Everything about Japanese Cruiser Akitsushima totally explained
The Japanese cruiser Akitsushima in 1905 postcard>
| Career |
|
Builder:
|
Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan |
Ordered:
|
1889 Fiscal Year |
| Laid down |
March 1890 |
Launched:
|
6 July 1892 |
Completed:
|
31 March 1894 |
Fate:
|
Scrapped 10 January 1927 |
| General characteristics |
Displacement:
|
3,100 tons |
Length:
|
91.7 meters at waterline |
Beam:
|
13.14 meters |
Draught:
|
5.32 meters |
Propulsion:
|
Horizontal triple expansion steam engines, 2-shaft; 6 boilers; 8,400 HP |
Speed:
|
19 knots |
Fuel:
|
800 tons coal |
Complement:
|
330 |
Armament:
|
- 4 × 152 mm rapid fire guns
- 6 × 120 mm rapid fire guns
- 8 x 47 mm rapid fire guns
- 4 x 360 mm torpedoes
|
Armor:
|
75 mm deck;
115 mm gunshield
|
The was a 2nd class
protected cruiser of the
Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the
Yokosuka Naval Arsenal in
Japan. The name
Akitsushima comes from an ancient name for Japan, as used in the ancient chronicle
Kojiki. It shouldn't be confused with the later
Pacific War era
seaplane carrier of the same name.
Background
The
Akitsushima was the sole cruiser for the Japanese navy planned under the 1889 fiscal year budget. Originally intended as a domestically-built fourth vessel in the
Matsushima-class of cruisers under the
Jeune École philosophy promoted by
Louis-Émile Bertin, opposition by the pro-British faction within the navy, and growing concerns on the effectiveness and operational utility of the
Matsushima-class, led to a new design with multiple guns rather than a single, huge
Canet gun. Bertin was outraged by the new design and threatened to return to
France.
The armaments of the
Akitsushima were initially based on the
Japanese cruiser Chiyoda, but the navy felt that this was too light, and demanded the inclusion of an additional four 152
mm, rapid firing
Armstrong cannons, twin mounted fore and aft. The rapid rate of fire of these guns gave the
Akitsushima a large advantage over the more heavily armed
Matsushima-class.
Service Life
After the outbreak of the
First Sino-Japanese War,
Kamimura Hikonojo was assigned command of the new cruiser
Akitsushima and won distinction at the
Battle of the Yellow Sea on
17 September 1894.
During the
Spanish-American War, the
Akitsushima (which was then based at
Makung in the
Pescadores Islands, was sent to
Manila in the
Philippines to safeguard Japanese interests and citizens.
On
21 March 1898, the
Akitsushima was re-designated as a 3rd class protected cruiser. It was called upon for escort duties for Japanese troops and supplies during the
Boxer Rebellion.
Considered underpowered, poorly armored, and outgunned by the time of the
Russo-Japanese War, the
Akitsushima was largely assigned to rear line duties. It was based in the
Tsushima islands, and patrolled the sea lanes between Tsushima and
Port Arthur. It was in the Japanese 3rd Fleet during the
Battle of Tsushima.
The
Akitsushima was re-classified as a Second Class Coastal Defense Vessel on
28 August 1912, and despite its antiquated equipment and age was called upon again during
World War I, to serve in the 2nd Fleet during the
Battle of Tsingtao against the
Imperial German Navy. During the remainder of the war, it patrolled the sea lanes between
Borneo,
Singapore, Manila, and
Saigon against German raiders, as part of Japan’s contribution to the Allied war effort under the
Anglo-Japanese Alliance.
After the war, it was re-designated a training ship on
30 April 1921. The
Akitsushima was scrapped on
10 January 1927.
Gallery
Image:IJN Akitsushima in Kobe.jpg|IJN Akitsushima in Kobe, 1897
Image:IJN Akitsushima in 1897.jpg|IJN Akitsushima in 1897
Further Information
Get more info on 'Japanese Cruiser Akitsushima'.
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