History of the Combined Fleet- Cruisers

History of the Combined Fleet

Cruisers

Nisshin. (Cruiser)

Length

Beam

Draught

62 m

8,7 m

4,2 m

Displacement:

1.514 Tons.

Speed:

11 knots

Main Armament:

1 of 178 mm., 6 of 30 pounds

Launched:

1869

Nisshin was ordered by the last Shogun Tokugawa during the Civil War between Japanese Emperor and his Prime Minister (shogun). When this war ended with the victory of Imperial Army, the ships of Shogun were added to Imperial Navy. Nisshin was a unprotected corvette and never saw action during her life.

Hiei. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	70 m 12,4 m 5,3 m
Main Armament:	6 of 150 mm. and 3 of 170 mm.
Armor:	Belt: 84 to 104 mm.
Displacement:	2.235 Tons.
Speed:	16 knots
Launched:	June, 1877.

Hiei was the first ship under command of Togo, the greatest Japanese Admiral. She was built in England. In fact, she was a armored frigate. She served during War against China.

Tsukushi. (Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	64 m 9,7 m 4,4 m
Armor:	-
Displacement:	1.372 Tons.
Speed:	17 knots
Main Armament:	2 of 254 mm y 4 of 120 mm
Launched:	1880

She was ordered by Chile during Chilean Peruvian War, but, in 1888, she was sold to Japan. In this era, she was one of the most fast cruiser in the World. In 1907, she was converted in Training Ship.

Naniwa. (Armored Cruiser)

Sister:	Takachiho.
Length Beam Draught	91,44 m 14 m
Displacement:	3.650 Tons.
Speed:	18,5 knots
Main Armament:	2 of 260 mm (10,3"), 6 of 150 mm (5,9"), 2 of 57 mm. (2,2"), 10 of 25 mm. (1")
Crew:	325

Thrown out in May of 1885, entered service in January of 1886. Her name is a neighborhood of Osaka. She was the first ship that ordered the Admiral Togo. In 1892 was managed to Honolulu to protect the interest of the Japanese subjects before the invasion of the Hawaii by the Americans. In the war with China participated in the first naval encounter in the Island of Fung Tau and in the Battle of Yalú. During the campaign of Port Arthur had by mission to block to the Russian Square of Vladivostok, in union of their sisters. Both intervened in the Battle of Tsushima.

Yamato. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	62,7 m 10,7 m 7,2 m
Armor:	Main Belt 102 mm.
Displacement:	15.000 Tons.
Speed:	11 knots
Main Armament:	2 of 170 mm.; 5 of 120 mm. and 1 of 76 mm.
Launched:	1882

Yamato, Fuso and Hiei were the most powerful squadron of Cruiser in the Imperial Navy until the Japanese Naval's programs of 1885. Yamato served during the War against China and fought the Battle of Yalu River. She was converted into oceanographic ship in 1907.

Unebi. (Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	98 m 13 m 5,7 m
Armor:	Belt 102 mm.
Displacement:	3.672 Tons.
Speed:	11 knots
Main Armament:	4 of 238 mm and 7 of 150 mm.
Launched:	1886

Unebi was never commissioned into Imperial Navy because she was sank by a typhoon during her voyage from Europe to Japan.

Takao. (Unprotected Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	70,4 m 10,5 m 4 m
Armor:	-
Displacement:	1.778 Tons.
Speed:	15 knots
Main Armament:	4 of 150 mm., 1 of 119 mm

Takao was the first Japanese Ship with steel hull, according to French design of Émile Bertin. In 1907, her main armament was modified to 2 of 150 mm and 2 of 120 mm. rapid fire. From 1911 to 1918, she served as oceanographic ship.

Chiyoda. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	94 m 13,1 m 5,2 m
Armor:	Belt: 114 mm.
Displacement:	2.500 Tons
Speed:	19 knots
Main Armament:	10 of 120 mm.
Launched:	June, 1890

Chiyoda was the first modern Japanese Cruiser. She saw action during the Chino Japanese War and Russian Japanese War.

Chisima. (3rd Class Unarmoured Cruiser)

Displacement:	726 Tons.
Length Beam Draught	70 m 8 m 3 m
Speed:	22 knots
Main Armament:	5 of 76 mm. 6 of 37 mm. 3 torpedo tubes of 380 mm.

She was launched in French Shipyards under Japanese Naval Program of 1882, but she never was commissioned because she was sank by a Steamship into Inner Sea, during her voyage from France to Japan.

Yoshino. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	110 m 14 m 5 m
Armor:	Main Belt 78 mm.
Displacement:	4.216 Tons.
Speed:	23 knots
Main Armament:	4 of 152 mm. and 8 of 120 mm.
Launched:	1892

When she was commissioned, she was the fastest cruiser in the World. She was the first ship with rapid fire cannons that fought in a great Battle: Yalu. Yoshino was lost during the Russian-Japanese War, when she was run by Armored Cruiser Kasuga in 1905.

Asama. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	134,7 m 20,45 m 7,4 m
Displacement:	9.700 Tons.
Speed:	23 knots
Main Armament:	4 of203 mm. (2 x 2) 14 of152 mm.
Armor:	Main Belt: 179 mm. Upper Belt: 127 mm. Bridge: 51 mm.

Asama was based on idea of Sir Philip Watts. This ship was one of the best Armor Cruiser in that era. She play an important role during the Russian Japanese War. In 1921, she was converted into training Ship.

Yakumo. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	132,3 m 19,5 m 7,2 m
Armor:	Main Belt 89 to 178 mm. Turrets 152 mm. Bridge 127 mm.
Displacement:	10.000 Tons.
Speed:	21 knots
Main Armament:	4 of 203 mm and 12 of 152 mm.
Launched:	1899

Yukumo was the heaviest ship built in German Shipyards for Imperial Japanese Navy. She was the best example of Armored Cruiser's development in this era. She served during war against Russia and fought the Battle of Tsushima. Then, in 1921, was converted in training ship.

Kasuga (Battle Cruiser of Second Class)

Sister:	Nisshin
Length	118,8 m
Beam	18,8 m
Displacement:	7.350 Tons.
Speed:	19,7 knots
Main Armament:	1 of 254 mm (10"), 2 of 203 mm (8"), 14 of 152 mm (6"), 10 of 76 mm (3")
Crew:	555

In 1902 Argentina bought to Italy two Cruisers to avoid the purchase on the part of Brazil. Yet in construction was sold them to the Japan that was reinforcing his float in provision of the confrontation with the Russians. Breaked out of the shipyards Ansaldo (Genova) January 8 of 1904 toward the Japan. February 6, when broke diplomatic relationships, already was found in Singapore. Participated in the campaign against Port Arthur, in the one which the Kasuga during a thickens fog departed in two to the Cruiser Yoshino. Also they formed part of the First Division, being the Nisshin badge, in the battle of Tsushima. In 1919 became Coast Guard.

Tsushima. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	102 m 13,4 m 4,9 m
Armor:	Belt: 78 mm.
Displacement:	3.420 Tons.
Speed:	20 knots
Main Armament:	6 of 152 mm. 10 of 12 pounds

Tsushima and her sister Niitaka were an improved Suma Class designed in Japan. Both, Tsushima and Niitaka, fought the Battle of Tsushima.

Tsukuba. (Armored Cruiser)

Length Beam Draught	137 m 23 m 8 m
Armor:	Belt: 102 a 178 mm. Turrets and Barbettes: 178 mm. Bridge: 78 mm.
Displacement:	15.646 Tons.
Speed:	21 knots
Main Armament:	4 of 305 mm.; 12 of 152 mm.
Launched:	1905

Tsukuba and her sister Ikoma were built in Kobe's Shipyards to replace the ships lost during Russian-Japanese War. Tsukuba blow in Yokosuka Bay al 1917. Ikoma was converted in Coastal defense ship in 1921.