Japanese destroyer Usugumo (1900) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Empire of Japan |
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| Name | Usugumo |
| Namesake | 薄雲 ("Thin Clouds") |
| Ordered | 1897 |
| Builder | John I. Thornycroft & Company, Chiswick, England |
| Yard number | Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 10 |
| Laid down | 1 September 1898 |
| Launched | 16 January 1900 |
| Completed | 1 February 1900 |
| Commissioned | 1 February 1900 |
| Reclassified |
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| Stricken | 1 August 1923 |
| Renamed | No. 2525 1 August 1923 |
| Reclassified | General utility vessel (cargo ship) 1 August 1923 |
| Fate |
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| 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 (162 in) |
| 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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Usugumo (meaning "Thin Clouds") was a fast warship called a destroyer. It was one of six ships built for the Imperial Japanese Navy around 1900. This ship played an important role in two big conflicts: the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905) and World War I (1914–1918).
Contents
Usugumo was ordered as part of a naval plan in 1897. Its construction began on September 1, 1898, in Chiswick, England. The company that built it was John I. Thornycroft & Company.
The ship was first known as Torpedo Boat Destroyer No. 10. It was officially launched into the water on January 16, 1900. Just a few weeks later, on February 1, 1900, it was finished and officially joined the navy.
Usugumo at Sea
Usugumo made its long journey from England to Japan, arriving in Kagoshima on May 14, 1900. Soon after, on June 22, 1900, it was officially called a destroyer.
In 1902, another Japanese destroyer, Shinonome, got stuck on a coral reef near Ikema Island. Usugumo and two other ships, Akashi and Saien, went to help. Shinonome was eventually freed and made it safely to port.
Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905)
When the Russo-Japanese War began in February 1904, Usugumo was part of a group of destroyers in the Japanese Navy's 1st Fleet. It took part in the Battle of Port Arthur on February 8, 1904.
A Morning Battle
In the early morning of March 10, 1904, Usugumo and other Japanese ships met two Russian destroyers, Reshitel‘nyi and Steregushchiy. The Russian ships were returning from a mission. Usugumo was the lead ship for its group of destroyers.
The Japanese ships moved to block the Russians from reaching Port Arthur. Both sides started firing their guns. The Russian ships hit the Japanese ships several times. However, a Japanese shell hit Steregushchiy, damaging its boilers and making it slow down.
Reshitel‘nyi was also hit, but it managed to keep its speed and escape to safety near Russian shore guns. These guns then fired at the Japanese, stopping them from chasing Reshitel‘nyi.
The Fight for Steregushchiy
The Japanese ships then focused on the damaged Steregushchiy. The Japanese destroyers were bigger and had more powerful guns. They fired heavily at Steregushchiy. Other Japanese cruisers also joined the fight.
More Japanese shells hit Steregushchiy. One shell made a hole in its hull, causing water to flood a part of the ship. All of Steregushchiy's funnels and masts were shot down. Most of its crew were killed or badly hurt. By 7:10 AM, Steregushchiy was a wreck and surrendered.
The Japanese stopped firing and checked their own ships. Usugumo and Shinonome had only minor damage. The other Japanese destroyers had more hits and some crew members were killed or wounded.
The Japanese tried to take Steregushchiy, but its crew had opened valves to sink the ship. Two crew members locked themselves in the engine room to make sure it sank, sacrificing their lives. A Japanese tugboat arrived to try and tow Steregushchiy, but Russian warships approached. The Japanese rescued the four surviving Russian crew members and left to avoid another fight. At 9:07 AM, Steregushchiy sank, losing 49 crew members.
Later Battles
Usugumo later fought in the Battle of the Yellow Sea on August 10, 1904. It also took part in the Battle of Tsushima in May 1905.
During the Battle of Tsushima, Usugumo was helping to escort captured Russian warships to Japan. One of these ships, the battleship Oryol, had mechanical problems and stopped. Usugumo stayed with Oryol while the other ships continued.
The Japanese commander on Oryol was worried about the Russian prisoners on board. He didn't want to send Usugumo for help at first. But at dawn, the Russian prisoners became more cooperative. The commander then sent Usugumo to find a tugboat. Usugumo soon found the Japanese cruiser Asama, which went to help Oryol. Oryol eventually got moving again and reached Japan. It was repaired and joined the Japanese Navy as Iwami.
World War I (1914–1918)
On August 28, 1912, the Japanese Navy changed how it classified destroyers. Usugumo became a "third-class destroyer" because of its size.
When Japan joined World War I in August 1914, Usugumo helped in the Siege of Tsingtao in China. Later that year, it helped Japan take control of German colonies in the Caroline, Mariana, and Marshall Islands.
End of Service
On April 1, 1922, Usugumo was reclassified as a "special service vessel" and used as a minesweeper. On June 30, 1923, it was officially called a second-class minesweeper.
On August 1, 1923, Usugumo was removed from the navy list. It was renamed No. 2525 and used as a cargo ship. On February 25, 1925, it was turned into a hulk (a ship no longer fit for active service). Finally, on April 29, 1925, Usugumo was sunk as a target ship in the Philippine Sea.
