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“Mogami” – Class Heavy Cruiser.
The look of “Mogami” (a river in the Yamagata prefecture at the northwest of Honshu Isle) was mostly defined by the regulations of the London Treaty of April 22, 1930. Japanese wanted a ship which wouldn’t fit into class A (heavy cruisers), but would reach heavy cruisers in all characteristics. Moreover, Japanese are renowned masters of “putting a gallon and a quarter in a one-gallon jar”, as the American saying goes. The new cruiser’s main weaponry consisted of 15 155mm guns in 5 turrets. Projected displacement was equal to 9500 tons (instead of 8500 provided for in the London Treaty). But during the construction it was raised to 11.200 tons. The customer specifically noted the possibility of quickly changing the three-gun turrets to two-gun ones. By doing this, Japanese prepared the opportunity of quickly gaining 4 more heavy cruisers in advance!
The cruisers underwent numerous modifications, starting from the construction process. In 1934 “stability enhancement” followed. This modification was caused by the “Tomojuru” catastrophe, which was overthrown by a raging sea. In 1936 came the “second enhancement works”, after the “4th Navy incident”. During a typhoon, 4th Navy ships were damaged, such showing insufficient durability of hulls, especially welds. And finally, in the years 1939-1940 the planned main caliber increase was due, the so-called “third enhancement works”.
It is necessary to note, that changing the guns from 155mm to 203mm ones did not lead to a notable increase in the cruiser’s firepower. Of course, the 203mm shell is much more armor piercing, although 155mm was enough to breach 100mm of armor at a distance of 15 km. However, 15 155mm guns could fire 75 155mm shells per minute (4200 kg per minute), against 30 203mm shells (3780 kg per minute), which is two and a half times less!
The heavy cruisers built by Japanese by the start of the war at the Pacific Ocean, were among the best, if not the very best, ships in their class. They were the symbol of the Emperor’s Navy. These ships were actively used throughout the war, and proved themselves well. It is not their fault that Japanese spared them for decisive fights and deprived them of opportunities to show their strength.
Not a single “Mogami” – class cruiser survived the war. They were all destroyed by the US marine air forces, having shown remarkable durability, which, still, was not enough.
“Mogami” Cruiser in the "Pacific Storm"
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