Yūbari

Ballistics

Armor Model

Overview

An experimental light cruiser designed by the chief shipbuilder of the Japanese Navy, Yuzuru Hiraga. This ship was intended to test design solutions meant for scout cruisers—the future Furutaka-class ships. Specifically, it was necessary to verify the possibility of reducing the hull's proportion of the displacement without compromising strength. This was achieved by incorporating the armor belt into the hull as a structural element. The design features of Yūbari became the standard for all subsequent Japanese cruisers. Yūbari was built in Sasebo. For most of its peacetime career, the cruiser was held in reserve or served as a training ship. During World War II, it served as the flagship of the invasion force for Wake Atoll, participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the invasion of New Guinea, the Solomon Islands campaign, and fought in the Battle of Savo Island. The cruiser Yūbari was sunk on April 28, 1944, off the coast of Palau by the submarine USS Bluegill.