Japanese battleship Kongo and destroyer Urakaze

[The Sailor]

KONGO (November 21, 1944)

Built in Britain by Vickers & Son at Barrow.

On October 25th, 1944, the 36,601 ton Japanese battleship Kongo was badly damaged by air attacks during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. A gash on her starboard side opened up fifteen oil tanks, the contents of which poured into the sea. The damage forced the Kongo to attempt a return voyage to Japan for repairs. While plowing through rough seas in the Formosa Strait she was attacked by the American submarine USS Sealion (Captain Eli Reich). Two torpedoes hit the battleship causing a list of 20 degrees. Heading for the nearest port of Keelung on Formosa, some sixty-five nautical miles distant, the list increased to 45 degrees. It became obvious to the captain and crew that the Kongo was sinking and the order to abandon ship was given. When the list accelerated past 60 degrees, tragedy struck. Her forward 14-inch magazine exploded with horrifying results and the Kongo rolled over and slipped under the waves. Some 1,250 officers and men were lost. Her escorts, the destroyers Hamakaze and Isokaze rescued survivors. The Hamakaze picking up seven officers and 139 men, the Isokaze rescued six officers and 85 men, a total of 347 survivors. A third escort, the destroyer Urakaze, was also sunk by the Sealion taking all hands, 307 men, to their deaths.

[TheDigger]

Another good post Sailor and once again highlighting that no matter how big Air Power could sink it. Battleships, Carriers, Destroyers and even Submarines all suffered badly at the hands of Air Power whether land based or naval.

[astraltrader]

Good post Graeme. It is surprisingly hard to get very many decent photo`s or pictures of Imperial Japanese Navy ships - especially if one moves away from her Capital ships. These are the best I have of the ships you mentioned...

[The Sailor]

That first pic of Kongo is a hell of a lot different to the second one Terry.
Want to comment on this?

[Kevin Denlay]

The first image appears to be Kongo as built (in Britain by Vickers/Armstrong). Circa 1913.

The second photo is in 1932 (according to the same photo in A J Watts’ book The Imperial Japanese Navy) after her first reconstruction in Japan in 1929.

The third photo is the first Urakaze (1), not Urakaze (11) that was sunk with Kongo.

The fourth photo is Hamakaze (11)

The fifth photo is Isokaze (11)

Urakaze (11) was of the same class as Hamakaze/Isokaze (11)

Kevin

PS. Digger, I think Kongo would have made Japan if not for Sealion .

Photo from 'Destroyers. Japanese Naval warship Album'

[astraltrader]

Certainly Graeme. The Kongo, first of a class of four 26,230 ton battlecruisers, was built at Barrow-in-Furness, England. She became the last major Japanese warship to be constructed abroad and was completed in August 1913. She was active during World War I and afterwards was rated as one of the fastest units of Japan's battle fleet. The first photo I provided showed her as she was in the First World War.
In 1929-31, Kongo was completely reconstructed at Yokosuka Dockyard, and was thereafter rated as a battleship. As well as receiving extra armour she also underwent many other changes that dramatically altered her appearance...
She was again modernized at Yokosuka in 1936-37, receiving new machinery and a lengthened hull to increase her speed to over thirty knots. This high speed, plus their heavy guns, made the Kongo [as well as her sisters] uniquely valuable warships, and they were heavily used in World War II combat operations...
The second image showed her as she was around 1933 - and as you rightly noticed was by then to all intents and purposes a different ship.

Most photo`s available of the Kongo were at least taken after the first reconstruction. I thought the earlier one might be of interest so decided to show both.

[Batstiger]

Here are two of each ie two before reconstruction and two after.

[astraltrader]

Thanks Kevin I forgot that there were 2 different Urakaze`s as well - in addition the picture I posted carried the caption "Urakaze sunk at Leyte Gulf" . On closer inspection it is clearly a different ship - so have ammended.

[Kevin Denlay]

Hi Bob,

I think you will find that the 2nd photo you posted is only after her ‘modification’ in 1927, not her first 'reconstruction'.

Photos 3 and 4 show her after her so called first reconstruction in 1929, as she now sports only two funnels, but is taken prior to her 1935 second reconstruction.

The first photo below shows her after her 1935 second reconstruction. (Photo from Battleships and Battle Cruisers. Japanese Naval Warship Album.)

The second photo below shows her in 1942, well after the second reconstruction with even more ‘modifications' done in the interim. And now she certainly looks formidable! (Photo from Japanese Battleships and Cruisers. Navies of the Second World War.)

Kevin

[Batstiger]

I bow down to your superior judgement Kevin!

[astraltrader]

It is certainly amazing the way her appearance was changed from a typical looking first world war British Battlecruiser to if you like her third incarnation as the archtypal second world war Battleship. Not quite "there once was an ugly duckling" but still an astounding transmogrification!

[Kevin Denlay]

Hey Bob, I am no expert by any means, just have a very good reference library.

If you really want to find the experts on any matters relating to the IJN then look here.
http://www.combinedfleet.com/kaigun.htm

Or post a question on their IJN forum here.
http://www.j-aircraft.org/smf/index.php?board=5.0

Kevin

[The Sailor]

Quote from my first post When the list accelerated past 60 degrees, tragedy struck. Her forward 14-inch magazine exploded with horrifying results and the Kongo rolled over and slipped under the waves.

Now here is an interesting exercise for the navy guys.
Why would the magazine explode when reaching a 60 degree list?

[Harley]

Either it's referring to the shell rooms or the propellant magazines. Probably neither of those would have actually exploded without something else setting it off, as in the case of HMS "Barham".

Harley

[The Sailor]

Hmm Harley. Something set the magazine off. You navy guys ought to know what could do it.
If all the cordite fell out of it's storage and shells fell on it, could it go off?

[Harley]

It really shouldn't go off. The fuses in the shells are designed to withstand travelling through the air at a ridiculous speed and for the most part are totally inert. The same with the propellant - after certain major incidents involving propellant before and during the First World War every Navy in the world worked hard to have a very stable propellant which shouldn't blow up because it tips over in its canisters. My amateur opinion suggests that something else caused either the magazine or the shell rooms to blow up.

I will ask around some gunnery people I know, as from what I gather most of the Kongo should have been underwater and therefore somewhat impervious to fire and flash. Of course, since the Assistant Damage Control Assistant committed suicide even before the ship sank, it may be one of those incidents we'll never find out about. Will follow up on this.

Edit: Already found something of note;

http://www.combinedfleet.com/eclipkong.html

Tony Tully, co-author of the excellent "Shattered Sword", a recent account of Midway, suggests that it was indeed the shells going off. He too is puzzled by the apparent lack of fire, but as he says he is not quite qualified to judge. I will therefore find someone who is!

Harley

[Yamatoholic]

Urakaze
Cmdr. Nagayoshi Shiraishi - 15 December 1940 - 8 September 1942
Cmdr. Juichi Iwagami - 8 September 1942 - 20 August 1943
Cmdr. Shooichi Yoshida - 20 August 1943 - 14 May 1944
Lt. Cmdr. Yasuteru Yokota - 14 May 1944 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)

Nagayoshi Shiraishi
Commanding Officer, DD Matsukaze - 1 December 1936 - 15 November 1937
Commanding Officer, DD Ayanami - 15 November 1937 - 1 December 1938
Commanding Officer, DD Yakaze - 15 April 1938 - 25 November 1938
Promoted Commander - 15 November 1939
Commanding Officer, DD Urakaze - 15 December 1940 - 8 September 1942
ComDesDiv 2 - 8 September 1942 - 10 February 1945

Juichi Iwagami
Promoted Midshipman - 1 June 1922
Promoted Ensign - 20 September 1923
Crewmember, BB Yamashiro - 4 July 1924 - 1 December 1924
Crewmember, DD Namikaze - 1 December 1924 - 1 December 1925
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1925
Crewmember, DD Karukaya - 1 December 1927 - 10 December 1928
Promoted Lieutenant - 10 December 1928
Chief Gunnery Officer, DD Hakaze - 10 December 1928 - 30 November 1929
Chief Gunnery Officer, DD Yakaze - 1 December 1930 - 1 December 1931
Chief Gunnery Officer, DD Asagiri - 1 December 1931 - 1 December 1932
Chief Gunnery Officer, DD Ikazuchi - 1 December 1932 - 25 March 1933
Division Commander, BB Mutsu - 1 March 1934 - 1 November 1934
Chief Gunnery Officer, DD Asagiri - 1 November 1934 - 1 December 1936
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 1 December 1936
Commanding Officer, DD Asanagi - 1 December 1938 - 1 December 1939
Commanding Officer, DD Yakaze - 1 December 1939 - 25 January 1940
Commanding Officer, DD Shikinami - 25 January 1940 - 15 April 1942
Promoted Commander - 15 October 1941
Commanding Officer, DD Hagikaze - 5 May 1942 - 8 September 1942
Commanding Officer, DD Urakaze - 8 September 1942 - 20 August 1943
ComDesDiv 7 - 15 September 1944 - 13 November 1944
Promoted Captain - 15 October 1944
ComDesDiv 52 - 29 November 1944 - 8 January 1945 (KIA)
Posthumously promoted Rear Admiral - 8 January 1945

Shooichi Yoshida
Commanding Officer, DD Kuretake - 1 December 1936 - 1 August 1938
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 1 December 1937
Commanding Officer, DD Tachikaze - 1 December 1938 - 15 October 1940
Commanding Officer, DD Ariake - 15 October 1940 - 15 July 1943
Promoted Commander - 1 November 1942
Commanding Officer, DD Urakaze - 20 August 1943 - 14 May 1944

Yasuteru Yokota
Commanding Officer, DD Tachikaze - 27 February 1943 - 18 February 1944
Commanding Officer, DD Urakaze - 14 May 1944 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)


Kongo
Chief Equipping Officer - Capt. Naoe Nakano - 1 December 1912 - 16 August 1913
Capt. Naoe Nakano - 16 August 1913 - 1 December 1913
Capt. Shibakichi Yamanaka - 1 December 1913 - 1 December 1914
Capt. Shuzo Matsuoka - 1 December 1914 - 13 December 1915
Capt. Chugo Arakawa - 13 December 1915 - 1 December 1916
Capt. Hansaku Yoshioka - 1 December 1916 - 1 December 1917
Capt. Kiyotsugu Kanemaru - 1 December 1917 - 9 April 1918
Capt. Kanta Shimanouchi - 9 April 1918 - 1 April 1919
Capt. Kojuro Nozaki - 1 April 1919 - 20 November 1919
Capt. Tadatsugu Taijiri - 20 November 1919 - 12 November 1920
Capt. Kametaro Muta - 12 November 1920 - 20 November 1921
Capt. Kazu Takemitsu - 20 November 1921 - 1 December 1922
Capt. Tachiki Seki - 1 December 1922 - 20 November 1923
Capt. Koichi Kishii - 20 November 1923 - 1 November 1924
Capt. Saburo Yasumi - 1 November 1924 - 1 December 1925
Capt. Hajime Matsushita - 1 December 1925 - 1 December 1927
Capt. Zengo Yoshida - 1 December 1927 - 10 December 1928
Capt. Kenichi Ikenaka - 10 December 1928 - 1 December 1930
Capt. Keinosuke Ikeda - 1 December 1930 - 1 December 1931
Capt. Toshiu Higurashi - 1 December 1931 - 1 December 1932
Capt. Nobutake Kondo - 1 December 1932 - 15 November 1933
Capt. Taichi Miki - 15 November 1933 - 15 November 1934
Capt. Kaneji Kishimoto - 15 November 1934 - 15 November 1935
Capt. Tamazo Sukigara - 15 November 1935 - 1 December 1936
Capt. Eijiro Matsuura - 1 December 1936 - 1 December 1937
Capt. Takeo Kurita - 1 December 1937 - 15 November 1938
Capt. Yoshio Suzuki - 15 November 1938 - 20 October 1939
Capt. Shoji Nishimura - 20 October 1939 - 15 November 1939
Capt. Raizo Tanaka - 15 November 1939 - 15 April 1941
Capt. Morikazu Osugi - 15 April 1941 - 15 August 1941
Capt. / RADM Tomiji Koyanagi - 15 August 1941 - 16 December 1942
Capt. Baron Matsuji Ijuin - 16 December 1942 - 17 July 1943
Capt. / RADM / VADM* Toshio Shimazaki - 17 July 1943 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)

Tomiji Koyanagi
Promoted Midshipman - 19 December 1914
Promoted Ensign - 13 December 1915
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1917
Promoted Lieutenant - 1 December 1920
Chief Torpedo Officer, DD Matsukaze - 5 September 1924 - 1 December 1924
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 1 December 1926
Staff Officer, BatDiv 3 - 1 December 1926 - 10 December 1928
Commanding Officer, DD Wakatake - 10 December 1928 - 30 November 1929
Staff Officer, DesRon 2 - 31 October 1931 - 15 November 1932
Promoted Commander - 1 December 1932
ComDesDiv 1 - 15 November 1935 - 15 April 1936
Promoted Captain - 1 December 1936
ComDesDiv 8 - 28 January 1939 - 15 November 1939
Commanding Officer, CA Atago - 15 October 1940 - 11 August 1941
Commanding Officer, BB Kongo - 11 August 1941 - 16 December 1942
Promoted Rear Admiral - 1 November 1942
ComDesRon 2 - 16 December 1942 - 21 January 1943
ComDesRon 10 - 21 January 1943 - 21 June 1943
Chief-of-Staff, 2nd Fleet - 2 July 1943 - 25 November 1944
Staff Officer, CruDiv 4 - 2 July 1943 - 23 October 1944
Promoted Vice Admiral - 1 November 1945

Matsuji Ijuin
Promoted Midshipman - 16 December 1915
Promoted Ensign - 1 December 1916
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1918
Ennobled Baron - 31 January 1921
Promoted Lieutenant - 1 December 1921
Lieutenant Commander - 10 December 1928
Commanding Officer, DD Hasu - 1 May 1929 - 1 December 1931
Commanding Officer, DD Sawakaze - 1 December 1931 - 1 December 1932
Commanding Officer, DD Yuzuki - 1 December 1933 - 1 November 1934
Commanding Officer, DD Ikazuchi - 1 November 1934 - 21 November 1935
Promoted Commander - 15 November 1934
Executive Officer, CL Abukuma - 21 November 1935 - 2 November 1936
Staff Officer, Maizuru Naval District - 2 November 1936 - 15 December 1938
Promoted Captain - 15 November 1938
ComDesDiv 23 - 15 December 1938 - 15 November 1939
ComDesDiv 8 - 15 November 1939 - 15 October 1940
Commanding Officer, CL Naka - 15 October 1940 - 11 August 1941
Commanding Officer, CA Atago - 11 August 1941 - 1 December 1942
Commanding Officer, BB Kongo - 16 December 1942 - 17 July 1943
ComDesRon 3 - 17 July 1943 - 16 December 1943
Promoted Rear Admiral - 1 November 1943
Commander, 1st Escort Convoy - 8 April 1944 - 24 May 1944 (KIA)
Posthumously promoted Vice Admiral - 24 May 1944

Toshio Shimazaki
Promoted Midshipman - 22 November 1916
Promoted Ensign - 1 December 1917
Crewmember, BB Fuso - 1 August 1919 - 1 December 1919
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1919
Promoted Lieutenant - 1 December 1922
Chief Torpedo Officer, CL Oi - 1 December 1926 - 1 December 1927
Chief Torpedo Officer, CL Tenryu - 1 December 1927 - 10 December 1928
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 10 December 1928
Commanding Officer, DD Kikuzuki - 10 October 1933 - 15 November 1934
Promoted Commander - 15 November 1934
Staff Officer, Ominato Guard District - 15 November 1934 - 1 December 1936
Commanding Officer, DD Uranami - 1 December 1936 - 1 December 1937
ComDesDiv 16 - 1 December 1937 - 15 December 1938
ComDesDiv 21 - 15 December 1938 - 15 November 1939
Promoted Captain - 15 November 1939
ComDesDiv 16 - 27 January 1940 - 15 July 1940
Commanding Officer, CL Sendai - 15 July 1940 - 25 April 1941
Chief-of-Staff, Mako Guard District - 10 May 1941 - 1 April 1943
Chief-of-Staff, Takao Guard District - 1 April 1943 - 1 July 1943
Commanding Officer, BB Kongo - 1 July 1943 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)
Promoted Rear Admiral - 15 October 1944
Posthumously promoted Vice Admiral - 21 November 1944

FWIW,

-Matt

[Yamatoholic]

Two other officers that went down with Kongo:

Hiroshi Yoshimatsu
Promoted Midshipman - 14 July 1923
Crewmember, BB Kongo - 12 April 1924 - 20 October 1924
Crewmember, CL Yubari - 20 October 1924 - 1 December 1925
Promoted Ensign - 1 December 1924
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1926
Crewmember, DD Tsuga - 1 December 1926 - 1 December 1927
Promoted Lieutenant - 30 November 1929
Chief Navigator, DD Miyuki - 1 December 1930 - 1 December 1931
Chief Navigator, DD Ushio - 1 November 1934 - 15 November 1934
Chief Navigator, AO Naruto - 15 November 1934 - 1 December 1937
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 1 December 1936
Chief Navigator, CL Sendai - 1 December 1937 - 15 September 1938
Promoted Commander - 15 November 1940
Chief Navigator, CA Tone - 15 October 1940 - 10 November 1942
Chief Navigator, BB Kirishima - 10 November 1942 - 15 November 1942
Chief Navigator, BB Kongo - 20 November 1942 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)
Promoted Captain - 15 October 1944
Posthumously promoted Rear Admiral - 21 November 1944

Misao Maruyama
Chief Engineer, CL Agano - 10 February 1943 - 12 September 1943
Chief Engineer, CA Mogami - 12 September 1943 - 10 February 1944
Chief Engineer, BB Kongo - 10 February 1944 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)
Promoted Captain - 15 October 1944
Posthumously promoted Rear Admiral - 21 November 1944

FWIW,

-Matt

[Yamatoholic]

And here's the ComDesDiv that went down with Urakaze:

Tamotsu Tanii
Promoted Midshipman - 1 June 1922
Crewmember, BB Hyuga - 12 February 1923 - 1 December 1923
Promoted Ensign - 20 February 1923
Equipping Officer, CL Jintsu - 23 June 1925 - 31 July 1925
Crewmember, CL Jintsu - 31 July 1925 - 15 October 1926
Promoted Sub-Lieutenant - 1 December 1925
Promoted Lieutenant - 1 December 1927
Chief Torpedo Officer, DD Kikuzuki - 28 December 1927 - 10 December 1928
Chief Torpedo Officer, DD Asanagi - 30 November 1929 - 29 August 1930
Chief Torpedo Officer, DD Shikinami - 29 August 1930 - 1 December 1931
Promoted Lieutenant Commander - 15 November 1934
Commanding Officer, DD Kamikaze - 31 October 1935 - 8 October 1936
Staff Officer, DesRon 5 - 2 November 1936 - 1 December 1937
Commanding Officer, DD Shiratsuyu - 1 December 1937 - 2 August 1938
Commanding Officer, DD Shigure - 1 December 1937 - 2 August 1938
Staff Officer, China Area Fleet - 2 August 1938 - 10 November 1939
Staff Officer, DesRon 1 - 10 November 1939 - 20 August 1941
Promoted Commander - 15 November 1939
Staff Officer, DesRon 4 - 20 August 1941 - 1 April 1942
Promoted Captain - 1 November 1943
ComDesDiv 17 - 18 December 1943 - 21 November 1944 (KIA)
Posthumously promoted Rear Admiral - 21 November 1944

FWIW,

-Matt

[mike d]

This is a very interesting topic,esp. to a 'newbie' like me.
With regards to the re-constructions of Kongo,one of my books states that her stern was lengthened to increase her "length to beam ratio".
What exactly is this book refering to and how would making her stern longer increase her speed?
As for Barham and her sinking, I have read that the torpedoes which sank her were fired from very close range and struck without much 'spread'.
I think this would have made one huge hole in her side!
The famous film of the sinking,taken from Valiant,shows white smoke rising from the vicinity of the main mast just before she rolled over to port.Does this not imply that the explosion was the result of a possible fire ,or damage from the torpedoes and not just from her rolling over on her side?

[Yamatoholic]

Von Tiesenhausen fired the fatal torpedoes at Barham from less than 800 yards.

-Matt

[Kevin Denlay]

For those so interested a project aimed at locating and diving Kongo can be found at the following link.

Hopefully they are successful!

http://simoncampbell.com/expeditions/detail/searching_for_the_ijn_kongo/

[Tiornu]

With regards to the re-constructions of Kongo,one of my books states that her stern was lengthened to increase her "length to beam ratio".
Beam is the width of the ship. By adding to the stern, the Japanese were making the ship longer and (proportionally) thinner. Long and thin is more aerdynamic, and more hydrodynamic. The specifics of naval architecture are well beyond my ability to explain (or understand). I prefer the way the Italians did it. They lengthened the bows of their battleships. In fact, when you look at a longitudinal cut-away view of the Cavours, you can actually see the old bow still there inside the new one. Cracks me up. Adding to the bow is less likely to decrease maneuverability.

The famous film of the sinking,taken from Valiant,shows white smoke rising from the vicinity of the main mast just before she rolled over to port.
Just off the top of my head, I'd guess that the white smoke was steam from a boiler, in which case it wouldn't indicate any cause of the subsequent explosion.

Why would the magazine explode when reaching a 60 degree list?
Yamato exploded while capsizing. Musashi exploded after sinking. Scharnhorst also. I don't know why. I guess bad stuff happens when you flip all that ammo around.