Japanese Heavy Cruiser Furutaka
The Japanese heavy cruiser Furutaka was one of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s earliest attempts to build a treaty-era cruiser optimised for surface combat. She was laid down in 1922 at the Kure Naval Arsenal and commissioned in 1926, becoming the lead ship of her class. Designed before the Washington Naval Treaty limitations were fully understood, Furutaka reflected evolving Japanese cruiser doctrine rather than a settled design philosophy.
As completed, Furutaka displaced about 7,100 tonnes standard and carried a main armament of six 200 mm guns mounted in single turrets. This arrangement soon proved inefficient, as the low rate of fire and limited protection restricted combat effectiveness. Her propulsion system, based on geared turbines and oil-fired boilers, produced a top speed of roughly 34 knots, giving her the ability to operate with destroyer flotillas and fast task groups. Protection was modest, with thin belt armour and limited deck coverage, a common compromise for cruisers of her generation.
Between 1937 and 1939, Furutaka underwent an extensive modernisation that transformed her into a true heavy cruiser. The single gun mounts were replaced by three twin 203 mm turrets, her torpedo armament was expanded with quadruple launchers for the Type 93 “Long Lance” torpedo, and her superstructure was rebuilt to improve command facilities and anti-aircraft defence. These changes significantly enhanced her offensive power, though stability remained a concern.
During the Second World War, Furutaka served with Cruiser Division 6 and participated in early Japanese operations in the Pacific, including the invasions of Guam and Wake Island. Her most notable action occurred during the Battle of Cape Esperance in October 1942, part of the Guadalcanal campaign. In a confused night engagement with United States Navy forces, Furutaka was hit by gunfire and torpedoes, suffering severe damage. She sank on 12 October 1942, marking the loss of one of Japan’s earliest heavy cruisers in frontline combat.
