No.1-class minelayer

Auxiliary Minelayer No.1 on 28 February 1942
Class overview
NameNo.1 class auxiliary minelayer
BuildersUraga Dock Company
Operators Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded bySokuten-class
Built1941–1942
In commission1942–1947
Planned4
Completed4
Lost3
Retired1
General characteristics
TypeMinelayer
Displacement215 long tons (218 t) standard
Length35.11 m (115 ft 2 in) overall
Beam6.16 m (20 ft 3 in)
Draught2.38 m (7 ft 10 in)
Propulsion
  • 1 × low-speed diesel
  • single shaft, 400 bhp
Speed9.5 knots (10.9 mph; 17.6 km/h)
Range1,500 nmi (2,800 km) at 9.5 kn (10.9 mph; 17.6 km/h)
Complement63
Armament

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).

Background

  • 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

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

  • Minelayer No.2 on 7 April 1942
    Minelayer No.2 on 7 April 1942
  • Auxiliary Minelayer No.3 in 1942
    Auxiliary Minelayer No.3 in 1942
  • Auxiliary Minelayer No.4 in 1942
    Auxiliary Minelayer No.4 in 1942

Notes

  1. ^ 第一号敷設特務艇 (Dai Ichi Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)
  2. ^ 第二号敷設艇 (Dai Ni Gō Fusetsutei), she sank before the revision of the law.
  3. ^ 第三号敷設特務艇 (Dai San Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)
  4. ^ 第四号敷設特務艇 (Dai Yon Gō Fusetsu-Tokumutei)

Bibliography

  • 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