Mizuho was built to a similar design as the seaplane carrier Chitose, but with slightly less powerful diesel engines instead of Chitose's turbines.[3] She carried 24 seaplanes,[1] and was equipped to carry twelve miniature submarines,[1] although she could not carry full loads of both at one time.[3]
Service history
Mizuho participated in invasion support for much of her career;[1] her first mission was with the Fourth Surprise Attack Force.[2] On 1 March 1942, planes from Mizuho and Chitose damaged the American destroyerUSS Pope, which was later sunk by aircraft from the aircraft carrierRyūjō and gunfire from the heavy cruisersAshigara and Myōkō.[4]
Sinking
Painting of Mizuho
The American submarineUSS DrumtorpedoedMizuho at 23:03 hours on 1 May 1942 40 nautical miles (74 km; 46 mi) off Omaezaki, Japan. She capsized and sank at 04:16 hours on 2 May 1942 with the loss of 101 lives. There were 472 survivors, of which 31 were wounded.[3][5][6]
