Japanese destroyer Miyuki

Miyuki on 5 September 1931
History
Empire of Japan
Name	Miyuki
Ordered	1923 Fiscal Year
Builder	Uraga Dock Company
Yard number	Destroyer No. 38
Laid down	30 April 1927
Launched	26 June 1928
Commissioned	29 June 1929
Stricken	15 August 1934
Fate	Sunk in collision 29 June 1934
General characteristics
Class and type	Template:Sclass-
Displacement	Template:Fubuki class destroyer displacement
Length	Template:Fubuki class destroyer length
Beam	Template:Fubuki class destroyer beam
Draft	Template:Fubuki class destroyer draft
Propulsion	Template:Fubuki class destroyer propulsion
Speed	Template:Fubuki class destroyer speed
Range	Template:Fubuki class destroyer range
Complement	Template:Fubuki class destroyer complement
Armament	Template:Fubuki class destroyer armament

Miyuki (深雪, ”Deep Snow”) was the fourth of twenty-four Template:Sclass-s, built for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) following World War I. When introduced into service, these ships were the most powerful destroyers in the world. They served as first-line destroyers through the 1930s, and remained formidable weapons systems well into the Pacific War.

History

Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the IJN's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships. The Fubuki class had performance that was a quantum leap over previous destroyer designs, so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型, Tokugata). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies. Miyuki, built at the Uraga Dock Company was laid down on 30 April 1927, launched on 29 June 1928 and commissioned on 29 June 1929. Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 38”, she was completed as Miyuki.

Operational history

On completion, Miyuki, along with her sister ships, Fubuki, Shirayuki, and Hatsuyuki, were assigned to Destroyer Division 11 under the IJN 2nd Fleet. From October to December 1931, she was at Kure Naval Arsenal for repairs to her boilers.

Miyuki was lost in a collision with the Japanese destroyer Inazuma on 29 June 1934 in the Korea Strait, south of Cheju. (33°00′N 125°30′E) The number of casualties is not certain, but at least five crewmen perished in the accident. Miyuki was struck from the navy list on 15 August 1934.

Miyuki was the only modern Japanese destroyer that did not make it into World War II, and was the only instance a Japanese destroyer was lost in a collision against other Japanese destroyers.

References

• Howarth, Stephen (1983). The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895–1945. Atheneum. ISBN 0-689-11402-8.
• Jentsura, Hansgeorg (1976). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. US Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
• Nelson, Andrew N. (1967). Japanese–English Character Dictionary. Tuttle. ISBN 0-8048-0408-7.
• Whitley, M J (2000). Destroyers of World War Two: An International Encyclopedia. London: Arms and Armour Press. ISBN 1-85409-521-8.

External links

• Nishidah, Hiroshi (2002). "Fubuki class destroyers". Materials of the Imperial Japanese Navy. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |month= (help)
• Globalsecurity.org. "IJN Fubuki class destroyers".