IJN Tsushima (CB-1937)
Classified as an Armoured cruiser (CB) rather than the heavy cruiser designation
(CA) of the earlier Japanese cruisers, this was because of the 10" main armament
fitted to the ships. The 10" came from the secondary turrets off the Satsuma and
Aki which had been demilitarised in the 1920's. With the Japanese failing to
ratify the 1930 Naval Treaty, Japan started building the ships they wanted to
have rather than those they were dictated to build.
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These ships and the Kasagi class were similar in layout except for size of armament. The
existence of these ships was kept as quiet as possible to maintain the edge the
ships gave the Japanese over the Allied cruisers. The ships torpedo armament was
second to none with 16 of the superlative "Long Lance" 24" tubes. Scout aircraft
rounded off a very useful cruiser class.
Below: original drawing. Looks a bit different to that above.
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| Displacement | 18,000 tons std, 21,250 tons full load |
| Length | 653 ft |
| Breadth | 74 ft |
| Draught | 24 ft |
| Machinery | 4 shaft Steam turbines, 150,000shp |
| Speed | 34 knots |
| Range | 6,500 miles at 18 knots |
| Armour | 5.5" side, 3" deck, 6" turrets. |
| Armament | 8 x 10" (4x2) 8 x 5" (4x2) 36 x 25mm (18x2) |
| Aircraft | 3 |
| Torpedoes | 16 x 24" (4x4) |
| Complement | 940 |
| Notes | Tsushima 2 3 |
