Japanese cruiser Kuma
Kuma in 1935 off Tsingtao
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| History | |
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 Empire of Japan
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| Name: | Kuma |
| Namesake: | Kuma River |
| Ordered: | 1917 Fiscal Year |
| Builder: | Sasebo Naval Arsenal |
| Laid down: | 29 August 1918 |
| Launched: | 14 July 1919 |
| Commissioned: | 31 August 1920 |
| Out of service: | 10 January 1944 |
| Struck: | 10 March 1944 |
| Fate: |
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| 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: | 9,000 nmi (17,000 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h) |
| Complement: | 450 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: | |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 x floatplane |
| Aviation facilities: | 1 aircraft catapult (from 1934) |
Kuma (球磨?) was the lead vessel of the five Kuma-class light cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Kuma River in Kumamoto prefecture, 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 laid down at Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 29 August 1918, launched on 14 July 1919 and commissioned on 31 August 1920.
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 four on the Tenryū class to seven on Kuma: two forward, two on each side of the superstructure and three aft, which meant that only six guns could be brought to bear on a broadside. The torpedo launchers were also increased to four double launchers: however, the Kuma class remained highly deficient in anti-aircraft protection, with only two 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns and two machine guns.Kuma could be distinguished from her sister ships by the addition of funnel caps from 1929.
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Wikipedia