Japanese minelayer Okinoshima
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| General characteristics | |
|---|---|
| Displacement | 4290 t standard, 4400 t normal |
| Length | 113.0m pp, 119.29 m wl, ?? oa |
| Beam | 15.74 m |
| Draught | 5.49 m |
| Propulsion | 9,000 hp |
| Speed | 20 knots |
| Range | 9000 nmi at 10 knots |
| Armament | list error: <br /> list (help) 4 - 140mm/50 2 - 76 mm guns |
| Armour | none |
| Aircraft carried | 1 seaplane |
| Aviation facilities | 1 catapult |
Okinoshima was a large minelayer of the Japanese Imperial Navy built before World War II.
Building
Okinoshima was built by Harima SB shipyard and commisioned into service on 30 September 1936. She was named after the Okinoshima Island and she was the largest purpoise built minelayer of the Imperial Japanese Navy and the first japanese minelayer to be equiped with reconnaissance seaplane.
Operational History
In December 1941 Okinoshima was the flagship of the Gilbert Islands Invasion Force. In January 1942 Okinoshima participated in the invasion of Rabaul by carrying japanese troops. In May Okinoshima was part of the task force which was planned to invade Tulagi and Port Moresby as part of japanese Operation Mo. The Tulagi assault force began their landings on Tulagi on 3 May. On 4 May 1942 the US aircraft from Yorktown attacked the Tulagi assault force and although they were unable to stop the invasion they inflicting damage to ships including Okinoshima which had to be towed to Rabaul for repairs.
Fate
Okinoshima was finaly sunk on 12 May 1942 at position 05-06S, 153-48E after being hit by submarine USS S-42 with 2 or 3 torpedos. [1]