Japanese destroyer Minegumo (1937)
 |
| Career | 
|
|---|---|
| Ordered: | |
| Laid down: | March 22 1937 |
| Launched: | April 30 1938 |
| Commissioned: | |
| Decommissioned: | March 6 1943 |
| Fate: | Sunk (March 6 1943) |
| Struck: | March 6 1943 |
| General characteristics | |
| Displacement: | 1961 tons |
| Length: | |
| Beam: | |
| Draft: | |
| Propulsion: | 2-shaft geared turbine, 3 boilers |
| Speed: | 35 knots |
| Power: | 50000 SHP |
| Range: | 5700nm by 10kt, 960nm by 34kt |
| Complement: | 200 |
| Armament: | |
The Minegumo (峯雲) was an Asashio Class destroyer sunk overnight on March 6 1943 in the Battle of Blackett Strait. Much of its crew survived. Minegumo means "Summit Cloud."
- Built in Osaka, Japan.
- Escorted transports that landed at Vigan City, northwestern Luzon, on December 11 1941.
- Assisted in landings at Tarakan, Borneo on January 21 1942.
- February 27 1942: takes part in the Battle of the Java Sea, damaged by gunfire.
- In March 1942, she takes part in operations at Christmas Island.
- Part of the Covering Group in the Battle of Midway (June 1942).
- Provided support during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons in August 1942.
- October 5 1942: seriously damaged by aircraft 150 miles off Guadalcanal.
- During the beginning of the Battle of Blackett Strait, March 5 1943, Murasame and Minegumo are believed to have sunk the submarine USS Grampus (SS-207).
- On March 6 1943, the Murasame and Minegumo were caught by American Task Force 68 off Vila, after dropping off supplies to the Japanese base there. Both ships were sunk, but the only survivors were members of Minegumo's crew.
Commanding Officers
Chief Equipping Officer - Cmdr. Katsumori Yamashiro - 20 January 1938 - 30 April 1938
Cmdr. Katsumori Yamashiro - 30 April 1938 - 15 November 1938
Lt. Cmdr. Tetsuo Yamada - 15 November 1938 - 15 October 1940
Lt. Cmdr. / Cmdr. Yasuatsu Suzuki - 15 October 1940 - 25 January 1943 (Promoted to Commander on 15 November 1940.)
Lt. Cmdr. Yoshitake Uesugi - 25 January 1943 - 5 March 1943 (KIA)