Japanese fleet oiler Kazahaya

The Kazahaya (風早, "Fast Wind") was a Japanese fleet oiler, serving during the Second World War.

History
Name: Kazahaya
Namesake: Kazahaya-zaki
Builder: Harima Dock Company
Laid down: 30 September 1941
Launched: 20 January 1943
Completed: 31 March 1943
Decommissioned: 1 December 1943
Fate: Sunk 6 October 1943
Class overview
Preceded by: Ondo-class oiler
Succeeded by: Hario-class oiler
General characteristics
Type: Replenishment oiler
Displacement: 18,300 long tons (18,594 t) standard
Length: 161.00 m (528 ft 3 in) overall
Beam: 20.10 m (65 ft 11 in)
Draught: 8.83 m (29 ft 0 in)
Propulsion:
Speed: 16.5 knots (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Capacity:
  • 10,000 tons for heavy crude oil
  • 1,000 tons for gasoline
Crew: 150
Armament:

Construction

In 1941, the IJN wanted fleet oilers for their carrier task force, because they had only the eight old, low-speed tankers. The IJN prepared sixteen Kawasaki-type tankers to solve this. However, they did not have facilities for gasoline. The IJN intended to build four Kazahayas (Ship # 304-307). However, all naval arsenals were crowded at the outbreak of war. The IJN bought one of the same type of merchant tanker made by Harima with the Kazahaya naval budget.

Service

She succeeded in one transportation duty, and was sunk by submarines.

Ships in class

Ship # Ship Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate
304 Kazahaya (風早) Harima Dock Company 30 September 1941 20 January 1943 31 March 1943 Sunk by USS Steelhead and USS Tinosa northwest of Truk 6 October 1943.
305 Karasaki (韓崎) Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
306 Hayasui (速吸) Harima Dock Company 1 February 1943 Converted to the Hayasui class.
307 Inatori (稲取) Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
5381 Kariko (雁来) Cancelled on 5 May 1944.
5382 Tsurikake (釣掛)
5383 Kumomi (雲見)
5384 Kamisu (神須)
5385 Kōshū (膠州)
5386 Seitō (青島)
5387 Noma (野間)

Bibliography

  • "Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Vol.62 "Ships of The Imperial Japanese Forces, Gakken (Japan), January 2008, ISBN 978-4-05-605008-0
  • Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), March 1997
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