Trisha Shetty (Editor)

No.251 class auxiliary submarine chaser

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Operators
  
Imperial Japanese Navy

In commission
  
1937 – 1945

Built
  
1936 – 1939

Planned
  
3

No.251-class auxiliary submarine chaser

Name
  
No.251-class aux. submarine chasers No.251-class (Project number K5A) No.253-class (Project number K5B)

Builders
  
Nihon Kōkan Corporation Ōsaka Iron Works

The No.251 class auxiliary submarine chaser (第二百五十一号型駆潜特務艇,, Dai 251 Gō-gata Kusen-Tokumutei) was a class of submarine chasers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. 3 vessels were built in 1936 – 1939 under the Maru 2 Programme. They have two sub classes, this article handles them collectively.

Contents

Background

  • In 1934, the IJN planned an experimental model of high-speed coast defense submarine chaser. The IJN wanted over 20 kn (23 mph; 37 km/h), however the Navy Technical Department (Kampon) have not designed such a small-sized and high-powered diesels yet.
  • The IJN ordered hull design to the Thornycroft, and high-powered diesel design to the MAN, for study a small-sized high-speed boat.

    • Design

  • The Thornycroft drawings were not able to satisfy the IJN, because their designs center of gravity was too high, and bad drainage. The Kampon made a based on the Hayabusa class torpedo boat and finished hull designs.
  • The IJN was satisfied with MAN diesel specifications, however their designs were very complicated and very high-prices. The IJN bought two diesels and named MAN Mk.1 diesel (マ式1号ディーゼル,, Ma-Shiki 1 Gō diesel). Furthermore, the IJN ordered a copy of this diesel to the Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
  • Also, 1 vessel was equipped with a Kampon turbine, because diesel engine was unsuitable for a mass production.

    • Service

  • The IJN deployed them to a mine warfare school after having finished their examination, because they were too small.
  • They became a training ship of the mine warfare school, and they acted in Tokyo Bay.

    • No.251-class

  • Project number K5A. 2 vessels were completed. They were equipped with MAN design diesels. The No.252 was equipped the copied MAN diesels by Kawasaki and Mitsubishi.

    • No.251

  • 14 December 1936: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.51 (第51号駆潜艇,, Dai 51 Gō Kusentei) at Nihon Kōkan, Tsurumi Shipyard.
  • 9 June 1937: Launched.
  • 30 September 1937: Completed.
  • 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.51 (第51号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 51 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
  • 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.251 (第251号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 251 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • 28 August 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1658 (公称第1658号,, Kōshō-Dai 1658 Gō).
  • August 1945: The end of war at Uraga, later nothing more was heard.

    • No.252

  • 14 December 1936: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.52 (第52号駆潜艇,, Dai 52 Gō Kusentei) at Nihon Kōkan, Tsurumi Shipyard.
  • 25 August 1937: Launched.
  • 25 July 1939: Completed.
  • 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.52 (第52号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 52 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
  • 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.252 (第252号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 252 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • 15 February 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1650 (公称第1650号,, Kōshō-Dai 1650 Gō).
  • August 1945: The end of war at Uraga, later nothing more was heard.

    • No.253-class

  • Project number K5B. 1 vessels was completed. She was equipped with Kampon turbine. She was classed in the No.251-class in the IJN official documents.

    • No.253

  • 9 January 1937: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.53 (第53号駆潜艇,, Dai 53 Gō Kusentei) at Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory.
  • 15 July 1937: Launched.
  • 31 October 1937: Completed.
  • 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.53 (第53号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 53 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
  • 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.253 (第253号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 253 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
  • 15 February 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1651 (公称第1651号,, Kōshō-Dai 1651 Gō).
  • August 1945: The end of war at Uraga.
  • August 1946: Sink by unknown effect.

    • References

    No.251-class auxiliary submarine chaser Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA