Chidori-class torpedo boat

Chidori on trial run off Maizuru, after 1934 refit
Class overview
NameChidori-class torpedo boat
Builders
Operators Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded byHayabusa class
Succeeded byŌtori class
Built1931–34
In service1933–45
In commission1933–47
Planned20
Completed4
Cancelled16 (replaced by Ōtori-class)
Lost3
Retired1
General characteristics as built
Class and typeChidori-class
TypeTorpedo Boat
Displacement
  • 535 long tons (544 t) for standard
  • 738 long tons (750 t) full load
Length
  • 82.0 m (269 ft 0 in) overall
  • 79.0 m (259 ft 2 in) waterline
Beam
  • 7.40 m (24 ft 3 in)
  • 8.10 m (26 ft 7 in) w/ bulges
Draft2.50 m (8 ft 2 in) (average)
Propulsion
  • 2 × Kampon water tube boilers,
  • 2 × Kampon impulse turbines,
  • 2 shafts, 11,000 shp (8,200 kW)
Speed30.0 knots (34.5 mph; 55.6 km/h)
Range3,000 nmi (5,600 km) at 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Complement120
Armament
General characteristics after rebuilding
Displacement
  • 600 long tons (610 t) (standard)
  • 815 long tons (828 t) (full load)
Draft2.38 m (7 ft 10 in)
Speed28.0 knots (32.2 mph; 51.9 km/h)
Range1,600 nmi (3,000 km) at 14 kn (16 mph; 26 km/h)
Armament

The Chidori-class torpedo boat (千鳥型水雷艇, Chidori-gata suiraitei) was an Imperial Japanese Navy class of torpedo boats that were built before and served during the Second World War. The design initially proved to have too much armament for its small displacement, and the capsizing of Tomozuru (友鶴) shortly after completion in heavy weather resulted in a scandal which called into question the basic design of many Japanese warships of the time. After extensive modification, the class became satisfactory sea-boats and saw service in the Battle of the Philippines and the Dutch East Indies campaign as escorts and continued in that role for the rest of the war. Three were sunk during the war and the fourth was seized by the British at Hong Kong after the end of the war, where it was scrapped later.