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| IJN Kamikaze-class destroyer 1,422 Tons (Normal) 1,747 Tons (Deep Load) 319' 11" / 29' 10" x 9' 6" 4 x 12cm Type 3 guns 3 x Twin 21" torpedo tubes |
Ship History Built by Sasebo Naval Arsenal in Sasebo. Laid down September 17, 1923 as a Kamikaze-class destroyer. Launched April 23, 1924 as Destroyer No. 17. Completed May 24, 1925 and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). On August 1, 1928 renamed Yūnagi 夕凪 meaning "evening calm" in Japanese. Also spelled Yunagi in English sources. On January 28, 1937 departs Yokosuka with Kamoi, Okinoshima with destroyers Asanagi and Yūnagi for the Carolines and Marianas to survey the sites for potential military bases. The group visits a total of 21 ports and also surveys 11 locations from the air for sites that can be used as future airfields, and by June 1937 returns to Yokohama. During June 29, 1937 participates in maneuvers with Yokohama Kōkūtai (Yokohama Air Group) with Okinoshima, Asanagi and Yunagi until July 5 1937. During 1941 under the command of Lieutenant Commander Masao Yamashita. Assigned to Destroyer Division 29 (Desdiv 29) with Hayate, Oite, Asanagi and Yunagi, Desron 6, Fourth Fleet. On November 29, 1941 departs Truk with Desron 6 bound for Kwajalein arriving four days later. Wartime History On December 8, 1941 at the start of the Pacific War departs Kwajalein with Asanagi as part of the Japanese invasion force bound for the Gilbert Islands. PARTIAL HISTORY On August 7, 1942 departs Rabaul escorting a Japanese cruiser force including Chokai the flagship of Vice Admiral Mikawa plus light cruisers Tenryū and Tubari. Enroute, joined by heavy cruisers Aoba, Furutaka, Kako and Knugasa from Cruiser Division 6 under the command of Rear Admiral Aritomo Goto that sortied from Kavieng. By evening, the Japanese force proceeded via Staint Georges Channel when spotted by USS S-38 that reported "two destroyers an three larger ships of unknown type" but was unable to attack. The Japanese proceeded to the north of Buka Island then followed the eastern coast of Bougainville when spotted by a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Hudson that reported "three cruisers, three destroyers, and two seaplane tenders" followed by another Hudson but neither report were relayed to the Allied warships until the late afternoon of the next day. On August 8, 1942 in the morning, the force waited off Kieta for six hours during daylight hours then proceeded via Bougainville Strait then down "The Slot" of the central Solomon Islands after dark to avoid detection by Allied planes and was not detected. Arriving from the west, the Mikawa planned to attack south of Savo Island to attack the anchorage off Guadalcanal and Tulagi then withdraw north of Savo Island. On August 9, 1942 at 1:34am at the start of the Battle of Savo Island engaged with gunfire and torpedoes what was believed to be a New Zealand Achilles-class without causing any damage. In fact, Yunagi fired on damaged destroyer USS Jarvis (DD-393) that was withdrawing and inadvertently passed passed within 3,000 yards of the Japanese Navy cruisers. PARTIAL HISTORY 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. PARTIAL HISTORY On October 13, 1943 DesRon 2 destroyer-transports Amagiri, Naganami, Yunagi, Uzuki and Yuzuki transport troops to Bougainville. PARTIAL HISTOR On November 6, 1943 departs Rabaul as part of a Japanese counter-landing force landing unit: Amagiri, Fumizuki, Uzuki and Yunagi with 475 Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) soldiers from the 17th Division, 53rd Infantry Regiment and 54th Infantry Regiment embarked. On November 7, 1943 after midnight, the landing unit enters Empress Augusta Bay and lands the force aboard 21 barges without opposition in Atsinima Bay near the mouth of the Laruma River and Koromokina Lagoon on western Bougainville. PARTIAL HISTORY On August 10, 1944 departs Moji escorting convoy HI-71 via Mako bound for Manila but was detached to with damaged Eiyo Maru to Takao On August 21, 1944 departs Takao escorting another convoy bound for Manila. Sinking History On August 25, 1944 roughly 20 miles north-northeast of Cape Bojeador on Luzon in the Philippines torpedoed by USS Picuda (SS-382) and sunk at roughly Lat 18°46′N Long 120°46′E with 32 killed and 19 wounded. Officially struck from the Navy List on October 6, 1944. Rescue The survivors including Lieutenant Commander Iwabuchi were rescued by CD No. 35. References Combined Fleet - IJN Yunagi: Tabular Record of Movement Contribute
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