Japanese aircraft carrier Chūyō

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Career IJN Ensign
Laid down: 9 May 1938
Launched: 20 May 1939
Commissioned: 25 November 1942
Fate: Sunk by the submarine USS Sailfish, 4 December 1943
General characteristics
Displacement: 17,830 tons standard
19,500 tons max.
Length: 173.7 m waterline
180.4 m overall
Beam: 22.5 m
Draft: 7.74 m
Propulsion: 4 Kampon water-tube boilers
2 Kampon geared steam turbines
25,200 shp (18,522 kW)
2 shafts, 1 rudder
Speed: 21 knots (39 km/h)
Range: 6,500 nmi. (12,000 km) at 18 knots
Other sources: 8,500 nmi.
Complement: 850
Armament:

Upon completion as escort carrier:

  • 4x2 127 mm L/40 AA guns (Type 89)
  • 4x2 25 mm L/60 AA guns (Type 96)

From August 1943:

  • 4x2 127 mm L/40 AA guns (Type 89)
  • 22 25 mm L/60 AA guns (Type 96)
  • 5 13.2 mm L/76 AA machine guns (Type 93)
Armor: 25 mm side belt over machinery spaces and magazines
Aircraft carried: 27

Chūyō was a Taiyō class escort carrier operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II.

Contents

[edit] Construction and Conversion

The Nitta Maru (新田丸) liner of the shipping line Nippon Yusen, laid down in the Mitsubishi shipyard in Nagasaki in May 1938, launched in May 1939 and commissioned on March 23rd 1940, was requisitioned for the transportation of military stores and personnel in February 1941. Nitta Maru completed a few such voyages, including the transportation of American Prisoners of War (POWs) from Wake Island to Japan.

The first transfer of POWs departed Wake Island on January 12, 1942, arriving in Yokohama on or around January 20. After departing Yokohama, the Japanese took five men topside, and to "honor their bravery," tortured and beheaded them. The bodies were mutilated with bayonets and thrown overboard.[1]

After the Battle of Midway, it was decided to convert her to an escort aircraft carrier. The conversion took place in Kure between July 1st and September 25th 1942. She was renamed Chūyō (冲鷹, "Offing hawk").

Her flight deck measured 150x23 meters and was equipped with two elevators. She had no island, catapults or arresting gear.

[edit] Operational History

Chūyō was used primarily for flight training and aircraft transport. She often sailed with her sister ships Taiyō and Unyō.

On December 4th 1943, Chūyō and Unyō were sailing from Truk to Yokosuka, carrying the prisoners of war the Japanese took from the submarine USS Sculpin, when Chūyō was hit by a torpedo fired by USS Sailfish. During the next few hours, the submarine attacked the damaged carrier two more times. After taking a total of four of five torpedoes, Chūyō sank quickly, taking about 1250 people with her, including 20 out of the 21 prisoners of war she had carried.

[edit] Commanding Officers

Chief Equipping Officer - Capt. Shizue Ishii - 20 November 1942 - 25 November 1942

Capt. Shizue Ishii - 25 November 1942 - 1 February 1943

Capt. Yoshiro Kato - 1 February 1943 - 27 September 1943

Capt. / RADM* Tomesaburo Okura - 27 September 1943 - 4 December 1943 (KIA)

[edit] Notes and references

  • Dr. Bak József et al (1984): Hadihajók. Típuskönyv.

Zrínyi Katonai Kiadó. ISBN 963-326-326-3

  1. ^ Wake Island POWs at Zentsuji (Accessed 09-June-2007)
v • d • e
Taiyō-class aircraft carrier
List of ships of the Japanese Navy
Languages