The No.1 class auxiliary minelayer (第一号型敷設特務艇,, Dai Ichi Gō-gata Fusetsu-Tokumutei) was a class of minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. They were built to supplement the timeworn Sokuten-class. 4 vessels were built in 1941–42 under the Maru Rin Programme (Ship # 257–260).
 Auxiliary Minelayer No.1 on 28 February 1942
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | No.1 class auxiliary minelayer |
| Builders | Uraga Dock Company |
| Operators |  Imperial Japanese Navy |
| Preceded by | Sokuten-class |
| Built | 1941–1942 |
| In commission | 1942–1947 |
| Planned | 4 |
| Completed | 4 |
| Lost | 3 |
| Retired | 1 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Minelayer |
| Displacement | 215 long tons (218 t) standard |
| Length | 35.11 m (115 ft 2 in) overall |
| Beam | 6.16 m (20 ft 3 in) |
| Draught | 2.38 m (7 ft 10 in) |
| Propulsion |
|
| Speed | 9.5 knots (10.9 mph; 17.6 km/h) |
| Range | 1,500 nmi (2,800 km) at 9.5 kn (10.9 mph; 17.6 km/h) |
| Complement | 63 |
| Armament |
|
Background edit
- In 1939, the Sokuten-class was the main minelayer of the local guard districts. However, they were too old. The IJN wanted new small minelayers for local guard districts.
- In 1940, the IJN found out a handy boat. It was a standard longline fishing ship Sōyō Maru (160 tons) by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry. The IJN made a model of it and completed a design of new small minelayer. Uraga Dock Company built all of the vessels.
Ships in class edit
| Ship # | Ship | Laid down | Launched | Completed | Fate |
| 257 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 1[1] ex-Minelayer No. 1 |
4 June 1941 | 20 August 1941 | 28 February 1942 as Minelayer No. 1 |
Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 1 on 1 February 1944, struck a naval mine and sunk off Medan on 27 March 1945, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |
| 258 | Minelayer No. 2[2] | 4 June 1941 | 30 August 1941 | 10 April 1942 | Struck a naval mine and sunk off Surabaya on 31 December 1942, decommissioned on 20 March 1943. |
| 259 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 3[3] ex-Minelayer No. 3 |
8 September 1941 | 14 January 1942 | 30 June 1942 as Minelayer No. 3 |
Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 3 on 1 February 1944, survived war at Chuuk, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |
| 260 | Auxiliary minelayer No. 4[4] ex-Minelayer No. 4 |
8 September 1941 | 24 January 1942 | 20 August 1942 as Minelayer No. 4 |
Renamed Auxiliary minelayer No. 4 on 1 February 1944, sunk by HMS Tally-Ho off Car Nicobar on 20 November 1944, decommissioned on 3 May 1947. |
Photos edit
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Minelayer No.2 on 7 April 1942 -
Auxiliary Minelayer No.3 in 1942 -
Auxiliary Minelayer No.4 in 1942
Notes edit
- ^ 第一号敷設特務艇 (Dai Ichi Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)
- ^ 第二号敷設艇 (Dai Ni Gō Fusetsutei), she sank before the revision of the law.
- ^ 第三号敷設特務艇 (Dai San Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)
- ^ 第四号敷設特務艇 (Dai Yon Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)
Bibliography edit
- Ships of the World special issue Vol.45, Escort Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), February 1996
- The Maru Special, Japanese Naval Vessels No.47, Japanese naval mine warfare crafts, "Ushio Shobō". (Japan), January 1981