Can't really help with translation, but cleaned up the English a little bit.
The timeline for Guadalcanal seems wrong - according to Wikipedia, Tenryuu was in Japan for repairs for most of June 1942. The Battle of Savo Island and Naval Battle of Guadalcanal (both part of the Guadalcanal Campaign) were in July and November.
Should these illustrations be pooled? It's a bit difficult to search for them.
Tenryuu was the lead-ship of the only two Tenryuu-class light cruisers. The plan for small cruisers were developed from the year 1915, eight ships were planned to be constructed with approximately 4.55 million yen budgeted for the construction. Her concept was inspired by the British Arethusa-class and C-class cruisers. Being slightly bigger than a destroyer, they were designated to become flotillas of a Torpedo Squadron (DesRon). She was laid down at Yokosuka Naval Arsenal on May 17, 1917, she was launched on March 11, 1918 and was commissioned on November 20, 1919. Her initial displacement is 3,948 tons, she is equipped with ten Kampon Boilers and three Brown-Curtis geared steam turbines with 3 shafts capable of producing 51,000 horsepower, she carries 910 tons of fuel and 150 tons of coal, and her speed could range up to 33 knots. Her initial armaments were four single pedestal mounts 14cm (5.5 inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type naval guns, one single 7.6cm (3 inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type high-angle cannons, and two 13mm Type-93 machine-guns, they are the first vessels in the IJN to be armed with triple 533mm (21 inch) torpedo tubes, two were installed. From the eight ships that were planned, only two were constructed, the other six were abandoned and the budget was used for the series of medium-sized cruisers. She and Tatsuta were the first light cruisers to be commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Upon commissioning, she attached to the Kure Naval District, on December 1, 1919, she was assigned as the flagship of DesRon 2, 2nd Fleet. She involved to Siberian Intervention, on August 20, 1920, she departed Yokosuka and patrolled off the Siberian coast and provide support for the troops during the intervention together with Tastuta, they also escorted eight battleships, she returned to Otaru on September 7, 1920. She was put on reserve at Kure on April 20, 1921, while at reserve they installed an RDF set in front of her No. 3 turret. On December 1, 1921, she was reassigned to DesRon 1, 1st Fleet. On June 26, 1922, she departed Inchon, Korea, to patrol off Port Arthur, she arrived at Chinhae on July 4, 1922, then on August 29, 1922, she departed Kure to patrol off the Siberian Coast, she returned to Otaru on September 10, 1922. On December 1, 1929, she served as a training ship for the Imperial Japanese Navy Academy and Submarine School.
On October 9, 1931, she was reassigned to the 3rd Fleet, she patrolled the Yangtze River in China, she was also involved on the January 28 incident of 1932 which began the hostilities between China and the Empire of Japan. She returned to Japan on October of 1933. During the of 1935 to 1936, there was a plan to covert the Tenryuu-class light cruisers into dedicated anti-aircraft and anti-submarine platform, the funding was approved by the 1937 fiscal year but was cancelled due to an overload in the capacity of Japanese shipyards. On 1936, she was assigned to the CruDiv 10, 3rd Fleet, with Tatsuta. During the Outbreak of the Second Sino-Japanese War, she supported troop landings within Shanghai and conducted naval blockade on Chinese coast. On September 8, 1937, she was docked in Sasebo Navy Yard, she was refitted with a number of Type-92 7.7mm machine-guns. On May 10, 1938, she reassigned to the 5th Fleet, she bombarded Ho-tsu, Ni-chin, and Wu-tung and covered an amphibious assault landing force. On July 1, 1938, she supported troops in Guangzhou. Together with Tastuta, they operated within Chinese waters till December 14, 1938. From December 1, 1939, she was based in Maizuru Naval Arsenal, she served as a guard ship and a training vessel for the IJN Engineering Academy.
On November 15, 1940, she undergone through extensive modification, her coal boilers were replaced with oil-powered boilers, steel roof replaced the former canvas covering of the bridge, also her Type-92 machine-guns were replaced with 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons.
On August 28, 1941, she was reassigned to CruDiv 18, 4th Fleet, together with Tastuta, On September 12, 1941, she headed for Truk together with Tatsuta. They were assigned to support the invasion of Wake Island together with Yuubari from DesRon 6 with 6 destroyers, they departed from Kwajalein. During the invasion of Wake Island on December 11, 1941, Tenryuu attempted to shell a barracks, she was attacked by land-based F4F Fighters, the aircraft strafed her bow area and No. 1 mount, she suffered minor damage with 5 crew wounded. They decided to withdrawn from the battle afterwards. Then on December 21, 1941 was their second attempt to capture Wake Islands, the 2nd CarDiv and CruDiv 6 joined the invasion force, Wake Island was captured on December 23, 1941, two days later, Tenryuu proceed to Roi together with Tatsuta, then another two days later, she departs from Roi for Truk. On January 3, 1942, they installed two depth charge-throwers and two depth charge rails on her stern sides.
She participated the invasion of Kavieng on January 20, 1942 along with Tatsuta, they departed from Truk and escorted 3 transport ships together with Kikuzuki, Uzuki and Yuuzuki from DesDiv 23. The transport ships managed to land the invasion force and captured Kavieng's Airfield, CruDiv 18 remained at Kavieng to guard the place. On February 3, 1942, she departed from Kavieng to support another invasion for to Gasmata Island, on February 9, 1942, Gasmata was occupied and on February 13, 1942, Tenryuu departed Gasmata for Truk. On February 19, 1942, she arrived in Truk, her two 13mm Type-96 machine-guns were replaced with two twin 25mm Type-96 auto-cannons, two Yamanouchi type 5cm saluting guns are also added. Refit was completed on February 27, 1942, she departed from Truk on March 2, 1942.
On March 8, 1942, she provided cover for the invasion force landings on Lae and Salamaua, she departed and arrived at Buka, Bouganville, afterwards, she soon leaves for Rabaul, and returned to Buka afterwards. Then she proceed to Mowe Passage and returned to Rabaul afterwards. On March 28, 1942, she departed from Rabaul to cover the invasion force landings on Shortland Islands on March 30, 1942 and invasion force on Kieta, Bouganville, on March 31, 1942. She returned to Rabaul for refuel, they immediately departed for Mowe Passage afterwards. On April 5, 1942, they were ordered to provide cover for the invasion of Tulagi and Port Moresby, the operation was abandoned afterwards. On April 7, 1942, she covered the invasion force landings Manus, Admirality Islands. On the next day, she departed Manus for Truk, she arrived at Truk on April 10, 1942, she refitted afterwards.
On April 28, 1942, CruDiv 18 departed from Rabaul, on May 3, 1942, CruDiv 18 covered the invasion force landings on Santa Isabel Island, CruDiv 18 with seaplane tender Kamikawa Maru departed for Deboyne Island afterwards. On May 5, 1942, CruDiv 18 arrives off DeBoyne, Kamikawa Maru detached from the group, they returned to Rabaul afterwards. On May 13, 1942, she departed Rabaul. She arrived at Maizuru on May 23, 1942, she was docked afterwards.
On June 3, 1942, while being dry-docked, they installed additional two twin 25mm anti-aircraft guns abaft the after stack, external degaussing coil, the height of her foremast was reduced, she's fitted with a new searchlight, her searchlight was relocated between her forward funnels, additional armor were also installed on her torpedo mounts. She was undocked on June 13, 1942 and departed from Maizuru on June 15, 1942, she arrived at Truk on June 23, 1942.
During the major reorganization of the Combined Fleet on July 14, 1942, the CruDiv 18 was directly assigned to the 8th Fleet. On July 20, 1942, CruDiv 18 departed from Rabaul to escort transport ships for the invasion of Buna. They arrived at Buna on July 20, 1942, the transport ships landed their troops. On the next day, they were attacked by B-17s and B-26s bombers from USAAF, one transport ship sunk and Uzuki was damaged. They returned to Rabaul on July 24, 1942.
She played an important role during the Battle of Savo Island on August 9, 1942, with Tatsuta, Choukai and Yuubari and destroyer Yuunagi. The CruDiv 6 followed from Kavieng afterwards. They engaged USN Task Force 62.2, the cruisers of the 8th Fleet fired their Type-93 long lance torpedoes, Tenryuu sank USS Quincy CA-30, she also assisted sinking the other 3 heavy cruisers, she also caused damaged to USS Chicago CA-29 and destroyers USS Ralph Talbot DD-390 and USS Patterson DD-392, Chicago fires back at Tenryuu and damaged her, with 23 of her crew killed during the engagement. The 8th fleet cruiser retreated to Rabaul while CruDiv 6 retreated to Kavieng, she was docked at Rabaul for repairs afterwards.
On August 17, 1942, Tenryuu departed from Rabaul to Basuba with 3 submarine-chasers and 1 minesweeper, she escorted a convoy consisted of 3 transport ships carrying the e 25th Air Flotilla's base supplies, they arrived at Basuba on the next day. On August 24, 1942, CruDiv 18 departed from Rabaul with destroyers Hamakaze, Urakaze and Tanikaze from DesDiv 17, they escorted to transport ships. On midnight, the transport ships landed 1,200 troops at Milne Bay, they were attacked by B-17 bombers during the morning, Urakaze and a transport ship were damaged during the attack. On August 28, 1942, Tenryuu arrived at Rabaul, she immediately departed on that day with Arashi, Murakumo and Yayoi, the destroyers landed 775 troops at Milne Bay on August 29, 1942, they proceed to Rabaul afterwards. On September 4, 1942, CruDiv 18 was order to evacuate troops on New Guinea after their defeat on the Battle of Milne Bay, On the next day, she arrived at Milne Bay and began to embark troops. From September 5 and 6, 1942, CruDiv 18 evacuated a total of 1,318 men. On September 11, 1942, Tenryuu departed from Rabaul to rescue survivors from Yayoi, the destroyer was bombed and sank by Allied bombers, but she did not locate any survivor, she proceed to Rabaul afterwards and arrived on the next day.
On September 18, 1942, Tenryuu departed Rabaul for Truk, then she embarks 56 Type-93 Model-1 naval mines for the plan mining on Tulagi, she departed from Truk to Rabaul on September 22, 1942, she arrives at Rabaul two days later. Since the mine for Tatsuta still hasn't arrived, Tenryuu temporarily disembarked the mines, the mines were stored in the warehouse near the harbor. On October 2, 1942, Tenryuu was attacked by B-17 bombers from the USAAF 19th Bomb Group, 5th Air Force. 1 bomb directly hit her stern area, while several near misses damaged her starboard bow, the direct hit opens a 16-feet long hole on her upper deck and splinters caused damage at her aft superstructure, 22 of her men were killed and 26 were wounded. Tenryuu immediately undergone emergency repairs by repair ship Hakkai Marum her repairs were completed on October 20, 1942.
On October 21, 1942, she departed Rabaul for one-day trial, a damaged 8-cm AA gun was replaced on that day. On October 25, 1942, she departed from Rabaul to rescue troops from Welle Island (Sanaroa), she arrived on the next day and embarks 260 troops on 2 Daihatsu barges, she returned to Rabaul afterwards and arrived on October 26, 1942. On October 31, 1942, she departed from Rabaul to Shortland Islands, she arrived on November 1, 1942. She transferred the flag of the CruDiv 18 to Tatsuta, and was assigned as the flagship of Outer South Seas Force KO (A) Supply Unit, she carried food and ammunition for the infantry garrisoned in Guadalcanal, as well as reinforcements. She departed from Shortland Islands to Tassafaronga Point on the next day accompanied with 11 destroyers, they managed to successful disembarked the supplies and reinforcement in Guadalcanal after sundown, after unloading, they return to Shortland Islands afterwards. On November 4, 1942, she departed from Shortland Island for another Tokyo Express Run, she arrived at Cape Esperance and unloads her cargo, she return to Shortland afterwards. On November 6, 1942, she was appointed flagship of Rear Admiral Takama Tamotsu, commander of the DesRon 4. On the next day, she departed from Shortland Islands again for another Tokyo Express Run, she arrived at Tassafaronga Point and unloads her cargo, she return to Shortland afterwards.
During the First Naval Battle of Guadalcanal on the night of November 13, 1942, Tenryuu assigned to assist Rear Admiral Nishimura's Bombardment Unit to bombard Henderson Field, she accompanied Rear Admiral Mikawa's 8th Fleet, they returned to Shortland Islands after their mission. On November 14, 1942, the 8th Fleet was attacked by USN submarine USS Flying Fish SS-229, the submarine caused no damaged on the fleet, then they were attacked by both carrier-based aircraft from USS Enterprise CV-6 and land-based aircraft from Henderson Field, Kinugasa sunk during attack while Choukai and Maya were damaged, Tenryuu managed to received no damage from the attack. She arrived at Shortland on November 15, 1942.
On November 22, 1942, she departed from Shortland Islands to Rabaul, On the next day, she arrived at Rabaul, Suzukaze also arrived at Rabaul from Truk and transferred Rear Admiral Matsuyama at her, Tenryuu was once again appointed as the flagship of CruDiv 18.
On December 16, 1942, she assigned on an Attack Force together with destroyers Isonami, Arashio, Inazuma, and Suzukaze and 2 armed merchant ships, they departed from Rabaul to Madang, New Guinea, also on the same time USN submarine USS Albacore SS-218 was on her way to the area off Medang. Two days later, USAAF aircraft unsuccessfully bombed the Attack Force, then moments later, B-17 bombers bombed 1 armed merchant ship, Tenryuu wasn't damaged during the attack, the Attack Force managed to landed 2 battalions and an airfield construction unit. At 21:12, Tenryuu was set-off the Patrol Medang together with the rest of the destroyers. Albacore spotted the group, she launched three torpedoes from 2,000 yards distance, Albacore somehow missed her target but instead hit Tenryuu, Tenryuu was hit by two torpedoes on her stern at 21:15, which flooded her engine rooms rapidly and made her dead on water. Albacore launched another torpedo at one of the destroyers but misses, the destroyers counterattack with 4 depth charges, Albacore immediately escape from the engagement. Rear Admiral Matsuyama shifts the flag to Isonami while Suzukaze rescued survivors from Tenryuu including her captain, CO. Ueda, At 23:20, Tenryuu sunk, 23 men were lost while 21 were wounded.
Tenryuu sunk on December 19, 1942, off Medang, New Guinea. CruDiv 18 was disbanded on December 20, 1942. Rear Admiral Matsuyama was assigned as the director of Tateyama Naval Gunnery School.
Breast size has nothing to do with this!Tenryuu - Light Cruiser
Displacement: 3'230 tons
Length: 124.9m
Beam: 12.3m
Installed output: 51'000 HP
Speed: 33 knots
Armaments:
- 14cm cannon
- 7.6cm high angle cannon
- 53.3cm triple torpedo launcher tubes
Crew: 327
Sister ship: Tatsuta
Participated in:
- First battle of Solomon Islands
- Battle of the Coral Sea
- Madang troops landing operation
- and moreDon't touch me whenever you wantTenryuu led an attack force of the destroyers Arashio, Suzukaze, Isonami, and Inazuma in participating in landing Japanese forces at Madang.
Tenryuu often departed on assaults not only with her sister Tatsuta but also as the flagship of a destroyer flotilla.
Despite her attitude, in the end Tenryuu is like a good older brother or sister who takes care of her younger siblings even as she complains. Going on assault with her must feel like going on a trip for the destroyers.
Well, it can't be helped, really.Tenryuu was Japan’s first fast cruiser.
Designed as a flagship for destroyer flotillas, Tenryuu was essentially an enlarged destroyer. For that task, she was in theory designed with sufficient speed to keep up with the fast destroyers. However, it did not turn out that way. During construction, she was top-class. But that standing was short-lived and when the Pacific War broke out, she was already obsolete. Poor girl.
In addition, her younger sister Tatsuta was finished earlier, so the crown of Japan’s first fast cruiser fell to Tatsuta instead.
Pitiful indeed.
(At that time) Tenryuu’s armaments were quite powerful.
Personally, I like that cute ears she has.
She keeps saying “Those are not ears!” but no matter how you look at it, those are ears.Ship’s History
May 1917: Built (Yokosuka Naval Arsenal)
March 1918: Launched
November 1919: Commissioned
August 1920: Stationed off east coast of Siberia, patrolling in support of the Siberian Intervention.
October 1931: Patrolled Yangtze River and and took part in the January 28 incident.
November 1939: Assigned to IJN Engineering Academy as training ship.
May 1940: Departed for Truk Islands.
June 1942: Participated in attacks on Guadalcanal airfield.
18 December 1942: Sunk by submarine-launched torpedo outside the port of Madang, New Guinea.
Febuary 1943: Struck from navy list.Originally, 6 ships were planned in the Tenryuu class which later became the basis of several later classes (Kuma-class, Nagara-class, and Sendai-class) of cruisers with displacements increased to the 5,500-ton range. But because of their small size without much potential for upgrades, only Tenryuu and Tatsuta were built.
Although it seems like they’re not holding back from making that Heavy Cruiser or Battleship class big breasts.
Disappointing.