JDS Natsugumo (DD-117) was the second ship of Minegumo-class destroyers.

JDS Natsugumo
History
Japan
Name
  • Natsugumo
  • (なつぐも)
NamesakeNatsugumo (1937)
Ordered1966
BuilderUraga, Uraga
Laid down26 June 1967
Launched25 July 1968
Commissioned25 April 1969
Decommissioned18 March 1999
ReclassifiedTV-3510
HomeportKure
IdentificationPennant number: DD-117
FateScrapped
General characteristics
Class and typeMinegumo-class destroyer
Displacement
  • 2,100 long tons (2,134 t) standard
  • 2,750 long tons (2,794 t) full load
Length115 m (377 ft 4 in)
Beam11.8 m (38 ft 9 in)
Draft3.8 m (12 ft 6 in)
Complement210
Sensors and
processing systems
  • OPS-11B EWR
  • OPS-17 surface search radar
  • OQS-3 hull-sonar
  • SQS-35 variable depth sonar
Electronic warfare
& decoys
NOLR-1B electronic warfare suite
Armament
Aircraft carried2 × QH-50D DASH anti-submarine drone helicopter (removed in 1979-82 and ASROC fitted)

Construction and career edit

Natsugumo was laid down at Uraga Dock Company Uraga Shipyard on 26 June 1967 and launched on 25 July 1968. She was commissioned on 25 April 1969.[1]

The ship was equipped with a domestically produced Type 72 fire control system type 1B on a trial basis.

At around 9:30 pm on March 31, 1978, she came into contact with the submarine JDS Asashio while training at Enshu Nada, about 120 km south of Omaezaki, Shizuoka Prefecture. The periscope of Asashio and the right screw of Natsugumo were partially damaged. At that time, anti-submarine attack training aimed at Asashio was underway in this water area, and Asashio came into contact with Natsugumo at a periscope depth of about 16 meters.

A special renovation work was carried out between December 15, 1981 and June 15, 1982, and the DASH QH-50D on the rear deck was removed and equipped with an ASROC launcher.

On March 27, 1982, the 22nd Escort Corps was reorganized into the 2nd Escort Corps.

In 1984, participated in a practicing voyage to the ocean.

On March 19, 1986, the 22nd Escort Corps was reorganized under the Kure District Force.

On August 1, 1995, the type was changed to a training ship, and the ship registration number was changed to TV-3510. Transferred to Training Squadron 1st Training Squadron.

Removed from the register on March 18, 1999. The total distance was 670,610.4 nautical miles.[2]

Citations edit

  1. ^ World Ships Special Edition 66th Collection Maritime Self-Defense Force All Ship History. Gaijinsha. 2004.
  2. ^ "Minegumo / Natsugumo Self-Defense Ship Flag Returned". Maritime Self-Defense Force Newspaper. 9 April 1999. p. 1.

References edit