Japanese aircraft carrier Ryūjō

Ryūjō: The Prancing Dragon’s Turbulent Journey

Imagine a ship named after the mythical dragon, Ryūjō, navigating through the tumultuous waters of World War II. This light aircraft carrier was built in the early 1930s for the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), exploiting a loophole in the Washington Naval Treaty to its advantage. But as we delve into her story, one question arises: could this small and lightly built ship truly stand against the might of the Allied forces?

Design Flaws and Early Challenges

Ryūjō was designed with a length of 179.9 meters, a beam of 20.32 meters, and a draft of 5.56 meters, displacing just 8,000 metric tons at standard load. Her crew consisted of 600 officers and enlisted men. However, her design was flawed from the start; she lacked armor but had protective plating, and due to her low profile, she was top-heavy and minimally stable.

These design issues led to several incidents, including damage during a typhoon in 1935. To address these challenges, modifications were made: the forecastle was raised one deck, the bow was remodelled, and ballast was added. These changes increased her beam, draft, and displacement to 20.78 meters, 7.08 meters, and 10,600 metric tons at standard load respectively. The crew grew to 924 officers and enlisted men.

Operational Challenges

Ryūjō’s primary anti-aircraft armament consisted of six twin-gun mounts with 40-caliber guns, and 24 Type 93 13.2 mm machine guns. However, these defenses proved inadequate as the IJN fielded larger aircraft in 1941. The small rear elevator became a problem during this period.

During its refit, two 12.7 cm mountings were exchanged for license-built Hotchkiss 25 mm Type 96 light AA guns, which proved ineffective due to design shortcomings. Despite these challenges, Ryūjō continued to serve in various roles, including as a flagship and training ship.

War Operations

Ryūjō’s operational history is marked by significant events. She supported Japanese operations in China with an air group of 12 A4N fighters and 15 D1A dive bombers, attacking targets in Shanghai and Canton. In February 1938, she replaced her biplanes with Mitsubishi A5M ‘Claude’ monoplane fighters.

During the Pacific War, Ryūjō participated in several key battles. She attacked American naval bases in the Philippines at the start of the war, sank an American destroyer named Pope after its crew abandoned it, and supported operations in Sumatra, Burma, and the Andaman Islands throughout March 1942.

In April 1942, Ryūjō joined a force that sank 19 ships totaling almost 100,000 gross register tons (GRT) in the Bay of Bengal. She then arrived at Singapore for a brief refit before joining another carrier, Jun’yō, on May 3, 1942.

Final Battle and Sinking

Ryūjō’s final battle took place during the Battle of the Eastern Solomons on August 24, 1942. American carrier-based aircraft attacked her, causing significant damage. Despite efforts to repair the ship, she was eventually sunk by a torpedo from USS Saratoga.

As Ryūjō capsized and began to sink, the destroyer Amatsukaze rescued the crew. The loss of seven officers and 113 crewmen, including 7 pilots who were later rescued from their aircraft, marked the end of this legendary ship’s journey.

As we reflect on the story of Ryūjō, it’s clear that even a ship named after the mythical dragon faced its share of challenges and ultimately met its end. Her journey through World War II serves as a reminder of the complexities and uncertainties in naval warfare.

Ryūjō: The Prancing Dragon’s Turbulent Journey is not just a tale of a ship, but a microcosm of the broader conflict that shaped the course of history. Her story reminds us of the importance of adaptability, resilience, and the unpredictable nature of war.