Japanese cruiser Mogami (1934)

Mogami in July 1935, shortly after commissioning
History
Empire of Japan
NameMogami
NamesakeMogami River
Ordered1931 Fiscal Year
BuilderKure Naval Arsenal
Laid down27 October 1931
Launched14 March 1934
Commissioned28 July 1935
Stricken20 December 1944
FateScuttled, 25 October 1944, after Battle of the Surigao Strait 09°40′N 124°50′E / 9.667°N 124.833°E / 9.667; 124.833
General characteristics
Class and typeMogami-class cruiser
Displacement
  • 8,500 tons (official, initial)
  • 13,670 tons (final)
Length
  • 197 metres (646 ft) (initial)
  • 198 metres (650 ft) (final)
Beam
  • 18 metres (59 ft) (initial)
  • 20.2 metres (66 ft) (final)
Draught
  • 5.5 metres (18 ft) (initial)
  • 5.89 metres (19.3 ft) (final)
Propulsion
  • 4-shaft geared turbines
  • 10 Kampon boilers
  • 152,000 shp (113,000 kW)
Speed
  • 37-knot (69 km/h) (initial)
  • 35.5 knots (65.7 km/h) (final)
Range8,000 nmi (15,000 km) at 14 knots (26 km/h)
Complement850
Armament
Armor
  • Belt 100–125 mm (3.9–4.9 in)
  • Deck 35–60 mm (1.4–2.4 in)
  • Turret 25 mm (0.98 in)
Aircraft carried

Mogami (最上) was the lead ship in the four-vessel Mogami class of heavy cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy. She was named after the Mogami River in Tōhoku region of Japan. The Mogami-class ships were constructed as "light cruisers" (per the London Naval Treaty) with five triple 155-millimetre (6.1 in) dual purpose guns. They were exceptionally large for light cruisers, and the barbettes for the main battery were designed for quick refitting with twin 8-inch (203 mm) guns. In 1937 all four ships were "converted" to heavy cruisers in this fashion.[3] Mogami served in numerous combat engagements in World War II, until she was sunk at the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944.

  1. ^ a b Watts, Japanese Warships of World War II, p. 99
  2. ^ Campbell, Naval Weapons of World War Two, pp. 185-187
  3. ^ Whitley, Cruisers of World War Two, pp. 181-184