Hayabusa-class torpedo boat

Hayabusa-class torpedo boat
Hayabusa in 1900 at Kobe
Class overview
Operators:	Imperial Japanese Navy
Built:	1900–1904
In commission:	up to 1923
Completed:	16
Lost:	1
General characteristics
Type:	Torpedo boat
Displacement:	150 long tons (152 t)
Length:	45 m (147 ft 8 in)
Beam:	4.9 m (16 ft 1 in)
Draught:	1.5 m (4 ft 11 in)
Propulsion:	2-shaft reciprocating, 2 boilers, 4,200 ihp (3,100 kW)
Speed:	29 knots (33 mph; 54 km/h)
Complement:	30
Armament:	• 1 × 57 mm (2.2 in) gun • 2 × 42 mm (1.7 in) guns • 3 × 360 mm (14 in) torpedo tubes

The Hayabusa-class torpedo boats were constructed for the Imperial Japanese Navy as part of the ten-year naval expansion program. They were completed between 1900 and 1904.

All of the vessels served in the Russo-Japanese war, the Kiji being mined off Port Arthur, though a new Kiji was built as a replacement. They were notable for their attacks on the Russian fleet on the night of 27/28 May 1905 during the Battle of Tsushima, expending a large number of torpedoes. They were able to inflict significant damage on a number of Russian ships, that were scuttled or sunk the next day.

After serving in World War I, all remaining fifteen vessels were decommissioned between 1919 and 1923, some were scrapped, others turned into auxiliaries.

Ships

France Normand Shipyard

• Hayabusa
• Kasasagi
• Manazuru
• Chidori

Kure Arsenal

• Kari
• Aotoka
• Hato
• Tsubame
• Hibari
• Kiji (Mined off Port Arthur)
• Kiji II (built as replacement)
• Sagi
• Uzura
• Kamome

Kawasaki Shipyard, Kobe

• Hashitaka
• Otori

References

• Jentsura, Hansgeorg, Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945, Naval Institute Press (1976). ISBN 0-87021-893-X