Mikura class coastal defense ship

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	General characteristics
Displacement:	940 tons Standard
Length:	258 ft 4 in
Beam:	29 ft 10 in
Draught:	10 feet
Propulsion:	2 shaft-geared diesel engines
Speed:	19.5 knots at 4,400 hp
Range:	5,000 nautical miles at 16 knots
Complement:	150 men
Armament:	As Built 3 x 4.7 in (120 mm)45 caliber DP gun, Four 25 mm machine guns in two twin mounts, Six depth charge throwers and 120 depth charges Revised 1944 3 x 4.7 in (120 mm) 45 caliber DP gun, 14 - 18 25mm Machine guns One 8 cm Mortar 6 Depth charge throwers and 120 depth charges

The Mikura class coastal defense ships were a class of ships in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

The Japanese called them "Type B" coast defense ships, and were the third class of Kaibokan. They were called coast defense ships(Kai= sea, ocean. Bo= defense. Ka = ship) to denote a multi-purpose vessel.

The Mikuras, unlike the two previous classes, the Etorofu class and Shimushu class, they were dedicated firstly to combat subs and aircraft. The Mikura class was started out armed with one-hundred and twenty depth charges with six depth charge throwers and would later receive a 8 cm trench mortar. The rise of aircraft also saw the number of AA machine guns increase to up to eighteen. They would receive Type 22 and Type 13 radars and Type 93 or Type 3 sonar in 1943-1944.

Two of the ships of the class probably had success against US submarines, with Mikura helping to sink USS Trigger with kaibokans CD-33 and CD-59 on March 28, 1945. Chiburi also helped sink USS Growler with destroyer Shigure and kaibokan CD-19 on November 8, 1944.

[edit] Ships

The ships of the class were:

Mikura, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, laid down on October 1, 1942, launched on July 16, 1943, and commissioned on October 30, 1943

Miyake, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, laid down on February 12, 1943, launched on August 30, 1943, and commissioned on November 30, 1943.

Awaji, constructed at Hitachi, Sakurajima, and laid down on June 1, 1943, launched on October 30, 1943, and completed on February 15, 1944

Kurahashi, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, being laid down on June 1, 1943, launched on October 15, 1943 and commissioned on March 10, 1944

Nomi, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, being laid down on August 10, 1943, launched on December 3, 1943, and commissioned on March 15, 1944

Chiburi, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, laid down on July 20, 1943, launched on November 30, 1943 and commissioned on May 13, 1944

Yashiro, constructed at Hitachi, Sakurajima, laid down on November 18, 1943, launched on February 16, 1944, and commissioned on June 6, 1944

Kusagaki, constructed at Nihon Kokan, Tsurumi, laid down on September 7, 1943, launched on January 12, 1944, and commissioned on July 1, 1944

[edit] Losses

Five of the eight ships, Mikura, Awaji, Nomi, Chiburi, and Kusagaki were sunk during the war.

Mikura was sunk on March 28, 1945 with all 216 men after probably helping sink the USS Trigger by torpedoes from the USS Threadfin.

Awaji was torpedoed on June 2, 1944 by USS Guitarro with the loss of 76 men.

Nomi was sunk on April 14, 1945 by two torpedoes from the USS Tirante that hit her under her bridge and sink her with the loss of 134 men as she was attacking the sub.

Chiburi was sunk in an air attack on January 12, 1945, losing 88 men.

Kusagaki was sunk on August 7, 1944, also by torpedoes from USS Guitarro, with the loss of 97 men.