Enoki (榎, "nettle tree") was one of 23 escort destroyers of the Tachibana sub-class of the Matsu class built for the Imperial Japanese Navy during the final stages of World War II. The ship was completed in early 1945 and was sunk by a naval mine in June. Her wreck was salvaged in 1948 and subsequently scrapped.
 Sister ship Nire in January or February 1945
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Empire of Japan | |
| Name | Enoki |
| Namesake | Nettle tree |
| Ordered | 1944 |
| Builder | Maizuru Naval Arsenal |
| Laid down | 14 October 1944 |
| Launched | 27 January 1945 |
| Completed | 31 March 1945 |
| Stricken | 30 September 1945 |
| Fate | Sunk by naval mine, 26 June 1945, and scrapped |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Tachibana sub-class of the Matsu-class escort destroyer |
| Displacement | 1,309 t (1,288 long tons) (standard) |
| Length | 100 m (328 ft 1 in) (o/a) |
| Beam | 9.35 m (30 ft 8 in) |
| Draft | 3.37 m (11 ft 1 in) |
| Installed power | 2 × water-tube boilers; 19,000 shp (14,000 kW) |
| Propulsion | 2 shafts, 2 × geared steam turbines |
| Speed | 27.8 knots (51.5 km/h; 32.0 mph) |
| Range | 4,680 nmi (8,670 km; 5,390 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph) |
| Sensors and processing systems | |
| Armament |
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Design and description
editThe Tachibana sub-class was a simplified version of the preceding Matsu-class escort destroyers to make them even more suited for mass production. The ships measured 100 meters (328 ft 1 in) in overall length, with a beam of 9.35 meters (30 ft 8 in) and a draft of 3.37 meters (11 ft 1 in).[1] They displaced 1,309 metric tons (1,288 long tons) at standard load and 1,554 metric tons (1,529 long tons) at deep load.[2] The ships had two Kampon geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by two Kampon water-tube boilers. The turbines were rated at a total of 19,000 shaft horsepower (14,000 kW) for a speed of 27.8 knots (51.5 km/h; 32.0 mph). The Tachibanas had a range of 4,680 nautical miles (8,670 km; 5,390 mi) at 16 knots (30 km/h; 18 mph).[3]
The main armament of the Tachibana sub-class consisted of three Type 89 127-millimeter (5 in) dual-purpose guns in one twin-gun mount aft and one single mount forward of the superstructure. The single mount was partially protected against spray by a gun shield. The accuracy of the Type 89 guns was severely reduced against aircraft because no high-angle gunnery director was fitted. They carried a total of 25 Type 96 25-millimeter (1 in) anti-aircraft guns in 4 triple and 13 single mounts. The Tachibanas were equipped with Type 13 early-warning and Type 22 surface-search radars.[4] The ships were also armed with a single rotating quadruple mount amidships for 610-millimeter (24 in) torpedoes. They could deliver their 60 depth charges via two stern rails and two throwers.[1][4]
Construction and service
editEnoki (Nettle Tree)[5] was ordered in Fiscal Year 1944 under the Wartime Naval Armaments Supplement Program[3] and she was laid down at Maizuru Naval Arsenal on 14 October 1944. The ship was launched on 27 January 1945 and completed on 31 March.[6] The destroyer was assigned to the 11th Destroyer Squadron of the Second Fleet the following day for working up. Enoki began training in the Seto Inland Sea on 8 April and continued to do so until 27 May. During this time, the squadron was reassigned to the Combined Fleet on 20 April.[5]
On 26 June the ship's stern struck a naval mine which caused the aft magazine to explode, sinking the ship in shallow water at 35°28′N 135°44′E / 35.467°N 135.733°E near Obama, Fukui. The number of survivors is not known. Enoki was stricken from the navy list on 30 September. Her wreck was refloated on 1 July 1948 and subsequently broken up.[3][5]
Notes
editBibliography
edit- Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
- Nevitt, Allyn D. (1998). "IJN Enoki: Tabular Record of Movement". www.combinedfleet.com. Retrieved 22 June 2020.
- Stille, Mark (2013). Imperial Japanese Navy Destroyers 1919–45 (2): Asahio to Tachibana Classes. Botley, UK: Osprey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-84908-987-6.
- Sturton, Ian (1980). "Japan". In Chesneau, Roger (ed.). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1922–1946. Greenwich, UK: Conway Maritime Press. ISBN 0-85177-146-7.
- Whitley, M. J. (1988). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-326-1.