Japanese cruiser Otowa
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 The Japanese cruiser Otowa in 1903 |
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Built: | Yokosuka Naval Yards, Japan |
| Ordered: | 1897 Fiscal Year |
| Laid down | January 3 1903 |
| Launched: | November 2 1903 |
| Completed: | September 6 1904 |
| Fate: | Wrecked August 1 1917 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 3,000 tons |
| Length: | 98.0 meters at waterline |
| Beam: | 12.62 m |
| Draught: | 4.8 m |
| Propulsion: | 2-shaft VTE reciprocating engines, 10 boilers; 10,000 hp |
| Speed: | 21 knots |
| Fuel: | 575 tons coal |
| Complement: | 312 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: |
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The IJN Otowa (音羽) was a 3rd class protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the Yokosuka shipyards in Japan. Authorized under the 2nd Naval Expansion Programme of 1897, the Otowa was built in under 20 months; its rapid construction time set a new record for Japan. Its design sacrificed armor and armament for speed. The name Otowa comes from a mountain in Kyoto, located behind Kiyomizu-dera. The waters from a waterfall at this temple were traditionally held to be a cure of all illnesses.
The Otowa was the first ship to be equipped with the Japanese-designed Kampon water-tube boiler which developed 227 psi compared to the 213 psi pressure of the previous Niclausse boilers in the Niitaka. The engines were identical to those of the Niitaka with a slight increase in power.
The Otowa participated in the final stages Russo-Japanese War, and was re-designated a 2nd class cruiser on 28 August 1912.
During WW-1, the Otowa fought at the Battle of Tsingtao, and was subsequently assigned to patrol the sea lanes between Singapore, Polynesia and the Philippines from its forward base at Manila Bay.
During the mutiny of Indian troops against the British in Singapore in February 1915, the Otowa was the first ship to respond to the British government's request for assistance.
On 25 July 1917, when in route from Yokosuka to Sasebo, the Otowa ran around off Daiozaki, Shima peninsula, Mie prefecture (34ﾟ14'N/136ﾟ53'E). Subsequent efforts to save the vessel failed, and it broke apart and sank on 10 August 1917.
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