IProfile by Masataka Chihaya 5 0 ~ and Yasuo Abe IJN KONGO/Battleship1912-1944 Got a storage problem? Profilesgetting dog eared. .. Simple solution ...
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IProf ile IJN KONGO/Battleship1912-1944
by Masataka Chihaya and Yasuo Abe
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Got a storage problem? .
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A Profile Universal Binder ROFILE . -..-. \!P)'.)
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Finished in black cloth, with stout boards, the Easibinder as its name implies is simple to use. Holds up to 14 Profiles- any size. Label for spine and index sheet supplied.
Available from your local book or model shop for f7.25each or direct from the publisher for f 7.35(including P. & P.).
Profile Publications Ltd Coburg House Sheet Street Windsor Berks SL4 1EB Warship Profile and its contents are copyright O Profile Publications Limited, Coburg House, Sheet Street, Windsor, Berkshire, England Printed in England by Chichester Press Ltd, Chichester, Sussex September 1971
Kongo under full power tnals in Clyde Bay on 8 May 1973. W ~ r dlsplacernent h of 27,580 tons, she registered 27.54 knots with a total of 78,275s.h.p.
by Masataka Chihaya and Yasuo Abe
ARMOURED CRUISERSAFTER 1905 In the Russo-Japanese war of 1904-5, the Russian Pacific and Baltic Fleets were defeated by the Imperial Japanese Navy and its Combined Fleet, the nucleus of which consisted of six battleships and six armoured cruisers. These latter had slightly different features from their counterparts in other navies of the world at that time. These armoured cruisers had greater gun power; greater protection-although this was inferior to that of their battleships-and slower speeds, these cruisers being not more than two knots faster than the battleships. These specific features of the Japanese Navy's armoured cruisers were to be incorporated in the design of battle-cruisers of later days. In this Russo-Japanese war, the Japanese employed the armoured cruisers to supplement the battleships' strength in many decisive battles with enemy forces. Because of their ships' superior speed the Japanese Fleet was able to take up advantageous positions against the enemy. Their victory in the battle of Tsushima Strait in particular contributed greatly to the eventual destruction of the Russian Baltic Fleet. Based upon lessons learned in that war, the Japanese Navy made it a basic policy to provide all future battleships with heavier guns and faster speeds than those of its potential enemies but at the same time it saw the need of having more powerful armoured cruisers. These would be known as 'Battle-Cruisers'. The Japanese capital ships that fought against the Russians in the 1904-5 war had all been constructed in overseas yards, the Japanese yards at that time being unable to build ships of the requisite size. However, so much pressure was brought to bear by the need of
more and more warships, and such was the advance made in industrial technology that, during the war, home yards began the construction of capital ships. The first two (the armoured cruiser Tsukuba and her sister ship Ikoma) were completed in 1907 and 1908 respectively. The Tsukuba was equipped with two twin turrets, mounting 12in guns145 calibre as her main battery, an equivalent gun power to that of any battleship at that time. Eventually she was the forerunner of the 'Battle-Cruisers' of later days.
Crack Ships In the wake of their completion, two battleships, Satsuma and Aki, and two armoured cruisers Ibuki and Kurama, were constructed in local yards. The Ibuki and Kurama, who were completed in 1908 and 191 1 respectively, were improved versions of the Tsukuba. In addition to four 12in guns in twin mountings, they carried eight 8in guns as their secondary battery. The Ibuki became the premier ship of the Japanese Navy, the installation of steam turbine enginesenabling her to produce a maximum speed of 22.5 knotstwo knots faster than her sister ships. Thus she paved the way for the eventual improvement of speeds'in all capital ships. The superiority which the newly-built Japanese armoured cruisers boasted over their counterparts immediately after the war was rudely shattered by the appearance in 1908 of the revolutionary battle-cruiser HMS Invincible. The study of ship design by the Royal Navy during the war had been more thorough than that of the
T h e Kongo b e i n g launched a t Vickers' B a r r o w s/,ipyard o n 78 M o y w h i c h s y m b o l i s e d a w a r s h i p of t h e l m p e r t a l J a p a n e s e Navy
Japanese, who found it difficult to discard traditional thinking. The Japanese Navy was to have a hard time matching the strength and power of British and German warships of the future.
BUILDING PLANS OF BATTLE-CRUISERS : THE BIG GUN RACE I n order to outrange the Invincible battle-cruiser class, the Japanese culled all the experience at their command. As many as thirty plans were drafted before a final decision was made, the details of which have never been made public. Before information on the Invincible was made available, the Japanese Navy produced a plan of a prototype capital ship whose displacement was to be: Displacement: Length (b.p.): Beam: Draught: Main Machinery Output: Maximum Speed: Armament: Torpedo Tubes: Waterline Belt: Deck:
18,650 tons. 541 ' 80' 26.5' 44.000 h.p. 25 knots. 4x 12" guns145 calibre. 8 x 1 0 " : lOx4~7"guns:8srnallguns. Five. 7" plates. 2" plates.
At first it was suggested that the main battery should follow that of the Invincible, but when the Royal Navy produced the Indefatigable with its improved arrangement of two midship turrets en-echelon, studies were made on this design, on the superimposedturret arrangement and on the possibility of mounting ten 12in guns150 calibre. Design details are not available
1912. N o r e
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but they are considered by the Japanese School of Warship Design Study to include the following specifications: Displacement: 18,725 tons. Length (b.p.): 495' Beam: 82.5' Draught: 27.5' Main Machinery Output: 44,000 h.p. Maximum Speed: 26.5 knots. 1Ox l 2 gunsf50 calibre. Armament: 10 (approx.)x6"guns/45 calibre. gunsl40calibre. More than 4 ~ 4 . 7 Torpedo Tubes: Five 18"
Kongo: first conception The turret arrangement plan of her main battery called for one twin-mounting turret torward, two twin-mounting turrets amidships in en-echelon and two superimposed twin-mounting turrets aft, similar to the Kriegsmarine Moltke class. Later the design was changed to have two superimposed twin-mounting turrets fore and aft, while one twin-mounting turret was positioned on the centre line amidships. This plan of the main battery arrangement eventually produced the prototype of the Kongo. In 1909, soon after the prototype of the Kongo was drafted and the necessary financial arrangements for its production were made, the Royal Navy began building the Lion class battle-cruisers. As a result, the Japanese Navy was once again outranged by the Royal Navy. The Japanese Navy was obliged to change the construction plan of Kongo and decided to seek the technical co-operation of the Royal Navy in transforming her into a 27,500 ton class battle-cruiser, an improved type of the Lion.
incidentally, is being flttedour in the same yard
ORDER PLACED WITH VICKERS Since Japan and Great Britain had signed a treaty of alliance at that time, the Royal Navy rendered much technical assistance to the Japanese Navy. Moreover, the Japanese Navy had been a good client to major shipbuilding firms in Great Britain before the RussoJapanese War. Knowing the Japanese Navy's new policy of building its latest warship overseas, British shipbuilders were very eager to win the new order. Vickers (who were incidentally building the Princess Royal, the second ship of the Lion class) submitted to the Japanese Navy a new design based upon the Lion class battle-cruiser, as did Armstrongs who had previously built warships for the Japanese Navy. After much deliberation, the Japanese Navy decided to adopt the Vickers' design. By ordering the construction of Kongo from Vickers, the Japanese Navy hoped to bring into Japan the latest advances in British shipbuilding technology, machine manufacture and weapons. The construction contract with Vickers was signed on 17 October 1910.
When ordering Kongo from Vickers, heated discussions took place in the Japanese Navy on what size guns shocld be installed. The main point at issue was whether she should carry 12in guns150 calibre or larger. The argument was finally won by the group advocating 12in guns and a decision was made to install these as her main battery.
Vital Inside Information and Change of Policy This decision as to the size of guns to be installed in Kongo had to face an entirely unexpected 'about-turn', however. Thanks to the very friendly relations maintained through the Anglo-Japanese alliance treaty, a Japanese naval attach6 in London availed himself of very confidential information on the precision and lifetime of big guns. According to data from the Royal Navy's firing trials, the 12in gun/50 calibre had a shorter lifetime and a larger spread of salvoes than those of the 13.5in gun145 calibre, which had been scheduled by the Royal Navy as the main battery of new capital ships to be built in the future.
Kongo being fitted our at Vickers in mid-January 7913. Note her tripod mast and three funnels already installed. The Japanese characters read: 'The Kongo in mid- 1973. Weight: 78,000 tons.' This photograph was sent by the then Sub. Lr. Shinchiku Kondo ro a frfendin Japan w ~ t h his own inscription. Kondo became captain of Kongo in 1933 and was Senior Officerof the Southern Invasion Naval Force, including Kongo and Haruna, in December 7947
The Hie1 soon after she was completed in 7914. Based upon the design of Kongo her keel was laid at Yokosuka Naval Yard ten months after that of the Kongo. She was completed in 1914 Compared with Kongo, her first funnel was made taller and the distance increased between the firsr andsecond funnels The Kongo in about 7 926. The DCT (Director Control Tower) had been installed on top of the foremast, while a searchlight platform had also been mounted between the firsr and second funnels. (Her three sister shlps had a searchlight platform for'd of their first funnel.) Her firsr funnel, with a large cap fitted, was made taller than before to prevent smoke and fumes from coming over the bridge
In view of this surprising information, the Japanese Navy suddenly changed its mind and decided to adopt the 14in gun for the Kongo. Since the 14in was an entirely new gun in the world, the Japanese Navy ordered Vickers to manufacture its prototype. When completed, it was tested at the Royal Navy's firing range at Shoeburyness in March 1911. After confirming satisfactory results in the test, the formal decision was made to adopt the 14in gun for the Kongo. Soon after this decision was made, the U.S. Navy made public that it had decided to adopt the 14in gun for her new battleships New York and Texas. Had not that attachC's vital information reached the Japanese Navy, it would have lagged behind the U.S. Navy in the big gun race.
KONGO CHARACTERISTICS The basic design of the Kongo was executed by the Japanese Naval Construction Department and consisted of the requirements stipulated by the Japanese Navy with the Vickers' draft plan for an improved Lion class. As a result, her displacement increased to 27,500 tons, some 1000 tons more than that of the Lion, and 6500 tons greater than the largest warships-Kawachi and Settu-that the Japanese Navy was constructing at that time.
Hull Shape Her hull was similar to that of the Lion but her stem
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was clipper type and her flare larger than that of the British ship, in accordance with the Japanese Navy's policy of providing their ships with the best possible design for sea-worthiness. In furtherance of this, the underwater portion of her bow was built straight as opposed to the protruding stem of the Lion. This decreased the Kongo's length by approximately 5ft. Her beam however was wider by about 3.5ft. The reason for this will be explained under the next heading.
Main Armament Major differences betweei1 : KONGO Four twin-mounting turrets of 14in guns145 calibre (two mounted forward, one abaft her third funnel and one aft). Third turret between boiler rooms and engine rooms. Eight 2 1in torpedo tubes.
LION Four twin-mounting turrets of 13.5in guns145 calibre (two mounted forward, one amidships between second and third funnels and one aft). Boilers divided into two groups fore and aft (third turret between two groups). Two 2 1in torpedo tubes.
In order to maintain high speeds, battle-cruisers needed ample space amidships for powerful boilers. It was difficult therefore to find enough magazine space,
if two superimposed gun turrets were situated aft. As can be seen from the diagram, both Kongo and Lion positioned one gun turret amidships and the other aft. This meant that in the case of the British ship which had two groups of boilers-one fore and the other aftthe turret was sandwiched between the second and third funnels with the result that its firing traverse was limited and the effect of the blast on the bridge was very heavy. I n addition, her cutters and boats had to be positioned in two groups-also fore and aft-causing great inconvenience. Kongo, however, had her third turret positioned between her boiler rooms and engine rooms and thus the three funnels were concentrated in one area. Because of this position the traverse of her guns was greatly increased. This battery arrangement is considered to have been the reason why the beam of the Kongo was wider than that of the Lion; in fact, this arrangement was adopted by the Royal Navy in its design for the battle-cruiser Tiger.
Secondary For the Kongo's secondary armament, the Japanese Navy decided to mount sixteen 6in guns in her casemates: the 4in guns mounted by the Royal Navy were considered insufficient for the repulsion of enemy destroyers. Later, the Royal Navy also adopted this policy. This decision to mount larger guns on warships such as the Negato and Yamata classes eventually led to the Japanese gaining the ascendancy over other navies.
Protection By reducing the thickness of her waterline belt by one inch, the designers hoped to strengthen Kongo's protection because, due to the increased range of firing, shells were landing a t steeper angles than ever before. For her waterline belt, armour plates of 8in thickness were used; above the waterline plates 6in thick were extended up to her weather deck. Barbettes were protected with gin plates, while the roof of the turret was made of 3in plates. T h e below-deck section of the four main battery turrets was protected with 3in armour. This protection of the main turrets was much heavier than that of the Lion, the aim being to supplement the weak protection of the main battery inherent in the battle-cruiser. Over such vital parts as magazines, boiler rooms and engine rooms (on the lower deck), covering by armour plates of +in thickness was provided, while the weather deck was protected with 1.5in plates. This protection was normal for battle-cruisers a t that time, but later the armour was discovered to be weak against bombs and shells hitting with plunging fire. The protection of the steering gear room was also improved and plates of lin and t i n thickness were provided over it.
Machinery The Kongo's main machinery consisted of four Parsons steam turbines with a total output of 64,000 s.h.p. Steam was supplied by 36 Yarrow coal and oil-burning boilers. With this main machinery the Kongo logged a maximum trial speed of 27.5 knots.
An aerial photograph of Kongo in about 7926. A rare aerial view to depict so clearly a Japanese capital s h ~ pof those days
The Kongo in 1928. Note that her foremast was n o w a complicared shape, a typical pattern of the large Japanese warships. A cap of the inflated type to prevent rhe entry of rain was firred atop the second funnel for experimental purposes. The booms of the ant/-torpedonetting had also been removed
A scene in The major naval manoeuvres of 7924 taken frorn [fie bnrrlesliip N e g a t o . In her wake is rhe Darrlesl~lpM i t s u , while the three identical shtps seen near the horizon are, from left 10 right, Kongo. towing an observation balloon, the Kirishima andthe Hiei Kongo under her first reconstruction in NO. 3 dry dock, Yokosuka Naval Yard in 1928. The former first funnel has been removed from her and is seen on shore in the background
Rigging Her foremast and mainmast were of a tripod type. The position of the foremast was better than that of the Lion as the latter had a defect inasmuch as smoke and fumes from her funnels blew back continually to her bridge. Even the Kongo, in spite of her powerful armament and protection, had one great weakness. She did not mount a director control tower until World W a r I, although zvarships of most other narlies had done so earlier.
observe the fitters working on the British battle-cruiser close by! Immediately after delivery, Kongo steamed to Plymouth where she prepared for the long voyage to her homeland. On 28 August 1913 she left Plymouth on her home-bound trip and arrived at Yokosuka on 5 November of that year to become a powerul addition to the fast-growing Japanese Navy. The Kongo was the last Japanese warship to be imported from abroad and the forerunner of her three sister ships to be built a t local shipyards.
Construction The keel of the Kongo was laid on a slipway in Vickers' Barrow shipyard on 17 January 191 1. The yard was also building the Princess Royal, the second ship of the Lion class whose launching was scheduled for three months later.
Launching Day After the Kongo was launched on 18 May 1912, she was secured for several months alongside the Princess Royal for fitting-out. The Japanese battlecruiser was completed and turned over to the Japanese Navy on 16 August 1913, some ten months after that of the British battle-cruiser. The fitting-out of Kongo went on very smoothly, partly because the Japanese naval officers in charge of the work were able to
DEVELOPMENTS BEFORE FIRST MODIFICATION She had only just completed her 'shakedown' cruise, when World War I started in 1914 and Japan went to war with Germany. Kongo sailed from Yokosuka on 26 August 1914 for escort duty in the Central Pacific and subsequently returned to Yokosuka on 12 September of that year. Except for this duty, however, she did not take part actively in the war. In the latter part of the war, the Royal Navy asked the Japanese Navy for the lease of the four Kongo-class battle-cruisers, a request the Japanese Navy refused. Had this lease been permitted, the Jutland Sea Battle might have had a different outcome. During this period minor refits were carried out on
Kongo durlng her first reconstruct~on.Wlth her boilers newly installed, two new funnels are mounted Thls photograph was taken on 20 February 1931
the Kongo. In 1917 the long-desired DCT (Director Control Tower) was installed atop the foremast and, to accommodate it, the top of the foremast was enlarged by 3ft in length and 2ft in width. At this time, a searchlight platform was newly mounted between her first and second funnels, upon which llOcm searchlights were installed. In 1918 the former four 8cm AA guns were replaced by four 8cm AA guns140 calibre, two each on both sides amidships.
Funnel Smoke and Fumes Although Kongo's first funnel was better positioned than Liotz's, she still could not completely eliminate smoke and fumes coming over the bridge because the funnels were all of the same height. In order to remedy this situation, the first funnel was made taller in 1920. As this step proved to be still insufficient, a large cap was mounted at the fore part top of the first funnel. In 192 1, seaplanes were first installed on board. In 1924, fire-command and searchligh t-directing equipment, as well as devices determining enemy speed and course, were mounted on her foremast, with the result that her profile started to take on a complicated shape, a feature specifically typical of large Japanese warships. This refitting was soon followed by work involving the increase of elevation of the 14in guns. A maximum elevation of 25' was increased to 33O, resulting in the increase of the maximum range from 25,800m to approximately 29,000m. In 1926, three single-mounting 8cm AA guns149 calibre were added, bringing the total to seven. Out of the three newly-added AA guns, one was positioned on each side amidships, while another was mounted above the after secondary bridge. In the following year, Kongo's bridge was replaced by the so-called 'pagoda' type bridge, similar to that of the Nagato, in order to accommodate various fire-command and other equipment that had in the meantime become larger and larger. In 1928, an inflated type of cap, to prevent the entry of rain, was fitted on top of the second funnel for experimental purposes. This cap, after further improvements, was widely used in the Japanese Navy in later days. The booms of the anti-torpedo netting were also removed at the same time.
FIRST RECONSTRUCTION During the latter part of 1920, the Japanese Navy began reconstructing the Kongo class ships within a limit of 3000 tons increased displacement (as was allowed under the Washington Naval Armament Limitation Treaty) with a view to strengthening the protection of decks and magazine rooms, modernising boiler rooms and installing anti-torpedo bulges. The first ship of this class to be given these modifications was the Haruna, followed by the Kirishima. Work on the Kongo herself was begun in September 1929 and finished on 3 1 March 1931. As a result of this reconstruction, her displacement increased from 26,300 tons to 29,330 tons; her beam widened and her maximum speed was reduced to approximately 26 knots. The ~ a ~ a n e sNavy e then changed the Kongo class warships from battle-cruisers to battleships and the reconstruction was continued.
Protection The protection of her decks was strengthened so that they could withstand the impact of 14in shells fired from a range of 20,000m to 25,000m. The middle deck above the magazine rooms and the engine rooms was covered with plates of 2.5in to 4in thickness, in addition to the $in armour plate already fitted. For even greater protection of the magazine rooms, the circular portion of the main battery below the middle deck was also strengthened by fitting additional plates of 3in thickness over the existing plates of 2.5in to 3in thickness. The roofs of her main battery turrets were strengthened by fitting additional plates of 3in thickness over the existing 3in thick plates. In addition, circular plates of the following thicknesses were added to parts of her armour deck to strengthen protection: 6.5in at funnel outlets, 7in at ventilation passages for the boiler rooms, 4in to 5in at ventilation passages for the engine rooms and ammunition passages.
Underwater Protection In order to provide her with underwater protection, her magazine rooms and the engine rooms were protected so that those parts could withstand the impact of explosion of 200 kg explosives. For that end, three to four layers of lin high-tension steel plates were extended either inside her outer hull ,or directly over her outer hull plates. Underwater protection longitudinal bulkheads of approximately 3in thickness were also installed in parts of her boiler rooms. In addition, bulges were newly installed on both sides with the aim of increasing her buoyancy to meet any weight increase due to the reconstruction, as well as increasing her underwater protection. Water-tight steel tubes were fitted in the bulges so that buoyancy might be maintained even if damage occurred. This fitting of watertight steel tubes was completed just before the outbreak of World War 11.
Machinery and Reduction to Two Funnels The Kongo's machinery department was also largely reconstructed. Her 36 Yarrow coal and oil burning boilers were replaced by six 'Ro'-type Naval Construction Department's large capacity coal and oil burning boilers and four smaller capacity oil burning boilers. Her fuel capacity was accordingly changed from the former 1000 tons of heavy oil and 4200 tons of coal to 3292 tons of heavy oil and 2661 tons of coal. Her radius of action, therefore, increased from 8000 miles a t 14 knots to 9500 miles at the same speed. The replacement of her boilers resulted in a reduction of space needed for the boilers to produce the same output as before. Her three funnels were replaced by two funnels.
Fire Control and Spotting The maximum elevation of her main battery was raised from 33" to 43" to increase its maximum range to 33,000m. This increase of her 14in guns' range enabled her to enter the battle line with the 16in gunmounting Nagato class battleships. With the increase in her maximum range of firing, her pagoda-type foremast was enlarged and modernised so that more
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held off Tokyo Bay on 4 August 1931 With a displacement of 33.800 tons, she logged a top speed of 25 7 knots with 73,850s h p. Note the thin smoke fumes emitted as she still had a few coal-burning boilers
Kongo immediately after her I ~ r sreconstrucrto~l, i scc:n froii, 11cirDo~u
Kongo after her first reconstruction seen from her b o w
Kongo in the naval review held off the port of Yokohama on 25 August 7933. The carrier seen behind her b o w Akagi. About six months later Kongo's mainmast was lowered
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A scene taken from the bridge of the Kongo in the major naval manoeuvres in 7933. On deck between third and fourth turrets are three seaplanes. In her wake are the Haruna and the battleship Fuso who hadjust completedrefir
Kongo soon atter the second reconstruction By virtue of this second reconstruction, Kongo was reborn as a modern high-speed battleship equipped with eight 74in guns, 14-6in guns and eight 12 7cm AA guns, but srill capable of a maximum speed o f 3 0 knots. The photograph was taken in January 1937 Kongo, taken from HMS Blrrnlng ham, off the port of Amoy in China on 2 7 October 1938. A tall pole on her fourth turret is a support stand for the W I T aerials so that the operation of the plane-hoisr~ngcrane may nor be hindered
complicated fire-directing devices for long-range gunnery could be mounted there. Attention was paid also to increasing the accommodation for seaplanes which were being used more and more a t sea. T h e deck space between her third and fourth turrets was used to accommodate three 14-Type seaplanes. Four underwater torpedo tubes were removed, leaving four tubes still mounted onboard. Many improvements were also made to her ventilation system and to other equipment during this reconstruction period.
Minor Changes Before Second Reconstruction Despite the large-scale reconstruction, the Kongo still had to undergo a series of minor refits in order to keep up with the rapid developments of naval weapons and technologies then taking place in the world. I n 1932, only one year after the first reconstruction was completed, two large searchlights of 150cm in diameter were mounted to improve her fighting capacity a t night. Almost simultaneously, her single-mounting 8cm AA guns140 calibre were replaced by four twinmounting 12.7cm AA guns, two units on both sides amidships. I n early 1933, two twin-mounting 40mm AA machine-guns were installed, while a catapult was mounted on her seaplane accommodation deck. During the following year, the barrels of her 14in guns were replaced by new ones for the first time since she was commissioned, while 91-Type armourpiercing shells were provided for her. T h e three
seaplanes were also replaced by new 90-Type seaplanes of the same number. Her mainmast was lowered about this time, because improvements in wireless equipment no longer necessitated having such a high mast which could be sighted a t long ranges by enemy ships. Two quadruple-mounting 13mm AA machine guns were also mounted on board.
A New Tactic T h e Japanese Navy by tradition favoured a night engagement before a decisive battle. By such tactics they aimed to destroy some of the enemy capital ships with torpedo attacks by their destroyers, thus neutralising the enemy's superiority of big gun power before the decisive battle. In order to accomplish this, it was necessary to be able to penetrate the outer defence ring which protected the main force. H a d their speed been as high as that of cruisers and destroyers, the Kongo class ships would have been ideal for the execution of these tactics. They could-together with light men-of-war-have destroyed the enemy cruisers with their big guns, thus enabling destroyers to penetrate the defences as required. T h e maximum speed of the Kongo class warships was therefore raised to 30 knots.
SECOND RECONSTRUCTION T h e second reconstruction of the four Kongo class ships started with the Haruna in 1933, followed by that of the Kirishima. T h e second remodelling of the Kongo herself started a t Yokosuka Naval Yard on 1 June 1935 and
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Kongo as completedin 79 13
Hiei in 7936 (Y turret removed)
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Haruna in 1936
Kirishima in 1937
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of her operational life in the Pacific. Her reconnaissanceaircraft, a Jake floatplane, is on the catapult which is trained fore and aft. Warships of the lmperial Japanese Navy wore no ships' badges; instead, the national emblem, a chrysanthemum, was fitted to the stemhead of The lmperial Standard is shown on the left, between the ensign of the Imperial Japanese Navy (left) and (right) the Admiral's flag which was so often worn by Kongo. Gordon Davies 0Profile Publications Ltd
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was completed on 8 January 1937. As their maximum speed increased u p to 30 knots, the Japanese Navy now classified them as high speed battleships.
New Machinery and Hull Shape Because the second reconstruction aimed at, among other improvements, giving the Kongo a maximum speed of 30 knots, her machinery was entirely replaced by new, powerful plant. Her old boilers were replaced by eight oil-burning boilers of a greater power, each of which was housed in a separate watertight compartment. The four Parsons direct-connecting steam turbines were replaced by four Naval Construction Department Type reduction geared steam turbines with a total output of 136,00Oshp, more than double that of the original 64,000shp. Her fuel capacity was increased to 6000 tons of heavy oil by adding new oil tanks. Installation of additional oil tanks required a considerable amount of refitting to her hull, but the alteration contributed to the increase of her radius of action from 9500 miles a t 14 knots to 10,000 miles a t 18 knots. I n order to reduce her propulsion resistance, her stern was lengthened by 25ft to 720ft (bp), while her beam of 95.3ft remained unchanged. O n the other hand, her draught was deepened from 284ft to 3 1.9ft. Her displacement increased from 31,780 tons to 36,6 10 tons.
Armament I n this second reconstruction, there was little alteration to her armament except for the elevation of the 6in guns being raised from 15" to 30" to increase their range. I n order to achieve this, the ring platforms of those guns in the casemates were raised. Twinmounting 40mm AA machine guns were replaced by ten twin-mounting 25mm AA machine guns. T o compensate for a n increase of weight due to the refit, two 6in guns in the foremost casemates on both sides and all torpedo tubes were removed.
Rigging and Upperworks Her foremast was considerably altered, emphasis being placed on improving capacities of the long-range gunnery and also of the night action equipment. A 10m range-finder was installed atop the foremast, whilst various kinds of command posts, fire-directing devices, devices for determining the enemy course and speed, searchlight-directing equipment and lookout posts were mounted in it. Because most of this equipment required a wide field of observation, her foremast became very large and complicated to fulfil these requirements. T h e lower portion of her mainmast was also re-built to house the secondary director control tower. Six l lOcm searchlights were additionally installed around her first funnel to improve her night fighting capacity.
Damage Control Another feature of the second reconstruction was that she was a t last equipped with a damage-control system. O n both sides of the hull, 20 compartments with a total capacity of 500 tons were newly built for quick flooding, and 26 compartments with a total capacity of l500 tons for ordinary flooding. By means of quick flooding of all compartments the ship's list could be
adjusted by 5.5" while by means of ordinary flooding it could be adjusted by 7.7". By virtue of the second reconstruction, the Kongo was thus reborn as a modern high-speed battleship equipped with eight 14in guns, fourteen 6in guns and eight 12.7cm A.4 guns and yet having a maximum speed of 30 knots.
Minor Changes Before World War II After the second reconstruction, Kongo engaged in some hard training with the Combined Fleets as one of its important main units. As the world international situation became tense, however, she had to undergo minor refits from time to time to prepare her for any emergency. About 1939, the air-defence command post was added to the top of her foremast. In early 1941, armour was added to the barbettes of her main battery to reinforce her vertical protection, while anti-flash equipment in the main turrets was improved. I n the autumn of the same year, degaussing was fitted to her outer hull to neutralise the magnetic effect of the ship. Although Kongo's protection was, as stated earlier, reinforced to withstand the impact of 14in shells fired from ranges between 20,000m and 25,00Om, it must be admitted that this protection was not sufficient. Especially was this so with her vertical protection. which was her weakest point, as little reinforcement had been added since she was first completed. T h e Japanese Navy had concluded, in fact, that her side protection could be penetrated by shells of the U.S. capital ships a t any range. This weakness of her side protection was later proven in the so-called Guadalcanal Sea Battle in November 1942, when the Kirishima, her sister ship, was sunk by gunfire from USS Washington and South Dakota, both armed with 16in guns.
ACTIVITIES IN WORLD WAR II : WORK HORSE OFTHE FLEET When Japan entered the war in December 1942, the four Kongo class high-speed battleships found themselves much in demand. While other battle-ships of the Combined Fleets vainly waited in the Inland Sea for the chance of a decisive battle with the U.S. Fleet ( a chance that never came) the Kongo and her three sister ships were given multiple and unusual assignments. They were destined to play many roles, not only in the initial stages but in almost all stages of the war. They eventually became the main 'work horses' among the big-gun men-of-war of the Japanese Navy. Taking full advantage of their excellent mobile capacity, they steamed east, south and west to their various assignments. I t is little exaggeration to say that the Japanese Navy would have had a much harder time in the war had it not possessed the Kongo class high-speed battleships.
Prince of Wales and Repulse Before the outbreak of war, the Kongo and Haruna were deployed in the South China Sea as the sole big-gun force under the command of the Southern Invasion Naval Force. T h e main mission was to support a n
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Navy, which had taken the initiative, was now denied it and had to stand on the defensive. When the Allies made a surprise landing on ~ u a d a l c a n a l Island in August 1942, the Japanese armed forces fought back fiercely. They did not hesitate to throw as many combat men, ships and planes as possible into the fight night and day, resulting in a series of battles in the air, and on land and sea.
Guadalcanal Island : Bombardment The four Kongo class men-of-war also took their turn in actions centring around the 'Bloody Island', in the most risky manner ever conducted in the war. When their reinforcement attempts to the islands were frustrated by superior enemy air forces, the Japanese saw the urgency of neutralising the enemy air strip on the island, even if only for a while. To achieve this, the Japanese Navy planned to use the 14in guns of the Kongo class high-speed battleships. They were to bombard Henderson air field with their big guns at night, after closing in at high speed in the face of enemy air interceptions. I t was a very hazardous challenge to superior enemy air forces by single men-of-war. Kongo and her sister ship, Haruna, were detailed in mid-October 1942 for this bombardment, when a
large-scale reinforcement attempt was made on the island. Taking advantage of their high speed, they successfully closed the island shore on the night of 13 October and bombarded the enemy air field with their 14in guns for more than an hour. A bombardment result of 14in guns with a total of 920 rounds was even more effective than anticipated: most of the enemy airfield was set on fire and approximately two-thirds of more than 80 planes there were destroyed. I t was indeed the highlight of Kongo's activities in the war.
Battle of the Solomon Islands : Sinking of USS Hornet Although the Japanese were on the defensive, the Japanese Navy strength and that of the Allied Powers were still well balanced, with the result that frequent engagements took place between them. In less than two weeks after the successful bombardment on Guadalcanal Island, a fierce sea battle between the carrier force of both sides took place at sea off the Solomon Islands in the South Pacific on 26 October 1942. The Japanese fleet sank USS Hornet and heavily damaged
* Warship Profile No. 3.
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The I-lle~under full power r i i c j l ~d i l l r Iic1r i?~,+iof rc or?:iructioi?in Di,cen~hi.r 1 9 ~ 97/11 ( o/ivt.r~ionwas sirn~idrro thar of her sister ships. In addirion, her foremast was furrher modernised as the prototype of rhe Yamato class battleship, w ~ t h the result that herprofile was slightly different from that ofher orhersisrerships
The Hiei homeward-bound off Tokyo Bay in May 7942 after the successful completion of the Southern Invasion Operation. Her DCTispainted white as an identification mark
reconstruction, which was completed in Sept foremast IS sl~ghtlytaller than those of the others
The Haruna in 7935. The range-finder atop her foremast was 8m. to be replaced later by a 70rn instrument like those of her sister battleships
USS Enterbrise without losing any of its own ships. T h e four Kongo-class ships also took part, although they were divided into two groups-one consisting of Kongo and Haruna, the other of Hiei and Kirishima. T h e battle situation around Guadalcanal Island had in the meantime deteriorated in spite of desperate efforts on the part of the Japanese to recapture the 'Bloody Island'. T h e Japanese then planned to launch a larger-scale reinforcement attempt than that of mid-October in order to turn the tables once and for all. This time, also, a bombardment by big guns on Henderson airfield was planned and the Hiei and Kirishima were detailed. They were not, however, so lucky as Kongo and Haruna.
gunfire from enemy heavy cruisers. Her protection was strong enough to protect her turrets, engine and boiler rooms, but unfortunately one 20cm shell hit her steering compartment, throwing her out of control. She dropped out of the action not far from Guadalcanal Island. When daylight came, she was subjected to aerial attacks which lasted all day long. Although several bombs and torpedoes struck her, she still remained almost intact except for the damage in her steering compartment. Since there was no way to save her, she had finally to be sunk by friendly torpedoes after darkness came over the scene. She was the first battleship of the Japanese Navy to be lost during the war.
No Surrender: the Battleship Hiei
Battleshipversus Battleship
When they closed the shore of Guadalcanal Island on the night of 12 November, they were ambushed by the U.S. fleet. T h e fiercest night engagement in World War I1 was then exchanged between the Japanese and U.S. fleets. T h e Hiei, flagship of the Japanese bombardment force, was subjected to concentrated
O n the night of 13 November, two heavy cruisers and one light cruiser bombarded Henderson airfield without mishap. T h e following night, another attempt to attack the island was made with the Kirishima (who was not damaged in the engagement of 12 November) and two heavy cruisers as nucleus. This
Tile Flat u n a uriderfuilpowerin battle t r a ~ n i n g i ~ c i d o2n7 M a y 7936
force was again ambushed by the U.S. fleet which included USS Washington and USS South Dakota. The first engagement between battleships of the two fleets then followed. The Kirishima was out-classed by the new 16in gun battleships of the U.S. Navy and, after being hit by more than six 16in shells, she went down, following the fate of her sister ship, Hiei. With this costly yet unsuccessful reinforcement attempt as the turning point, the battle situation around the Solomon Islands went from bad to worse. T h e Japanese finally had to give u p large-scale reinforcements to Guadalcanal Island toward the end of that year. As the Japanese, as well as the Allied Powers, had been greatly exhausted after long and desperate fighting, a lull came over the battle scene for a while. The Kongo and the Haruna, together with other ships, headed for the homeland in early 1943 to undertake repairs and maintenance, which they needed very badly, because they had not been docked since the autumn of 1941.
MAJOR REFITS 1943-1944: LESSONS LEARNT Main refits undertaken a t this time and also in early 1944 were as follows: 1. Two twin-mounting 12.7cm AA guns were additionally installed, one on each side, thus making a total of twelve. Ten twin-mounting 25mm AA machine guns were replaced by six triple-mounting 25mm AA
machine guns and eight twin-mounting units with a total of 34 machine guns. 2. Type 2 1 radar for air lookout and Type 22 radar for surface lookout were installed with their antennae mounted on her foremast. 3. I n view of the fact that the Hiei was hit in her steering compartment by a n enemy shell which led to her doom in the sea battle in November 1942, the following measures were undertaken to strengthen the Kongo's protection of the steering compartment. T h e former steering compartment was separated by a watertight bulkhead into a steering gear room and a rudder stock room, both of which were to be shielded by a thick layer of concrete to withstand the hitting of a 20cm shell. I n addition, a n emergency hydraulic steering device to be operated by a diesel-driven generator was installed. A unit of jacks with a capacity of 50 tons was also provided on either side to push back the rudder to the midships position in case it jammed a t 'hard-over'. 4. T o compensate the increase in weight due to the additions mentioned above, six 6in guns were removed from her sides. As the Japanese Navy's main fleets remained relatively inactive during 1943 while rebuilding their strength, the Kongo and the Haruna did not participate in any action. With the continuance of the war into 1944, the Allied intention of breaking through the island chain in the Central Pacific became apparent:
The Kirishima after her second reconstruction. This photograph was taken in May 1937 in Sukumo Bay off Shikoku, one of the four major islands ofJapan proper
T / I ( >four Korlgo class barrlrshipi in A/;iri/ 1 9 12. when r / t c y /1~1rriciji~i1cd in the carr~eroperat~on/ n the /nd/an Ocean. From the forefronrare rhe Kongo, Haruna. K ~ r ~ s h ~and m a H I ~ The I carrlerdt rhe extremelefrls rhe Sorvu
the Japanese Navy planned to meet the enemy challenge with all air and sea forces available once and for all.
Battle of the Philippine Sea : Gallant but Defeated T h e showdown took place in the Philippine Sea in mid-June 1944, when the Allies landed on Saipan in the Mariana Islands. Although the Japanese air and sea forces fought very fiercly and with grim determination, the battle ended in their complete defeat. Their three carriers were sunk and most of the land-based air forces destroyed by the powerful enemy carrier strength. T h e balance between the Japanese Navy and the Allied Navies was now entirely upset. T h e remnant of the Japanese fleet, including the undamaged Kongo and the Haruna, made port in the homeland toward the end of June.
Emergency Refit and Desperate Work-up Immediately after arrival a t her homeland, K o n ~ o was refitted. I n addition to six triple-mounting 25m& AA machine guns and eight twin-mounting units of the same type, 12 triple-mounting units and 24 singlemounting units were installed to make the total of machine guns 94. Type 13 radar for air lookout was also added, while Type 22 radar was improved so as to be used also for fire control. These alterations and additions had to be carried out in a hurry because the next Allied assault, somewhere along the Philippines, Formosa, Okinawa and the Japanese homeland, seemed imminent. Immediately after the refit, Kongo proceeded in late July to the Linga anchorage, south of Singapore, where she underwent vigorous training in preparation for the forthcoming showdown with the Allied Powers. She did not, however, succeed in improving her gunnery radar fire control.
Fleet Strategy: Battle of Leyte Gulf When the Allied Powers landed on Leyte Island in the Philippines in mid-October, the Japanese fleets converged from north and south on Leyte Gulf, while its land-based air arms and the Army air forces attacked enemy forces from the Philippines or Formosa. Since the Japanese Navy was no longer able to launch a carrier-borne air attack, its basic strategy called for the surface force, including Kongo and Haruna, to make a daring dash eastwards through the island chain, while its carrier group acted as a decoy to lure the powerful enemy carrier task force away from the main battle fleet. This unorthodox strategy succeeded very well. When the surface force broke forth east of the island chain in the early morning of 25 October, 1944, it encountered no enemy, but at dawn found itself unexpectedly within fighting range of the enemy carrier groups which the Japanese Navy had long wanted to attack. Though the Japanese surface force identified them as enemy regular carrier groups, they were actually escort carrier groups.
Battle off Samar : October 1944 Then occurred the Sea Battle Off Samar, in which the Japanese attacked the enemy fleet. Taking full advantage of their high speed, the Kongo and the Haruna proceeded ahead of the force to open fire with their 14in guns. This was the first time in the war that either had fired with their big guns on enemy ships. T h e Japanese force sank one escort carrier and one destroyer. Japanese ships also received serious damage, but the Kongo's was very slight. Despite desperate fighting, however, the Japanese Navy not only failed to prevent the enemy invasion of Leyte Island, but
HMS Hermes
suffered irretrievable damage. Most of the remaining Japanese force, including the Kongo and the Haruna, returned to Brunei Bay in Borneo.
HOMEWARD BOUND : DISASTER, 21 NOVEMBER 1944 Since Brunei Bay was no longer a safe anchorage for the Japanese fleet because of intensified air raids by the Allied Powers, the Japanese ships decided to return to the homeland in separate groups. The Kongo and the Haruna left with an escort of destroyers on 6 November on their homeward trip. O n the night of 20 November, when steaming northwards in the Formosa Strait, the Kongo was suddenly hit by torpedoes fired by the U.S. submarine Sealion. At about 0530 in the morning of 21 November, there was a loud explosion, whereupon she settled into the sea and sank.
HMS Cornwall
(H. C. T ~ r n e w e l l )
Kongo's Three Sister Ships
Hiei: Completed a t the Yokosuka naval shipyard on 4 August 1914. Reconstruction to convert her into a training battleship as a result of the London naval treaty began in September 1929 a t the Kure naval shipyard and was completed on 31 December 1932. A large-scale reconstruction to transform her into a high-speed battleship started on 26 November 1936 a t the Kure naval yard, and was completed on 3 1 December 1939. Activities in World War 11: Took part in the air-raid upon Pearl Harbour; the air-raid upon Port Darwin in 1942; the invasion operation of Dutch East Indies; the mobile operation in Indian Ocean in 1942; the Midway Sea Battle, and a series of sea battles around Guadalcanal Island in the autumn of 1942. In the night action on 12 November 1942, she was seriously damaged and finally sunk by friendly torpedoes.
(H. C. Timewell)
(H. C.T i r n e w c / / )
HMS Dorsetsh~re
(H.C. T ~ mwell) e 1
Haruna: Completed a t Kawasaki Dockyard in Kobe City on 19 April 1915; the first reconstruction began a t the Yokosuka naval yard on 1 March 1924 and was completed on 31 July 1928; the second reconstruction started a t the Kure naval yard on 1 August 1933 and was completed on 30 September 1934. Activities in World War I1 : Took part in the invasion operations of Malaya, the Philippines, British Borneo and Dutch East Indies; the mobile operation in Indian Ocean; the Midway Sea Battle, the bombardment of Guadalcanal Island, the Sea Battle off the Solomon Islands in October 1942, the Sea Battle in the Philippine Sea in June 1944, the Sea Battle Off Samar in October 1944. She was sunk near Kure on 28 July 1945 due to air raids by enemy carrier borne air forces on 27 to 28 July. Kirishima: Completed at the Nagasaki shipyard of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries in Nagasaki City on 19 April 1915; the first reconstruction started at the Kure naval yard in March 1927 and was completed on 31 March 1930; the second reconstruction began a t the Sasebo naval yard on 1 June 1934 and was completed on 8 June 1936. Activities in World War 11: Same as those of the Hiei except that the Kirishima was sunk in the night engagement of 14 November 1942 near Guadalcanal Island.
Series Editor: JOHN WINGATE, DSc
CHARACTERISTICS OF KONGO When first completed
Normaldisplacement: Standard dlt: Trial dlt: Length (oa) ft.: Length ( b p ) ft.: Beam (ft.): Draught (trial) ft.:
27,500 tons 26,330 tons 27,900 tons 705 695 92 27.5
Engines: Boilers: Type: Number:
Yarrow Coal &Oil 36
Machinery: Number: Number of Shafts: Max. Output (s.h.p.): Speed (knots): Radius of action:
Parsons turbines
27.5 8000 miles at 1 4 knots
First reconstruction
Second reconstruction
29.330 31,780 705 695 95.3 28.4
32.1 56 36.61 0 730 720 95.3 31.9
Coal &Oil 6 Oil burning 4 Parsons turbines
Oil burning 8
-
25.9 9500 miles at 14 knots
-
Reduction geared turbines 4 4 136,000 30.3 10.000 miles at 18 knots
Fuel Capacity: Coal (tons): Heavy oil (tons): Armament: 14" guns145 cal.: 6" guns150 caL: AA guns:
8 (elev. 25') 16(15') nil
AA machine guns:
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GLOSSARY A A ( o r H A ) Anti-aircraft (or High Angle) A b a f t nearer the stern than the object referred to, e.g. abaft the caostan. liea am at right angles to the fore and aft line amidships. A-Cockbill when the anchor IS hung by only the anchor ring. A f t towards the stern. A l o f t up the mast or in the rigging. A s d i c Anti Submarme Detect~onDevice A s t e r n in the rear. A t h w a r t across or from side to side. A t h w a r t s h i p s across the ship; at right angles to the fore and aft line. A w e i g h the moment when the anchor is broken from the ground. Ballast extra weight stowed in a ship for added stability. B e a m the breadth of the sh~p. B i l g e the part of the ship inboard near the keel. B o d y p l a n the drawing indicating the athwartship section. ,Bollard an upper deck fitting wtth t w o heads to w h ~ c hwires and hawsers are secured. B o o t - t o p p i n g the line between wind and water which IS usually pa~ntedwith anti-fouling of different colour. B o w the parts of the ship's sides most near to the stem. B o w e r anchor the main anchor. Braces wire or rope rigging controlling a yard in the horizontal plane. B r a i l a wire or rope which enc~rclesa sail or net for gathering-up purposes. Bulkhead a vertical partition between decks which seRarates one compartment from another. B u l w a r k s the plating around the edge of the upper deck which prevents men or gear being washed overboard. Capstan a machine driven either electrically or by steam with which t o weigh anchor or to haul in a hawser. Chains the platform extending o n e~therside of the ship, generally on the upper deck abreast the bridge, on which the leadsmen stand to heave the lead when taking a sounding. C o n to direct the steering of the ship. C u t t e r a fore-and-aft rigged boat with one mast, a mainsail and foresails. D C T Director Control Tower t the scuttles t o strengthen the Deadlights the plates which f ~ over ship's side and t o prevent light from showing otuboard when the ship is darkened. Deck head the surface beneath the deck. D e r r i c k a spar which i s f ~ t t e dwith tackles for lifting purposes. Displacement the weight of a ship. D N C D~rectorof Naval Construction D r a u g h t the depth of the lowest point of the keel below the ship's water-lme. Eyes o' t h e s h i p the extreme fore-ends of the ship near the navel pipes. aidea ad an upper deck fitting through which a rope is rove in order t o alter the lead. Fatls the boat's falls are the tackles used for hoisting a boat. Flare the curve outwards of the ship's side forward. Flush deck when the deck is a continuous unbroken line from stem to stern. Fore and a f t line the line from stem t o stern in line with the keel. Forecastle o r fo'c'sle that part of the upper deck which lies forward. Forefoot that part of the stem lying between the water line and the fore end of the keel. Foul anchor when the anchor is snarled by the cable or has picked up a wlre. Foremast the forward mast. Freeboard the height of a ship's side above the water line. G a f f a spar secured to a mast in a fore and aft line and at an angle. In a warship, the battle ensign is flown from here when at sea. Gang plank a plank stretching between t w o ships, or from a ship t o the jetty, upon w h ~ c hto walk. Gripes matting with thimbles and lanyards with which to secure a boat at the davits. H A ( o r A A ) (see AA) H a w s e p i p e the pipe leading t o the cable locker through which the anchor cable runs. Heel o f t h e s h i p the angle of a ship from the perpendicular. Housed the mast is housed when partly lowered down. J u r y m a s t a temporary mast fltted In an emergency. Kedge anchor an auxiliary and lighter anchor. K n o t measurement of speed. 1 k n o t = l nautical mile (6080 ft.) per hour. Lanyard a short rope, generally used for setting up rlgglng. Lazy g u y an additional guy which is fitted to a boom for securing purposes when the ship rolls. List if a ship heels permanently she is said t o have a 'list on'. L.W.L. load water line: the line t o which the vessel is trimmed when normally loaded as Intended by the designer. M a i n m a s t the mast abaft the foremast. M a s t head the top of the mast. M i d s h i p s the centre part of the ship. M i z z e n m a s t the aftermost mast.
Navel p i p e the holef~ttingon the forecastle through which the anchor cable runs to the hawse plpe and down to the cable locker. Pelorus a avro c o m ~ a s fitted s with a bearinq - ring- and mounted on the br~dge Pendant a long shaped flag w h ~ c hIS narrower at the outer end; e usually numerals manoeuvring or spec~alpendants to ~ n d ~ c a tthe varlous stages In w e ~ g h ~ nand g anchor~ng P o r t the left hand s~deof the s h ~ plook~ngforward P r o f i l e the shape of a s h ~ pas seen from her s ~ d e Q u a r t e r the after part of the ship's side near the stern. Quarterdeck the part of the upper deck which 15 at the stern. Rake the angle of a funnel or mast from the perpend~cularIn the tore and aft I~ne. Ratlines ropes seized hor~zontallyon to the shrouds in order t o form a ladder. R u n n i n g r i g g i n g rigg~ngwhich runs through blocks. of t~mberused In the b u ~ l d ~ n ofg a shlp. Scantlings the d~mens~ons S c o t c h m a n a length of steel or wood used to prevent chafing. Scupper holes In the bulwarks whtch allow the water to drain from the upper deck. S c u t t l e s c~rcular'w~ndows'or port-holes In the ship's s~de. Section unless otherw~sedefined, a section IS the shape of a vessel as ~fshe were cut through athwartsh~ps. Sheer the curve of the deck at the head and stern above the midsh~p portion. Sheer p l a n the shape of a vessel as v~ewedfrom the slde. Shrouds t h e w ~ r eropes supportlng a mast In theathwatrsh~psdirectlon. S t a n d i n g r i g g i n g f ~ x e drlgglng such as the shrouds and stays. Stanchion a vert~calmetal support for guard ra~ls,awnlngs. etc. t s ~ d eof the s h ~ plook~ngforward. Starboard the r ~ g h hand Stay the wire ropes supportlng a mast In the fore-and-aft d~rection. S t e m the foremost part of the ship. S t e r n the aftermost part of the sh~p. T a f f r a i l the rail around the stern. Topgallant forecastle a small deck lylng above the upper deck and above the forecastle. Topgallant m a s t a small mast f ~ t t e dabove the topmast. Topmast the upper part of a mast, generally a separate spar. Triatic s t a y a wlre rope between the foremast and mafnmast mastheads. T r i m how a ship floats in the water. on the extreme top of the mast. T r u c k a small c~rcularhorizontal f ~ t t i n g T u m b l e h o m e if the sides of a s h ~ ptncl~neInwards near the upper deck they are s a ~ dto 'tumble home'. U n d e r w a y when a ship is neither made fast or aground. she IS s a ~ dto be under way. U p a n d d o w n the anchor cable is 'up and down' when 11IS vertically taut from the anchor to the bow. Vang a rope or wire controlling the outboard end of a gaff. W I T WirelessITelegraphy W a i s t the part of the upper deck am~dsh~ps which l ~ e sbetween the fo'c'sle and the quarter deck. Yard Horizontal spars set athwartshlps on the mast to carry s~gnal halvards and WIT aerials, etc.
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~ conceived L and produced by Projle Publications Limited. This new international series will span the era of the modern fighting ship from the launching of the Dread~ugAtin 1906 n p t o the present day ship-a corhplex of floating electronics, weaponry and technology. Profilchavecfeated a team of international experts in naval history backed by a first rate group of researchers and consultants. This new series will continue to reflect the high standard of the Projle series already published. Presentation will follow the format which has proved so popular with the other series with first rate text, supported by many superb black and white illustrations and of course, the famous ProJilGJilG colour cmtre Jpread which will show complete side and plan views of each warship and, where applicable, additional information such as ships' badges, camouflage schemes, cross sections and details of ships' fittings.:.
The most ambitious series >U L
Titles already published 1, H M S Dreadnought 2 H M S Cossack 3 USS Hornet /CV 8) U Kriegsmarine Admiral Graf Spee 5. H M S Campbeltown (USS Buchanan) Q Kriegsmarine Prinz Eugen
7. H M Motor Torpedo Boats 8. Kriegsmarine U- 107 9. USS Charles Ausburne (DD-570) 10. HMS illustrious I I. HMS Illustrious 12. IJN Kongo .I,
Next 12 titles are 1 3 H M S Exeter Sich-gun Cruiser, 1928-1942. Her life includes the Battle of the River Plate against Admiral Graf Spee, (Warship ProJile No. 4) and the Battle of the Java Sm: by Robin Tonks, M.A., Assistant Director of Studies and Head of History Department, Britannia Royal Naval College, Dartmouth.
14. SMS Seydlitz Battle cruiser, 25,000 tons, commissioned Spring 1913, flagship of Scouting Forces, she led the bombardment of Great Yarmouth in December 1914. She was severely damaged in the Battle of the Dogger Bank, January 1915; she struck a mine in April 1916; she just made port after the Battle of Jutland, having been hit by one torpedo and twenty-three shells. She was scuttled at Scapa Flow, June 1919: by Professor F. Ruge, ViceAdmiral a.D.
15. USS Enterprise (CVAN 65) The first, and at this writing, the only nuclearpowered aircraft carrier and the largest combatant in the world; Enterprise celebrates ten years of wmmksioned service in 1971. During this period, this large ship has repeatedly demonstrated the great flexibility of nuclear propulsion from world girdling cruises to combat tours off North Vietnam. Two additional nuclear carriers now under construction will soonjoin her in the US Nuclear Fleet: by Commander W. H. Cracknell, USN.
16. H M Submarine Upholder A member of the Tenth Submarine Flotilla which operated from Malta during the siege, this U-class submarine's Commanding Officer, Lieutenantammander M. D. Wanklyn was awarded the Victoria Cross: by her ex-First Lieutenant, Captain M. L. C. Crawford, D.S.C. AND BAR, R.N.
(Retired), who became a distingukhcd Submarine Commanding Officer of HM Submarines, H.50, Unseen (P.5l), Tireless, Oberon and Artenk.
17. R It. N Zara Laid down in 1928, this 8in. gunned cruiser formed the backbone of Mussolini's cruiser forces. A superb ship, she ended her life a blazing inferno at the Battle of Matapan: by Lt.-Commander (Pay), Italian Naval Reserve, Aldo Fraccaroli, naval historian.
18. K M Bismarck With Tirpitr, Germany's other battleship, Bismarck, was the pride of the German fleet. 'Big Brother' to Prinz Eugm, she forayed into the Atlantic in May 1941, where, after sinking HMS Hood, she was hunted and eventually destroyed by units of the Royal Navy: by Fregattenkapitan Paul Schmalenbach, author of Warship Profie No. 6, Prinz Eugen, whose Gunnery Officer he was for the duratiori of World War 11.
19. HMS Hood The 'Mighty Hood', the most gracefid warship of her time, held pride of place in the hearts of the British public. A superb battle cruiser, she bore an inherent defect in design which was to lead to terrible disaster: by R. G. Robertson, the last man to leave Hood at Scapa Flow when she sailed for the Atlantic and her encounter with B h a d .
20. HMS Hesperus 21. USS Tennessee (BB 43) 22. IJN Yukikaze 23. HMS Furious 24. HMS Furious
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