Author Description

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1922 Excerpt: ...as one of the largest ships in the world, and at that, she was launched in only one year from her keel laying and therefore broke the record that had been made by the Satsuma some time back. This owed much to the perfect and efficient shipbuilding organization, but experience also had a great deal to do with it. In November, 42 Meiji (1909), the armored cruiser Kurama was completed at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. The ship was laid down in August, 38 Meiji (1905); displacement, 14,500 tons; horse power, 22,500; speed, 20 knots. Main guns, 4 12" quick-firing; side guns, 8 8" quick-firing; auxiliary guns, 14 4.7" quick-firing; she also has 3 18" torpedo tubes. This vessel was built as a sister ship to the Ibuki. In November, 42 Meiji (1909), the armored cruiser Ibuki was completed at the Kure Naval Arsenal. Keel laid May, 40 Meiji (1907); displacement, 14,636 tons; horse power, 24,000; speed, 21 knots; main guns, 4 12" quick-firing; side guns, 8 8" quick-firing; 14 4.7" quick-firing auxiliary guns and 4 3" short guns; 3 18" torpedo tubes. These two sister ships were a great improvement over the Tsukuba or the Ikotna, but, if compared to the Mikasa or the Shikishima, their protective quality is somewhat lower, but their speed and offensive quality are much superior. The Kurama was launched in twelve months after her keel laying, and the Ibuki in only six months. This is due to nothing but the full and free use of the shipbuilding cranes, and the experience gained from the construction of the Tsukuba and the Ikoma, a fact that may be remarked as having broken the world's record in that industry. In May, 43 Meiji (1910), the second-class protected cruiser Tone was completed at Sasebo Naval Arsenal. Her keel was laid in ...