Japanese fleet oiler Kazahaya

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Kazahaya on 14 August 1943 at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal
History
NameKazahaya
NamesakeKazahaya-zaki
BuilderHarima Dock Company
Laid down30 September 1941
Launched20 January 1943
Completed31 March 1943
Decommissioned1 December 1943
FateSunk by the US submarines Steelhead and Tinosa, 6 October 1943
Class overview
Preceded byOndo-class oiler
Succeeded byHario-class oiler
General characteristics
TypeReplenishment oiler
Displacement18,300 long tons (18,594 t) standard
Length161.00 m (528 ft 3 in) overall
Beam20.10 m (65 ft 11 in)
Draught8.83 m (29 ft 0 in)
Propulsion
Speed16.5 knots (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Capacity
  • 10,000 tons for heavy crude oil
  • 1,000 tons for gasoline
Crew150
Armament

The Kazahaya (風早, "Fast Wind") was a Japanese fleet oiler, serving during the Second World War.

Construction[edit]

In 1941, the IJN wanted fleet oilers for their carrier task force, because they had only the eight old, low-speed tankers. The IJN prepared sixteen Kawasaki-type tankers to solve this. However, they did not have facilities for gasoline. The IJN intended to build four Kazahayas (Ship # 304-307). However, all naval arsenals were crowded at the outbreak of war. The IJN bought one of the same type of merchant tanker made by Harima with the Kazahaya naval budget.

Service[edit]

She succeeded in one transportation duty, and was sunk by submarines.

Ships in class[edit]

Ship # Ship Builder Laid down Launched Completed Fate
304 Kazahaya (風早) Harima Dock Company 30 September 1941 20 January 1943 31 March 1943 Sunk by USS Steelhead and USS Tinosa northwest of Truk 6 October 1943.
305 Karasaki (韓崎) Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
306 Hayasui (速吸) Harima Dock Company 1 February 1943 Converted to the Hayasui class.
307 Inatori (稲取) Cancelled on 25 July 1943.
5381 Kariko (雁来) Cancelled on 5 May 1944.
5382 Tsurikake (釣掛)
5383 Kumomi (雲見)
5384 Kamisu (神須)
5385 Kōshū (膠州)
5386 Seitō (青島)
5387 Noma (野間)

Bibliography[edit]

  • "Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Vol.62 "Ships of The Imperial Japanese Forces, Gakken (Japan), January 2008, ISBN 978-4-05-605008-0
  • Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), March 1997