Japanese cruiser Tama
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan
|
|
| Name: | Tama |
| Namesake: | Tama River |
| Ordered: | 1917 Fiscal Year |
| Builder: | Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Nagasaki |
| Cost: | 6,915,078 JPY |
| Laid down: | 10 August 1918 |
| Launched: | 10 February 1920 |
| Commissioned: | 29 January 1921 |
| Struck: | 20 December 1944 |
| Fate: | sunk by USS Jallao northeast of Luzon at 21°23′N 127°19′E / 21.383°N 127.317°E, 25 October 1944 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type: | Kuma-class light cruiser |
| Displacement: | 5,100 long tons (5,200 t) (standard) |
| Length: | 152.4 m (500 ft) |
| Beam: | 14.2 m (47 ft) |
| Draft: | 4.8 m (16 ft) |
| Installed power: | 90,000 shp (67,000 kW) |
| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: | 36 kn (67 km/h; 41 mph) |
| Range: | 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 14 kn (26 km/h; 16 mph) |
| Complement: | 450 |
| Armament: |
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| Armor: | |
| Aircraft carried: | 1 × floatplane |
| Aviation facilities: | 1 × catapult |
Tama (多摩?) was the second of the five Kuma-class light cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy, which played an active role in World War II. Tama was named after the Tama River in Kantō region of Japan.
After the construction of the Tenryū-class cruiser, 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 scouting cruisers were shelved, in place of an intermediate 5,500 ton-class vessel which could be used as both a long-range, high speed scout ship, and also as a command vessel for destroyer or submarine flotillas.
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 was 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.
Tama was completed at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Nagasaki shipyard on 29 January 1921. Immediately after commissioning, Tama was assigned to cover the landings of Japanese troops in Siberia during Japan's Siberian Intervention against the Bolshevik Red Army.
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