Japanese cruiser Takasago
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 The Japanese cruiser Takasago |
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| Career |  |
|---|---|
| Builder: | Armstrong Whitworth, Great Britain |
| Ordered: | 1896 Fiscal Year |
| Laid down | April 1894 |
| Launched: | 18 May 1897 |
| Completed: | 17 May 1898 |
| Fate: | Mined off Port Arthur, 13 December 1904 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 4,160 tons |
| Length: | 118.2 meters at waterline |
| Beam: | 14.78 meters |
| Draught: | 5.18 meters |
| Propulsion: | 2-shaft VTE; 12 boilers; 15,500 HP |
| Speed: | 23.5 knots |
| Fuel: | 1000 tons coal |
| Complement: | 425 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: |
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The IJN Takasago (高砂 防護巡洋艦 Takasago bōgōjunyōkan?) was a 2nd class protected cruiser of the Imperial Japanese Navy, designed and built by the Armstrong Whitworth shipyards in Elswick, in the Great Britain. The name Takasago derives from a location in Hyōgo Prefecture, near Kobe.
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[edit] Background
The Takasago was an improved design of the Argentine Navy cruiser 25 de Mayo designed by Sir Philip Watts, who was also responsible for the design of the Izumi and the Naniwa class cruisers. The IJN Yoshino is sometimes regarded as a sister ship to the Takasago, due to the similarity in their design, armament and speed.
[edit] Service record
On 07 April 1902, the Takasago and the Asama were sent on an epic 24,718 nautical mile voyage to Great Britain, as part of the Japanese delegation to the coronation ceremonies of King Edward VII, and in celebration of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance. After visiting numerous European ports, the ships returned safely to Japan on 28 November 1902.
With the start of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the Takasago participated in the naval Battle of Port Arthur. It is noted for having captured the Russian merchant vessel Manchuria (which was renamed the Kanto and placed into Japanese service as a transport).
However, the Takasago struck a mine and sank off Port Arthur [38.10N, 121.15E] on 13 December 1904, with the loss of 273 officers and crew.
[edit] Other ships named Takasago
The cruiser Takasago should note be confused with the later Takasago-maru auxiliary hospital ship of the same name.
[edit] References
- Dull, Paul S. (1978) A Battle History of the Imperial Japanese Navy ISBN 0-85059-295-X
- Evans, David. Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941. US Naval Institute Press (1979). ISBN 0870211927
- Gardiner, Robert (editor) (2001) Steam, Steel and Shellfire, The Steam Warship 1815-1905, ISBN 0-7858-1413-2
- Howarth, Stephen. The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895-1945. Atheneum; (1983) ISBN 0689114028
- Jane, Fred T. The Imperial Japanese Navy. Thacker, Spink & Co (1904) ASIN: B00085LCZ4
- Jentsura, Hansgeorg. Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945. Naval Institute Press (1976). ISBN 087021893X
- Schencking, J. Charles. Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, And The Emergence Of The Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922. Stanford University Press (2005). ISBN 0804749779
[edit] Gallery
 IJN Takasago at Portsmouth |
 Japanese cruiser Takasago |
 IJN Takasago in Taiwan |
 IJN Takasago in 1896 |
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