The Fuso class battleship was one of two war vessels in service with the Imperial Japanese Navy during WW2. The lead ship was the Fuso and her sister, the Yamashiro. The former had been laid down at the Kure Navy Yard in 1912 and completed in 1915, while the Yamashiro was built at the Yokosuka Navy Yard between 1913 and 1917. Fitted with twelve 14-inch (356mm) naval guns, they were superior and more powerful than her American and British counterparts at the time they were commissioned. They were iconic Japanese battleships with their towering pagoda-style bridge structures.
Service Modifications and Upgrade
In the 1930s, both warships underwent extensive modifications, which would dramatically change their appearance. During this process, armor protection was increased as the total weight of armor was raised to slightly more than 12,000 tons. This meant 42% of the ship total displacement (35,300 tons). To increase protection from torpedo attack, two armor blisters were added, which increased the beam by 127 feet. As for their power plant, the original 24 coal-fired boilers were replaced with six Kampon oil-fired boilers and 2 Kampon steam turbines, with 4 shafts, were fitted. This new propulsion system increased their power to 40,000 HP.
Wartime Service
Although they were built at the beginning of WW1, they would have to wait until World War II to see combat action. They took part in the Battle of Midway as escort battleships, coming out unscathed. The Fuso would be used to carry troops to Truk in the Central Pacific in 1943. In October 1944, both battleships took part in Operation Sho-go, which was the last Japanese attempt to fight a decisive battle to save the Philippine islands from an Allied invasion, resulting in the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
In this military operation, they both were detached from the main body of the First Striking Force due to their slow speed, forming into Force C as it entered Leyte Gulf from the south. During the subsequent battle of Leyte Gulf, Fuso was hit twice; one bomb dropped by a US Navy dive bomber struck her stern portion. As they sailed in Surigao Straight, they were hit by torpedoes fired from American warships. After ferocious fighting, both of them would be sunk in Surigao Straight on October 25, 1944.
Specifications
Type: Battleship
Displacement: 35,300 tons (38,000 full-loaded)
Length: 202.7 m (665 ft)
Beam: 28.7 m (94 ft, 2 in)
Draft: 8.7 m (29 ft, 8 in)
Speed: 24.75 knots
Range: 8,000 nautical miles (15,000 km)
Crew: 1,400 sailors and officers
Below, the Fuso battleship in 1933, with her trademark pagoda tower.
The impressive armament of the Yamashiro; the 356mm guns. Photo taken in 1937.
