Japanese fleet oiler Kazahaya

History
Name:	Kazahaya
Namesake:	Kazahaya-zaki
Builder:	Harima Dock Company
Laid down:	30 September 1941
Launched:	20 January 1943
Completed:	31 March 1943
Decommissioned:	1 December 1943
Fate:	Sunk 6 October 1943
General characteristics
Displacement:	18,300 long tons (18,594 t) standard
Length:	161.00 m (528 ft 3 in) overall
Beam:	20.10 m (65 ft 11 in)
Draught:	8.83 m (29 ft 0 in)
Propulsion:	1 × Ishikawajima geared turbine 2 × Kampon water tube boilers single shaft, 9,500 shp
Speed:	16.5 knots (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Capacity:	10,000 tons for heavy crude oil 1,000 tons for gasoline
Crew:	150
Armament:	3 × 120 mm (4.7 in) L/45 AA guns 6 × Type 96 25mm AA guns

The Kazahaya (風早) was a Japanese fleet oiler, serving during the Second World War.

Construction

In 1941, the IJN wanted fleet oilers for their carrier task force, because they had only the eight old, low-speed tankers. The IJN prepared sixteen Kawasaki-type tankers to solve this. However, they did not have facilities for gasoline. The IJN intended to build four Kazahayas (Ship # 304-307). However, all naval arsenals were crowded at the outbreak of war. The IJN bought one of the same type of merchant tanker made by Harima with the Kazahaya naval budget.

Service

She succeeded in one transportation duty, and was sunk by submarines.

Ships in class

Ship #	Ship	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Completed	Fate
304	Kazahaya (風早)	Harima Dock Company	30 September 1941	20 January 1943	31 March 1943	Sunk by USS Steelhead and USS Tinosa northwest of Truk 6 October 1943.
305	Karasaki (韓崎)					Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
306	Hayasui (速吸)	Harima Dock Company	1 February 1943			Converted to the Hayasui class.
307	Inatori (稲取)					Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
5381	Kariko (雁来)					Cancelled on 5 May 1944.
5382	Tsurikake (釣掛)
5383	Kumomi (雲見)
5384	Kamisu (神須)
5385	Kōshū (膠州)
5386	Seitō (青島)
5387	Noma (野間)

Bibliography

• "Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Vol.62 "Ships of The Imperial Japanese Forces, Gakken (Japan), January 2008, ISBN 978-4-05-605008-0
• Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), March 1997