SHIMUSHI class, on stamp SHUMUSHI
Posted: Sun Mar 01, 2009 4:27 pm
The stamp gives an escort of the Shimushu Class, four units were built for the Imperial Japanese Navy, which is depict is not sure. The stamp gives Shumushu class which is wrong spelling of the name.
The lead vessel was the SHIMUSHI, the other were the HACHIJO, KUNASHIRI and ISHIGAKI.
She was designed as an escort or patrol vessel for the protection of the tankers and transports against enemy submarines.
She are given also as fishery protection, and minesweeping vessels.
Tonnage 860 tons standard, 1.020 tons full load, dim. 77.72 x 9.1 x 3.05m. (draught)
Powered by two geared diesels 4.200 shp., speed 19.5 knots.
Range 9.210 miles against a speed of 16 knots.
Armament 3 – 120mm, 2 – 25mmAA guns, twelve depth charge throwers and carried up to 60 depth charges. .
Crew 150.
SHIMUSHI:
29 November 1938 keel laid down by Mitsui Yard, Tamano, Japan.
13 December 1939 launched.
30 June 1940 completed.
25 November 1944 torpedoed by the USS HADDO, she did not sink.
07 May 1947 transferred to the Soviet Navy, new name unknown.
1959 The last time she is mentioned in the Soviet Navy.
HACHIJO:
03 August 1939 keel laid down on the Sasebo Navy Yard, Sasebo.
10 April 1940 launched.
31 March 1941 completed.
30 April 1948 scrapping completed at the Iino Kaiun yard, Maizuru, Japan.
KUNASHIRE:
01 March 1939 laid down on the Asano Dry-dock at Asano, Japan.
06 May 1940 launched.
03 October 1940 completed.
04 June 1946 in service by the Allied Repatriation Service while in route to Uragi she ran aground and was abandoned.
Between 1946 and 1947 scrapped.
ISHIGAKI:
15 August 1939 laid down on the Mitsui yard, Tamano.
14 September 1940 launched.
15 February 1941 completed.
31 May 1944 torpedoed by USS HERRING (SS-233) in position 48 30N 151 30E, her bow was blown off and she sank with the loss of 167 crew.
Tuvalu 1990 60c sg 582, scott 547
Sources: Encyclopedia of Warships. http://www.miramarshipindex.org.nz and some web-sites