Light Cruiser Tenryu
Open the military map軽巡洋艦天龍
Cruiser
Tenryu was the lead ship of the Tenryu-class light cruisers and Japan's first modern light cruiser. Built at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, she served as a destroyer flotilla flagship throughout the interwar period. On 18 December 1942, she was torpedoed and sunk by the American submarine USS Albacore off Madang, New Guinea.
- Armament
- 14cm単装砲4基4門、7.6cm単装高角砲1基、53.3cm3連装魚雷発射管2基
- Fate
- Sunk by submarine
History
Tenryu (天龍) was the lead ship of the Tenryu-class light cruisers, the Imperial Japanese Navy's first modern light cruisers designed specifically as destroyer flotilla flagships. She was laid down at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on 17 May 1917, launched on 11 March 1918, and commissioned on 20 November 1919.
Displacing approximately 3,230 tons, Tenryu was armed with four 14 cm guns and six 53.3 cm torpedo tubes. Her design represented a significant evolution in Japanese naval architecture, bridging the gap between protected cruisers and the modern light cruisers that would follow.
During World War II, Tenryu participated in operations across the Pacific, including the Wake Island invasion (December 1941), the Battle of Savo Island (August 1942), and various convoy escort and bombardment missions in the Solomon Islands and New Guinea campaigns.
On 18 December 1942, while operating off Madang, New Guinea, Tenryu was torpedoed in the stern by the American submarine USS Albacore (SS-218). Her engine rooms flooded and she sank about two hours later; 23 of her crew were killed, and the survivors were rescued by the destroyer Suzukaze.
Related sites (3)
- Built35.290, 139.660
Built at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal. Laid down 17 May 1917.
- Battle-9.150, 159.950
Battle of Savo Island, 9 August 1942 — Tenryu participated in the Japanese night attack that sank four Allied cruisers.
- Sunk-5.200, 145.800
Sunk on 18 December 1942 off Madang, New Guinea (approx. 5°12′S 145°56′E), after being torpedoed in the stern by USS Albacore (SS-218). 23 killed.