Japanese destroyer Teruzuki (1941)

Teruzuki (照月) was an Akizuki-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means "Pale or Lighter Moon, Shining Moon".

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Teruzuki.
History
Empire of Japan
Name: Teruzuki
Launched: 21 November 1941
Completed: 31 August 1942
Stricken: 20 January 1943
Fate: Sunk in action 12 December 1942
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: 300
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 12–13 November 1942, Teruzuki was part of the Bombardment Force commanded by Rear Admiral Hiroaki Abe. In the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she claimed hits on seven U.S. ships, including one sinking. The following morning, she assisted the crippled battleship Hiei.

On 14–15 November, she joined the Emergency Bombardment Force commanded by Admiral Nobutake Kondō. In the Second Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, she and the destroyer Asagumo provided close cover to the heavy ships. Afterwards, she assisted the crippled battleship Kirishima and helped remove survivors.

On the night of 11–12 December 1942, Teruzuki led a transport run to Guadalcanal. While patrolling close to shore at low speed, she was attacked by PT-37 and PT-40, torpedoed and left dead in the water. Fires spread over the next three hours until reaching depth charges, resulting in explosions sinking the ship.

Notes
  1. Chesneau, p. 195
  2. Whitley, p. 204
  3. Jentschura, Jung & Mickel, p. 150
  4. Whitley, pp. 204–05
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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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