The Momi and its sub-classes were originally termed 2nd class destroyers. Around 1924-25 the terminology was changed so they just became destroyers. These ships were very much equivalent to the British M, R, S, classes of small destroyer. These were reduced versions of the Minekaze. Three 4.7" guns instead of four.
There were 21 Momi class and 8 Wakatake class. The Wakatake's were 50 tons heavier, with deeper draught for improved deep water handling and an updated 4.7" mounting. Only nine of the Momi and all eight of the Wakatake made it to the Pacific war. They had all been converted to escort destroyers. This included removing a boiler and dropping the speed to 18 knots. Further refits altered the ships again and again as new roles were discovered for them. One such being the fitting of a Daihatsu landing craft that could be launched from the stern with the stern gun and deck housing being removed. !00-150 troops could be carried and this was used to replenish the small islands with troops and munitions. Taking the replaced troops with them.
The DDE refit actually enhanced the capabilities of the 17 ships so converted. The change from the low angle 4.7" to the HA/LA 100mm weapons gave the ships a chance against both air and sea targets. The fitting of depth charges in quantities that could be dropped in decent patterns made their anti-submarine capabilities much better. A twin or triple 25mm mounting in place of the midships 4.7", was a standard fitting that could be replaced with a single or twin 40mm from 1943 onwards, if they survived that long.
