Japanese light cruiser Sakawa 1942-1945

Naka of the Sendai-class

Agano of the Agano-class

Of the Agano-class consisting of the Agano, Noshiro, Yahagi and Sakawa, preceded by the Sendai-class and succeeded by the Oyodo-class. For the design of this class were the results of the technological experiments with the Yubari incorporated. Budget authorized under the 4th Naval Armaments Supplements Programme dated 1939. Laid down at the Sasebo Naval Arsenal on 21 November 1942, launched on 9 April 1944, commissioned on 30 November 1944, used as troop transport at the end of the world for repatriating Japanese military over seas .stricken on 5 October 1945, handed over to the USA at Yokosuka, Japan on 25 February 1946  and sunk during nuclear tests at Bikini on 2 July 1946.

General technical class specifications. With a displacement of 6,652 (standard)-7.590 (full load) tons and as dimensions 174 x 15,2 x 5,6 metres or 571’ x 50’x 18’. The machinery consisted of quadruple Gihon geared turbines and 6 Kampong boilers supplying 100.000 shp allowing a speed of 35 knots. Range with a speed of 18 knots was 6.300 nautical miles. Crew numbered 730 men. The armour consisted of a 6cm/2.4” thick belt and a 2cm/0.8” thick deck. The armament consisted of 3x2-15,2cm/5.9” Type 41 guns, 2x2-7,6cm/3” Type 98 naval guns, 2x3-2cm/0;8” type 96 anti aircraft guns, 2x2-1,3cm/0.5” machineguns, 4x2-61cm/24” torpedo tubes and she carried 48 naval mines with her. For the 2 floatplanes she could carry with her was one catapult mounted.