Mogami

I.J.N. Mogami

(Neptun 1231)

Class: Mogami - 4 ships of 1931
Displacement: 12,400 tons
Dimensions: 616 (pp) 669.25 (oa) x 66.3 x 19.3 ft.
Machinery: 4-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 152,000 = 34.75 knots
Armor: Magazine 5 in., deck 1.5 in.
Armament: 6-8 in. (3x2), 8-5 in. D.P. (4x2), 30-25 mm. A.A. (10x3) guns, 12-24 in. (4x3) T.T.; 11 aircraft
Complement: 850

Service: Joined her sisterships Mikuma, Suzuya, and Kumano as part of 7th Cruiser Squadron. Covered the Japanese landings in Malaya, Borneo, Sumatra, and Java Dec 1941-Mar 1942, then part of Indian Ocean Raiding force in Apr. Tasked with covering the Midway invasion convoy in May, then ordered to bombard Midway itself, 5 Jun 1942. Operation was then cancelled, but during the withdrawal, an attempted attack by US submarine Tambour led to a collision between Mogami and Mikuma. Suzuya and Kumano proceededed undamaged, but American aircraft caught up with the others, sinking Mikuma and badly damaging Mogami. Mogami managed to reach Truk on 14 Jun, and Sasebo in Aug for extensive repairs. Her after turrets were removed and a seaplane flight deck added, and her light A.A. augmented. Returned to the Solomons, where she was damaged again at Rabaul during the raid of 5 Nov 1943, putting her out of service until Feb 1944. Participated in the defence of the Marianas and in the Battle of Leyte Gulf as part of Nishimura's Southern Force where she was sunk at Surigao Strait, 25 Oct 1944.