Tenryu-class Light Cruiser

Tenryu-class Light Cruiser

Country

Japan

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

This article refers to the entire Tenryu-class; it is not about an individual vessel.

This article has been removed for review and updates, please check back again soon!

Last Major Revision: Jan 2009

Tenryu-class Light Cruiser Interactive Map

Tenryu-class Light Cruiser Operational Timeline

7 May 1917	The keel of Tenryu was laid down at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan.
11 Mar 1918	Tenryu was launched at the Yokosuka Naval Arsenal, Japan. Commander Kanzo Kakuta was named the Chief Equipping Officer.
31 May 1919	Tatsuta was commissioned into service.
20 Nov 1919	Tenryu was commissioned into service and was assigned to Kure Naval District in Japan. Commander Teijiro Murase was named her first commanding officer.
1 Dec 1919	Tenryu was named the flagship of Destroyer Squadron 2 of Japanese 2nd Fleet.
20 Apr 1920	Tenryu was transferred to the reserves at Kure, Japan.
29 Aug 1920	Tenryu departed Yokosuka, Japan for eastern Russia.
7 Sep 1920	Tenryu arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.
20 Apr 1921	Tenryu was placed in reserve at Kure, Japan for the installation of radio direction finder equipment.
1 Dec 1921	Tenryu was recommissioned into service and was assigned to Destroyer Squadron 1 of Japanese 1st Fleet. Captain Noriyoshi Yoko was named her commanding officer.
26 Jun 1922	Tenryu departed Inchon, Korea for Lushunkou, northeastern China.
4 Jul 1922	Tenryu arrived at Lushunkou, northeastern China.
29 Aug 1922	Tenryu departed Kure, Japan for eastern Russia.
10 Sep 1922	Tenryu arrived at Otaru, Hokkaido, Japan.
1 Dec 1922	Captain Hajime Matsushita was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
15 Oct 1923	Commander Shinichi Oguri was named the acting commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1923	Shinichi Oguri was promoted to the rank of captain, and he was formally named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1924	Captain Yoshio Takita was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
20 Oct 1925	Captain Shinpei Kida was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1925	Tenryu was placed in reserve at Kure, Japan. captain Isao Monai was named her commanding officer.
11 Nov 1926	Captain Seishichi Yamaguchi was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
5 Feb 1927	Tenryu was dispatched to China to patrol the mouth of the Yangtze River.
15 Nov 1927	Captain Shigeru Kikuno was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1928	Tenryu was assigned to Kure, Japan as a training vessel for the Japanese Navy Academy and Submarine School.
10 Dec 1928	Captain Yorio Sawamoto was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
20 Aug 1929	Captain Ibo Takahashi was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Nov 1929	Captain Yoshio Hachiya was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1930	Captain Kensuke Madareme was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
9 Oct 1931	Tenryu was ordered to patrol waters off the mouth of the Yangtze River in China as a part of Japanese 3rd Fleet.
15 Nov 1932	Captain Minoru Tayui was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Nov 1933	Captain Masao Kanazawa was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
25 May 1934	Captain Toru Izawa was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
15 Nov 1934	Captain Sueaki Kasuga was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
21 Nov 1935	Captain Michiaki Kamata was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
15 Feb 1936	Captain Kyuhachi Kudo was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
10 Nov 1936	Captain Kanji Ugaki was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
2 Aug 1937	Captain Koso Abe was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
8 Sep 1937	Tenryu entered Sasebo Naval Arsenal, Japan to receive additional Type 92 7.7-millimeter machine guns.
10 Sep 1937	Tenryu completed her upgrade at Sasebo Naval Arsenal, Japan.
10 May 1938	Tenryu provided naval gunfire support for the amphibious assault at Xiamen, China.
1 Jul 1938	Tenryu supported the landing of Japanese troops near Guangzhou, China.
14 Dec 1938	Tenryu was recalled from China and was assigned to the reserves.
15 Dec 1938	Captain Sadanao Yamazaki was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
15 Nov 1939	Captain Zensuke Kanome was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
1 Dec 1939	Tenryu was assigned to Maizuru Naval District, Japan for service as a guard ship and training vessel for the Japanese Navy Engineering Academy.
15 Nov 1940	Tenryu began a period of modernization, replacing her coal boilers and receiving better anti-aircraft weaponry. Captain Yuji Takahishi was named her new commanding officer.
28 Aug 1941	Tenryu was assigned to Truk, Caroline Islands to join Cruiser Division 18 of Japanese 4th Fleet. Captain Mitsutaro Goto was named her new commanding officer.
12 Sep 1941	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands.
8 Dec 1941	Tenryu departed Roi-Namur, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
11 Dec 1941	While bombarding US installations at Wake Atoll, Tenryu was strafed by a US Marine Corps F4F-3 Wildcat fighter, wounding 5 sailors and mildly damaged three torpedoes in the No. 1 mount.
13 Dec 1941	Tenryu arrived at Roi, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
27 Dec 1941	Tenryu arrived at Roi, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
29 Dec 1941	Tenryu departed Roi, Kwajalein, Marshall Islands.
3 Jan 1942	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands. In the subsequent days she would receive two depth charge throwers and two depth charge rails at the stern.
20 Jan 1942	Tenryu departed Truk, Caroline Islands for the invasion of Kavieng, New Ireland.
23 Jan 1942	Tenryu covered transport ships as the transports disembarked troops of No. 2 Maizuru Special Naval Landing Force at Kavieng, New Ireland.
3 Feb 1942	Tenryu departed Kavieng, New Ireland and provided support for the landings at nearby Gasmata, New Britain.
13 Feb 1942	Tenryu departed Gasmata, New Britain.
19 Feb 1942	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands to receive additional anti-aircraft weaponry.
20 Feb 1942	Tenryu interrupted her anti-aircraft weaponry refitting at Truk, Caroline Islands to sortie for American raiders.
23 Feb 1942	Tenryu gave up her search for American raiders and returned to Truk, Caroline Islands.
27 Feb 1942	Tenryu completed her anti-aircraft weaponry refitting at Truk, Caroline Islands.
2 Mar 1942	Tenryu departed Truk, Caroline Islands.
5 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain and departed for Australian New Guinea island later in the day.
8 Mar 1942	Tenryu provided cover for the landings at Lae and Salamaua, Australian New Guinea.
9 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Buka island, Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
11 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
14 Mar 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
15 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Buka island, Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
17 Mar 1942	Tenryu departed Buka island, Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
18 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Kavieng, New Ireland.
26 Mar 1942	Tenryu departed Kavieng, New Ireland.
27 Mar 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
28 Mar 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
30 Mar 1942	Tenryu provided cover for the landings at Shortland island, Solomon Islands.
31 Mar 1942	Tenryu provided cover for the landings at Kieta, Bougainville, Solomon Islands.
1 Apr 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, refueled, and departed later in the day.
2 Apr 1942	Tenryu arrived at Kavieng, New Ireland.
5 Apr 1942	Tenryu departed Kavieng, New Ireland.
7 Apr 1942	Tenryu arrived at Manus, Admiralty Islands.
8 Apr 1942	Tenryu departed Manus, Admiralty Islands.
10 Apr 1942	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands.
29 Apr 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
3 May 1942	Tenryu provided cover for the landings at Santa Isabel Island, Solomon Islands.
5 May 1942	Tenryu arrived at Deboyne Islands 200 kilometers east of the tip of Australian Papua.
13 May 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
23 May 1942	Tenryu arrived at Maizuru, Japan.
3 Jun 1942	Tenryu entered drydock No. 3 at Maizuru Naval Arsenal, Japan for the installation of additional anti-aircraft weaponry and armor.
5 Jun 1942	Captain Shinpei Asano was named the commanding officer of Tenryu while the ship was undergoing upgrades at Maizuro Naval Arsenal, Japan.
13 Jun 1942	Tenryu exited drydock No. 3 at Maizuru Naval Arsenal, Japan.
15 Jun 1942	Tenryu departed Maizuru, Japan.
23 Jun 1942	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands.
6 Jul 1942	Tenryu escorted a convoy (containing an engineering battalion tasked with setting up an airfield) to Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
20 Jul 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain for Buna, Australian Papua.
21 Jul 1942	Tenryu provided cover for the landings at Buna, Australian Papua.
24 Jul 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
7 Aug 1942	Tenryu departed Kavieng, New Ireland with five other cruisers for Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands; the force was spotted by USS S-38, but the submarine could not gain a favorable attack position.
17 Aug 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
18 Aug 1942	Tenryu arrived at Basabua, Australian New Guinea.
24 Aug 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
25 Aug 1942	Tenryu covered the landing of 1,200 troops of the Kure No. 5 Special Naval Landing Force at Milne Bay, Australian Papua.
28 Aug 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain, departing for Milne Bay, Australian Papua later in the day.
29 Aug 1942	Tenryu arrived at Milne Bay, Australian Papua.
30 Aug 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
5 Sep 1942	Tenryu embarked surviving Special Naval Landing Force troops at Milne Bay, Australian Papua.
6 Sep 1942	Tenryu embarked surviving Special Naval Landing Force troops at Milne Bay, Australian Papua.
11 Sep 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain in search of survivors of sunken destroyer Yayoi; she would fail to locate any.
12 Sep 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
18 Sep 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
20 Sep 1942	Tenryu arrived at Truk, Caroline Islands.
21 Sep 1942	Tenryu embarked 56 Type 3 Model 1 naval mines as cargo while at Truk, Caroline Islands; these mines were mine for Tulagi, Solomon Islands.
22 Sep 1942	Tenryu departed Truk, Caroline Islands.
24 Sep 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
1 Oct 1942	Tenryu disembarked her cargo of 56 Type 3 Model 1 naval mines at Rabaul, New Britain.
2 Oct 1942	USAAF B-17 Flying Fortress bombers of 19th Bomb Group of US 5th Air Force from Port Moresby, Australian Papua attacked Rabaul, New Britain between 0440 and 0510 hours, damaging Japanese light cruiser Tenryu with a hit at the stern, killing 22 and wounding 26. Auxiliary repair ship Hakkai Maru would provide Tenryu with temporary repairs.
20 Oct 1942	Hakkai Maru completed temporary repairs for Tenryu at Rabaul, New Britain.
21 Oct 1942	Tenryu conducted post-repair trials off Rabaul, New Britain. Upon returning to port, a damaged 8-centimeter anti-aircraft gun mount was replaced.
25 Oct 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
26 Oct 1942	Tenryu evacuated 260 Sasebo No. 5 Special Naval Landing Force troops from Welle Island (now Sanaroa), D'Entrecasteaux Islands, Australian Papua.
27 Oct 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain.
31 Oct 1942	Tenryu departed Rabaul, New Britain.
1 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Shortland Island, Solomon Islands. Later in the day, reassigned to a supply unit, she embarked food, ammunition, and troops of Japanese 38th Infantry Division.
2 Nov 1942	Tenryu, Yugure, and six other destroyers transported 240 men belonging to Japanese 38th Infantry Division and supplies to Tassafaronga Point, Guadalcanal in rough waters; upon unloading, the group took on 65 evacuees.
4 Nov 1942	Tenryu departed Shortland Islands, Solomon Islands with supplies for troops fighting on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
5 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Cape Esperance, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands and disembarked supplies.
6 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Shortland Island, Solomon Islands.
7 Nov 1942	Tenryu departed Shortland Island, Solomon Islands with supplies for troops fighting on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands.
8 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Tassafaronga Point, Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands and disembarked supplies. On her return voyage to Shortland Island, Solomon Islands, she was attacked by US motor torpedo boats PT-37, PT-39, and PT-61, but they failed to cause any damage.
9 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Shortland Island, Solomon Islands.
13 Nov 1942	Tenryu departed Shortland Island, Solomon Islands.
15 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Shortland Island, Solomon Islands.
22 Nov 1942	Tenryu departed Shortland Island, Solomon Islands.
23 Nov 1942	Tenryu arrived at Rabaul, New Britain and was named the flagship of Cruiser Division 18 under Rear Admiral Mitsuharu Matsuyama.
5 Dec 1942	Captain Mitsuharu Ueda was named the commanding officer of Tenryu.
16 Dec 1942	Tenryu departed with supplies and troops onboard for Madang, Australian New Guinea.
1 Feb 1943	Tenryu was struck from the navy list.
13 Mar 1944	US submarine USS Sand Lance (SS-381) attacked a Japanese convoy in the Pacific Ocean off Hachijojima, 150 miles south-south-west of Yokosuka, Japan, sinking the 4,350-ton light cruiser Tatsuta and the troop transport Kokuyo Maru, which had been carrying 1,029 men. A total of six torpedoes were expended, and San Lance claimed five hits. Following the attack, Japanese escort vessels drop 105 depth charges and keep Sand Lance at deep submergence for 18.5 hours.

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Tenryu-class Light Cruiser