Shirakumo-class destroyer facts for kids
Japanese destroyer Shirakumo during commissioning, England, 1902
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Quick facts for kids Class overview |
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| Name: | Shirakumo class |
| Builders: | John I. Thornycroft & Company Chiswick, England |
| Operators: |  Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Preceded by: | Akatsuki class |
| Succeeded by: | Harusame class |
| In commission: | February 1902 – April 1923 |
| Completed: | 2 |
| Retired: | 2 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Destroyer |
| Displacement | 322 tons normal, 432 tons full load |
| Length |
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| Beam | 20 ft 9 in (6.32 m) |
| Draught | 8 ft 3 in (2.51 m) |
| Depth | 13 ft 9 in (4.19 m) |
| Propulsion | 2-shaft reciprocating engines, 4 boilers, engine output 7,000 hp (5,200 kW) |
| Speed | 31 knots (57 km/h; 36 mph) |
| Complement | 62 |
| Armament |
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The Shirakumo-class destroyers (白雲型駆逐艦, Shirakumogata kuchikukan) were a type of fast warship called a torpedo boat destroyer. Two of these ships were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy in Britain between 1901 and 1902. They were designed to be quick and powerful.
Contents
Building the Ships
The Shirakumo-class destroyers were ordered in 1900. They were meant to be an improved version of an earlier ship class called the Murakumo. Both Shirakumo-class ships were ordered from a company named John I. Thornycroft & Company. This company was located in Chiswick, England.
Ship Design and Features
The Shirakumo-class ships were bigger than the earlier Murakumo class. They also had a more powerful engine. One important change was how their rudder was designed. The new rudder was less exposed, making the ships safer from enemy fire.
These destroyers had four boilers and four tall funnels. This was different from earlier designs. They had a flat main deck and a special "turtleback" front part. This design was supposed to help clear water from the front of the ship when it moved fast. However, it didn't work well in rough seas. The bridge, where the ship was controlled, was very low. This meant it often got wet in bad weather.
Most of the ship's inside was taken up by the engines and boilers. These ships used triple expansion steam engines and coal-fired water-tube boilers. They could reach speeds of up to 31 knots. There wasn't much space left for the crew, but it was a bit more than on the older Murakumo ships.
Weapons on Board
The Shirakumo-class destroyers were armed with several guns and torpedoes.
- They had one large QF 12 pounder 12 cwt naval gun at the front.
- There were five smaller QF 6 pounder Hotchkiss guns placed around the ship.
- They also carried two tubes for firing 18-inch torpedoes.
Service History
Both Shirakumo-class destroyers arrived in Japan just in time for a big war. They fought in the Russo-Japanese War from 1904 to 1905. They were part of the 4th Destroyer Squadron. These ships played a very important role in the Battle of Tsushima, which was a major naval battle.
After their combat service, the ships were re-classified on August 28, 1912. This meant they were no longer used for front-line fighting. On April 1, 1922, they were changed into auxiliary minesweepers. This means they helped clear underwater mines. They only did this for about a year. After that, they became unarmed utility vessels, used for general tasks.
The Ships of the Class
| Kanji | Name | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
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| 白雲 | Shirakumo "White Cloud" |
Thornycroft, Chiswick, United Kingdom | 1 February 1901 | 1 October 1901 | 13 February 1902 | Became an auxiliary minesweeper on April 1, 1922; then a utility vessel on April 1, 1923; sold on July 21, 1925. |
| 朝潮 | Asashio "Morning Tide" |
3 April 1901 | 10 January 1902 | 4 May 1902 | Became an auxiliary minesweeper on April 1, 1922; then a utility vessel on April 1, 1923; sold on April 5, 1926. |
