Tsukushi class survey ship
Encyclopedia
The was a class of auxiliary ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy
(IJN), serving during World War II
. The class consists of two subclasses, which this article handles collectively.
, the naval important duty was defense of Japan homeland and make of a marine chart. Japan allotted many old naval vessels to a surveying duty after two wars were over, however, they were non-competent for a surveying duties in frontline, because they were low speed. Furthermore, they were not able to be loaded with many surveying device, because their base was a fighting ships. In 1920s–1930s, many survey ships were retired. The IJN allotted Katsuriki
and Komahashi
to surveying duties, however, they had merchant ship structure. Therefore, they were not able to show high speed, also.
In 1930, the IJN demanded two 1,600 tons survey ships (Project Number J6) to the Ministry of Finance
, however, they were not able to pass assessments. In 1937, IJN was able to get a building budget of one 1,400 tons survey ship. This is Project Number J11, later named Tsukushi.
to be able to put several years later, because her duty was surveying in the forefront. And, she possessed a floatplane for air survey. Low speed cruising was demanded from her for surveying, also. Therefore, she possessed three shafts, The low speed cruising used only a center shaft. Her minimum cruising speed was 2.2 kn (2.7 mph; 4.3 km/h).
. On 10 March, she assigned to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, she surveyed in Surabaya
, Balikpapan
, and Davao
until August. She took maintenance in Singapore between 26 August–7 September. On 25 September, she assigned to the 4th Fleet, she surveyed in Gilbert Islands
and Jaluit Atoll
. She took maintenance in Yokohama between 27 March 1943–May. On 20 May 1943, she assigned to the 8th Fleet, sailed to Rabaul
on 6 June, afterward, she acted in the Solomon Islands
. On 3 November, she departed from Rabaul for rescue the Tei-4 Convoy, however, she entered minefield off Kavieng
. She struck a magnetic mine and sunk on 4 November. Removed naval ship lists on 5 January 1944.
Second ship Miho was canceled in 1944.
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), serving during 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...
. The class consists of two subclasses, which this article handles collectively.
Background
In Meiji periodMeiji period
The , also known as the Meiji era, is a Japanese era which extended from September 1868 through July 1912. This period represents the first half of the Empire of Japan.- Meiji Restoration and the emperor :...
, the naval important duty was defense of Japan homeland and make of a marine chart. Japan allotted many old naval vessels to a surveying duty after two wars were over, however, they were non-competent for a surveying duties in frontline, because they were low speed. Furthermore, they were not able to be loaded with many surveying device, because their base was a fighting ships. In 1920s–1930s, many survey ships were retired. The IJN allotted Katsuriki
Japanese survey ship Katsuriki
The was a minelayer of the Imperial Japanese Navy serving during the World War I and the World War II, the only ship of her class. She was the first purpose-built ocean-minelayer in the IJN.-Background:...
and Komahashi
Japanese 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...
to surveying duties, however, they had merchant ship structure. Therefore, they were not able to show high speed, also.
In 1930, the IJN demanded two 1,600 tons survey ships (Project Number J6) to the Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Finance (Japan)
The ' is one of cabinet-level ministries of the Japanese government. The ministry was once named Ōkura-shō . The Ministry is headed by the Minister of Finance , who is a member of the Cabinet and is typically chosen from members of the Diet by the Prime Minister.The Ministry's origin was back in...
, however, they were not able to pass assessments. In 1937, IJN was able to get a building budget of one 1,400 tons survey ship. This is Project Number J11, later named Tsukushi.
Design
IJN gave her armament and maneuverability similar to KaibokanKaibokan
An escort ship, or kaibokan, , is the term used by the United States Navy for a type of naval ship used by the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II for escort duty....
to be able to put several years later, because her duty was surveying in the forefront. And, she possessed a floatplane for air survey. Low speed cruising was demanded from her for surveying, also. Therefore, she possessed three shafts, The low speed cruising used only a center shaft. Her minimum cruising speed was 2.2 kn (2.7 mph; 4.3 km/h).
Service
Tsukushi was completed on 17 December 1941, and assigned to the 3rd Fleet same day. Between 1 Janyary 1942–March 1942, she went to the front in the Dutch East Indies campaignDutch East Indies campaign
The Dutch East Indies campaign of 1941–1942 was the conquest of the Dutch East Indies by forces from the Empire of Japan in the early days of the Pacific Campaign of World War II. Forces from the Allies attempted unsuccessfully to defend the islands. Indonesia was targeted by the Japanese for its...
. On 10 March, she assigned to the 2nd Southern Expeditionary Fleet, she surveyed in Surabaya
Surabaya
Surabaya is Indonesia's second-largest city with a population of over 2.7 million , and the capital of the province of East Java...
, Balikpapan
Balikpapan
Balikpapan is a seaport city on the eastern coast of the island of Borneo, Indonesia, in the East Kalimantan province, a resource-rich region well known for its timber, mining, and petroleum export products. Two harbors, Semayang and Kariangau , and the Sepinggan International Airport are the main...
, and Davao
Davao Gulf
Davao Gulf is a gulf found in Mindanao in the Philippines. It has an area of 308,000 hectares. Davao Gulf cuts into the island of Mindanao from Celebes Sea. It is surrounded by all four provinces in the Davao Region. The largest island in the gulf is Samal Island. Davao City, on the gulf's west...
until August. She took maintenance in Singapore between 26 August–7 September. On 25 September, she assigned to the 4th Fleet, she surveyed in Gilbert Islands
Gilbert Islands
The Gilbert Islands are a chain of sixteen atolls and coral islands in the Pacific Ocean. They are the main part of Republic of Kiribati and include Tarawa, the site of the country's capital and residence of almost half of the population.-Geography:The atolls and islands of the Gilbert Islands...
and Jaluit Atoll
Jaluit Atoll
Jaluit Atoll is a large coral atoll of 91 islands in the Pacific Ocean, and forms a legislative district of the Ralik Chain of the Marshall Islands. Its total land area is only , but it encloses a lagoon with an area of . Most of the land area is on largest islet of Jaluit . Jaluit is located...
. She took maintenance in Yokohama between 27 March 1943–May. On 20 May 1943, she assigned to the 8th Fleet, sailed to Rabaul
Rabaul
Rabaul is a township in East New Britain province, Papua New Guinea. The town was the provincial capital and most important settlement in the province until it was destroyed in 1994 by falling ash of a volcanic eruption. During the eruption, ash was sent thousands of metres into the air and the...
on 6 June, afterward, she acted in the Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands is a sovereign state in Oceania, east of Papua New Guinea, consisting of nearly one thousand islands. It covers a land mass of . The capital, Honiara, is located on the island of Guadalcanal...
. On 3 November, she departed from Rabaul for rescue the Tei-4 Convoy, however, she entered minefield off Kavieng
Kavieng
Kavieng is the capital of the Papua New Guinean province of New Ireland and the largest town on the island of the same name. The town is located at Balgai Bay, on the northern tip of the island. As of 2000, it had a population of 10,600....
. She struck a magnetic mine and sunk on 4 November. Removed naval ship lists on 5 January 1944.
Second ship Miho was canceled in 1944.
Tsukushi class
- Project number J11. Only one vessel was built under the Maru 3 Programme3rd Naval Armaments Supplement Programme (Japan, 1937)The otherwise known as the "Circle Three" Plan was the third of four expansion plans of the Imperial Japanese Navy between 1930 and the start of World War II.-Background:...
.Ship # Ship Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate 56 Mitsubishi, Yokohama Shipyard 17 January 1940 29 Npvember 1940 17 December 1941 Struck a magnetic mine and sunk off Kavieng KaviengKavieng is the capital of the Papua New Guinean province of New Ireland and the largest town on the island of the same name. The town is located at Balgai Bay, on the northern tip of the island. As of 2000, it had a population of 10,600....
on 4 November 1943.
Miho class
- Project number J11C. Only one vessel was planned under the Kai-Maru 5 ProgrammeModified 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme (Japan, 1942)The was one of the wartime armaments expansion plans of the Imperial Japanese Navy .-Background:In September 1942, after being defeated in the Battle of Midway, the IJN drew up a new armaments expansion plan. This plan was combined by the 5th Naval Armaments Supplement Programme and the 6th Naval...
, however, she became only a paper plan.Ship # Ship Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate 5418 Canceled on 5 May 1944.