Japanese cruiser Yoshino

Yoshino

Company type	Protected cruiser
Industry	Naval military
Founded	20 December 1892
Fate	Sank after collision on 15 May 1904
Headquarters	Japan
Products	Warship

For the Pacific War period transport, see Yoshino Maru.

Yoshino (吉野) was a protected cruiser serving with the Imperial Japanese Navy. Although often considered a sister ship to the Takasago, they actually belong to distinct classes. The vessel’s name derives from the Yoshino Mountains, situated in southern Nara prefecture. Yoshino participated significantly in the First Sino-Japanese War, but met its demise during the Russo-Japanese War after colliding with the Japanese armored cruiser Kasuga amid dense fog.

Background

The design of Yoshino was an enhanced version of the Argentine Navy’s cruiser Veinticinco de Mayo, conceived by naval architect Sir Philip Watts and constructed at the Armstrong Whitworth shipyard located in Elswick, Tyne and Wear, United Kingdom. Watts also designed the cruiser Izumi and the class of Naniwa-class cruiser vessels. Upon entering service, Yoshino was both the largest vessel within the Imperial Japanese Navy and held the distinction of being the fastest cruiser worldwide.

Design

Yoshino featured a conventional Elswick cruiser layout, characterized by a steel hull segmented into watertight compartments, a low-profile forecastle, dual funnels, and a pair of masts. The prow was specially strengthened to enable ramming maneuvers. Propulsion was provided by a triple-expansion reciprocating steam engine powered by four cylindrical boilers, turning two propellers.

The ship's main battery comprised four individual Elswick QF 6 inch /40 naval guns protected by gun shields, positioned at the bow and stern as well as in sponsons adjacent to the bridge. Its secondary firepower included eight Elswick QF 4.7 inch Gun Mk I–IV quick-firing guns mounted along the hull’s sides, supplemented by twenty-two QF 3 pounder Hotchkiss guns.

Service record

At Yokosuka in 1896

Construction of Yoshino began in February 1892; she was launched on 20 December 1892 and completed by 30 September 1893. Shortly after commissioning, Yoshino was tasked with patrolling Korean coastal waters amid escalating tensions between the Empire of Japan and the Empire of China.

First Sino-Japanese War

On 25 July 1894, Yoshino, alongside Akitsushima and Naniwa, encountered two Chinese vessels off Korea’s coast in the Yellow Sea. The Beiyang Fleet cruiser Jiyuan and gunboat Guangyi had sailed from Asan to rendezvous with another gunboat, Caojiang, and the leased transport Kowshing, which was carrying 1,100 troops and supplies destined for the Chinese garrison in Korea. Although war had not yet been declared, an exchange of fire occurred during what became known as the Battle of Pungdo. The gunboat Guangyi was driven ashore and destroyed, Caojiang was captured, and Jiyuan sustained heavy damage before retreating. Despite its reputed superior speed, Yoshino failed to overtake Jiyuan, which vanished into a fog bank. Meanwhile, the transport Kowshing was sunk by Naniwa during the engagement.

Following the official outbreak of hostilities, Yoshino remained active throughout the First Sino-Japanese War, participating notably in the Battle of the Yellow Sea on 17 September 1894. Serving as flagship for Admiral Tsuboi Kōzō, Yoshino led a flying squadron that included Takachiho, Naniwa, and Akitsushima. During this confrontation, Yoshino contributed to sinking the Beiyang Fleet cruisers Jingyuan and Zhiyuan, as well as inflicting severe damage on Laiyuan.

Subsequently, Yoshino participated in the invasion of Taiwan, where she bombarded Cihou Fort, part of Kaohsiung’s coastal defenses, on 13 October 1895. Future Admiral Yashiro Rokurō served aboard as a lieutenant during this operation.

Russo-Japanese War

1905 postcard

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, the Yoshino took part in the naval engagement known as the Battle of Port Arthur. Shortly after hostilities commenced, the Yoshino was involved in a collision amid heavy fog with the Japanese armored cruiser Kasuga. The ram on Kasuga struck the port side of Yoshino, breaching the hull and reaching the engine room. This caused Yoshino to capsize and sink in the Yellow Sea at coordinates (38°07′N 122°33′E) on 15 May 1904, resulting in 319 fatalities. Only 19 crew members survived.

Following this incident, the Imperial Japanese Navy decided to remove all rams from the bows of its warships.

References

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• Elleman, Bruce A (2001). Modern Chinese Warfare, 1795-1989. Routledge. ISBN 0-415-21473-4.
• Evans, David C.; Peattie, Mark R. (1997). Kaigun: Strategy, Tactics, and Technology in the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1887-1941. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-192-7.
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• Jentschura, Hansgeorg (1976). Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945. Annapolis, MD: Naval Institute Press. ISBN 0-87021-893-X.
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