Natsushio-class submarine

Summary

The Natsushio-class submarines were a pair of submarines constructed and operated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force during the Cold War. They were a development of the Hayashio-class submarines and are sometimes considered the same class. They were small and limited in capability but were thought to be a successful class. They entered service in 1963–1964 and were deleted in 1978.

JS Fuyushio
Class overview
NameNatsushio class
Builders
Operators Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force
Preceded byHayashio class
Succeeded byŌshio class
Built1961–1963
In commission1963–1978
Planned2
Completed2
Retired2
General characteristics
TypeCoastal attack submarine
Displacement690 long tons (701 t) surfaced
Length61 m (200 ft 2 in)
Beam6.5 m (21 ft 4 in)
Draft4.1 m (13 ft 5 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced
  • 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) submerged
Complement43
Armament3 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes

Design and description edit

The Natsushios were a development of the preceding Hayashio class and are sometimes considered the same class.[1][2][3] They shared many of the same characteristics with small design improvements. They were small submarines with limited capability[1] but considered handy and a successful class.[4] They were air-conditioned and had good habitability for the crews. The submarines measured 61 meters (200 ft 2 in) long overall with a beam of 6.5 m (21 ft 4 in) and a draft of 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in). The submarines had a standard displacement of 780 long tons (790 t), with a surfaced displacement of 690 long tons (700 t) and 850 long tons (860 t) submerged.[1][3]

The vessels were powered by a diesel-electric system. Two shafts were powered by two Sulzer-Mitsubishi diesel engines creating 1,350 brake horsepower (1,010 kW) and two electric motors creating 1,700 shaft horsepower (1,300 kW). This gave the submarines a maximum speed of 12 knots (22 km/h; 14 mph) surfaced and 15 knots (28 km/h; 17 mph) submerged.[1][a] The Natsushios were armed with three 533-millimeter (21 in) torpedo tubes in the bow. They had a crew of 43.[1]

Boats in class edit

Natsushio class construction data[1]
Pennant no. Name Laid down Launched Commissioned Fate
SS-523 Natsushio (なつしお) 5 December 1961 18 September 1962 29 June 1963 Deleted 20 March 1978
SS-524 Fuyushio (ふゆしお) 6 December 1961 14 December 1962 17 September 1963 Deleted 20 June 1978

See also edit

Notes edit

  1. ^ Blackman[2] and Moore[4] have the submarines' surfaced speed as 11 knots (20 km/h; 13 mph).

Citations edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Gardiner, Chumbley & Budzbon 1995, p. 235.
  2. ^ a b Blackman 1969, p. 181.
  3. ^ a b Couhat 1976, p. 243.
  4. ^ a b Moore 1976, p. 281.

References edit

  • Blackman, Raymond V. B., ed. (1969). Jane's Fighting Ships 1969–70. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Company. OCLC 30910135.
  • Couhat, Jean Labayle, ed. (1976). Combat Fleets of the World 1976/77: Their Ships, Aircraft, and Armament. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-183-8.
  • Gardiner, Robert; Chumbley, Stephen & Budzbon, Przemysław, eds. (1995). Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947–1995. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 1-55750-132-7.
  • Moore, John, ed. (1976). Jane's Fighting Ships 1976–77 (79th ed.). New York: Franklin Watts Incorporated. ISBN 0-531-03261-2.