History
Construction of the advanced Fubuki-class destroyers was authorized as part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion program from fiscal 1923, intended to give Japan a qualitative edge with the world's most modern ships. The Fubuki-class drastically improved upon previous destroyer designs; so much so that they were designated Special Type destroyers (特型, Tokugata?). The large size, powerful engines, high speed, large radius of action and unprecedented armament gave these destroyers the firepower similar to many light cruisers in other navies. Ayanami, built at the Fujinagata Shipyards in Osaka was the first in an improved series, which incorporated a modified gun turret which could elevate her main battery of Type 3 127 mm 50 caliber naval guns to 75° as opposed to the original 40°, thus permitting the guns to be used as dual purpose guns against aircraft. Ayanami was the first destroyer in the world with this ability. Ayanami laid down on January 20, 1928, launched on October 5, 1929 and commissioned on April 30, 1930. Originally assigned hull designation “Destroyer No. 45”, she inherited the name of her predecessor on August 1 before her launch.
The 4th Fleet Incident occurred only a year after her commissioning, and Ayanami was quickly taken back to the shipyards for strengthening of her hull.
Read more about this topic: Japanese Destroyer Ayanami (1929)
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