Amagiri in November 1930
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History | |
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Empire of Japan | |
Name: | Amagiri |
Ordered: | 1923 Fiscal Year |
Builder: | Ishikawajima Shipyards |
Yard number: | Destroyer No. 49 |
Laid down: | 28 November 1928 |
Launched: | 27 February 1930 |
Commissioned: | 10 November 1930 |
Fate: | Sunk near Borneo, 23 April 1944 |
General characteristics | |
Class and type: | Fubuki-class destroyer |
Displacement: | |
Length: |
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Beam: | 10.4 m (34 ft 1 in) |
Draft: | 3.2 m (10 ft 6 in) |
Propulsion: | |
Speed: | 38 knots (44 mph; 70 km/h) |
Range: | 5,000 nmi (9,300 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h) |
Complement: | 219 |
Armament: |
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Service record | |
Operations: |
Amagiri (天霧 "Heavenly Mist"?) was the 15th of 24 Fubuki-class destroyers, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War. She is most famous for ramming the PT-109 commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kennedy, who would later become the 35th President of the United States.
Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships. The Fubuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型 Tokugata?). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies.Amagiri, built at the Ishikawajima Shipyards in Tokyo was the fifth in an improved series, which incorporated a modified gun turret which could elevate her main battery of 127 mm (5.0 in)/50 cal Type 3 naval guns to 75° as opposed to the original 40°, thus permitting the guns to be used as dual purpose guns against aircraft.Amagiri was laid down on 28 November 1928, launched on 27 February 1930 and commissioned on 10 November 1930. Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 49”, she was designated Amagiri before her launch.