The Imperial Japanese Navy

Chapter 82: HISTORICAL SHIP-NAMES

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About This Book

The author surveys the development of Japanese naval forces from their earliest origins through rapid modern expansion, recounting earlier conflicts and the fleet’s contemporary organization. The narrative interleaves historical episodes with technical and institutional analysis: shipbuilding programmes, dockyards and harbours, armament and engineering (guns, torpedoes, armour, engines and boilers), and detailed descriptions of individual warships. Personnel matters receive extended treatment, including entry, training, pay, uniforms, mess arrangements, and character of officers and ratings. Numerous illustrations and appendices compile official reports, ship lists, and explanatory glossaries, while comparative observations relate foreign practices to domestic naval policy and capabilities.

HISTORICAL SHIP-NAMES

Asama. No. 1, a pirate ship (sailing) captured by the Japanese (p. 195). No. 2, the present armoured cruiser of 9700 tons, launched 1898.

Chiyoda. No. 1, launched in the sixties; a small vessel; now known as Chiyoda-nata. No. 2, launched 1890, of 2450 tons; to replace the Unebi.

Fuji. No. 1, a sailing-ship; always known as Fuji-Yama. No. 2, the present 12,300-ton battleship, launched 1896; always called Fuji only.

Kasuga. No. 1, a paddler of 1270 tons, formerly known as the Kiang Tse; launched in England, 1863; depôt ship at Tsushima. No. 2, purchased from Argentina just before the war with Russia; 8000 tons.

Nisshin. No. 1, a wooden ship, launched in 1869, and now used as a training-ship for boys at Sassebo. No. 2, purchased from Argentina just before the war with Russia; 8000 tons.