Furutaka

Ballistics

Armor Model

Overview

When Japan learned about the characteristics of the American Omaha-class cruisers, the designs for future ships for the Japanese fleet were revised. The appearance of the new cruiser was significantly influenced by the British Hawkins-class ships. In the summer of 1921, naval architect Yuzuru Hiraga proposed a design for a scout cruiser, based on the structural solutions tested on the Yūbari. The ship's armament consisted of six 203 mm guns in single turret mounts. The Furutaka was built in Nagasaki. In 1937–39, the ship underwent a radical modernization: the single turrets were replaced with three twin turrets, and the coal-fired boilers were replaced with oil-fired ones. During World War II, the cruiser participated in military operations in the South Pacific, fought in the Battle of the Coral Sea and off Savo Island. During the Battle of Cape Esperance on October 11, 1942, the Furutaka was hit by approximately 90 shells and one torpedo, which caused a torpedo detonation. The cruiser sank on the morning of October 12.