Japanese cruiser Akitsushima

, but the navy felt that this was too light, and demanded the inclusion of an additional four 152 mm, rapid firing Armstrong cannons, twin mounted fore and aft. The rapid rate of fire of these guns gave the "Akitsushima" a large advantage over the more heavily armed "Matsushima"-class.

ervice Life

After the outbreak of the First Sino-Japanese War, Kamimura Hikonojo was assigned command of the new cruiser "Akitsushima" and won distinction at the Battle of the Yellow Sea on 17 September 1894.

During the Spanish-American War, the "Akitsushima" (which was then based at Makung in the Pescadores Islands, was sent to Manila in the Philippines to safeguard Japanese interests and citizens.

On 21 March 1898, the "Akitsushima" was re-designated as a 3rd class protected cruiser. It was called upon for escort duties for Japanese troops and supplies during the Boxer Rebellion.

Considered underpowered, poorly armored, and outgunned by the time of the Russo-Japanese War, the "Akitsushima" was largely assigned to rear line duties. It was based in the Tsushima islands, and patrolled the sea lanes between Tsushima and Port Arthur. It was in the Japanese 3rd Fleet during the Battle of Tsushima.

The "Akitsushima" was re-classified as a Second Class Coastal Defense Vessel on 28 August 1912, and despite its antiquated equipment and age was called upon again during World War I, to serve in the 2nd Fleet during the Battle of Tsingtao against the Imperial German Navy. During the remainder of the war, it patrolled the sea lanes between Borneo, Singapore, Manila, and Saigon against German raiders, as part of Japan’s contribution to the Allied war effort under the Anglo-Japanese Alliance.

After the war, it was re-designated a training ship on 30 April 1921. The "Akitsushima" was scrapped on 10 January 1927.

Gallery

References

* Evans, David. "Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941". US Naval Institute Press (1979). ISBN 0870211927
* Howarth, Stephen. "The Fighting Ships of the Rising Sun: The Drama of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1895-1945". Atheneum; (1983) ISBN 0689114028
* Jane, Fred T. "The Imperial Japanese Navy". Thacker, Spink & Co (1904) ASIN: B00085LCZ4
* Jentsura, Hansgeorg. "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945". Naval Institute Press (1976). ISBN 087021893X
* Schencking, J. Charles. "Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, And The Emergence Of The Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922". Stanford University Press (2005). ISBN 0804749779