Kikuzuki file photo [1523]

Kikuzuki

CountryJapan
Ship ClassMutsuki-class Destroyer
BuilderMaizuru Naval Arsenal
Launched1 Nov 1926
Sunk4 May 1942
Displacement1,772 tons standard

Contributor:

ww2dbaseNumber 31, a 1772-ton Mutsuki class destroyer, was built at Maizuru Dockyard, Japan. Completed in November 1926, she received the name Kikuzuki in 1928. On 4 May 1942, while supporting the Japanese occupation of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, she was attacked by aircraft from USS Yorktown (CV-5) and was sunk near shore in Halavo Bay, a few miles east of Tulagi. Shortly afterwards, she slipped into deeper water and was completely submerged.

ww2dbaseIn mid-1943, the U.S. Navy undertook the salvage of Kikuzuki, in an effort to gain intelligence about Japanese weapons and other capabilities. Later in 1943, after salvage work was largely completed, she was moved into nearby Purvis Bay and allowed to settle in shallow water. Her wreck remains visible to this day, though it is now much deteriorated.

ww2dbaseSource: Naval Historical Center

Last Major Revision: Jan 2005

Destroyer Kikuzuki Interactive Map

Photographs

Kikuzuki, Oct 1932Kikuzuki under salvage in Ghovana Bay, Florida Islands, 10 Aug 1943; photographed from the stern of USS MenomineeKikuzuki under salvage, Ghovana Bay, Florida Islands, 10 Aug 1943, photo 1 of 2; note barge with crane on the right side of the photograph and USS Menominee aft of KikuzukiKikuzuki under salvage, Ghovana Bay, Florida Islands, 10 Aug 1943, photo 2 of 2; note barge with crane on the right side of the photograph and USS Menominee aft of Kikuzuki
See all 12 photographs of Destroyer Kikuzuki



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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. george henderson says:
15 Jun 2005 04:47:15 AM

this story seems to indicate that, after pearl harbor was cleaned up, the USN had fleet repair facilities to spare!
2. Yuchen Liang says:
5 Mar 2024 04:02:08 PM

The last photo I saw of her wreck indicates that everything above the waterline had eroded away and not much of the hull itself remains above water.
3. Yuchen Liang says:
22 Apr 2024 04:28:52 PM

Her No. 4 main gun is now on display in Maizuru, Japan after restoration.

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More on Kikuzuki
Event(s) Participated:
» Guangdong Operation

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Destroyer Kikuzuki Photo Gallery
Kikuzuki, Oct 1932
See all 12 photographs of Destroyer Kikuzuki


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