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Sokuten class auxiliary minelayer (1913)
Encyclopedia
The was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy
(IJN), serving during the 1910s and the World War II
. They were called the Sokuten class from their nameship. And, they were called Toshima class after the Sokuten retired. Also, by the book, the Natsushima was included to this class. This article handles the Natsushima and Sokuten class collectively, because they do not have a big difference. Their official class name was not mentioned in the IJN official documents.
guns. In 1913, the IJN built the second experimental boat Sokuten (Sokuten Maru No. 1). She was improved model of the Natsushima, and her equipments were almost the same as Natsushima.
The IJN adopted Sokutens hull designs, and started productions.
Kuroshima, Kurokami and Kurosaki were equipped netlayer facilities. However, those armaments were not announced.
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
(IJN), serving during the 1910s and the World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. They were called the Sokuten class from their nameship. And, they were called Toshima class after the Sokuten retired. Also, by the book, the Natsushima was included to this class. This article handles the Natsushima and Sokuten class collectively, because they do not have a big difference. Their official class name was not mentioned in the IJN official documents.
Construction
- In 1911, the IJN built the first experimental boat
Armstrong Whitworth
Sir W G Armstrong Whitworth & Co Ltd was a major British manufacturing company of the early years of the 20th century. Headquartered in Elswick, Newcastle upon Tyne, Armstrong Whitworth engaged in the construction of armaments, ships, locomotives, automobiles, and aircraft.-History:In 1847,...
guns.
Service in the WWII
- Natsushima was retired in 1927, and Sokuten was retired in 1936.
- The other sisters participated to World War II, and 9 boats survived war.
Ships in class
| Ship | Builder | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| (ex-Natsushima Maru) |
Yokohama Dock Company | March 1911 | June 1911 | Renamed Nastushima on 1 July 1920. Sold on 27 August 1927. Later scrapped. |
| (ex-Sokuten Maru No. 1) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | March 1913 | 4 July 1913 | Renamed Sokuten on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 25 August 1936. |
| (ex-Toshima Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | October 1914 | 20 March 1915 | Renamed Toshima on 1 July 1920. Sunk by aircraft at Maizuru Maizuru, Kyoto is a city located in Kyōto, Japan, on an inlet of the Sea of Japan.As of 2008, the city has an estimated population of 89,626 and the density of 264 persons per km². The total area is .The city was founded on May 27, 1943.... on 30 July 1945. |
| (ex-Kuroshima Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | October 1914 | 25 April 1915 | Renamed Kuroshima on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to Republic of China Republic of China The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor... on 3 October 1947. Decommissioned in 1960. |
| (ex-Ashizaki Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | October 1915 | 12 May 1916 | Renamed Ashizaki on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Aground at Kamikaifu Murakami, Niigata is a city located in northern Niigata, Japan.On April 1, 2008, the city merged with the towns of Sanpoku and Arakawa, and the villages of Asahi and Kamihayashi, all from Iwafune District.... on 17 November 1945. Later scrapped. |
| (ex-Katoku Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | October 1915 | 4 April 1916 | Renamed Katoku on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to United States on 3 October 1947. Sold to Japan on 8 March 1948. Transferred to Maritime Safety Agency Japan Coast Guard The , formerly the Maritime Safety Agency, is the Japanese coast guard. Comprising about 12,000 personnel, it is under the oversight of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, and is responsible for the protection the coast-lines of Japan... and given the pennant number PS-29 (later PB-29) on 1 May 1948. Decommissioned on 16 April 1952. Sold to Setonaikai Kisen inc., and renamed Tsurumi. Retired in 1970. |
| (ex-Entō Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | March 1917 | 16 May 1917 | Renamed Entō on 1 July 1920. Heavy damaged by aircraft at Fangliao Fangliao, Pingtung Fangliao is a rural township in Pingtung County, Taiwan Province of the Republic of China. It was the site where Japanese forces landed and completed the encirclement of Tainan during Japanese invasion of Taiwan. It is also the location for the filming of the second season of the American show... on 15 January 1945, later sank in shallow water. |
| (ex-Kurokami Maru) |
Kure Naval Arsenal | February 1917 | 1 May 1917 | Renamed Kurokami on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to United Kingdom United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages... on 14 November 1947. Later scrapped. |
| (ex-Katashima Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | February 1917 | 19 May 1917 | Renamed Katashima on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 5 October 1945. Surrendered to Soviet Union Soviet Union The Soviet Union , officially the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics , was a constitutionally socialist state that existed in Eurasia between 1922 and 1991.... on 3 October 1947. |
| (ex-Enoshima Maru) |
Maizuru Naval Arsenal | 31 March 1919 | Renamed Enoshima on 1 July 1920. Decommissioned on 30 April 1946. | |
| Kure Naval Arsenal | May 1920 | 15 October 1920 | Decommissioned on 30 November 1945. | |
| Uchida Zōsen | 24 December 1921 | Aground at Hachinohe Hachinohe, Aomori - Neighbouring municipalities :Aomori Prefecture*Sannohe District**Hashikami**Gonohe**Nanbu*Kamikita District**OiraseIwate Prefecture*Karumai-History:... on 18 November 1945. Later scrapped. |
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| (ex-Minelayer No. 45) |
Yokohama Iron Works | 30 September 1921 | Renamed Washizaki on 16 May 1926. Decommissioned on 30 November 1945. Surrendered to United Kingdom on 24 November 1947. Later scrapped. | |