JDS Akebono (DE-201)

History
Name:	Akebono
Builder:	Ishikawajima, Tokyo
Laid down:	10 December 1954
Launched:	30 October 1955
Commissioned:	20 March 1956
Decommissioned:	1976
Struck:	1981
General characteristics [1]
Type:	Destroyer escort
Displacement:	1,075 long tons (1,092 t) standard 1,350 long tons (1,372 t) full load
Length:	91.8 m (301 ft 2 in) pp
Beam:	8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Draft:	3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:	2 shafts 2× Ishikawajima geared steam turbines 2× Ishikawajima/Foster Wheeler boilers 18,000 shp (13,000 kW)
Speed:	28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Complement:	193
Armament:	2 × 3"/50 caliber guns 4 × 40 mm AA guns 1 × Hedgehog anti-submarine mortar 8 × depth charge throwers (K-guns) 1 × depth charge rack

The JDS Akebono (DE 201) was a destroyer escort (or frigate) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Akebono was one of the first indigenous Japanese warships to be built following World War II. Akebono was laid down in 1954 as a steam turbine powered "B type" ASW escort, the only ship of its class, for comparison with two similar diesel powered ships, the Ikazuchi-class destroyer escorts. Akebono entered service in 1956 and remained in use until 1976.

Design and construction

The Japanese Marine Safety Force (later to become the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force) authorised the purchase of three "B type" escort vessels as part of the Financial Year 1953 programme.^{[nb 1]} Of the three ships, two of which were to be powered by diesel engines (the Ikazuchi class) and the third by steam turbines, to be called Akebono.^[1]

The equipment of the three escorts was similar, with two American 3 inch (76 mm) guns, four 40 mm Bofors guns, a Hedgehog anti-submarine projector and eight K-gun depth charge launchers. Akebono had a twin-shaft machinery installation, with geared steam turbines producing 18,000 shaft horsepower (13,000 kW) which could propel the ship at a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) compared with the 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) of the less powerful Ikazuchi class.^[1]

Akebono was laid down at the Ishikawajima Tokyo shipyard on 10 December 1954. She was launched on 15 October 1955 and completed on 20 March 1956.^[3]

Operations

Akebono was re-armed in March 1958, when her original 3-inch guns were replaced by more modern, autoloading 3 inch guns, with 1 Bofors gun, four K-guns also removed.^[1] Akebono was discarded in 1976.^[1]

References

1. Two "A type" destroyers were also ordered as part of the FY 1953 programme.^[2]

1. Gardiner and Chesneau 1995, p. 231.
2. Gardiner and Chesneau 1995, p. 223.
3. Blackman 1960, p. 212.

• Blackman, Raymond V. B. Jane's Fighting Ships 1960–61. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., 1960.
• Gardiner, Robert and Stephen Chumbley. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.