Japanese cruiser Takachiho

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Background

The "Naniwa" and the "Takachiho" were the first protected cruisers designed in Japan, and built overseas specifically for the Japanese navy. The Japanese naval architect General Sasō Sachū (佐双左仲; 1852-1907) based on the design on the best features of several contemporary cruisers, and the design was ordered to Great Britain.

ervice record

The "Takachiho" arrived at Yokohama in early July 1886, just one week after her sister ship, the "Naniwa" arrived at Tokyo.

In 1893, the "Takachiho" made two voyages to Honolulu in Hawaii, to provide protection for Japanese citizens and to indicate Japanese concern during the Overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy by American marines and colonists.

During the First Sino-Japanese War, the "Takachiho" was present at the Battle of the Yellow Sea under the command of Yashiro Rokuro. It was subsequently used in patrols of the Bay of Bohai and in operations off of Port Arthur.

The "Takachiho" was re-designated a 2nd-class cruiser on 21 March 1898. It was assigned to help cover the Japanese landings in China during the Boxer Rebellion of late 1900.

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the "Takachiho" was part of the Japanese squadron at the initial Battle of Chemulpo Bay. It was considered too lightly armed and armored to be of much service for the remainder of the war, and was subsequently assigned to the Fourth Division of the Combined Fleet. However, it was present at the crucial final Battle of Tsushima.

The "Takachiho" was re-designated a 2nd class Coastal Defense Ship on 28 August 1912 and was converted into a minelayer and mine recovery training vessel.

Soon after the start of World War I, the "Takachiho" was struck by three torpedoes launched by an Imperial German Navy S90 torpedo boat in Chinese waters on 14 October 1914, during the Battle of Tsingtao. It sank with the loss of 271 men (including its captain Ito Sukeyasu) – the largest single loss for Japanese forces during the entire war.

External links

* [http://homepage2.nifty.com/nishidah/stc0301.htm Naniwa-class cruiser] jp icon

References

* Evans, David. "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941". US Naval Institute Press (1979). ISBN 0870211927
* Howarth, Stephen. "The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895-1945". Atheneum; (1983) ISBN 0689114028
* Jane, Fred T. "The Imperial Japanese Navy". Thacker, Spink & Co (1904) ASIN: B00085LCZ4
* Jentsura, Hansgeorg. "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945". Naval Institute Press (1976). ISBN 087021893X
* Schencking, J. Charles. "Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, And The Emergence Of The Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922". Stanford University Press (2005). ISBN 0804749779