Japanese destroyer Yūgiri (1899) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids History |
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 Empire of Japan |
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| Name | Yūgiri |
| Namesake | 夕霧 ("Evening Mist") |
| Ordered | 1896 |
| Builder | John I. Thornycroft & Company, Chiswick, England |
| Laid down | 1 November 1897 |
| Launched | 26 January 1899 |
| Completed | 10 March 1899 |
| Commissioned | 10 March 1899 |
| Reclassified |
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| Renamed | Yūgiri Maru 1 April 1919 |
| Reclassified | Utility vessel (submarine tender and minesweeper) 1 April 1919 |
| Renamed | Yūgiri 1 July 1920 |
| Reclassified |
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| Decommissioned | 14 March 1924 |
| Stricken | 14 March 1924 |
| Fate | Hulked 14 March 1924 |
| 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 Yūgiri (meaning "Evening Mist") was one of six special ships called Murakumo-class destroyers. These ships were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in the late 1890s. The Yūgiri played a part in big battles during the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905). It also served during World War I (1914–1918).
Contents
Building the Yūgiri
The Yūgiri was ordered as part of a naval plan in 1896. Its construction began on November 1, 1897. The ship was built by John I. Thornycroft & Company in Chiswick, England.
Launching and Completion
The Yūgiri was launched into the water on January 26, 1899. It was finished and officially joined the navy on March 10, 1899. At first, it was called a torpedo boat destroyer.
The Yūgiri sailed from England to Japan, arriving on June 15, 1899, in Yokosuka. On June 22, 1900, it was officially changed to just a "destroyer."
Role in the Russo-Japanese War
When the Russo-Japanese War began in February 1904, the Yūgiri was part of the 5th Destroyer Division. This division belonged to the 2nd Fleet. The ship took part in several important battles:
- 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.
Collision at Tsushima
During the Battle of Tsushima, the Yūgiri was part of a torpedo attack on the Imperial Russian Navy ships. After firing one torpedo, it tried to get into position for another shot. However, it accidentally crashed into another Japanese destroyer, the Harusame.
The Harusame got a large hole, about 3 feet (0.9 m) long, below its water line. But it could still keep fighting. The crash bent the Yūgiri's front end to the right. This made the ship seem like it might sink. Luckily, after about an hour, the danger passed. The Yūgiri could then slowly sail at 3 knots (5.6 km/h; 3.5 mph) back to Sasebo, Japan. It arrived there on the evening of May 28. After quick repairs, it was ready to join the invasion of Sakhalin in July 1905.
Changes in Ship Classification
On August 28, 1912, the Japanese Navy updated how it classified ships. They created three types of destroyers based on their size:
- First-class destroyers: 1,000 displacement tons or more.
- Second-class destroyers: 600 to 999 displacement tons.
- Third-class destroyers: 599 or fewer displacement tons.
Under these new rules, the Yūgiri became a third-class destroyer.
Service in World War I
Japan joined World War I in August 1914. The Yūgiri helped out near Tsingtao, China. It supported the Siege of Tsingtao, which was a battle to capture the city. Later that year, it helped Japan take over German Empire′s colonies in the Caroline, Mariana, and Marshall Islands.
Later Life of the Yūgiri
On April 1, 1919, the Yūgiri was renamed Yūgiri Maru. It was changed into a "utility vessel," meaning it could be used for different jobs. These jobs included being a submarine tender (a ship that supports submarines) and a minesweeper (a ship that clears sea mines).
On July 1, 1920, it was renamed Yūgiri again. It became a "special service vessel" and a second-class minesweeper. Then, on April 1, 1922, it was reclassified as a "utility vessel" once more, this time to be used as a target ship for practice.
Finally, on March 14, 1924, the Yūgiri was officially taken out of service. It was removed from the navy's list and turned into a hulk, which is the body of an old ship that is no longer used for sailing.
