Japanese cruiser Kasuga

Kasuga

Company type	Armored cruiser
Industry	Naval military vessel
Predecessor	Giuseppe Garibaldi-class armored cruiser
Founded	1901
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Warship
Number of employees	560 (crew)

Overview

Kasuga (春日, meaning Vernal Sun) served as the lead vessel of the Kasuga-class class of armored cruisers within the Imperial Japanese Navy. Constructed during the early 1900s by Gio. Ansaldo & C. in Sestri Ponente, Italy, this class was originally recognized under the designation Giuseppe Garibaldi class. Initially commissioned by the Royal Italian Navy under the name Mitra in 1901, the ship was subsequently sold to the Argentine Navy in 1902 amid the Argentine–Chilean naval arms race, where she was renamed Bernardino Rivadavia. However, as tensions with Chile diminished and financial constraints mounted, Argentina decided to sell the vessel prior to its delivery. With escalating hostilities between the Empire of Japan and the Russian Empire, the cruiser was offered to both nations before ultimately being acquired by Japan.

During the course of the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), Kasuga engaged in significant naval battles including the Battle of the Yellow Sea, sustaining minor damage at the subsequent Battle of Tsushima. The ship also played an active role in bombarding fortifications at Port Arthur. Throughout World War I, her involvement was relatively limited; she primarily escorted Allied convoys and conducted operations aimed at intercepting German commerce raiders across the Indian Ocean and regions near Australasia. Transitioning into a training role during the late 1920s, Kasuga was later disarmed and converted into a hulk in 1942 to function as a barracks ship. Near the conclusion of World War II, she capsized in 1945 but was subsequently salvaged three years later and dismantled for scrap.

Specifications

As an armored cruiser of the Giuseppe Garibaldi design lineage, Kasuga displaced approximately 7,700 tons. Her overall length measured 111.73 meters, with a beam spanning 18.71 meters and a draft of 7.31 meters. The vessel’s depth reached 12.1 meters. Propulsion was provided by two shafts powered by twin triple-expansion steam engines fed by eight Scotch marine boilers, delivering an output of 13,500 indicated horsepower and enabling a maximum speed of 20 knots. Fuel capacity allowed for a range of around 5,500 nautical miles when cruising at 10 knots. The crew complement numbered approximately 560 personnel.

Armament consisted of a forward-mounted single 10-inch gun, complemented aft by a twin turret housing two 8-inch guns. The secondary battery included fourteen single-mounted quick-firing 6-inch guns, ten single quick-firing 12-pounder guns, and six single quick-firing 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns. Additionally, four torpedo tubes measuring 18 inches were installed. Armor protection featured a waterline belt ranging from 70 to 150 millimeters in thickness, deck armor between 20 and 40 millimeters, barbettes armored from 100 to 150 millimeters, and a conning tower shielded by 150 millimeters of armor.

Service History

Commissioned into Japanese service on 7 January 1904 after being acquired on 30 December 1903, Kasuga actively participated in key naval engagements during the Russo-Japanese conflict. Following her wartime service, she maintained a presence during World War I primarily through convoy escort duties and anti-commerce raider patrols within strategic maritime regions.

In subsequent decades, Kasuga transitioned to non-combat roles including training assignments before being disarmed and repurposed as a stationary barracks vessel during World War II. Her operational life concluded when she capsized shortly before Japan's surrender in July 1945. Raised from her overturned position three years later, she was ultimately scrapped in accordance with postwar demilitarization efforts.

Background

Kasuga was the penultimate vessel among the ten armored cruisers of the Giuseppe Garibaldi class constructed. The lead ship of this series was completed in 1895, and over time, the class experienced significant international sales and successive enhancements. The final two ships were commissioned by the Royal Italian Navy on 23 December 1901 but were sold the following year to Argentina. This transaction occurred as a reaction to Chile’s order of two secondary battleships from a British shipyard. Although tensions between Argentina and Chile diminished before these cruisers were finished, financial difficulties combined with diplomatic pressure from Britain compelled Argentina to sell Bernardino Rivadavia along with her sister ship, Mariano Moreno. Attempts by Argentina to sell these ships to Russia faltered due to disagreements over pricing. Subsequently, Japan acquired the cruisers at a considerable cost of ¥14,937,390 (£1,530,000) for both vessels amid rising hostilities with Russia. Japan postponed its surprise attack on Port Arthur, initiating the Russo-Japanese War, until the cruisers had departed Singapore to avoid potential delays or internment by other nations.

Design and description

Right elevation and deck plan of the Kasuga-class cruisers from Brassey's Naval Annual 1906

The Kasuga measured an overall length of 111.73 meters (366 ft 7 in), with a beam spanning 18.71 meters (61 ft 5 in) and a molded depth of 12.1 meters (39 ft 8 in). Her draft extended to 7.31 meters (24 ft 0 in) when fully loaded. At standard displacement, she weighed 7,700 metric tons (7,600 long tons). Propulsion was provided by two vertical triple-expansion steam engines, each connected to its own shaft and powered by steam generated from eight coal-burning Scotch marine boilers. Designed to produce 13,500 indicated horsepower for a top speed of 20 knots, Kasuga slightly surpassed expectations during sea trials on 20 September 1903, achieving 20.05 knots with an output of 14,944 ihp. Her operational range extended up to 5,500 nautical miles (10,200 km; 6,300 mi) cruising at 10 knots. The crew complement numbered 560 officers and enlisted personnel.

Her primary armament comprised one single turret forward housing a 40-caliber Armstrong Whitworth 10-inch Type 41 gun and a twin-gun turret aft mounting two 45-caliber 8-inch Type 41 guns. The secondary battery included ten quick-firing 6-inch Type 41 guns arranged in casemates amidships on the main deck, with an additional four positioned on the upper deck. For defense against torpedo boats, she carried ten quick-firing 3-inch Type 41 guns along with six QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss guns. Offensive torpedo capability was provided by four submerged 18-inch torpedo tubes, split evenly on each side.

In 1924, modifications saw the removal of two 3-inch guns and all QF 3-pounder Hotchkiss weapons; concurrently, a single 3-inch 3rd Year Type anti-aircraft gun was installed. By August 1933, all ten casemated six-inch guns were taken off alongside four more three-inch guns.

The ship’s waterline armor belt reached its thickest point at 150 millimeters (5.9 in) amidships and tapered down to 70 millimeters (2.8 in) near the bow and stern. This belt spanned between the main gun barbettes up to the upper deck level. Transverse bulkheads measuring 120 millimeters (4.7 in) sealed off the ends of this central armored citadel. The forward barbette, conning tower, and gun turrets were shielded by armor plates of 150 millimetres (5.9 in), whereas the aft barbette featured 100 millimetres (3.9 in) thickness. Deck armor varied between 20 to 40 millimetres (0.79 to 1.57 in), and gun shields protected the six-inch guns mounted on the upper deck.

Construction and career

The vessel's keel was laid on 10 March 1902 under the provisional name San Mitra. She was launched on 22 October 1902 and subsequently renamed Bernardino Rivadavia by Argentine authorities. The ship was acquired by Japan on 30 December 1903 and officially renamed Kasuga—a tribute to the Kasuga Shrine located in Nara prefecture—on 1 January 1904. Alongside her sister ship, now called Nisshin, she was formally handed over and commissioned into the Imperial Japanese Navy on 7 January. Both vessels departed Genoa on 9 January, commanded by British captains and staffed with British sailors and Italian stokers. Five days later, upon reaching Port Said, Egypt, they encountered the Russian protected cruiser Aurora. They proceeded to Suez, arriving on 16 January in the company of the British armored cruiser King Alfred. The ships reached Singapore by 2 February, where their progress was briefly hindered due to a strike involving local laborers.

Russo-Japanese War

Postcard image, circa 1904

On 16 February, Kasuga and Nisshin arrived at the Yokosuka just as Japan commenced hostilities with its surprise assault on Port Arthur. The ships began training exercises with Japanese crews shortly thereafter. On 11 April, they were assigned to support the battleships of the 1st Division within the 1st Fleet, commanded by Admiral Tōgō Heihachirō. To prevent Russian vessels from exiting Port Arthur, Tōgō ordered a minefield to be laid at the harbor entrance on 12 April; Kasuga and Nisshin were deployed as a visible show of force during this operation. The tactic successfully enticed elements of the Russian Pacific Squadron, including Vice Admiral Stepan Makarov’s flagship, the battleship Petropavlovsk. Upon sighting the Japanese battle group comprising five battleships alongside Kasuga and Nisshin, Makarov retreated toward Port Arthur but inadvertently entered the newly laid minefield. The flagship struck a mine, sank within two minutes following a catastrophic magazine explosion, resulting in the loss of Makarov and 677 crew members. Additionally, the battleship Pobeda sustained mine damage. Encouraged by this success, Tōgō resumed long-range bombardments utilizing the extended reach of Kasuga and Nisshin’s artillery to shell Port Arthur from Pigeon Bay on the southwest side of the Liaodong Peninsula, firing from approximately 9.5 kilometers (5.9 mi) away on 15 April. By early May, these cruisers engaged targets at distances up to 18 kilometers (11 mi), though with limited effectiveness.

On 15 May, two Japanese battleships—Yashima and Hatsuse—were sunk due to Russian mines. That same day, in foggy conditions off Port Arthur, Kasuga collided with the protected cruiser Yoshino, which capsized and sank, resulting in the deaths of 318 officers and crew. Following these losses amounting to one-third of Japan's battleships, Admiral Tōgō integrated Kasuga and Nisshin into his battle line alongside his remaining four battleships. This strategic adjustment was tested on 23 June when the Russian Pacific Squadron attempted a sortie towards Vladivostok. However, Rear Admiral Wilgelm Vitgeft, newly appointed commander of the squadron, ordered a retreat upon encountering the Japanese battle line—including Kasuga and Nisshin—shortly before dusk, avoiding engagement under unfavorable conditions. On 27 July, both cruisers forced a Russian naval force comprising one battleship along with several cruisers and gunboats to withdraw to port after delivering long-range fire support for Russian ground forces.

During the Battle of the Yellow Sea on 10 August, Kasuga and her sister played minor roles positioned towards the rear of Japan's battle formation. Notably, her executive officer at that time was Kantarō Suzuki, who would later become Prime Minister of Japan. Although struck three times during combat, causing injuries to eleven crew members, Kasuga suffered no serious damage. Throughout this engagement, she discharged thirty-three ten-inch shells along with an indeterminate number of eight-inch rounds. Afterward, both cruisers returned to Pigeon Bay to continue targeting Russian fortifications.

At Kure, 1904–05

At the Battle of Tsushima on 26 May 1905, Kasuga held fifth position in Japan's battle line. Around 14:10 hours, she commenced firing upon the battleship Oslyabya, which led the second column of Russian vessels. Due to dense smoke and limited visibility during combat, comprehensive details regarding her subsequent actions remain unclear. The following morning near the Liancourt Rocks, Japanese forces located surviving Russian ships; Admiral Tōgō approached them around 10:00 hours. With significant numerical superiority, he opted for engagement at long range to reduce potential casualties. During this phase, Kasuga opened fire on the outdated battleship Imperator Nikolai I from approximately 9,100 meters (10,000 yd) away. Her third salvo struck the target’s funnel; shortly thereafter, Russian forces surrendered.

Throughout this battle, Kasuga fired fifty ten-inch shells alongside one hundred three eight-inch shells. Despite poor visibility and multiple enemy losses during combat, confirmed hits included two ten-inch shell impacts against the battleship Oryol, one striking armor near its aft 12 inches (300 mm) turret without breaching it. Conversely, she sustained three hits—one each from twelve-inch and six-inch shells plus another unidentified projectile—none causing significant impairment.

Soon after Tsushima’s conclusion, Kasuga joined the 3rd Fleet for operations involving Sakhalin’s invasion and occupation during July–August. On 2 September 1911, she escorted the former Russian torpedo depot ship Anegawa back to Vladivostok for return to Russia. At the beginning of 1914, Kasuga underwent an overhaul that included replacing her boilers with twelve Kampon Type 1 water-tube boilers developed by the Imperial Japanese Navy Technical Department.

World War I

From 13 December 1915 until 13 May 1916, and again from 12 September 1916 to 13 April 1917, Kasuga held the position of flagship for Destroyer Squadron (Suiraisentai) 3. Following the German commerce raider SMS Wolf's entry into the Indian Ocean in March 1917, the British Admiralty requested that Japan strengthen its naval presence in the region and Australian waters. Consequently, in April and May, Kasuga was deployed southward to escort Allied vessels between Colombo, Ceylon, and Fremantle, Australia. The cruiser remained stationed at Singapore through November of that year. On 13 January 1918, Kasuga became grounded on a sandbank within the Bangka Strait of the Dutch East Indies. She remained stranded until June when she was successfully refloated and sent for necessary repairs.

Interwar years and World War II

On 3 July 1920, Kasuga arrived at Portland, Maine, to participate in the centennial festivities of the State of Maine. Subsequently, she made port calls in New York City and Annapolis, Maryland. In August of the same year, after transiting the Panama Canal, she visited Cristobal in Panama from 22 to 25 August, where an official reception was held for her crew before continuing onward to San Francisco.

In 1922, as part of Japan's Siberian Intervention, Kasuga transported troops and supplies to Siberia. At this time, her commanding officer was Mitsumasa Yonai, who would later become Prime Minister of Japan. On 15 June 1926, Kasuga played a critical role in rescuing the crew of the freighter SS City of Naples, which had struck a rock off Japan’s coast and subsequently broke apart. Two members of her crew received silver medals for bravery from King George V in recognition of their actions during this rescue.

Between 1927 and 1942, Kasuga served as a training ship for navigators and engineers. On 27 July 1928, she rescued personnel from the semi-rigid airship N3 after it exploded amid severe weather during fleet exercises. In early 1934, specifically January and February, Kasuga transported forty scientists to Truk to observe a total solar eclipse on 14 February. The vessel was disarmed and converted into a stationary barracks ship in July 1942, remaining in that role throughout the Pacific War. During an air raid by United States Navy aircraft from Task Force 38 on 18 July 1945 at Yokosuka, Kasuga capsized at her mooring. Her wreckage was recovered in August 1948 by the Uraga Dock Company and subsequently dismantled for scrap.

References

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