Shoho file photo

Shoho

CountryJapan
Ship ClassShoho-class Light Carrier
BuilderYokosuka Dockyard
Laid Down3 December 1934
Launched1 June 1935
Commissioned30 November 1941
Sunk7 May 1942
Displacement11262 tons standard; 13950 tons full
Length674 feet
Beam60 feet
Draft22 feet
MachineryGeared turbines, two shafts
Power Output52000 SHP
Speed28 knots
Range7,800nm at 12 knots
Crew785
Armament8x100mm, 8x25mm, 12x13.2mm
Aircraft30

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

Shoho was the name-sake ship of the class of two light carriers. When Shoho and her sister ship Zuiho were laid down, they were of a flexible design that could eventually be completed as a light carrier, an oil tanker, or a submarine tender. She was originally launched in 1935 as the submarine tender Tsurugisaki, but was converted into a light carrier in 1941. On 30 Nov 1941, she was assigned to Carrier Division 4 and was placed under the command of Captain Ishinosuke Izawa. In May 1942, she participated in Operation MO, which aimed at Port Moresby in New Guinea; her mission was to guard troop transports against potential American air or submarine attacks. The Japanese fleet was intercepted in the Coral Sea on 7 May, and was attacked at 0755 by 53 dive bombers, 22 torpedo bombers, and 18 fighters from American carriers Lexington and Yorktown. Shoho was sunk after being hit by 7 torpedoes and 13 bombs. She sank at 0835 on 7 May 1942 with the loss of 631 men. 203 men, including Captain Izawa, were rescued by destroyer Sazanami.

Shoho was the first Japanese carrier to be sunk in the Pacific War.

Sources: Interrogations of Japanese Officials, Naval Historical Center, Wikipedia.

Photographs

Submarine tender Tsurugizaki off Tateyama, Japan, 30 Jan 1939; she was later converted to become light carrier ShohoLight carrier Shoho, Yokosuka, Japan, 20 Dec 1941Japanese light carrier Shoho shortly after her conversion from a submarine tender, Yokosuka, Japan, 25 Dec 1941Shoho burning as she was attacked by aircraft, Battle of Coral Sea, 7 May 1942; note TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber faintly visible to the right of splash
See all 10 photographs of Light Carrier Shoho



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More on Shoho
Event(s) Participated:
» Battle of Coral Sea

Document(s):
» Interrogation Nav 10, Captain Mineo Yamaoka

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» Shoho Tabular Record of Movement

Light Carrier Shoho Photo Gallery
Submarine tender Tsurugizaki off Tateyama, Japan, 30 Jan 1939; she was later converted to become light carrier Shoho
See all 10 photographs of Light Carrier Shoho



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