Japanese destroyer Harutsuki

Harutsuki (春月, "Spring Moon") was an Akizuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Spring Moon". She was different from her other sisters, as she was built as a flagship for the Escort Fleet.

Harutsuki in December 1944.
History
Empire of Japan
Name: Harutsuki
Builder: Sasebo Naval Arsenal
Laid down: 23 December 1943
Launched: 3 August 1944
Completed: 28 December 1944
Commissioned: 28 December 1944, 11th Destroyer Squadron
Stricken: 5 October 1945
Fate: Transferred to the Soviet Union, 28 August 1947
Soviet Union
Name: Vnezapny (Внезапный)
Acquired: 28 August 1947
Commissioned: 25 September 1947, 5th Fleet
Renamed:
  • Oskol (1949)
  • TSL-64 (1955)
  • PKZ-37
Stricken: 4 June 1969
Fate: Scrapped
General characteristics
Class and type: Akizuki-class destroyer
Displacement:
  • 2,700 long tons (2,743 t) standard
  • 3,700 long tons (3,759 t) full load
Length: 134.2 m (440 ft 3 in)
Beam: 11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
Draft: 4.15 m (13 ft 7 in)
Propulsion:
  • 4 × Kampon type boilers
  • 2 × Parsons geared turbines
  • 2 × shafts, 50,000 shp (37 MW)
Speed: 33 knots (38 mph; 61 km/h)
Range: 8,300 nmi (15,400 km) at 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h)
Complement: 263
Armament:

Design and description

The Akizuki-class ships were originally designed as anti-aircraft escorts for carrier battle groups, but were modified with torpedo tubes and depth charges to meet the need for more general-purpose destroyer. Her crew numbered 300 officers and enlisted men. The ships measured 134.2 meters (440 ft 3 in) overall, with a beam of 11.6 meters (38 ft 1 in) and a draft of 4.15 meters (13 ft 7 in).[1] They displaced 2,744 metric tons (2,701 long tons) at standard load and 3,759 metric tons (3,700 long tons) at deep load.[2]

The ship had two Kampon geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by three Kampon water-tube boilers. The turbines were rated at a total of 52,000 indicated horsepower (39,000 kW) for a designed speed of 33 knots (61 km/h; 38 mph). The ship carried up to 1,097 long tons (1,115 t) of fuel oil which gave them a range of 8,300 nautical miles (15,400 km; 9,600 mi) at a speed of 18 knots (33 km/h; 21 mph).[3]

The main armament of the Akizuki class consisted of eight Type 98 100-millimeter (3.9 in) dual purpose guns in four twin-gun turrets, two superfiring pairs fore and aft of the superstructure. They carried four Type 96 25-millimeter (1.0 in) anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts. The ships were also armed with four 610-millimeter (24.0 in) torpedo tubes in a single quadruple traversing mount; one reload was carried for each tube. Their anti-submarine weapons comprised six depth charge throwers for which 72 depth charges were carried.[4]

Construction and career

On 5 October 1945, Harutsuki was removed from Navy List. On 28 August 1947, she was turned over to the Soviet Union, renamed Vnezapny (Внезапный) and rearmed with eight 102-millimeter (4 in) guns, fifteen 25 mm guns and four 533-millimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes. She became the training ship Oskol in 1949, target ship TSL-64 in 1955 and finally floating barracks PKZ-37, scrapped in 1969.

Notes
  1. Chesneau, p. 195
  2. Whitley, p. 204
  3. Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 150
  4. Whitley, pp. 204–05
gollark: Get TJ09 on the line, these are good ideas.
gollark: A 0.42-headed dragon?
gollark: 106-headed xenowyrms?
gollark: Three headeds, anyone?
gollark: _ponders two-headed xenowyrms_

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.
  • Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War 2. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.
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