I.J.N. Tatsuta
1942
(Neptun 1247)
- Class: Tenryu - 2 cruisers of 1916
- Displacement: 3,230 tons standard; 3,948 full load
- Dimensions: 440 (pp) 469 (oa) x 40.5 x 13 ft.
- Machinery: 3-shaft geared turbines, S.H.P. 51,000 = 33 knots
- Armor: Main belt 1.5-2 in.
- Armament: 4-5.5 in. (4x1), 1-3 in. A.A. guns; 6-21 in. T.T. (2x3)
- Complement: 332
- Builder: Sasebo Navy Yard
- Laid Down: 24 Jul 1917
- Launched: 29 May 1918
- Completed: 13 Mar 1919
- Service: Tatsuta and sister Tenryu were the first two modern light cruisers for the IJN. They formed the 18th Cruiser Squadron and supported the attack on Wake Island in Dec 1941, followed by Kavieng in Jan 1942 and various operations around New Guinea. In May they formed part of the support force for the landing at Tulagi and intended landing at Port Moresby, and later in Jul at Buna. Tatsuta was still supporting this task when the U.S. invaded Guadalcanal, but Tenryu joined the force that sank four Allied cruisers at Savo Island on 9 Aug. Later in 1942 both cruisers supported the unsuccessful landings at Milne Bay and helped cover the evacuation, during which Tenryu sank an Allied transport. She herself was torpedoed and sunk by the U.S. submarine Albacore on 18 Dec 1942 east of Madang. Tatsuta survived until 13 Mar 1944, when she was also torpedoed and sunk by submarine Sandlance southwest of Yokosuka.
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