Shiratsuyu class destroyer
Yamakaze
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Shiratsuyu class |
| Operators: |
 Imperial Japanese Navy
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| Preceded by: | Hatsuharu class |
| Succeeded by: | Asashio class |
| Built: | 1931–1935 |
| In commission: | 1933–1945 |
| Completed: | 10 |
| Lost: | 10 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Destroyer |
| Displacement: | 1,685 long tons (1,712 t) standard |
| Length: |
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| Beam: | 9.9 m (32 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 3.5 m (11 ft 6 in) |
| Propulsion: | |
| Speed: |
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| Range: | 4,000 nmi (7,400 km) @ 14 kn (26 km/h) |
| Complement: | 180 |
| Armament: |
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The Shiratsuyu-class destroyers (白露型駆逐艦 Shiratsuyugata kuchikukan?) were a class of ten destroyers of the Imperial Japanese Navy in service before and during World War II.
The initial six Shiratsuyu-class destroyers were modified versions of the Hatsuharu class, and had been originally planned as the final six vessels of that class under the ”Circle-One” Naval Expansion Plan.
However, design issues with the Hatsuharu-class ships, notably their “top-heavy” design relative to their small displacement, resulted in extensive modifications, to the point where the final six vessels on order were named as a separate class. An additional four vessels were ordered under the ”Circle-Two Naval Expansion Plan of fiscal 1934, and all vessels were completed by 1937.
As with the Hatsuharu class, the Shiratsuyu-class destroyers were designed to accompany the Japanese main striking force and to conduct both day and night torpedo attacks against the United States Navy as it advanced across the Pacific Ocean, according to Japanese naval strategic projections. Despite being one of the most powerful classes of destroyers in the world at the time of their completion, none survived the Pacific War.
In general layout, the Shiratsuyu-class vessels closely resembled the Ariake sub-class, or final version of the Hatsuharu class, differing only in the more compact bridge design and the shape and inclination of the funnels. The hull retained the general configuration of the Hatsuharu class with a long forecastle with a pronounced flare to improve sea-keeping at high speeds by adding buoyancy and reducing the spray and water coming over the deck.
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