Zuihō class aircraft carrier
Encyclopedia
The was a class of two light aircraft carrier
s operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy
during World War II. Both ships were converted from Submarine tenders.
s which in case of need could be converted to light aircraft carriers. The first ship, the Tsurugisaki was commissioned into service in 1939. The building of the second, the submarine tender Takasaki, was stopped soon after launch and it was decided to complete her as an aircraft carrier. The ship was commissioned as Zuiho in December 1940. In 1941 the submarine tender Tsurugisaki was taken out of service, converted to an aircraft carrier too and commissioned into service as the Shoho.
and the Battle of the Philippine Sea
and was finally sunk during the Battle of Cape Engano while acting as a decoy force.
Light aircraft carrier
A light aircraft carrier is an aircraft carrier that is smaller than the standard carriers of a navy. The precise definition of the type varies by country; light carriers typically have a complement of aircraft only ½ to ⅔ the size of a full-sized or "fleet" carrier.-History:In World War II, the...
s operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy
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...
during World War II. Both ships were converted from Submarine tenders.
Development
In the mid 30's the Imperial Japanese Navy decided to build a class of two submarine tenderSubmarine tender
A submarine tender is a type of ship that supplies and supports submarines.Submarines are small compared to most oceangoing vessels, and generally do not have the ability to carry large amounts of food, fuel, torpedoes, and other supplies, nor to carry a full array of maintenance equipment and...
s which in case of need could be converted to light aircraft carriers. The first ship, the Tsurugisaki was commissioned into service in 1939. The building of the second, the submarine tender Takasaki, was stopped soon after launch and it was decided to complete her as an aircraft carrier. The ship was commissioned as Zuiho in December 1940. In 1941 the submarine tender Tsurugisaki was taken out of service, converted to an aircraft carrier too and commissioned into service as the Shoho.
Ships in class
| Name | Laid Down | Launched |
Commissioned |
Fate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zuihō 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:... (瑞鳳) |
20 June 1935 as oiler Takasaki | 19 June 1936 as oiler Takasaki (*1) | 27 December 1940 as aircraft carrier Zuihō | Lost during the Battle of Leyte Gulf Battle of Leyte Gulf The Battle of Leyte Gulf, also called the "Battles for Leyte Gulf", and formerly known as the "Second Battle of the Philippine Sea", is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II and, by some criteria, possibly the largest naval battle in history.It was fought in waters... , 25 October 1944 |
| Shōhō 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... (祥鳳) |
3 December 1934 as oiler Tsurugizaki | 1 June 1935 as oiler Tsurugizaki (*1) | 15 January 1939 as ST Tsurugizaki (*2) | Lost during the Battle of the Coral Sea Battle of the Coral Sea The Battle of the Coral Sea, fought from 4–8 May 1942, was a major naval battle in the Pacific Theater of World War II between the Imperial Japanese Navy and Allied naval and air forces from the United States and Australia. The battle was the first fleet action in which aircraft carriers engaged... , 7 May 1942 |
- Note 1: Tsurugizaki and Takasaki were converted to submarine tender on 15 September 1938.
- Note 2: The Tsurugizaki was taken for conversion in early 1941 and recommissioned as an aircraft carrier on 22 December 1941.
Operational history
The Shoho was the first Japanese aircraft carrier to be sunk in the Pacific war. The Zuiho participated in the Battle of Santa CruzBattle of Santa Cruz
The Battle of Santa Cruz may refer to:*1656 Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife during the Anglo-Spanish War in the Canary Islands, Spain...
and the Battle of the Philippine Sea
Battle of the Philippine Sea
The Battle of the Philippine Sea was a decisive naval battle of World War II which effectively eliminated the Imperial Japanese Navy's ability to conduct large-scale carrier actions. It took place during the United States' amphibious invasion of the Mariana Islands during the Pacific War...
and was finally sunk during the Battle of Cape Engano while acting as a decoy force.