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Imperial Japanese Navy ship classifications

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Imperial Japanese Navy ship classifications went through various changes between 1871 and 1945, as technology changed and new ship classes were added while those that became obsolete were discontinued. There were efforts to translate some ships' classes that were imported or in use by other navies, while incorporating any classification system into Japanese language conventions and maintaining an internal consistency.

Classification terminology

These were legal classifications of the naval vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Therefore, those names are different from universal classifications and class names.

In laws, ordinances, regulations, and policies pertaining to the Imperial Japanese Navy, there were no classifications related to the light aircraft carrier, escort carrier, heavy cruiser or light cruiser. Even if it is assumed that these translation were different in the Japanese language, there could be the same phrase and class in English language, and vice versa.

  • Example 1: Kōsakukan (工作艦) and Kōsakusen (工作船) = Repair ship.
  • Example 2: Fusetukan (敷設艦), Fusetsusen (敷設船), and Fusetsutei (敷設艇) = Minelayer.

The suffix of ship classes could also relate the type or structure of the vessel, which may carry a slightly different connotation than the translated English term. SOme examples:

  • -kan (艦) = Vessel or Ship, example: Kōsakukan is Repair vessel; Senkan is a Battleship.
  • -sen (船) = Ship, example: Kōsakusen is Repair ship.
  • -tei (艇) = Boat, example: Fusetsutei is Mine boat.

Representative classification tables

28 October 1871 (Initial)

  • 28 October 1871, Rules of the Navy, and officer's salary schedules, Article 3 and 4, Ministry of War (明治4年10月28日 兵部省 海軍規則並諸官俸給表 第3條および第4條, 1871 Kaigun kisoku narabini shokan hōkyūhyō)
Warship (軍艦, Gunkan) Large vessel (大艦, Daikan) 1st class warship (一等軍艦, Ittō Gunkan) Ironclad warship: And over 450 horsepower steamship
Others: And over 600 horsepower steamship, or, and over 500 crewmen
2nd class warship (二等軍艦, Nitō Gunkan) Ironclad warship: And over 150 hp steamship
Others: And over 450 hp steamship, or, and over 300 crewmen
Medium vessel (中艦, Chūkan) 3rd class warship (三等軍艦, Santō Gunkan) Ironclad warship: Less than 150 hp steamship
Others: And over 250 hp steamship, or, and over 200 crewmen
4th class warship (四等軍艦, Yontō Gunkan) And over 150 hp steamship, or, and over 120 crewmen
Small vessel (小艦, Shōkan) 5th class warship (五等軍艦, Gotō Gunkan) And over 80 hp steamship, or, and over 50 crewmen
6th class warship (六等軍艦, Rokutō Gunkan) And over 50 hp steamship, or, and over 30 crewmen
7th class warship (七等軍艦, Nanatō Gunkan) Less than 50 hp steamship, or, and less than 30 crewmen

5 October 1872

  • 5 October 1872, Revision of the Naval ship classes (明治5年10月4日 海軍省軍務局 艦船等級更正ノ件, 1872 Kansen tōkyū kōsei-no ken)
Warship Large vessel 1st class warship Ironclad warship: And over 170 crewmen
Others: And over 455 crewmen
2nd class warship Ironclad warship: And over 65 crewmen
Others: And over 315 crewmen
3rd class warship Ironclad warship: Less than 65 crewmen
Others: And over 170 crewmen
Medium vessel 4th class warship And over 100 crewmen
5th class warship And over 65 crewmen
Small vessel 6th class warship And over 40 crewmen
7th class warship Less than 39 crewmen
Transport vessel (運送艦, Unsōkan) 4th class transport vessel (四等運送艦, Yontō Unsōkan) And over 800 tons displacement
5th class transport vessel (五等運送艦, Gotō Unsōkan) And over 500 tons displacement
6th class transport vessel (六等運送艦, Rokutō Unsōkan) And over 200 tons displacement
7th class transport vessel (七等運送艦, Nanatō Unsōkan) And under 200 tons displacement

13 August 1890

  • 13 August 1890, Notice No. 291, "Naval ships ordinance, Article 2", Minister's Secretariat (明治23年8月13日 海軍大臣官房 達第291号 海軍艦船籍條例 第2條, 1890 Kaigun kansenseki jōrei)
Naval ships (海軍艦船, Kaigun Kansen) Category 'A' ship (第一種艦船, Daiisshu Kansen) Warship as fighting ship (戦闘航海ノ役務ニ堪フル軍艦, Sentōkōkai-no ekimu-ni tauru gunkan)
Category 'B' ship (第二種艦船, Dainishu Kansen) Torpedo boat (水雷艇, Suiraitei)
Category 'C' ship (第三種艦船, Daisanshu Kansen) Warship as noncombatant ship (戦闘航海ノ役務ニ堪ヘサル軍艦, Sentōkōkai-no ekimu-ni taezaru gunkan)
Category 'D' ship (第四種艦船, Daiyonshu Kansen) Transport ship (運送船, Unsōsen), Tugboat (曳船, Eisen) and Small sized steamer (小蒸気船, Shō jōkisen)
Category 'E' ship (第五種艦船, Daigoshu Kansen) Storage ship (倉庫船, Sōkosen), Loading ship (荷船, Nisen) and Miscellaneous ship (雑船, Zatsusen)

1 April 1896

  • 1896 Imperial edict No. 71, "Naval ships ordinance, Article 3" (明治29年 勅令第71号 海軍艦船條例 第3條, 1896 Chokurei Dai-71-gō, Kaigun kansen jōrei)
Naval ships Category 'A' warship (第一種軍艦, Daiisshu Gunkan) Warship as fighting ship
Category 'B' warship (第二種軍艦, Dainishu Gunkan) Warship as noncombatant ship
Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat (一等水雷艇, Ittō Suiraitei)
2nd class torpedo boat (二等水雷艇, Nitō Suiraitei)
3rd class torpedo boat (三等水雷艇, Santō Suiraitei)
Miscellaneous ships (雑役船舟, Zatsuekisenshū)

21 March 1898

  • Standard classifications of the naval warships and torpedo boats (海軍軍艦及水雷艇類別標準, Kaigun gunkan oyobi suiraitei ruibetsu-hyōjun)
Warships Battleship (戦艦, Senkan) 1st class battleship (一等戦艦, Ittō Senkan)
2nd class battleship (二等戦艦, Nitō Senkan)
Cruiser (巡洋艦, Jun'yōkan) 1st class cruiser (一等巡洋艦, Ittō Jun'yōkan)
2nd class cruiser (二等巡洋艦, Nitō Jun'yōkan)
3rd class cruiser (三等巡洋艦, Santō Jun'yōkan)
Coast defence ship (海防艦, Kaibōkan) 1st class coast defence ship (一等海防艦, Ittō Kaibōkan)
2nd class coast defence ship (二等海防艦, Nitō Kaibōkan)
3rd class coast defence ship (三等海防艦, Santō Kaibōkan)
Gunboat (砲艦, Hōkan) 1st class gunboat (一等砲艦, Ittō Hōkan)
2nd class gunboat (二等砲艦, Nitō Hōkan)
Dispatch vessel (通報艦, Tsūhōkan)
Torpedo boat tender (水雷母艦, Suiraibokan)
Torpedo boat Torpedo boat destroyer (水雷艇駆逐艇, Suiraiteikuchikutei)
1st class torpedo boat
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
4th class torpedo boat (四等水雷艇, Yontō Suiraitei)

22 June 1900

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels (海軍艦艇類別標準, Kaigun kantei ruibetsu-hyōjun)
Naval vessels (艦艇, Kantei) Warships Battleship 1st class battleship
2nd class battleship
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
3rd class cruiser
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
3rd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Dispatch vessel
Torpedo boat tender
Destroyer (駆逐艦, Kuchikukan)
Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
4th class torpedo boat

28 August 1912

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Battlecruiser (巡洋戦艦, Jun'yōsenkan)
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Destroyer
Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat
2nd class torpedo boat
Submersible (潜水艇, Sensuitei)
Repair ship (工作船, Kōsakusen)
Transport ship
Hospital ship (病院船, Byōinsen)

17 May 1916

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Battlecruiser
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Destroyer 1st class destroyer (一等駆逐艦, Ittō Kuchikukan)
2nd class destroyer (二等駆逐艦, Nitō Kuchikukan)
3rd class destroyer (三等駆逐艦, Santō Kuchikukan)
Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat
2nd class torpedo boat
Submersible
Auxiliary ships (特務船, Tokumusen) Repair ship
Transport ship
Minelaying ship (敷設船, Fusetsusen)

1 April 1920

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Battlecruiser
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier (航空母艦, Kōkūbokan)
Torpedo boat tender
Minelayer (敷設艦, Fusetsukan)
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
3rd class destroyer
Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat
2nd class torpedo boat
Submarine (潜水艦, Sensuikan) 1st class submarine (一等潜水艦, Ittō Sensuikan)
2nd class submarine (二等潜水艦, Nitō Sensuikan)
3rd class submarine (三等潜水艦, Santō Sensuikan)
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels (海軍特務艦艇類別標準, Kaigun tokumu-kantei ruibetsu-hyōjun)
Auxiliary vessels (特務艦艇, Tokumu-kantei) Auxiliary vessel (特務艦, Tokumukan) Repair vessel (工作艦, Kōsakukan)
Transport vessel
Auxiliary boat (特務艇, Tokumutei) Minesweeper (掃海艇, Sōkaitei) 1st class minesweeper (一等掃海艇, Ittō Sōkaitei)
2nd class minesweeper (二等掃海艇, Nitō Sōkaitei)
Submarine depot boat (潜水艦母艇, Sensuikanbotei)

1 December 1924

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Battlecruiser
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier
Submarine tender (潜水母艦, Sensuibokan)
Minelayer
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
3rd class destroyer
Submarine 1st class submarine
2nd class submarine
3rd class submarine
Minesweeper
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels
Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel
Transport vessel
Icebreaker (砕氷艦, Saihyōkan)
Survey ship (測量艦, Sokuryōkan)
Target ship (標的艦, Hyōtekikan)
Auxiliary training ship (練習特務艦, Renshūtokumukan)
Auxiliary boat Mine boat (敷設艇, Fusetsutei) 1st class mine boat (一等敷設艇, Ittō Fusetsutei)
2nd class mine boat (二等敷設艇, Nitō Fusetsutei)
3rd class mine boat (三等敷設艇, Santō Fusetsutei)
Auxiliary minesweeper (掃海特務艇, Sōkaitokumutei) 1st class auxiliary minesweeper (一等掃海特務艇, Ittō Sōkaitokumutei)
2nd class auxiliary minesweeper (二等掃海特務艇, Nitō Sōkaitokumutei)
Submarine depot boat

2 March 1927

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Battlecruiser
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier
Submarine tender
Minelayer
Rapid extension netlayer (急設網艦, Kyūsetsumōkan)
Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship
2nd class coast defence ship
Gunboat 1st class gunboat
2nd class gunboat
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
3rd class destroyer
Submarine 1st class submarine
2nd class submarine
3rd class submarine
Minesweeper
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels
Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel
Transport vessel
Icebreaker
Survey ship
Target ship
Auxiliary training ship
Auxiliary boat Mine boat 1st class mine boat
2nd class mine boat
3rd class mine boat
Capture-net layer (捕獲網艇, Hokakumōtei)
Auxiliary minesweeper 1st class auxiliary minesweeper
2nd class auxiliary minesweeper
Submarine depot boat

30 May 1931

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier
Submarine tender
Minelayer
Coast defence ship
Gunboat
Training battleship (練習戦艦, Renshū senkan)
Training cruiser (練習巡洋艦, Renshū jun'yōkan)
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
Submarine 1st class submarine
2nd class submarine
Torpedo boat
Minesweeper
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels
Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel
Transport vessel
Icebreaker
Survey ship
Target ship
Auxiliary training ship
Auxiliary boat Mine boat
Auxiliary minesweeper
Submarine depot boat

26 June 1941

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier
Seaplane tender (水上機母艦, Suijōkibokan)
Submarine tender
Minelayer
Coast defence ship
Gunboat
Training battleship
Training cruiser
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
Submarine 1st class submarine
2nd class submarine
Torpedo boat
Minesweeper
Submarine chaser (駆潜艇, Kusentei)
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels
Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel
Transport vessel
Icebreaker
Survey ship
Target ship
Auxiliary training ship
Auxiliary boat Mine boat
Auxiliary submarine chaser (駆潜特務艇, Kusentokumutei)
Auxiliary minesweeper
Patrol boat (哨戒艇, Shōkaitei)
Cable layer (電纜敷設艇, Denranfusetsutei)
Motor torpedo boat (魚雷艇, Gyoraitei)
Submarine depot boat

30 June 1945 (Final)

  • Standard classifications of the naval vessels
Naval vessels Warships Battleship
Cruiser 1st class cruiser
2nd class cruiser
Aircraft carrier
Seaplane tender
Submarine tender
Minelayer
Training battleship
Training cruiser
Destroyer 1st class destroyer
2nd class destroyer
Submarine 1st class submarine
2nd class submarine
Coast defence ship
Gunboat
Torpedo boat
Minesweeper
Submarine chaser
Patrol boat
Landing ship (輸送艦, Yusōkan) 1st class landing ship (一等輸送艦, Ittō Yusōkan)
2nd class landing ship (二等輸送艦, Nitō Yusōkan)
Mine boat
  • Standard classifications of the naval auxiliary vessels
Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel
Transport vessel
Icebreaker
Survey ship
Target ship
Auxiliary training ship
Auxiliary boat Auxiliary mine boat (敷設特務艇, Fusetsutokumutei)
Auxiliary submarine chaser
Auxiliary patrol boat (哨戒特務艇, Shōkaitokumutei)
Auxiliary minesweeper
Cable layer
Motor torpedo boat
Coast defence boat (海防艇, Kaibōtei)

Detailed classification tables

Battleship

1st class battleship Yashima
Battleship Yamato
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Battleship 1st class battleship And over 10,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class battleship Less than 10,000 tons designated displacement
22 June 1900 Naval Vessels Warships Battleship 1st class battleship Same as on 21 March 1898
2nd class battleship
12 December 1905 Naval vessels Warships Battleship 'Class' was abolished

Battlecruiser

Battlecruiser Ibuki
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
28 August 1912 Naval Vessels Warships Battlecruiser
30 May 1931 Abolished and unified to battleship

Cruiser

1st class cruiser Nachi
3rd class cruiser Suma
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Cruiser 1st class cruiser And over 7,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class cruiser And over 3,500 tons designated displacement, less than 7,000 tons designated displacement
3rd class cruiser Less than 3,500 tons designated displacement
22 June 1900 Naval Vessels Warships Cruiser 1st class cruiser Same as on 21 March 1898
2nd class cruiser
3rd class cruiser
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Warships Cruiser 1st class cruiser And over 7,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class cruiser Less than 7,000 tons designated displacement, '3rd class' was abolished.
31 May 1934 Naval vessels Warships Cruiser 1st class cruiser Equipped over 155 mm (6.1 in) gun
2nd class cruiser Equipped and under 155 mm (6.1 in) gun

Aircraft carrier

Aircraft carrier Akagi
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 April 1920 Naval Vessels Warships Aircraft carrier

Seaplane tender

Seaplane tender Chitose
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
31 May 1934 Naval Vessels Warships Seaplane tender Independent from aircraft carrier

Dispatch vessel

Dispatch vessel Miyako
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Dispatch vessel Torpedo gunboat was classified to dispatch boat
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Warships Dispatch vessel
28 August 1912 Abolished and unified to gunboat

Torpedo boat tender/Submarine tender

Torpedo boat tender Toyohashi
Submarine tender Tsurugizaki
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Torpedo boat tender
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Warships Torpedo boat tender
28 August 1912 Abolished and unified to coast defence ship
1 April 1920 Naval vessels Warships Torpedo boat tender Revived
1 December 1924 Naval vessels Warships Submarine tender Renamed

Minelaying ship/Minelayer/Rapid extension netlayer

Minelayer Tsugaru
  • Note; pertinence of rapid extension netlayer was only Shirataka.
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
17 May 1916 Auxiliary ships Minelaying ship
1 April 1920 Naval vessels Warships Minelayer Renamed
2 March 1927 Naval vessels Warships Minelayer
Rapid extension netlayer
22 March 1929 Naval vessels Warships Minelayer Rapid extension netlayer was abolished, and unified to minelayer

Training battleship

Training battleship Hiei
  • Note; pertinence of training battleship was only Hiei. She does not return to battleship in the Imperial Japanese Navy's official documents.
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Warships Training battleship

Training cruiser

Training cruiser Katori
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Warships Training cruiser

Coast defence ship

2nd class coast defence ship Itsukushima
Coast defence ship Shisaka
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship And over 7,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class coast defence ship And over 3,500 tons designated displacement, less than 7,000 tons designated displacement
3rd class coast defence ship Less than 3,500 tons displacement
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Warships Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship Same as on 21 March 1898
2nd class coast defence ship
3rd class coast defence ship
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Warships Coast defence ship 1st class coast defence ship And over 7,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class coast defence ship Less than 7,000 tons designated displacement
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Warships Coast defence ship 'Class' was abolished
1 July 1942 Naval vessels Coast defence ship
(as Escort ship)		 Armored cruisers were moved to 1st class cruiser or auxiliary training ship

Gunboat

1st class gunboat Saga
Gunboat Sumida
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Warships Gunboat 1st class gunboat And over 1,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class gunboat Less than 1,000 tons designated displacement
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Warships Gunboat 1st class gunboat Same as on 21 March 1898
2nd class gunboat
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Warships Gunboat 1st class gunboat And over 800 tons displacement
2nd class gunboat Less than 800 tons displacement
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Warships Gunboat 'Class' was abolished
1 October 1944 Naval vessels Gunboat

Torpedo boat destroyer/Destroyer

1st class destroyer Shimakaze
3rd class destroyer Kagerō
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
21 March 1898 Torpedo boat Torpedo boat destroyer
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Warships Destroyer Independent from torpedo boat and renamed
12 December 1905 Naval vessels Destroyer
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Destroyer 1st class destroyer And over 1,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class destroyer And over 600 tons designated displacement, less than 1,000 tons designated displacement
3rd class destroyer Less than 600 tons designated displacement
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Destroyer 1st class destroyer And over 1,000 tons designated displacement
2nd class destroyer Less than 1,000 tons designated displacement, '3rd class' was abolished
31 May 1934 Naval vessels Destroyer 1st class destroyer And over 1,000 tons standard displacement
2nd class destroyer Less than 1,000 tons standard displacement

Submersible/Submarine

No. 1-class submersible
1st class submarine I-400
  • Note; Kō-hyōteki, Kairyū and Kaiten were not included in this table, because they were weapons in the Imperial Japanese Navy's official documents.[1]
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
23 January 1905 Torpedo boat Submersible
12 December 1905 Naval vessels Submersible Independent from torpedo boat
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Submersible 1st class submersible And over 600 tons surfaced displacement
2nd class submersible Less than 600 tons surfaced displacement
4 April 1919 Naval vessels Submarine 1st class submarine Renamed; and over 1,000 tons surfaced displacement
2nd class submarine Renamed, and over 600 tons surfaced displacement, less than 1,000 tons surfaced displacement
3rd class submarine Less than 600 tons surfaced displacement
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Submarine 1st class submarine And over 1,000 tons surfaced displacement
2nd class submarine Less than 1,000 tons surfaced displacement, '3rd class' was abolished

Torpedo boat

1st class torpedo boat Hayabusa
2nd class torpedo boat No. 21
3rd class torpedo boat No. 14
Torpedo boat Kiji
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
13 August 1890 Naval ships Category 'B' warship Torpedo boat
19 October 1893 Naval ships Category 'B' warship Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat And over 70 tons displacement
2nd class torpedo boat And over 20 tons designated displacement, less than 70 tons designated displacement
3rd class torpedo boat Less than 20 tons designated displacement (vedette boat)
28 March 1896 Naval ships Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat Same as on 19 October 1893
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
21 March 1898 Torpedo boat Torpedo boat destroyer
1st class torpedo boat And over 120 tons designated displacement
2nd class torpedo boat And over 70 tons designated displacement, less than 120 tons designated displacement
3rd class torpedo boat And over 20 tons designated displacement, less than 70 tons designated displacement
4th class torpedo boat Less than 20 tons designated displacement (vedette boat)
22 June 1900 Naval vessels Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat Same as on 21 March 1898;
Torpedo boat destroyer was independent from torpedo boat, and renamed destroyer.
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
4th class torpedo boat
23 January 1905 Naval vessels Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat Same as on 21 March 1898
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
4th class torpedo boat
Submersible IJN called Special-Torpedo boat (特号水雷艇, Tokugō-Suiraitei) for counterintelligence
12 December 1905 Naval vessels Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat Same as on 21 March 1898
Submersible was independent from torpedo boat.
2nd class torpedo boat
3rd class torpedo boat
4th class torpedo boat
28 August 1912 Naval vessels Torpedo boat 1st class torpedo boat And over 120 tons designated displacement
2nd class torpedo boat Less than 120 tons designated displacement
15 January 1924 Abolished
30 May 1931 Naval vessels Torpedo boat Revived by the London Naval Treaty

Mine boat/Capture-net layer

2nd class mine boat Tsubame
Mine boat Kamishima
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 July 1920 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Mine boat 1st class mine boat And over 800 tons displacement
2nd class mine boat And over 400 tons designated displacement, less than 800 tons designated displacement
3rd class mine boat Less than 400 tons designated displacement
2 March 1927 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Mine boat 1st class mine boat Same as on 1 July 1920
2nd class mine boat
3rd class mine boat
Capture-net layer
22 March 1929 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Mine boat 1st class mine boat Same as on 1 July 1920; capture-net layer was abolished and unified to mine boat
2nd class mine boat
3rd class mine boat
30 May 1931 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Mine boat 'Class' was abolished
1 February 1944 Naval vessels Mine boat

Auxiliary minelayer

Auxiliary minelayer No. 1
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 February 1944 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Auxiliary minelayer Divided from mine boat

Cable layer

Cable layer Hashima
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
25 October 1940 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Cable layer Independent from miscellaneous ship

Minesweeper

Minesweeper No. 4
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 April 1920 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Minesweeper 1st class minesweeper And over 500 tons designated displacement
2nd class minesweeper Less than 500 tons designated displacement
30 June 1923 Naval vessels Minesweeper 'Class' was abolished

Auxiliary minesweeper

Auxiliary minesweeper No. 1
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 June 1923 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Auxiliary minesweeper 1st class auxiliary minesweeper And over 500 tons designated displacement
2nd class auxiliary minesweeper Less than 500 tons designated displacement
30 May 1931 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Auxiliary minesweeper 'Class' was abolished

Submarine chaser

Submarine chaser No. 8
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
23 May 1933 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Submarine chaser
1 April 1940 Naval vessels Submarine chaser

Auxiliary submarine chaser

Auxiliary submarine chaser No. 1 class
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 April 1940 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Auxiliary submarine chaser Divided from submarine chaser

Patrol boat

Patrol boat No. 35
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 March 1940 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Patrol boat
15 February 1943 Naval vessels Patrol boat

Auxiliary patrol boat

Auxiliary patrol boat No. 173
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
15 February 1943 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Auxiliary patrol boat Divided from patrol boat

Landing ship

2nd class landing ship No. 151
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
5 February 1944 Naval vessels Landing ship 1st class landing ship And over 1,000 tons displacement
2nd class landing ship Less than 1,000 tons designated displacement

Motor torpedo boat

Motor torpedo boat No. 2
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 June 1941 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Motor torpedo boat Independent from miscellaneous ship

Coast defence boat

Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 June 1945 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Coast defence boat

Repair ship/Repair vessel

Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
12 December 1905 Repair ship
17 May 1916 Auxiliary ships Repair ship
1 April 1920 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Repair vessel Renamed, small sized repair ships were moved to miscellaneous ship

Transport vessel/Transport ship

Transport vessel (Oiler) Hayatomo
  • Note; Included replenishment oiler (給油船/給油艦, Kyūyusen/Kyūyukan), collier (給炭船/給炭艦, Kyūtansen/Kyūtankan), collier-oiler (給炭油艦, Kyūtan'yukan), munition ship (給兵艦, Kyūheikan), food supply ship (給糧艦, Kyūryōkan) and freighter (雑用艦, Zatsuyōkan).
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
5 October 1872 Transport vessel 4th class transport vessel And over 800 tons displacement
5th class transport vessel And over 500 tons displacement
6th class transport vessel And over 200 tons displacement
7th class transport vessel And under 200 tons displacement
13 August 1890 Vessels Category 'D' warship Transport ship
1 April 1896 Vessels Miscellaneous ships Transport ship
12 December 1905 Transport ship Independent from miscellaneous ships
17 May 1916 Auxiliary ships Transport ship
1 April 1920 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Transport vessel

Hospital ship

  • Note; there is not a ship classed on this table.
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
12 December 1905 Hospital ship
17 May 1916 Abolished

Icebreaker

Icebreaker Ōtomari
  • Note; pertinence of icebreaker was only Ōtomari.
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
3 August 1921 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Icebreaker

Survey ship

Survey ship Tsukushi
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
31 March 1922 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Survey ship

Target ship

  • This section treats a self-propelled target ship. Towed target ship is miscellaneous ship.
Target ship Settsu
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
29 September 1923 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Target ship

Auxiliary training ship

Auxiliary training ship Shikishima
Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
30 November 1922 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary vessel Auxiliary training ship

Submarine depot boat

Date Top classification Higher classification Classification Lower classification Note, classification boundary
1 July 1920 Auxiliary vessels Auxiliary boat Submarine depot boat Moved from miscellaneous ship
between 1 July 1942–30 September 1944 Abolished[2]

Appendix

Miscellaneous ship

17 September 1903 (Initial)

  • 17 September 1903, Notice No. 90, Quorum and kinds of miscellaneous ship in naval units, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of the Navy (明治36年9月17日 海軍大臣官房 達第90号 海軍各廳附属雑役船ノ種類及定数, 1903 Tatsu Dai-90-Gō, Kaigun kakuchō fuzoku zatsuekisen-no shurui oyobi teisū)
Steamship
(汽船, Kisen)		 And over 250 tons displacement, and less 400 tons displacement
150 tons displacement
80 tons displacement
60 tons displacement
35 tons displacement
16 tons displacement
12.5 tons displacement
And less 10 tons displacement
Boat
(端舟, Hashibune)		 38 feet launch
32 feet pinnace
30 feet cutter
28 feet cutter
26 feet cutter
23 feet cutter
30 feet gig
27 feet gig
25 feet gig
Yard auxiliary ship
(雑船, Zatsusen)		 Rigged torpedo boat (帆装水雷船, Hansō suiraisen)
Dredger (泥浚船, Deishunsen)
Mechanical dredger (泥浚器船, Deishunkisen); dipper dredger, bucket dredger, grab dredger and pump dredger
Drilling ship (岩砕船, Gansaisen)
Water supply ship (水船, Suisen) Steamer (汽走, Kisō); and over 150 tons loadage, and less 300 tons loadage
Western style ship (西洋形, Seiyōgata); and over 100 tons loadage, and less 200 tons loadage
Japanese style ship (和形, Wagata); and over 10 tons loadage, and less 30 tons loadage
Barge (運貨船, Unkasen); And over 50 tons loadage, and less 100 tons loadage
Coal supply ship (石炭船, Sekitansen); And over 50 tons loadage, and less 150 tons loadage
Lighter (五大力船, Godairikisen); And over 20 tons loadage, and less 30 tons loadage
Hopper barge (泥受船, Doroukesen)
Junk (伝馬船, Tenmasen)
High-speed oars (押送船, Oshokurisen)
Floating pier (足場船, Ashibasen); And over 30 feet, and less 46 feet
Dumper (塵芥船, Jinkaisen)
Floating crane (起重器船, Kijūkisen) 50 tons ability
15 tons ability
Floating drydock (浮船渠, Ukisenkyo)
Pile driver (杭打器船, Kuiuchikisen)
Pontoon (橋船, Kyōsen)
Training ship (練習船, Renshūsen)


Converted merchant ship classification tables

23 December 1916 (Initial)

  • 23 December 1916, Ministerial ordinance No. 281, Special service ships and units ordinance, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of the Navy (大正5年12月23日 海軍大臣官房 内令第281号 特設艦船部隊令, 1916 Nairei Dai-281-Gō, Tokusetsukansen butairei)
Converted merchant vessels
(特設艦船, Tokusetsu kansen)		 Converted merchant cruiser
(特設巡洋艦, Tokusetsu jun'yōkan)
Converted merchant torpedo recovery ship
(特設水雷母艦, Tokusetsu suiraibokan)
Converted merchant air group carrier
(特設航空隊母艦, Tokusetsu kōkūtaibokan)
Converted merchant minesweeper division depot ship
(特設掃海隊母艦, Tokusetsu sōkaitaibokan)
Converted merchant gunboat
(特設砲艦, Tokusetsu hōkan)
Converted merchant minesweeper
(特設掃海艇, Tokusetsu sōkaitei)
Converted merchant repair ship
(特設工作船, Tokusetsu kōsakusen)
Converted merchant transport ship
(特設運送船, Tokusetsu unsōsen)		 Munition and ammunition ship (給兵船, Kyūheisen)
Water supply ship (給水船, Kyūsuisen)
Food supply ship (給糧船, Kyūryōsen)
Collier (給炭船, Kyūtansen)
Oiler (給油船, Kyūyusen)
Communication ship (通信船, Tsūshinsen)
Freighter (雑用船, Zatsuyōsen)
Converted merchant cable layer
(特設電線敷設船, Tokusetsu densenfusetsusen)
Converted merchant hospital ship
(特設病院船, Tokusetsu byōinsen)
Converted merchant salvage ship
(特設救難船, Tokusetsu kyūnansen)

February 1945 (Final)

  • February 1945, Ministerial ordinance No. 83, Special service ships and units ordinance, Minister's Secretariat, Ministry of the Navy (昭和20年2月 海軍大臣官房 内令第83号, 1945 Nairei Dai-83-Gō)
Converted merchant vessels Converted merchant warship
(特設軍艦, Tokusetsu gunkan)		 Converted merchant cruiser
Converted merchant minelayer
(特設敷設艦, Tokusetsu fusetsukan)
Converted merchant rapid extension netlayer
(特設急設網艦, Tokusetsu kyūsetsumōkan)
Converted merchant aircraft carrier
(特設航空母艦, Tokusetsu kōkūbokan)
Converted merchant seaplane tender
(特設水上機母艦, Tokusetsu suijōkibokan)
Converted merchant aircraft transport ship
(特設航空機運搬艦, Tokusetsu kōkūki unpankan)
Converted merchant torpedo recovery ship
Converted merchant submarine tender
(特設潜水母艦, Tokusetsu sensuibokan)
Converted merchant minesweeper tender
(特設掃海母艦, Tokusetsu sōkaibokan)
Converted merchant gunboat
Converted merchant auxiliary boat
(特設特務艇, Tokusetsu tokumutei)		 Converted merchant capture-net layer
(特設捕獲網艇, Tokusetsu hokakumōtei)
Converted merchant anti-submarine net layer
(特設防潜網艇, Tokusetsu bōsenmōtei)
Converted merchant mine boat
(特設敷設艇, Tokusetsu fusetsutei)
Converted merchant submarine chaser
(特設駆潜艇, Tokusetsu kusentei)
Converted merchant minesweeper
Converted merchant picket boat
(特設監視艇, Tokusetsu kanshitei)
Converted merchant auxiliary vessels
(特設特務艦船, Tokusetsu tokumukansen)		 Converted merchant transport vessel
(特設運送艦, Tokusetsu unsōkan)
Converted merchant transport ship Munition and ammunition ship
Water supply ship
Food supply ship
Collier
Oiler
Collier-oiler
(給炭油船, Kyūtan'yusen)
Communication ship
Freighter
Converted merchant repair vessel
(特設工作艦, Tokusetsu kōsakukan)
Converted merchant harbor service vessel
(特設港務艦, Tokusetsu kōmukan)
Converted merchant survey vessel
(特設測量艦, Tokusetsu sokuryōkan)
Converted merchant icebreaker
(特設砕氷船, Tokusetsu saihyōsen)
Converted merchant cable layer
Converted merchant hospital ship
Converted merchant salvage ship
Converted merchant miscellaneous ship
(特設雑役船, Tokusetsu zatsuekisen)

Footnotes

  1. ^ Monthly Ships of the world No. 500, p. 371
  2. ^ JACAR C08050092300, p. 2

See also

Bibliography

  • Summary of Naval military commands, Naval Minister's Secretariat/Ministry of the Navy
    • Vol. 1, April 1936 (24th supplement, March 1945)
    • Vol. 3, April 1936 (24th supplement, March 1945)
  • Series 100 year histories from Meiji Era, Ministry of the Navy, printed by Hara Shobō (Japan)
    • Vol. 172, Histories of Naval organizations #2, original plot in 1941, reprint in March 1971
    • Vol. 173, Histories of Naval organizations #3 (1), original plot in 1939, reprint in May 1971
    • Vol. 174, Histories of Naval organizations #3 (2), original plot in 1939, reprint in July 1971
    • Vol. 180, Histories of Naval organizations #8, original plot in January 1940, reprint in October 1971
  • The Maru Special, Ushio Shobō (Japan)
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 25, "Japanese seaplane tenders w/ auxiliary seaplane tenders", March 1979
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 29, "Japanese submarine tenders w/ auxiliary submarine tenders", July 1979
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 34, "Japanese auxiliary vessels", December 1979
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 39, "Japanese torpedo boats", May 1980
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 42, "Japanese minelayers", August 1980
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 45, "Japanese gunboats", November 1980
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 47, "Japanese minewarfare crafts", January 1981
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 49, "Japanese submarine chasers and patrol boats", March 1981
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 50, "Japanese minesweepers and landing ships", April 1981
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 53, "Japanese support vessels", July 1981
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 132, "Japanese submarines I", February 1988
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 133, "Japanese submarines II", March 1988
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 134, "Japanese submarines III", April 1988
    • Japanese Naval Vessels No. 135, "Japanese submarines IV", May 1988
  • Monthly Ships of the World, "Kaijinsha". (Japan)
    • No. 391, Special issue Vol. 24, "Japanese battleships", March 1988
    • No. 441, Special issue Vol. 32, "Japanese cruisers", September 1991
    • No. 453, Special issue Vol. 34, "History of Japanese destroyers", July 1992
    • No. 469, Special issue Vol. 37, "History of Japanese submarines", August 1993
    • No. 481, Special issue Vol. 40, "History of Japanese aircraft carriers", May 1994
    • No. 500, Special issue Vol. 44, "Ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy", August 1995
    • No. 507, Special issue Vol. 45, "Escort Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy", February 1996
    • No. 522, Special issue Vol. 47, "Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy", March 1997
    • No. 681, Special issue Vol. 79, "History of Japanese battleships", October 2007
    • No. 736, Special issue Vol. 95, "History of Japanese aircraft carriers", January 2011
    • No. 754, Special issue Vol. 101, "History of Japanese cruisers", January 2012
  • "Japan Center for Asian Historical Records (JACAR)"., National Archives of Japan
    • Reference code: A03020231100, Original script signed by the Emperor / Imperial ordinance No.71 of 1896 /Abolition of Naval ships ordinance established in and Warship ordinance
    • Reference code: A03020647600, The script signed by the Emperor, 1905, Imperial Ordinance No.258, Amendment and addition to the Naval Warships and Other Vessels Ordinance.
    • Reference code: A08072692000, Classification standard table of warship and special service vessels
    • Reference code: C08050092300, Classification table of special naval ships (1)
    • Reference code: C09090196000, Messages of Council of State inquiry to Seiin about Navy rules and salary table
    • Reference code: C09110630100, Jurisdiction Vessels rank correction caused by proclamation
  • 1/700 Water Line Series Guide Book of Imperial Japanese Navy ships, Shizuoka Plastic Model Manufacturers Association (Aoshima Bunka Kyozai/Tamiya Corporation/Hasegawa Corporation), October 2007
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