JDS Akebono (DE-201)

JDS Akebono (DE 201) was a destroyer escort (or frigate) of the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force. Akebono was one of the first indigenous Japanese warships to be built following World War II. Akebono was laid down in 1954 as a steam turbine powered "B type" ASW escort, the only ship of its class, for comparison with two similar diesel powered ships, the Ikazuchi-class destroyer escorts. Akebono entered service in 1956 and remained in use until 1976.

For other ships with the same name, see Japanese destroyer Akebono.
JS Akebono (DE-201)
History
Japan
Name: Akebono
Builder: Ishikawajima, Tokyo
Laid down: 10 December 1954
Launched: 30 October 1955
Commissioned: 20 March 1956
Decommissioned: 1976
Stricken: 1981
Class overview
Preceded by: Asahi class
Succeeded by: Ikazuchi class
General characteristics [1]
Type: Destroyer escort
Displacement:
  • 1,075 long tons (1,092 t) standard
  • 1,350 long tons (1,372 t) full load
Length: 91.8 m (301 ft 2 in) pp
Beam: 8.5 m (27 ft 11 in)
Draft: 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in)
Propulsion:
  • 2 shafts
  • 2× Ishikawajima geared steam turbines
  • 2× Ishikawajima/Foster Wheeler boilers
  • 18,000 shp (13,000 kW)
Speed: 28 kn (52 km/h; 32 mph)
Complement: 193
Armament:

Design and construction

The Japanese Marine Safety Force (later to become the Japanese Maritime Self-Defense Force) authorised the purchase of three "B type" escort vessels as part of the Financial Year 1953 programme.[nb 1] Of the three ships, two of which were to be powered by diesel engines (the Ikazuchi class) and the third by steam turbines, to be called Akebono.[1]

The equipment of the three escorts was similar, with two American 3-inch (76 mm) guns, four 40 mm Bofors guns, a Hedgehog anti-submarine projector and eight K-gun depth charge launchers. Akebono had a twin-shaft machinery installation, with geared steam turbines producing 18,000 shaft horsepower (13,000 kW) which could propel the ship at a top speed of 28 knots (52 km/h; 32 mph) compared with the 25 knots (46 km/h; 29 mph) of the less powerful Ikazuchi class.[1]

Akebono was laid down at the Ishikawajima Tokyo shipyard on 10 December 1954. She was launched on 15 October 1955 and completed on 20 March 1956.[3]

Operations

Akebono was re-armed in March 1958, when her original 3-inch guns were replaced by more modern, autoloading 3 inch guns, with 1 Bofors gun, four K-guns also removed.[1] Akebono was discarded in 1976.[1]

References
  1. Two "A type" destroyers were also ordered as part of the FY 1953 programme.[2]


  1. Gardiner and Chesneau 1995, p. 231.
  2. Gardiner and Chesneau 1995, p. 223.
  3. Blackman 1960, p. 212.
  • Blackman, Raymond V. B. Jane's Fighting Ships 1960–61. London: Sampson Low, Marston & Co., 1960.
  • Gardiner, Robert and Stephen Chumbley. Conway's All The World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland, USA: Naval Institute Press, 1995. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
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