Japanese destroyer Murakumo (1898) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Empire of Japan |
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| Name | Murakumo |
| Namesake | 叢雲 ("Gathering Clouds") |
| Ordered | 1896 |
| Builder | John I. Thornycroft & Company, Chiswick, England |
| Yard number | Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 4 |
| Laid down | 1 October 1897 |
| Launched | 16 November 1898 |
| Completed | 29 December 1898 |
| Commissioned | 29 December 1898 |
| Reclassified |
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| Identification |
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| Stricken | 1 April 1919 |
| Renamed | Murakumo Maru 1 April 1919 |
| Reclassified | Miscellaneous vessel (submarine tender/minesweeper) 1 April 1919 |
| Renamed | Murakumo 1 July 1920 |
| Reclassified | Special-duty vessel (second-class minesweeper) 1 July 1920 |
| Reclassified | Utility vessel (target ship) 1 April 1922 |
| Fate | Sunk as target 4 June 1925 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Murakumo-class destroyer |
| Displacement |
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| Length |
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| Beam | 19 ft 6 in (5.94 m) |
| Draught | 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) |
| Depth | 13 ft 6 in (4.11 m) |
| Propulsion | Reciprocating engine, 3 boilers, 5,800 ihp (4,300 kW), 2 shafts |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h; 35 mph) |
| Complement | 50 |
| Armament |
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| Service record | |
| Operations: |
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The Murakumo (meaning "Gathering Clouds" in Japanese) was a special type of warship called a destroyer. It was the first of six ships in its class, all built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 1890s. Murakumo played a role in several important events, including the Boxer Rebellion in 1900, major battles during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), and even during World War I (1914–1918).
Building and Joining the Fleet
How Murakumo Was Built
The idea for Murakumo came from a naval plan in 1896. Its construction began on October 1, 1897, at the John I. Thornycroft & Company shipyard in Chiswick, England. At first, it was simply called Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 4.
Becoming the Murakumo
On March 16, 1898, the ship was officially named Murakumo. A few days later, on March 21, the Imperial Japanese Navy created new rules for classifying warships. Murakumo was then listed as a "torpedo boat destroyer." The ship was launched into the water on November 16, 1898, and was officially ready for service on December 29, 1898.
Murakumo's Service History
Early Years and Reclassification
Murakumo made its long journey from England to Japan, arriving in Yokosuka on April 23, 1899. It took part in a big naval review (a parade of ships) near Kobe, Japan, in April 1900. On June 22, 1900, the Japanese Navy changed its ship classifications again. The term "torpedo boat destroyer" was removed, and "destroyer" became the official name for this type of warship. Murakumo was then officially a destroyer. It was assigned to the Sasebo Naval District and became part of the main fleet.
Action in the Boxer Rebellion
In 1900, Murakumo was involved in the Boxer Rebellion in China. This was a conflict where several countries, including Japan, sent forces to protect their citizens and interests in China.
Battles in the Russo-Japanese War
When the Russo-Japanese War started in February 1904, Murakumo was part of the 5th Destroyer Division within the 2nd Fleet. This war involved Japan and Russia fighting over control of parts of East Asia.
Key Engagements
Murakumo participated in several important battles during this war:
- The Battle of Port Arthur in February 1904.
- The Battle of the Yellow Sea in August 1904.
- The famous Battle of Tsushima in May 1905.
Chasing Russian Ships
During the Battle of Tsushima, on May 28, 1905, Murakumo couldn't launch a torpedo attack at night. However, the next morning, it joined two Japanese protected cruisers, Niitaka and Otowa. They were chasing a damaged Russian cruiser, Svetlana, and its escorting destroyer, Buistri.
Murakumo stayed ahead of the Japanese cruisers, preventing the Russian destroyer Buistri from helping Svetlana. Eventually, Svetlana was too damaged to continue fighting. While Otowa finished off Svetlana, Buistri tried to escape. Murakumo and Niitaka chased Buistri until its crew ran it aground (stuck it on the shore) on the Korean Peninsula. They then partially blew up their own ship and surrendered.
Invasion of Sakhalin
Murakumo also took part in the Japanese invasion of Sakhalin in July 1905, which was another part of the Russo-Japanese War. After the war ended, the ship participated in a victory naval review in Yokohama, Japan, in October 1905.
Later Reclassifications and World War I
In November 1908, Murakumo was part of another large naval review near Kobe. On August 28, 1912, the Japanese Navy changed its destroyer classifications again. Destroyers were now grouped into three classes based on their size. Murakumo, being smaller, became a "third-class destroyer."
After Japan joined World War I in August 1914, Murakumo helped with the Siege of Tsingtao in China. Later that year, it also helped Japan take over Germany's colonial islands in the Caroline, Mariana, and Marshall Islands.
End of Service
On April 1, 1919, Murakumo was removed from the navy's active list. It was then used for other purposes, like a submarine tender (a ship that supports submarines) and a minesweeper (a ship that clears naval mines). Its name was changed to Murakumo Maru.
On July 1, 1920, it was reclassified again as a "special duty vessel" for use as a second-class minesweeper and its name went back to Murakumo. Finally, on April 1, 1922, it became a "utility vessel" to be used as a target ship.
An inspection in January 1925 showed that the ship's hull (body) and other parts were very old and worn out. So, on June 4, 1925, the Murakumo was sunk as a target during a live-fire exercise in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Chiba Prefecture, Japan.
