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| IJN Asashio-class destroyer 2,370 Tons 364' x 33' 10" x 12' 2" 6 x 12.7cm Type 3 DP guns 28 x 25mm AA guns 4 x Type 93 AA guns 8 x 24" torpedo tubes 36 x depth charges |
Ship History Built by Fujinagata Shipyards in Osaka. Ordered 1934 under the Maru Ni Keikaku (Circle Two Supplementary Naval Expansion Program). Laid down November 5, 1935 as an Asashio-class destroyer. Launched March 15, 1937 as Michishio 満潮 meaning full tide in Japanese. Wartime History During November 1937 during the Second Sino-Japanese War patrols off China. Afterwards, to Sasebo Naval Arsenal at Sasebo for modifications and engine replacement as preventive measure due to problems with Asashio. During late 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Masami Ogura. Assigned to Destroyer Division 8 (Desdiv 8) with Oshio, Asashio, Arashio and Michishio. On November 29, 1941 departs Mako escorting the Southern Force Main Body under the command of Admiral Kondo bound for Malaya and Philippines. On December 31, 1941 departs Mako escorting the 3rd troop convoy bound for Singora (Songkhla) then to Hong Kong. On January 11, 1942 departs Hong Kong escorting a convoy to Davao. On January 31, 1942 departs with Desdiv 8 for the invasion of Ambon. On February 8, 1942 departs with Desdiv 8 for the invasion of Makassar. On February 18, 1942 departs with the invasion force bound for Bali and Lombok. On February 19, 1942 participates in the Battle of Badoeng Strait and escorts damaged Sagami Maru damaged towards Makassar. On February 20, 1942 at 1:45am hearing destroyers Oshio, Asashio are under attack, reverses course to Lombok Strait. At 3:47am engaged two U.S. destroyers and hit by gunfire in the no. 2 turret and radio room with a torpedo tube set on fire but extinguished. Sustains three hits in the engine room and without power dead in the water with a damaged rudder sinking at the stern. At dawn, attacked by Allied planes but three crew are blown overboard. At 9:50am taken under tow by Arashio at 8 knots in calm seas. During the day bombed by B-17s that score two near misses to starboard that warp the keel with another off the no. 3 turret. In total, 53 crew are lost and 53 wounded including Lieutenant Commander Ogura. On February 22, 1942 arrives Makassar and emergency repairs are made with the wounded crew taken ashore for hospitalization. PARTIAL HISTORY On March 17, 1943 arrives at Yokosuka and docked for extensive repairs. On April 1, 1943 deactivated as a "Special Duty Ship" while under repair. On May 1, 1943 Commander Suzuki was relieved with command rotating among officers while under repair. On October 15, 1943 Commander Noboru Haraguchi appointed as captain. On November 1, 1943 assigned to Destroyer Division 24 (Desdiv 24), Desron 2, Second Fleet with UMIKAZE and SUZUKAZE. On November 14, 1943 repairs were completed. On November 22, 1943 departs Yokosuka and three days later arrives Kure. PARTIAL HISTORY Sinking History On October 25, 1944 during the Battle of Leyte Gulf part of the Southern Force under the command of Admiral Shōji Nishimura. During the Battle of the Surigao Strait at 3:25am hit by a torpedo in the port side from destroyer USS McDermut (DD-677) in the first phase of the battle that left the destroyer dead in the water, listing to port and settling by her stern and sank within 15 minutes into Surigao Strait at roughly Lat 10°25′N Long 125°23′E. Possibly, hit by a second torpedo in the bow afterwards some sources also credit her sinking USS Hutchins (DD-476) but this is unlikely. Officially, removed from the Navy list on January 10, 1945. Rescue At least four of her crew survived and were rescued by the U.S. Navy including Lieutenant Commander Tanaka. Other survivors made it ashore to nearby islands but died or were killed by Filipinos. Shipwreck On November 26, 2017 discovered by RV Petrel funded by Paul Allen and the shipwreck was surveyed by Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV) facing the eastern shoreline with the hull unbroken and upright on the seafloor. To the west of the shipwreck of Yamagumo, proving both were hit and sunk in the first phase of the battle. References Combined Fleet - IJN Michishio: Tabular Record of Movement Combined Fleet - The Destruction of DesDiv 15 "A persistent myth relating to this action holds that a fourth destroyer, Michishio, was also present [May 8, 1943] and only escaped with heavy damage. In fact, Michishio was 3,000 miles away in a Yokosuka dockyard, repairing extensive damage incurred during the Guadalcanal fighting, and remained there from March through November 1943." Contribute
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