Mikura-class escort ship

Nomi in 1944
Class overview
Name: Mikura class
Operators:  Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded by: Etorofu class
Succeeded by: Ukuru class
Built: 19421944
In commission: 19431948
Completed: 8
Lost: 5
General characteristics
Type: Escort vessel
Displacement: 940 long tons (955 t) standard
Length: 77.7 m (255 ft)
Beam: 9.1 m (29 ft 10 in)
Draught: 3.05 m (10 ft)
Propulsion: 2 shaft, geared diesel engines, 4,400 hp (3,281 kW)
Speed: 19.5 knots (36.1 km/h; 22.4 mph)
Range: 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 16 kn (30 km/h; 18 mph)
Complement: 150
Armament:
  • As built :
  • 3 × 120 mm (4.7 in)/45 cal DP guns
  • 4 × 25 mm (0.98 in) AA machine guns (2×2)
  • 6 × depth charge throwers
  • 120 × depth charges
  • From 1944 :
  • 3 × 120 mm (4.7 in)/45 cal DP guns
  • 14-18 × 25 mm (0.98 in) AA machine guns
  • 6 × depth charge throwers
  • 120 × depth charges
  • 1 × 80 mm (3.1 in) mortar

The Mikura-class escort ships (御蔵型海防艦 Mikura-gata kaibōkan) were a class of ships in the service of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II.

The Japanese called these ships Kaibōkan, "ocean defence ships" (Kai = sea, ocean, = defense, Kan = ship), a name used to denote a multi-purpose vessel.[1] The eight ships of the Mikura class served as convoy escorts during World War II. They were denoted "Type B" and were the third class of Kaibokan. The Mikuras, unlike the two preceding Etorofu and Shimushu classes, were dedicated to the anti-aircraft (AA) and anti-submarine role.

The Mikura class was initially armed with 120 depth charges with six depth charge throwers and would later receive an 8 cm trench mortar. The number of AA machine guns was increased to up to eighteen. They received Type 22 and Type 13 radars, and Type 93 or Type 3 sonar in 1943-1944.

Two 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 8 November 1944.

Ships

See also

Notes

References

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