam | 10.8 m (35 ft 5 in) |
| Draft | 3.8 m (12 ft 6 in) |
| Speed | 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph) |
| Complement | 240 |
| Armament |
|
Akigumo (meaning "Autumn Clouds") was a destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. It was one of 19 ships in the Kagerō class. These destroyers were important warships during World War II.
Contents
About the Akigumo Class Destroyers
The Kagerō class destroyers were a bigger and better version of an earlier ship design. Each ship had a crew of 240 sailors and officers. They were about 118.5 m (388 ft 9 in) long. This is longer than a football field!
Speed and Power
These ships were very fast. They could reach speeds of up to 35 knots (65 km/h; 40 mph), which is about 65 km/h (40 mph). This speed came from two powerful steam turbine engines. These engines used steam from three large boilers to turn the ship's propellers.
Weapons on Board
Akigumo was armed with many weapons to fight other ships and aircraft.
- Main Guns: It had six large 12.7 cm (5.0 in) guns. These were placed in three turrets, which are rotating gun platforms.
- Anti-Aircraft Guns: The ship also had smaller 25 mm (0.98 in) guns to shoot down enemy planes. More of these guns were added as the war went on.
- Torpedoes: Akigumo carried eight large 61 cm (24 in) torpedo tubes. These tubes launched powerful "Long Lance" torpedoes, which were very dangerous to enemy ships.
- Anti-Submarine Weapons: To protect against submarines, the ship also had 36 depth charges. These were barrels filled with explosives that could be dropped into the water to damage submarines.
Akigumo's Service in World War II
Akigumo played a part in many important events during World War II.
Attack on Pearl Harbor
In 1941, Akigumo was part of the Japanese fleet that attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. This surprise attack brought the United States into World War II. Akigumo helped escort the aircraft carriers that launched the planes for the attack.
Sinking of USS Hornet
In October 1942, after the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands, Akigumo and another destroyer found the American aircraft carrier USS Hornet. The Hornet was already badly damaged and had been abandoned by its crew. American ships had tried to sink it themselves but couldn't finish the job before Japanese forces arrived. Akigumo and its partner ship then sank the Hornet with torpedoes.
Later War Service and Sinking
As the war continued, Akigumo received upgrades. By 1943 and 1944, it had more anti-aircraft guns and new radar systems. Radar helped the ship detect other ships and aircraft from far away.
However, on April 11, 1944, Akigumo was attacked by an American submarine called USS Redfin. The submarine fired torpedoes, which hit and sank Akigumo. The ship went down about 30 miles (48 km) southeast of the Zamboanga Peninsula in the Philippines.
See also
In Spanish: Akigumo (1941) para niños
