Japanese destroyer Miyuki

Miyuki (深雪, ”Deep Snow”)[1] was the fourth of twenty-four Fubuki-class destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world.[2] They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.

Miyuki on 5 September 1931
History
Empire of Japan
Name:	Miyuki
Ordered:	1923 Fiscal Year
Builder:	Uraga Dock Company
Yard number:	Destroyer No. 38
Laid down:	30 April 1927
Launched:	26 June 1928
Commissioned:	29 June 1929
Stricken:	15 August 1934
Fate:	Sunk in collision 29 June 1934
General characteristics
Class and type:	Fubuki-class destroyer
Displacement:	1,750 long tons (1,780 t) standard 2,050 long tons (2,080 t) re-built
Length:	111.96 m (367.3 ft) pp 115.3 m (378 ft) waterline 118.41 m (388.5 ft) overall
Beam:	10.4 m (34 ft 1 in)
Draft:	3.2 m (10 ft 6 in)
Propulsion:	4 × Kampon type boilers 2 × Kampon Type Ro geared turbines 2 × shafts at 50,000 ihp (37,000 kW)
Speed:	38 knots (44 mph; 70 km/h)
Range:	5,000 nmi (9,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement:	219
Armament:	6 × Type 3 127 mm 50 caliber naval guns (3×2) up to 22 × Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Guns up to 10 × 13 mm AA guns 9 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes 36 × depth charges

History

Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the IJN's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships.[3] The Fubuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型, Tokugata). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies.[4] Miyuki, built at the Uraga Dock Company was laid down on 30 April 1927, launched on 29 June 1928 and commissioned on 29 June 1929.[5] Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 38”, she was completed as Miyuki.

Operational history

Miyuki was lost in a collision with the Japanese destroyer Inazuma on 29 June 1934 in the Korea Strait, south of Cheju. (33°00′N 125°30′E) The number of casualties is not certain, but at least five crewmen perished in the accident. Miyuki was struck from the navy list on 15 August 1934.[6]

Miyuki was the only modern Japanese destroyer that did not serve in World War II, and was the only Japanese destroyer lost in a collision with another Japanese destroyer.

Notes

1. Nelson. Japanese-English Character Dictionary. Page 558
2. Globalsecurity.org. "IJN Fubuki class destroyers".
3. Fitzsimons, Illustrated Encyclopedia of 20th Century Weapons and Warfare p.1040
4. Peattie & Evans, Kaigun page 221-222.
5. Nishidah, Hiroshi (2002). "Fubuki class 1st class destroyers". Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2009-03-01.
6. Nishidah, Hiroshi (2002). "Fubuki class destroyers". Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Archived from the original on 2012-07-11. Retrieved 2009-03-01.

References

• Chesneau, Roger, ed. (1980). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
• Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
• Nelson, Andrew N. (1967). Japanese–English Character Dictionary. Tuttle. ISBN 0-8048-0408-7.
• Stille, Mark (2013). Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919-45 (1): Minekaze to Shiratsuyu Classes. New Vanguard. 198. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-984-5.
• Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.