Chikuma during commissioning, 1912
Class overview
Name	Chikuma class
Builders	Mistubishi Shipyards Sasebo Naval Arsenal Kawasaki Dockyard
Operators	Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded by	Yodo class
Succeeded by	Tenryū class
In commission	1912–1940
Completed	3
Retired	3
General characteristics
Type	Protected cruiser
Displacement	5,000 long tons (5,080 t)
Length	134.1 m (440 ft 0 in)
Beam	14.2 m (46 ft 7 in)
Draught	5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
Propulsion	Two shaft steam turbine engines; 16 Kampon boilers; 22,500 hp (16,800 kW)
Speed	26knots (30 mph; 48 km/h)
Range	10,000 nmi (19,000 km) at 10 kn (12 mph; 19 km/h)
Armament	8 ×Type 41 6-inch 45 caliber naval gun 4 ×QF 12 pounder 12 cwt naval guns 2 × 7.7 mmLewis Guns 3 × 457 mm (18.0 in)torpedo tubes
Armour	Deck: 22 mm (0.87 in) to 57 mm (2.2 in) Conning tower: 102 mm (4.0 in)[1]

The threeChikuma-class cruisers (筑摩型防護巡洋艦,Chikuma-gata bōgojun'yōkan) wereprotected cruisers operated by theImperial Japanese Navy. They participated in numerous actions duringWorld War I.

TheChikuma class was the final class of protected cruiser in the Imperial Japanese Navy, and was followed by theTenryū class oflight cruisers.

TheChikuma-class protected cruisers were ordered as part of the 1907 Naval Expansion Program, based on lessons learned during theRusso-Japanese War. Along with theKongō-classbattlecruisers, theChikuma class was the first phase of a project to build a high speed navy based on the latest naval technologies.

The basic design of theChikuma-class cruisers was modeled after theRoyal NavyTown class with some modifications and was also largely influenced by the design of the cruiserTone. The silhouette of theChikuma class was readily distinguishable due to its four smokestacks. Contrary to many popular publications, the protection of theChikuma class was similar to theTone class, and they remained protected cruisers, without an armoured belt.^[1]

TheChikuma-class cruisers were the first high-speedturbine-driven cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy, which gave them much greater speed than previous cruiser designs.Chikuma andHirado used the newly developed Curtiss turbines, which gave them a rated top speed of 26knots (48 km/h; 30 mph). During speed trials, they achieved 26.83 and 26.87 knots respectively.Yahagi was built with aParsons-typeturbine engine, and achieved 27.14 knots during speed trials.^[2]: 27 Although the class achieved its target of high speed, the new technology of the engines, especially issues with material strength and fatigue, led to maintenance issues.

In terms of armaments, theChikuma class was unique in its use of a single calibermain battery. The class was armed with eightType 41 6-inch 45 caliber naval gun, one each fore and aft, and three mounted insponsons on each side of the hull. These guns were supplemented by fourQF 12-pounder 12 cwt naval guns and twoLewis guns. In addition, each vessel was equipped with threetorpedo launchers with 457 mm (18 in) torpedoes.^[3]

After 1919, two8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun were added for anti-aircraft defense abeam of the fourth funnel, replacing two of the 12-pounders inHirado and three of the 12-pounders inYahagi andChikuma.^[2]: 237

Three ships were budgeted for and completed under the 1907 Naval Expansion Program, one each from theSasebo Naval Arsenal,Mitsubishi, Nagasaki andKawasaki Shipbuilding, Kobe. All ships of the class served inWorld War I.Yahagi andHirado served in theSecond Sino-Japanese War and the first months ofWorld War II, and were scrapped before the outbreak of thePacific War.^[2]: 237

Launched on 1 April 1911 and completed on 17 May 1912 by theSasebo Naval Arsenal,Chikuma participated in various operations in World War I in the central and southernPacific Ocean. The ship was stricken on 1 April 1931, and expended as a target in 1935.

Launched on 3 October 1911 and completed on 27 July 1912 by theMitsubishiNagasaki shipyards,Yahagi participated in various operations in World War I in thePacific Ocean and Indian Ocean. The cruiser was later used during theSiberian Intervention and the opening stages of theSecond Sino-Japanese War. The ship was stricken on 1 April 1940, its hulk serving as a barracks until 1943.

Launched on 29 June 1911 and completed on 17 June 1912 by theKawasaki Dockyard Company,Kobe Shipyards,Hirado participated in various operations inWorld War I in the central and southernPacific Ocean. The cruiser was later used during theSiberian Intervention and the opening stages of theSecond Sino-Japanese War. The ship was stricken on 1 April 1940, its hulk serving as a barracks until 1943.

• Evans, David C.;Peattie, Mark R. (1997).Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press.ISBN 0-87021-192-7.
• Jentschura, Hansgeorg; Jung, Dieter & Mickel, Peter (1977).Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869–1945. Annapolis, Maryland: United States Naval Institute.ISBN 978-0-87021-893-4.
• Lacroix, Eric &Wells II, Linton (1997).Japanese Cruisers of the Pacific War. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press.ISBN 0-87021-311-3.*Schencking, J. Charles (2005).Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, And The Emergence of The Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922. Stanford University Press.ISBN 0-8047-4977-9.
• Tucker, Spencer C (2005).Encyclopedia of World War I: A Political, Social, And Military History. ABC-Clio Inc.ISBN 1-85109-420-2.

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