Japanese Cruiser Tatsuta (1918) - Design

Design

The Tenryū class vessels were essentially enlarged destroyers, similar in many aspects to the Kagero-class destroyer. With improvements in oil-fired turbine engine technology and the use of Brown Curtiss geared turbine engines, the Tenryū-class had more than twice the horsepower of the previous Chikuma-class, and were capable of the high speed of 33 knots (61 km/h), which was deemed necessary in their role as flagships for destroyer squadrons. However, by the time of their completion, newer Japanese destroyers, such as the Minekaze-class destroyer had a design speed of 39 knots, and newer American cruisers, such as the Omaha-class cruiser also exceeded it in firepower.

In terms of weaponry, the Tenryū class was weaker than any other contemporary cruiser. The main battery consisted of four 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns, which were also utilized as the secondary battery on the Ise-class battleships. However, the guns were situated in single mounts on the centerline, with only a limited angle of fire, and could fire only one gun at a target immediately in front or aft of the vessel. A further weakness was the lack of room for anti-aircraft guns. Despite awareness increasing about the growing threat of aircraft to surface ships, the secondary battery of the Tenryū-class consisted of only a single dual-purpose 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval guns, plus two 6.5 mm machine guns. The class also was the first to use triple torpedo launchers, with two centerline-mounted Type 6 21-inch launchers. No reloads were carried.