Japanese destroyer Akizuki

Akizuki on trial run off Miyazu Bay on May 17, 1942.
Career
Name: Akizuki
Builder: Maizuru Naval Arsenal
Laid down: 30 July 1940
Launched: 2 July 1941
Completed: 11 June 1942
Commissioned: 11 June 1942, Yokosuka Chinjufu
Struck: 10 December 1944
Fate: Sunk in action 25 October 1944
General characteristics
Class and type:Akizuki-class destroyer
Displacement:2,700 long tons (2,743 t) standard
3,700 long tons (3,759 t) full load
Length:134.2 m (440 ft 3 in)
Beam:11.6 m (38 ft 1 in)
Draft:4.15 m (13 ft 7 in)
Propulsion:4 × Kampon type boilers
2 × Parsons geared turbines
2 × shafts, 50,000 shp (37 MW)
Speed:33 knots (38 mph; 61 km/h)
Range:8,300 nmi (15,400 km) at 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h)
Complement:263
Armament:June 1942 :
• 8 × 100 mm (4 in)/65 cal Type 98 DP guns
• 4 × 25 mm AA guns
• 4 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes
• 8 × Type 93 torpedoes
• 56 × Type 95 depth charges
October 1944 :
• 8 × 100 mm (4 in)/65 cal DP guns
• 35 × 25 mm AA guns
• 4 × 13 mm AA guns
• 4 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes
• 8 × Type 93 torpedoes
• 56 × Type 95 depth charges

Akizuki (秋月) was the lead ship of her class of destroyer in the Imperial Japanese Navy. Her name means “Autumn Moon.”

In October 1944 Akizuki was part of the Northern Force commanded by Vice Admiral Ozawa Jisaburo, in the Japanese attack on the Allied forces supporting the invasion of Leyte. On 25 October, in the Battle off Cape Engaño, it was sunk, probably by torpedo, ENE of Cape Engaño (20°29′N 126°30′E / 20.483°N 126.500°ECoordinates: 20°29′N 126°30′E / 20.483°N 126.500°E), during the initial U.S. air attack on the Northern Force. Most sources credit the hit to aircraft of Task Force 38, but some give credit to submarine USS Halibut (SS-232).

See also

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External links

Akizuki blows-up during battle of Cape Engano