Japanese destroyer Shimakaze (1942)

Shimakaze (島風) (Island Wind) was an experimental destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, and intended as the lead ship in a projected new "Type C" of destroyers. She was the only destroyer to be armed with 15 torpedo tubes, each capable of firing the deadly 610 mm (24 in) Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo. The ship also served as a testbed for an enormously powerful, high-temperature, high-pressure steam turbine that was able to develop 79,240 shp (59,090 kW). This made her one of the fastest destroyers in the world: her design speed was 39 knots (72 km/h; 45 mph), but on trials she made 40.9 knots (75.7 km/h; 47.1 mph).

Shimakaze on sea trials at Miyazu Bay, 5 May 1943
Class overview
NameShimakaze class
Operators Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded byKagerō class
Succeeded bySuper Shimakaze class
History
Empire of Japan
NameShimakaze
Namesake(島風) (Island Wind)
BuilderMaizuru Naval Arsenal
Laid down8 August 1941
Launched18 July 1942
Commissioned10 May 1943
Stricken10 January 1945
FateSunk in the Battle of Ormoc Bay, 11 November 1944
General characteristics
TypeExperimental Destroyer
Displacement
  • 2,570 long tons (2,611 t) (standard)
  • 3,300 long tons (3,353 t) (full load)
Length
  • 129.5 m (424 ft 10 in) o/a
  • 126 m (413 ft 5 in) w/l
Beam11.2 m (36 ft 9 in)
Draft4.15 m (13 ft 7 in)
Installed power
  • 3 × water-tube boilers
  • 75,000 shp (56,000 kW)
Propulsion2 × shafts; 2 × geared steam turbines
Speed40.9 knots (75.7 km/h; 47.1 mph)
Range6,000 nmi (11,000 km; 6,900 mi) at 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph)
Complement267 (May 1943)
Armament
  • As Built: 6 × 12.7 cm Type 3 dual-purpose guns (3x2)
  • 6 × 25 mm (1 in) Type 96 25mm anti-aircraft guns (2x3)
  • 2 × 13.2 mm (0.52 in) anti-aircraft machine guns (1x2)
  • 15 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes (3x5)
  • 18 depth charges
  • Early 1944 Refit: 6 × 12.7 cm Type 3 dual-purpose guns (3x2)
  • 16 × Type 96 anti-aircraft guns (4x3, 2x2) (increased in June to 28)
  • 15 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes (3x5)
  • 36 depth charges
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