Japanese cruiser Mogami (1934)

Mogami running trials in 1935
History
Empire of Japan
Name:	Mogami
Namesake:	Mogami River
Ordered:	1931 Fiscal Year
Builder:	Kure Naval Arsenal
Laid down:	27 October 1931
Launched:	14 March 1934
Commissioned:	28 July 1935
Struck:	20 December 1944
Fate:	scuttled 25 October 1944 after Battle of the Surigao Strait at 09°40′N 124°50′E / 9.667°N 124.833°E / 9.667; 124.833Coordinates: 09°40′N 124°50′E / 9.667°N 124.833°E / 9.667; 124.833
General characteristics
Class and type:	Mogami-class cruiser
Displacement:	8,500 tons (official, initial) 13,670 tons (final)
Length:	197 metres (646 ft) (initial) 198 metres (650 ft) (final)
Beam:	18 metres (59 ft) (initial) 20.2 metres (66 ft) (final)
Draught:	5.5 metres (18 ft) (initial) 5.89 metres (19.3 ft) (final)
Propulsion:	4-shaft geared turbines 10 Kampon boilers 152,000 shp (113,000 kW)
Speed:	37-knot (69 km/h) (initial) 35.5 knots (65.7 km/h) (final)
Range:	8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement:	850
Armament:	(initial) 15 × 15.5 cm/60 3rd Year Type naval gun (5×3) 8 × 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval guns (4×2) 4 × 40mmAA guns 12 × Type 93 torpedoes (4 × 3 tube rotating launchers + 12 reloads) (final) 10 × 20 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns (5x2) 8 × 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval gun (4×2) 30 × Type 96 25 mm AT/AA Gun guns 12 × Type 93 torpedoes (4 × 3 tube rotating launchers + 12 reloads)
Armor:	Belt 100–125 mm (3.9–4.9 in) Deck 35–60 mm (1.4–2.4 in) Turret 25 mm (0.98 in)
Aircraft carried:	(initial) 3 x Aichi E13A floatplanes (final) 11 x Aichi E13A floatplanes

Mogami (最上^?) was the lead ship in the four-vessel Mogami class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Mogami River in Tōhoku region of Japan. The Mogami-class ships were constructed as "light cruisers" (per the Washington Naval Treaty) with five triple 6.1-inch dual purpose guns. They were exceptionally large for light cruisers, and the barbettes for the main battery were designed for quick refitting with twin 8-inch guns. In 1937 all four ships were "converted" to heavy cruisers in this fashion.Mogami served in numerous combat engagements in World War II, until she was sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944.

Built under the Maru-1 Naval Armaments Supplement Programme, the Mogami-class cruisers were designed to the maximum limits allowed by the Washington Naval Treaty, using the latest technology. This resulted in the choice of the dual purpose (DP) 15.5 cm/60 3rd Year Type naval guns as the main battery in five triple turrets capable of 55° elevation. These were the first Japanese cruisers with triple turrets. Secondary armament included eight 12.7 cm/40 Type 89 naval guns in four twin turrets, and 24 Type 93 Long Lance torpedoes in four rotating triple mounts.