Jingei class submarine tender
Encyclopedia
The was a class of submarine tenders of the Imperial Japanese Navy
(IJN), and served from the 1920s through World War II
. Two vessels of this class were built between 1922 and 1924 under the Eight-eight fleet
plan.
for the Submarine Division Commander and as a depot ship for the nine Kaichū-type submarines
in a division.
. This treaty would turn out to have a great impact on the Japanese shipbuilding industry. The IJN had intended to develop a large naval fleet, but under the treaty stipulations, the size of the intended fleet had to be greatly reduced. As a result, many shipbuilding companies incurred financial difficulty.
The IJN contracted the design details and construction of the Jingei to Mitsubishi
. Naval contracts were directed toward Mitsubishi to prevent it from suffering the financial difficulty that had befallen other companies. The IJN handed only the required specifications to Mitsubishi, allowing for a greater freedom of design. The IJN recycled eight Tosa
coal/oil fired boilers for the development of the Jingei class of ships. Mitsubishi engineers worked on the design until the displacement of the Jingei was reduced to 8000 tons in the basic plan. However, the maximum speed was increased by 2.5 knots.
When Mitsubishi designers went to work developing the Katori class cruiser
, they implemented many design innovations that had been developed during their work on the Jingei. As a result, the Katori-class cruisers came to resemble the Jingei class submarine tenders.
. The two new Jingei-class ships were welcomed by the sailors of the submarine fleets. However, the Jingei-class submarine tenders were unable to support the Kaidai-type submarines
. This duty was taken up by the 5,500 ton Kuma-
and Nagara-class
cruisers.
In 1934, both Jingei-class ships were converted to training ships. Following the Tomozuru Incident
that occurred on 13 March 1934, all ships of the Japanese Navy were subject to inspection and renovation of design flaws that would put the ship in danger of capsizing. Renovations were begun on the Jingei in November 1934 at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal
. Overhaul of the Chōgei was started in October 1935 at Kure Naval Arsenal
. Both ships were equipped with new ballast tanks and bilge pumps.
On 15 November 1940, the two Jingei-class ships were returned to Submarine Division Command and replaced the Takasaki
and the Tsuruguzaki
, both of which had been flexibly designed and were converted to aircraft carriers. The IJN Jingei was assigned to the 7th Submarine Division, 4th Fleet
. The IJN Chōgei was assigned to the 3rd Submarine Division, 6th Fleet
.
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...
(IJN), and served from the 1920s through 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...
. Two vessels of this class were built between 1922 and 1924 under the Eight-eight fleet
Eight-eight fleet
The was a Japanese naval strategy formulated for the development of the Imperial Japanese Navy in the first quarter of the 20th century, which laid down that the Japanese navy should include eight first-class battleships and eight armoured cruisers or battlecruisers.-History and development:The...
plan.
Background
The IJN planned to build over 100 submarines under the Eight-eight fleet plan, and it was recognized that support ships would be needed. The Jingei class was planned specifically for this purpose. The duties of a submarine tender included serving as a flagshipFlagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
for the Submarine Division Commander and as a depot ship for the nine Kaichū-type submarines
Kaichu type submarine
The submarines were double-hulled medium sized submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. They were derived from the .Several variants existed. From 1934 to 1944, the K6 type and the K7 type were built...
in a division.
Design
At first, the Jingei class was planned as a 14,500 ton submarine tender. However, the specifications were revised to 8,500 tons (standing) class, as stipulated by the Washington Naval TreatyWashington Naval Treaty
The Washington Naval Treaty, also known as the Five-Power Treaty, was an attempt to cap and limit, and "prevent 'further' costly escalation" of the naval arms race that had begun after World War I between various International powers, each of which had significant naval fleets. The treaty was...
. This treaty would turn out to have a great impact on the Japanese shipbuilding industry. The IJN had intended to develop a large naval fleet, but under the treaty stipulations, the size of the intended fleet had to be greatly reduced. As a result, many shipbuilding companies incurred financial difficulty.
The IJN contracted the design details and construction of the Jingei to 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...
. Naval contracts were directed toward Mitsubishi to prevent it from suffering the financial difficulty that had befallen other companies. The IJN handed only the required specifications to Mitsubishi, allowing for a greater freedom of design. The IJN recycled eight Tosa
Tosa class battleship
The The ships are sometimes referred to as the Kaga class, after the ship that was planned to have been completed first. battleships, known as Design A-127 during early planning, was an Imperial Japanese Navy dreadnought class planned as part of the "Eight-Eight" fleet...
coal/oil fired boilers for the development of the Jingei class of ships. Mitsubishi engineers worked on the design until the displacement of the Jingei was reduced to 8000 tons in the basic plan. However, the maximum speed was increased by 2.5 knots.
When Mitsubishi designers went to work developing the Katori class cruiser
Katori class cruiser
The were originally ordered by the Imperial Japanese Navy to serve as training ships in the 1937 and 1939 Supplementary Naval budget. During the Pacific War, they were used as administrative flagships for various fleets, such as submarine command and control, and to command escort squadrons...
, they implemented many design innovations that had been developed during their work on the Jingei. As a result, the Katori-class cruisers came to resemble the Jingei class submarine tenders.
Service
The Jingei and its sister ship, the Chōgei, took over the duties of the submarine tenders Karasaki and KomahashiJapanese submarine tender Komahashi
The was a one of a submarine tender of the Imperial Japanese Navy , serving during 1910s and the World War II. Her classification changed every moment.-Background:* At first, she was built as a cargo ship for the Makō Minor Naval Station...
. The two new Jingei-class ships were welcomed by the sailors of the submarine fleets. However, the Jingei-class submarine tenders were unable to support the Kaidai-type submarines
Kaidai class submarine
The was a type of 1st class submarine operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy before and during World War II. The type name, was shortened to . All Kaidai class submarines originally had a two digit boat name, from I-51 onwards. On 20 May 1942, all Kaidai submarines added a '1' to their name. For...
. This duty was taken up by the 5,500 ton Kuma-
Kuma class cruiser
-See also:*List of World War II ships...
and Nagara-class
Nagara class cruiser
-External links: *...
cruisers.
In 1934, both Jingei-class ships were converted to training ships. Following the Tomozuru Incident
Chidori class torpedo boat
The was a Imperial Japanese Navy class of torpedo boats that served during the Second World War. They proved to have too much armament for the hull and capsized shortly after completion in heavy weather. The entire class had to be rebuilt before they became satisfactory sea-boats...
that occurred on 13 March 1934, all ships of the Japanese Navy were subject to inspection and renovation of design flaws that would put the ship in danger of capsizing. Renovations were begun on the Jingei in November 1934 at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal
Sasebo Naval Arsenal
was one of four principal naval shipyards owned and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. -History:The Sasebo Naval District was established at Sasebo, Nagasaki in 1886, as the third of the naval districts responsible for the defense of the Japanese home islands. After the establishment of the...
. Overhaul of the Chōgei was started in October 1935 at Kure Naval Arsenal
Kure Naval Arsenal
was one of four principal naval shipyards owned and operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. -History:The Kure Naval District was established at Kure, Hiroshima in 1889, as the second of the naval districts responsible for the defense of the Japanese home islands along with the establishment of the...
. Both ships were equipped with new ballast tanks and bilge pumps.
On 15 November 1940, the two Jingei-class ships were returned to Submarine Division Command and replaced the Takasaki
Japanese aircraft carrier Zuiho
was a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy. During the Second World War, she participated in many operations, including the battles of Santa Cruz, Philippine Sea and Leyte Gulf where she was finally sunk by American aircraft.-Design:...
and the Tsuruguzaki
Japanese aircraft carrier Shoho
Shōhō , the lead ship of her class, was a light aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II...
, both of which had been flexibly designed and were converted to aircraft carriers. The IJN Jingei was assigned to the 7th Submarine Division, 4th Fleet
IJN 4th Fleet
The was a fleet designation of the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Fourth Fleet designation was used during three separate periods. The initial designation was for a group of ships that were assigned to work together during the Russo-Japanese conflict and the period of its immediate aftermath...
. The IJN Chōgei was assigned to the 3rd Submarine Division, 6th Fleet
IJN 6th Fleet
The was a fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II, primarily responsible for command of submarine operations.-History:The IJN 6th Fleet was formed on 15 November 1940, and was assigned general control of all Japanese submarine operations...
.
Ships in class
| Ship | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Shipyard | 16 February 1922 | 4 May 1923 | 30 August 1923 | Sunk by aircraft at Okinawa Okinawa Island Okinawa Island is the largest of the Okinawa Islands and the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, and is home to Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture. The island has an area of... on 10 October 1944. Salvaged and scrapped in 1952. |
|
| Mitsubishi, Nagasaki Shipyard | 11 March 1922 | 24 March 1924 | 2 August 1924 | Decommissioned on 15 October 1945. Scrapped on 1 March 1947. | |