The recent release of the MOMI and WAKATAKE class destroyers by Hasegawa
opens up many conversion possibilities and adds a previously unavailable ship
type to our IJN miniature fleet. The MOMI class, (also known as the KURI type,
for such is the listing in some Japanese sources), was ordered under the IJN
8-8 Fleet Project towards the end of the First World War. These ships were
designed as "second class" destroyers, slightly smaller and more lightly armed
versions of the "first class" destroyers of the MINEKAZE type. Many design
features were borrowed from the MINEKAZE class, including the well deck mounting
of the forward torpedo mounts, and the high centerline mounting of the three
4.7" guns. They in fact looked like a scaled down MINEKAZE. The WAKATAKE class
units were a repeat of the MOMI class with only minor improvements. Externally,
they are almost identical. MOMI class vessels numbered 21 in all. There were
13 WAKATAKE class destroyers ordered but only 8 were completed.
Destroyer designs were developing rapidly, the emphasis being on ever larger
and more powerful units. The MOMI and WAKATAKE types were fast and powerful
ships, comparing well to their foreign contemporaries, but within a few years
of their completion they were regarded as being of an obsolete design. No
further vessels were built under the "second class destroyer" design concept.
The later need for smaller and cheaper designs for escort work was not recognized.
Their role as fleet destroyers was seen to be compromised by the increasingly
more powerful destroyers appearing in foreign navies. Beginning in 1939 most
units were progressively withdrawn from service and converted to other roles.
The MOMI class vessels were the first to be affected. In 1932 the MOMI was
taken off the active list and had her powerplants removed. The hulk was then
used for experimental purposes at Yokosuka. In late 1938 KAYA and NASHI were
decommissioned and later, (1940), were scrapped. In 1939, nine vessels, AOI,
FUJI, HAGI, HISHU, KIKU, SUSUKI, TADE, TSUTA, and YOMOGI were converted to
Patrol Boats. This involved removing one of the boilers and various armament
changes. One or both torpedo mounts were removed and one, (or two), of the
4.7 main guns. These guns later ended up as the armament of the first TYPE
A escorts, the SHUMUSHU type. The mine sweeping gear was also removed and
they were then fitted with extra 25mm anti-aircraft guns and additional depth
charge racks and throwers. As patrol boats they were assigned numbers, Nos.
32 through 38, (in order matched to the ships as listed above).
In 1941, Nos. 34~39 were reconstructed to carry and launch one Daihatsu landing
craft. The stern was cut down to the waterline and anti-aircraft, (25mm),
increased. In a few boats the second funnel was removed. Nos. 31, 32, and
33 did not receive this modification. No.32 and 33 boats were stranded on
Wake Island, being run ashore to land marine assault troops in the second
invasion of the island. No attempt was made to salvage the two boats and the
wrecks were still there when American forces retook the island.
Five units, ASNI, KAKI, NIRE, SUMIRE, and TAKE, were partially disarmed in
1940 and were designated as tenders, (or "special ships"). The refit was similar
to that of the Patrol Boats, one boiler being removed, two 4.7 guns removed,
(leaving only "A" mount), and all of the torpedo mounts removed. One vessel,
KAKI, had all.of the 4.7 mounts removed.
The three remaining vessels, HASU, KURI, and TSUGA were retained in the destroyer
role. In 1942 the midships 4.7 mount was removed from these three ships and
replaced with two triple 25mm mounts. KURI and HASU survived the war, (in
heavily damaged state), which may explain the "KURI" type designation in some
Japanese records.
The WAKATAKE class ships paralleled the KAMIKAZE first class destroyers and
had a similar history. All were originally assigned numbers, with names to
be assigned upon completion. Like the KAMIKAZE vessels, they were not named
upon completion but merely retained their assigned numbers. This situation
continued until 1928 when it was decided to assign names, different from those
originally planned. The 8 vessels were then named, WAKATAKE, KURETAKE, SANAE,
SARAWABI, ASAGAO, YUGAO, HUYO, and KARYKAYA. Like the MOMIs the needs for
destroyers were changing and the WAKATAKE class received refits to allow them
to remain useful fleet units.
In 1942 YUGAO was refitted and reclassified as Patrol Boat No. 46. This refit
was similar to the first stage MOMI conversions. One boiler, all torpedo tubes
and the aft 4.7 gun were removed. Depth charges, throwers and 25mm guns were
added. Ballast was added to compensate for the removal of weight. No further
modifications were made. In 1941-42 the remainder of the class underwent refit
during which the center 4.7 gun, between the funnels, was removed. The remaining
two 4.7/45cal, low angle guns were replaced with improved dual purpose, (4.7/50cal),
mounts. Two triple 25mm mounts replaced the deleted center 4.7 mount. Mine
sweeping gear was removed and the number of depth charges was increased by
36 with 4 throwers. The ASAGAO also had one of her torpedo mounts removed
during this same refit.
At the end of the war several MOMI class vessels survived in various states
of damage. HASU was used for repatriation service until the spring of 1946.
She was then moored at Sasebo until taken for scrap in 1948. KURI was mined
and sunk in shallow water at Fusan, the forward part of the wreck remaining
above water. Patrol Boat 34, (SUSUKI), was moored in home waters. Patrol Boat
34 was severely damaged in 1943, repaired at Truk in 1944, and in spite of
repairs, was not used again. Patrol boat 36 was moored at Soerabaya, turned
over to the Dutch Nasy at Batavia in 1946, and was later scrapped.
All units of the WAKATAKE type were lost during the war except ASAGAO. She
was mined and bottomed, (unmovable), in shallow water at Yoshimi. She was
scrapped in 1947.
