Japanese aircraft carrier Taiyo
Encyclopedia
Taiyō was the lead ship of Taiyō-class of escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy
in World War II
.
Kasuga Maru (春日丸) — owned by the Nippon Yusen
shipping line
— was laid down in the Mitsubishi
shipyard in Nagasaki in January 1940 and launched in September of the same year. In February 1941, before she was completed as a passenger ship, Kasuga Maru was requisitioned for transportation of military stores and personnel. After she completed a few such voyages, it was decided to convert her to an escort carrier. The conversion took place in Sasebo
from May-September 1941. Her flight deck measured 150 by 23 m (492.1 by 75.5 ft) and was equipped with two elevators. With no island, catapults
or arresting gear
, Kasuga Maru was classified as an auxiliary carrier. On 31 August 1942, she was renamed Taiyō (大鷹, “goshawk”) and reclassified as a warship.
ed and hit by United States Navy
submarine
s on several occasions: on 28 September 1942, south of Truk by , then on 9 April 1943 by and on 24 September 1943 by . Each time, she was repaired and put back to service. During her career, Taiyōs anti-aircraft armament
was upgraded several times. On 18 August 1944 off Cape Bolinao
, Luzon
, while escorting a convoy
headed for Manila
, Taiyō was hit by a torpedo fired by the submarine . The hit caused the carrier’s avgas
and oil tanks to explode, and Taiyō sank in a mere 26 minutes, with few survivors.
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Construction and Conversion
The 17100 LT (17,374.5 t) ocean linerOcean liner
An ocean liner is a ship designed to transport people from one seaport to another along regular long-distance maritime routes according to a schedule. Liners may also carry cargo or mail, and may sometimes be used for other purposes .Cargo vessels running to a schedule are sometimes referred to as...
Kasuga Maru (春日丸) — owned by the Nippon Yusen
Nippon Yusen
Japan-based or NYK Line, is one of the largest shipping companies in the world. It is a core Mitsubishi company. The company has its headquarters in Chiyoda, Tokyo.-1870-1900:...
shipping line
Shipping line
-History of shipping lines:Large-scale shipping lines became widespread in the nineteenth century, after the development of the steamship in 1783. At first, Great Britain was the centr of development; in 1819, the first steamship crossing of the Atlantic Ocean took place and by 1833, shipping lines...
— was laid down in the Mitsubishi
Mitsubishi
The Mitsubishi Group , Mitsubishi Group of Companies, or Mitsubishi Companies is a Japanese multinational conglomerate company that consists of a range of autonomous businesses which share the Mitsubishi brand, trademark and legacy...
shipyard in Nagasaki in January 1940 and launched in September of the same year. In February 1941, before she was completed as a passenger ship, Kasuga Maru was requisitioned for transportation of military stores and personnel. After she completed a few such voyages, it was decided to convert her to an escort carrier. The conversion took place in Sasebo
Sasebo, Nagasaki
is a city located in Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan. As of 2011, the city has an estimated population of 259,800 and the density of 609 persons per km². The total area is 426.47 km². The locality is famed for its scenic beauty. The city includes a part of Saikai National Park...
from May-September 1941. Her flight deck measured 150 by 23 m (492.1 by 75.5 ft) and was equipped with two elevators. With no island, catapults
Aircraft catapult
An aircraft catapult is a device used to launch aircraft from ships—in particular aircraft carriers—as a form of assisted take off. It consists of a track built into the flight deck, below which is a large piston or shuttle that is attached through the track to the nose gear of the aircraft, or in...
or arresting gear
Arresting gear
Arresting gear, or arrestor gear, is the name used for mechanical systems designed to rapidly decelerate an aircraft as it lands. Arresting gear on aircraft carriers is an essential component of naval aviation, and it is most commonly used on CATOBAR and STOBAR aircraft carriers. Similar systems...
, Kasuga Maru was classified as an auxiliary carrier. On 31 August 1942, she was renamed Taiyō (大鷹, “goshawk”) and reclassified as a warship.
Operational history
Taiyō was used primarily for flight training and aircraft transport. She was torpedoTorpedo
The modern torpedo is a self-propelled missile weapon with an explosive warhead, launched above or below the water surface, propelled underwater towards a target, and designed to detonate either on contact with it or in proximity to it.The term torpedo was originally employed for...
ed and hit by United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
submarine
Submarine
A submarine is a watercraft capable of independent operation below the surface of the water. It differs from a submersible, which has more limited underwater capability...
s on several occasions: on 28 September 1942, south of Truk by , then on 9 April 1943 by and on 24 September 1943 by . Each time, she was repaired and put back to service. During her career, Taiyōs anti-aircraft armament
Anti-aircraft warfare
NATO defines air defence as "all measures designed to nullify or reduce the effectiveness of hostile air action." They include ground and air based weapon systems, associated sensor systems, command and control arrangements and passive measures. It may be to protect naval, ground and air forces...
was upgraded several times. On 18 August 1944 off Cape Bolinao
Bolinao, Pangasinan
Bolinao is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Pangasinan, Philippines. According to the latest census, it has a population of 69,568 people in 12,182 households.-History:...
, Luzon
Luzon
Luzon is the largest island in the Philippines. It is located in the northernmost region of the archipelago, and is also the name for one of the three primary island groups in the country centered on the Island of Luzon...
, while escorting a convoy
Convoy
A convoy is a group of vehicles, typically motor vehicles or ships, traveling together for mutual support and protection. Often, a convoy is organized with armed defensive support, though it may also be used in a non-military sense, for example when driving through remote areas.-Age of Sail:Naval...
headed for Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Taiyō was hit by a torpedo fired by the submarine . The hit caused the carrier’s avgas
Avgas
Avgas is an aviation fuel used to power piston-engine aircraft. Avgas is distinguished from mogas , which is the everyday gasoline used in cars and some non-commercial light aircraft...
and oil tanks to explode, and Taiyō sank in a mere 26 minutes, with few survivors.