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| IJN Mutsuki-class destroyer 1,336 Tons (Normal) 1,800 Tons (Deep Load) 320' x 30' 1" x 9' 9" 4 x 12cm Type 3 guns 2x3 24" torpedo tubes 18 x Depth Charges 16 x Mines  IJN April 1, 1927  IJN c1928  69th BS July 6, 1943  USN May 8, 1944 |
Ship History Built by Ishikawajima Shipyards in Tokyo. Laid down April 16, 1926 as a Mutsuki-class destroyer. Launched October 6, 1926 as Destroyer No. 30. Completed April 30, 1927 in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) with "30" in white amidships. On August 1, 1928 renamed Nagatsuki 長月 meaning "Lengthy Moon” or “Ninth Month of Lunar Calendar" (the month of September). During 1941, assigned to Third Fleet, Desron 5, Destroyer Division 22 (Desdiv 22) with Fumizuki, Minazuki and Satsuki. Each destroyer had "22" in white on the bow with the kanji in white amidship. Wartime History On November 26, 1941 departed with Desron 5 from Terashima Strait to Mako. On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War, supports the Japanese landing at Aparri on northern Luzon in the Philippines. On December 22, 1941 supports the Japanese landing in Lingayen Gulf on Luzon and sustained light damage from strafing by U.S. planes and suffers one killed and five wounded. Between January 1942 to February 1942 escorts a troop convoy from Formosa to Malaya and Camranh Bay. On February 27, 1942 supported the Western Java invasion force landing on Java. On March 10, 1942 Desron 5 is deactivated and the destroyers are reassigned to Second Southern Expeditionary Fleet, Southwest Area Fleet. On April 10, 1942 reassigned to the 1st Surface Escort Division, Southwest Area Fleet and escorts convoys and five days later Lieutenant Commander Ninokata Kanehumi takes command. On September 19, 1942 arrives Sasebo for repairs and installation of new underwater sound detection equipment. On October 28, 1942 departs Sasebo and two days later arrives Moji then returns to the South Pacific for escort duties. On December 1, 1942 assigned to the 1st Surface Escort Division. On January 21, 1943 departs Sasebo with Fumizuki and Satsuki escorting Kamikawa Maru via Truk and Rabaul to Shortland Harbor. On February 1, 1943 performs a "Tokyo Express" run to provide cover for the evacuation of Japanese troops from Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. On February 4, 1943 again provides cover for the evacuation of Japanese troops from Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal and returning tows disabled Maikaze back to Shortland Harbor. On February 7, 1943 again cover for the evacuation of Japanese troops from the Russell Islands and aids damaged destroyer Isokaze. On February 11, 1943 escorts a convoy from Shortland Harbor via Rabaul to Palau arriving six days later. On July 2, 1943 in the evening departs Buin as part of a bombardment force led by Yubari with eight destroyers including Niizuki, Mikazuki, Yunagi, Mochizuki, Nagatsuki, Hatsuyuki, Satsuki and Amagiri to conduct a shore bombardment against U.S. forces on Rendova Island. On July 3, 1943 in the early morning, the force bombards Rendova Island with little effect and while withdrawing, exchange gunfire with PT Boats without damage to either side. On July 4, 1943 departs with destroyers Niizuki, Satsuki and Yunagi on a high speed troop transport "Tokyo Express" run bound for Kolombangara. On July 5, 1943 in the early morning, enters Kula Gulf but the landing was aborted when they spotted U.S. warships from Task Force 18 (TF 18) and fire a spread of torpedoes at two destroyers off New Georgia. A torpedo from Niizuki hit and sank USS Strong (DD-467) from 11 nautical miles away in what is believed to be the longest successful torpedo shot in the history of Naval warfare. Later that night, departs as one of ten destroyers from 3rd Destroyer Squadron under the command of Rear Admiral Teruo Akiyama on another high speed "Tokyo Express" transport run bound for Vila on Kolombangara. The destroyers were divided into three groups: two transport units with 2,600 personnel and cargo embarked escorted by a support group. The first transport unit (30th Transport Division) with three destroyers: Mochizuki, Mikazuki and Hamakaze. The second transport unit (11th Transport Division) with four destroyers: Amagiri, Hatsuyuki, Nagatsuki and Satsuki. The third group was the support group with three destroyers: Niizuki with Admiral Akiyama, Suzukaze and Tanikaze. Sinking History On July 6, 1943 in the early morning, while the first transport unit was unloading at Vila on Kolombangara. Meapnwhile, the Japanese destroyers were spotted on radar by U.S. Navy (USN) Task Group 36.1 (TG 36.1) under the command of Rear Admiral Walden L. Ainsworth with three light cruisers and four destroyers that opened fire at 1:57am starting the Battle of Kula Gulf. Their gunfire targets the support group and quickly hit Niizuki and killed Admiral Akiyama. After the first contact, the Japanese laid a smokescreen and broke away. While withdrawing, Nagatsuki was hit by a single 6" shell and ran aground near Bambari Harbor (Jack Harbor) on southeast Kolombangara. Afterwards, Satsuki attempted to tow the destroyer free without success but rescues Captain Kunizo Kanaoka. During the day, the destroyer was twice bombed by U.S. planes. Around 10:00am, SBD Dauntless dive bombers, TBF Avengers arrived over Kula Gulf to search for Japanese warships. Finding none other than the destroyer aground, they circled for 30 minutes to aceertain the identity and concluded it was Japanese and began bombing. As they departed, F4F Wildcats from VF-11 intercepted incoming Zeros and claimed four shot down. In the early afternoon, targeted by three B-25 Mitchells from 42nd Bomb Group (42nd BG) piloted by Captain Lloyd E. "Stone" Whitley, Lt. Mathew W. "Gloss" Glessinger and Lt. Enders "Dick" Dickinson escorted by P-38 Lightnings. The trio of B-25s made two runs dropping 500 pound bombs and strafing that left the destroyer on fire and smoking. Afterwards, a Navy observation plane reported the destroyer exploded and a column of smoke rose to 8,000'. Aboard, eight were killed and thirteen wounded and the destroyer was abandoned. On October 1, 1943 officially removed from the Navy list. For the next several days, the shipwreck continued to be bombed by U.S. planes. On July 9, 1943 B-25D Mitchells from 42nd Bomb Group (42nd BG) and several fighters on a mission against Vella Lavella, fail to locate the target and instead target the destroyer Nagatsuki. On July 10, 1943 again B-25s strafe beached destroyer Nagatsuki. Fates of the Crew The surviving crew waded ashore onto Kolombangara then walked to Vila where they joined the Japanese garrison and were later rescued and returned to duty. On October 1, 1943 officially removed from the Navy list. Shipwreck This destroyer was abandoned parallel to shore listing to port near Bambari Harbor (Jack Harbor) and Surumuni Cove on southeast Kolombangara. On May 8, 1944 the shipwreck was photographed by USS Montpelier (CL-57). At this time, the shipwreck was hard aground with the deck line above water. The bow section forward of the bridge and no. 2 stack were missing, possibly from the explosion. Postwar, most of the destroyer was salvaged for scrap metal. By the early 2000s, only small pieces of wreckage remain in shallow water including the boilers and other pieces. Gareth Colman adds: "Rumor has it it was used for target practice which makes sense as it has been pancaked and there is not much left. There a couple of boilers and bits and pieces but not much to make it distinguishable as a destroyer." References Combined Fleet - IJN Nagatsuki: Tabular Record of Movement USN Historical Center Nagatsuki (Destroyer, 1927-1943) via Wayback Machine USN photographs via NARA NARA 80-G-232152 to 80-G-232154 by USS Montpelier (CL-57) May 8, 1944 The Crusaders A History of the 42nd Bombardment Group (M) (1946) pages 36 (July 6, 1943), 38 (July 10, 1943, (photo), 40 (Page 36) "The navy spotters reported a crippled enemy DD somewhere along the southeast (Page 38) "The 69th mission of July 10th [1943], a low altitude search for enemy shipping reported in the Kula Gulf, found and strafed a beached DD [Nagatsuki] at Surumuni Cove and also strafed the village of Buri. (Photo caption) "A destroyer [Nagatsuki], beached and afire, is shown off New Georgia [sic Kolombangara] after the devastating 6 July attack." (Page 40) "...losses during the month were at least the following... Sunk... 1 destroyer [Nagatsuki] beached and gutted by fire." New Georgia The Second Battle For the Solomons (2019) pages 179 (July 6, 1943 SBDs and TBFs strike), photo no. 17 80-G-232154. Contribute
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