Matsu-class destroyer

Matsu-class destroyer
Momi, one of the members of this class
Class overview
Name:	Matsu class and Tachibana class
Builders:	Maizuru Naval Arsenal, Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard, Kōbe-Kawasaki Shipbuilding Yard
Operators:	Imperial Japanese Navy Republic of China Navy Royal Navy Soviet Navy United States Navy Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded by:	Ōtori class torpedo boat Yūgumo class destroyer
Built:	1943–1945
In commission:	1944–1971
Planned:	42 (1943, Ship #5481-5522), 32 (1944, Ship #4801-4832), 80 (1945, Kai-Tachinaba class)
Completed:	18 (Matsu class), 14 (Tachibana class)
Cancelled:	122
Lost:	10
Retired:	22 + 1 (JDS Wakaba)
General characteristics Matsu class
Displacement:	1,260 tons standard 1,530 tons in battle condition
Length:	100.0 m (328 ft 1 in) overall, 92.15 m (302 ft 4 in) waterline
Beam:	9.35 m (30 ft 8 in)
Draft:	3.30 m (10 ft 10 in)
Propulsion:	2 × Kampon water tube boilers, 2 × Kampon impulse geared turbines, 19,000 shp (14 MW) 2 shafts
Speed:	27.8 knots (32.0 mph; 51.5 km/h)
Range:	3,500 nmi (6,500 km) at 18 kn (21 mph; 33 km/h)
Complement:	211
Sensors and processing systems:	1 × Type 93 active sonar, 1 × Type 93 hydrophone
Electronic warfare & decoys:	1 × 22-Gō surface search radar (wavelength 10 cm)
Armament:	(Matsu, April 1944) 3 × 127 mm (5.0 in) L/40 Type 89 AA guns (1×2, 1×1) 24 × 25 mm (1") Type 96 AA guns (4×3, 12×1) 4 × 610 mm (24 in) Type 92 torpedo tubes (1×4) 4 × Type 93 torpedoes 4 depth charge throwers 36 × Type 2 depth charges (Take, March 1945) 3 × 127 mm (5.0 in) L/40 Type 89 AA guns (1×2, 1×1) 39 × 25 mm (1") Type 96 AA guns (4×3, 27×1) 4 × 610 mm (24 in) Type 92 torpedo tubes (1×4) 4 × Type 93 torpedoes 4 depth charge throwers 48 × Type 2 depth charges
General characteristics Tachibana class
Displacement:	1,350 tons standard 1,640 tons in battle condition
Length:	100.0 m (328 ft 1 in) overall, 92.15 m (302 ft 4 in) waterline
Beam:	9.35 m (30 ft 8 in)
Draft:	3.41 m (11 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:	2 × Kampon water tube boilers, 2 × Kanpon impulse geared turbines, 19,000 shp (14 MW) 2 shafts
Speed:	27.3 knots (31.4 mph; 50.6 km/h)
Sensors and processing systems:	1 × Type 3 active sonar, 1 × Type 4 hydrophone
Electronic warfare & decoys:	1 × 22-Gō surface search radar (wavelength 10 cm), 1 × 13-Gō early warning radar (wavelength 2 m)
Armament:	(Tachibana, January 1945) 3 × 127 mm (5.0 in) L/40 Type 89 AA guns (1×2, 1×1) 25 × 25 mm (1") AA guns (4×3, 13×1) 4 × 610 mm (24 in) Type 92 torpedo tubes (1×4) 4 × Type 93 torpedoes 48 × Type 2 depth charges
General characteristics Kaiten carrier
Armament:	(Take, 25 June 1945) 3 × 127 mm (5.0 in) L/40 Type 89 AA guns (1×2, 1×1) 39 × 25 mm (1") AA guns (4×3, 27×1) 4 × 610 mm (24 in) Type 92 torpedo tubes (1×4) 4 × Type 93 torpedoes 48-60 × Type 2 depth charges 1 × manned torpedo Kaiten Type 1

The Matsu-class destroyers (松型駆逐艦, Matsu-gata kuchikukan) were a class of destroyer built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), who referred to them as Type-D Destroyer (丁型駆逐艦, Tei-gata kuchikukan).

Design basis

The Matsu class were built late in World War II, and they were intended to be more cost-effective in response to the changing character of naval warfare at that time. These ships were lighter and smaller than previous Japanese destroyers, with different armament such as enhanced anti-aircraft guns and anti-submarine weapons, and radar. Since surface warfare was believed to be less likely at this stage of the war, armament such as torpedo tubes that would be useful against surface ships was reduced.

As in other navies during the war, the IJN substantially simplified the design to speed up construction, and used Ōtori class machinery, because high speed was unnecessary for convoy escort operations. However, mass production was not achieved.

The Matsu class design was subsequently further simplified, resulting in theTachibana class destroyer (橘型駆逐艦, Tachibakna-gata kuchikukan) or Modified Type-D Destroyer (改丁型駆逐艦, Kai Tei-gata kuchikukan). The Tachibana class destroyers adopted the first modular design in a Japanese destroyer. Matsu class destroyers whose construction was started late in the programme were completed as Tachibana class.

The IJN converted twelve destroyers to Kaiten mother ships to prepare for the Japanese mainland decisive battle.

Matsu and Tachibana classes compared

Matsu-class DD Take with kaiten. Lower illust is Take at Aug.1945.

Tachibana. Arrows are difference to Matsu-Class.

	Matsu class	Tachibana class
Project number	F55	F55B
Building method	Ordinary	Modular design
Main materials	High-Tensile Strength steel (upper deck only) and Carbon steel	Carbon steel only
Hull	Double bottom	Single bottom
Bow	Knuckle bow	Straight bow
Stern	Destroyer stern	Transom stern
Bilge Keel	Boxy (Solid)	Flat board
Active sonar	Type 93	Type 3
Hydrophone	Type 93	Type 4
Turbines	high-pressure, intermediate-pressure, low-pressure, and cruising	high-pressure and low-pressure

Ships of the classes

Ship #	Japanese name & translation	Class	Builder	Laid down	Launched	Completed	Fate
5481	Matsu (松) Pine tree	Matsu	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	8 August 1943	3 February 1944	28 April 1944	Sunk 4 August 1944
5482	Take (竹) Bamboo	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	15 October 1943	28 March 1944	16 June 1944	Surrendered to United Kingdom on 16 July 1947 at Singapore, scrapped
5483	Ume (梅) Japanese apricot	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	25 January 1944	24 April 1944	28 June 1944	Sunk 31 January 1945
5484	Momo (桃) Peach	Matsu	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	5 November 1943	25 March 1944	10 June 1944	Sunk 15 December 1944
5485	Kuwa (桑) Mulberry	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	20 December 1943	25 May 1944	15 July 1944	Sunk 3 December 1944
5486	Kiri (桐) Paulownia	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	1 February 1944	27 May 1944	14 August 1944	Delivered to Soviet Union on 29 July 1947 at Nakhodka, renamed Vozrozhdionny (Возрождённый), converted to target ship TSL-25 (1949) and depot ship PM-65 (1957), scrapped in 1969.
5487	Sugi (杉) Cedar	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	25 February 1944	3 July 1944	25 August 1944	Surrendered to Republic of China on 6 July 1947 at Shanghai, renamed Huiyang, scrapped 1951
5488	Maki (槇) Podocarpaceae	Matsu	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	19 February 1944	10 June 1944	10 August 1944	Surrendered to United Kingdom on 14 August 1947 at Singapore, scrapped 1947
5489	Momi (樅) Abies firma	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	1 February 1944	16 June 1944	3 September 1944	Sunk 5 January 1945
5490	Kashi (樫) Live oak	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	5 May 1944	13 August 1944	30 September 1944	Surrendered to United States on 7 August 1947 at Sasebo, scrapped 20 March 1948
5491	Yaezakura (八重櫻) Prunus verecunda Antiqua	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	18 December 1944	17 March 1945		Discontinued on 23 June 1945 (60%). Sunk 18 July 1945
5492	Kaya (榧) Torreya nucifera	Matsu	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	10 April 1944	30 July 1944	30 September 1944	Delivered to Soviet Union on 5 July 1947 at Nakhodka, renamed Volevoy (Волевой), converted to target ship TSL-23 (1949), scrapped in 1959.
5493	Nara (楢) Oak	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	10 June 1944	12 October 1944	26 November 1944	Scrapped 1 July 1948
5494	Yadake (矢竹) Arrow bamboo	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	2 January 1945	1 May 1945		Construction stopped 17 April 1945. Launched to empty the dock. Converted to breakwater, 1948
5495	Kuzu (葛) Kudzu or Madake (真竹) Phyllostachys bambusoides	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	19 March 1945			Discontinued on 17 April 1945.
5496	Sakura (櫻) Cherry blossom	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	2 June 1944	6 September 1944	25 November 1944	Sunk 11 July 1945
5497	Yanagi (柳) Willow	Matsu	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	20 August 1944	25 November 1944	8 January 1945	Sunk 9 August 1945
5498	Tsubaki (椿) Camellia	Matsu	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	20 June 1944	30 September 1944	30 November 1944	Scrapped 28 July 1948
5499	Kaki (柿) Persimmon	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	5 October 1944	11 December 1944	5 March 1945	Surrendered to United States on 4 July 1947 at Qingdao. Sunk as target off 35°29′N 123°35′E, 19 August 1947
5500	Kaba (樺) Birch	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	15 October 1944	27 February 1945	29 May 1945	Surrendered to United States on 4 August 1947 at Sasebo, scrapped 1 March 1948
5501	Hayaume (早梅) The Prunus mume which bloomed early	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5502	Hinoki (檜) Chamaecyparis obtusa	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	4 March 1944	4 July 1944	30 September 1944	Sunk 7 January 1945
5503	Katsura (桂) Cercidiphyllum	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	30 November 1944	23 June 1945		Construction stopped 23 June 1945. Converted to breakwater.
5504	Tobiume (飛梅) A sacred Prunus mume at Dazaifu Tenman-gū	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5505	Kaede (楓) Maple	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	4 March 1944	25 June 1944	30 October 1944	Surrendered to Republic of China on 6 July 1947 at Shanghai, renamed Hengyang, scrapped 1962
5506	Fuji (藤) Wisteria	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5507	Wakazakura (若櫻) Young cherry blossom	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard	15 January 1945			Discontinued on 11 May 1945, scrapped.
5508	Keyaki (欅) Zelkova serrata	Matsu	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	22 June 1944	30 September 1944	15 December 1944	Surrendered to United States on 5 July 1947 at Yokosuka, Sunk as target off 34°44′N 140°01′E, 29 October 1947
5509	Yamazakura (山櫻) Cherry blossom at mountain	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard				Cancelled in 1945.
5510	Ashi (葦) Phragmites	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled on 26 March 1945.
5511	Tachibana (橘) Citrus tachibana	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	8 July 1944	14 October 1944	20 January 1945	Sunk 14 July 1945
5512	Shinodake (篠竹) Simon bamboo	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard				Cancelled in 1945.
5513	Yomogi (蓬) Artemisia princeps	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5514	Tsuta (蔦) Parthenocissus tricuspidata	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	31 July 1944	2 November 1944	8 February 1945	Surrendered to Republic of China on 31 July 1947 at Shanghai, renamed Huayang.
5515	Aoi (葵) Malvaceae	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5516	Shiraume (白梅) White petal of Prunus mume	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard				Cancelled in 1945.
5517	Hagi (萩) Lespedeza	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	11 September 1944	27 November 1944	1 March 1945	Surrendered to United Kingdom on 16 July 1947 at Singapore, scrapped
5518	Kiku (菊) Chrysanthemum	Tachibana	Fujinagata Shipbuilding Yard				Cancelled in 1945.
5519	Kashiwa (柏) Daimyo oak	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal				Cancelled in 1945.
5520	Sumire (菫) Viola	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	21 October 1944	27 December 1944	26 March 1945	Surrendered to United Kingdom on 23 August 1947 at Hong Kong, sunk as target 1947
5521	Kusunoki (楠) Cinnamomum camphora	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	9 November 1944	8 January 1945	28 April 1945	Surrendered to United Kingdom on 1947
5522	Hatsuzakura (初櫻) Year's first cherry blossom	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	4 December 1944	10 February 1945	18 May 1945	Delivered to Soviet Union on 29 July 1947 at Nakhodka, renamed Vetrenny and soon Vyrazitel'ny (Выразительный), converted to target ship TSL-26 (1949), scrapped in 1958.
4801	Kigiku (黄菊) Yellow chrysanthemum	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4802	Hatsugiku (初菊) Year's first chrysanthemum	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4803	Akane (茜) Madder	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4804	Shiragiku (白菊) White Chrysanthemum	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4805	Chigusa (千草) Grass	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4806	Wakakusa (若草) Spring grass	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4807	Natsugusa (夏草) Summer grass	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4808	Akikusa (秋草) Autumn grass	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4809	Nire (楡) Elm	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	14 August 1944	25 November 1944	31 January 1945	Scrapped April 1948
4810	Nashi (梨) Pyrus pyrifolia	Tachibana	Kōbe-Kawasaki Shipbuilding Yard	1 September 1944	17 January 1945	15 March 1945	Sunk 26 July 1945. Salvaged on 30 September 1954, Transferred to JDS Wakaba on 31 May 1956.
4811	Shii (椎) Castanopsis	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	18 September 1944	13 January 1945	13 March 1945	Delivered to Soviet Union on 5 July 1947 at Nakhodka, renamed Vol'ny (Вольный), converted to target ship TSL-24 (1949), scrapped in 1960.
4812	Enoki (榎) Japanese Hackberry	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	14 October 1944	27 January 1945	31 March 1945	Sunk 26 June 1945, scrapped 1948
4813	Azusa (梓) Catalpa	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	29 December 1944			Discontinued on 17 April 1945.
4814	Odake (雄竹) Fat tall Bamboo	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	5 November 1944	10 March 1945	15 May 1945	Surrendered to United States on 14 July 1947 at Qingdao. Sunk as target off 35°29′N 122°52′E, 17 September 1947
4815	Hatsuume (初梅) Year's first Prunus mume	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	8 December 1944	25 April 1945	18 June 1945	Surrendered to Republic of China on 6 July 1947 at Shanghai, renamed Hsinyang, scrapped 1961
4816	Tochi (栃) Aesculus	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	23 January 1945	(28 May 1945)		Discontinued on 18 May 1945. Converted to breakwater.
4817	Hishi (菱) Water caltrop	Tachibana	Maizuru Naval Arsenal	10 February 1945			Discontinued on 17 April 1945.
4818	Susuki (薄) Miscanthus sinensis	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4819	Nogiku (野菊) Aster	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
4820	Sakaki (榊) Sakaki	Tachibana	Yokosuka Naval Arsenal	29 December 1944			Discontinued on 17 April 1945.
4821 to 4832	12 destroyers	Tachibana					Cancelled in March 1945.
	80 destroyers	Kai-Tachibana					Cancelled on 30 June 1945.

Books

• "Rekishi Gunzō". http://rekigun.net/. , History of Pacific War Vol.43 Matsu class destroyers, Gakken (Japan), November 2003, ISBN 4-05-603251-3
• "Rekishi Gunzō". http://rekigun.net/. , History of Pacific War Vol.51 The truth of Imperial Japanese Vessels Histories 2, Gakken (Japan), August 2005, ISBN 4-05-604083-4
• Collection of writings by Sizuo Fukui Vol.5, Stories of Japanese Destroyers, Kōjinsha (Japan) 1993, ISBN 4-7698-0611-6
• Model Art Extra No.340, Drawings of Imperial Japanese Naval Vessels Part-1, Model Art Co. Ltd. (Japan), October 1989, Book code 08734-10
• Daiji Katagiri, Ship Name Chronicles of the Imperial Japanese Navy Combined Fleet, Kōjinsha (Japan), June 1988, ISBN 4-7698-0386-9
• The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.41 Japanese Destroyers I, Ushio Shobō (Japan), July 1980, Book code 68343-42
• Fitzsimons, Bernard, general editor. Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons and Warfare, Volume 17, p. 1854, "Matsu". London: Phoebus Publishing, 1978.