Japanese cruiser Kiso
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan
|
|
| Name: | Kiso |
| Namesake: | Kiso River |
| Ordered: | 1917 Fiscal Year |
| Builder: | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki |
| Cost: | 6,915,078 JPY |
| Laid down: | 10 August 1918 |
| Launched: | 14 December 1920 |
| Commissioned: | 4 May 1921 |
| Out of service: | 20 October 1944 |
| Struck: | 20 December 1944 |
| Fate: |
|
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Kuma-class cruiser |
| Displacement: | 5,100 long tons (5,182 t) standard |
| Length: | 152.4 m (500 ft 0 in) o/a |
| Beam: | 14.2 m (46 ft 7 in) |
| Draught: | 4.8 m (15 ft 9 in) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 36 knots (41 mph; 67 km/h) |
| Range: | 5,000 nautical miles (9,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h) |
| Complement: | 450 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: | |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x floatplane, 1 catapult |
Kiso (木曾?) was the fifth and last of the five Kuma-class light cruisers, which served with the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War II. She was named after the Kiso River in central Honshū, Japan.
After the construction of the Tenryū-class cruisers, the demerits of the small cruiser concept became apparent. At the end of 1917, plans for an additional six Tenryū-class vessels, plus three new-design 7,200 ton-class scout cruisers were shelved, in place of an intermediate 5,500 ton-class vessel which could be used as both a long-range, high speed reconnaissance ship, and also as a command vessel for destroyer or submarine flotillas. Kuma was the lead ship of the five vessels in this class which were built from 1918-1921.
The Kuma-class vessels were essentially enlarged versions of the Tenryū-class cruisers, with greater speed, range, and weaponry.
With improvements in geared-turbine engine technology, the Kuma-class vessels were capable of the high speed of 36 knots (67 km/h), and a range of 9,000 nmi (17,000 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) . The number of 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns was increased from three on the Tenryū class to seven on the Kuma class and provision was made for 48 naval mines. However, the two triple torpedo launchers on the Tenryū class were reduced to two double launchers, and the Kuma class remained highly deficient in anti-aircraft protection, with only two 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns.
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