Japanese fleet oiler Hayasui

Hayasui sinking on 19 August 1944
History
Empire of Japan
Name	Hayasui
Namesake	Hayasui-no Seto
Builder	Harima Dock Company
Laid down	1 February 1943
Launched	25 December 1943
Completed	24 April 1944
Decommissioned	10 October 1944
Fate	Torpedoed and sunk by USS Bluefish, 19 August 1944
General characteristics
Displacement	18,300 long tons (18,594 t) standard
Length	161.00 m (528 ft 3 in) overall
Beam	20.10 m (65 ft 11 in)
Draught	8.83 m (29 ft 0 in)
Propulsion	1 × Ishikawajima geared turbine 2 × Kampon Mk.21 simple boilers single shaft, 9,500 shp
Speed	16.5 knots (19.0 mph; 30.6 km/h)
Range	9,000 nmi (17,000 km) at 16 kn (18 mph; 30 km/h)
Capacity	9,800 tons for heavy crude oil 200 tons for gasoline 750 tons for fresh water Fresh vegetables for 2 weeks × 2,800 men Foods for 30 days × 1,100 men
Complement	301
Armament	4 × 127 mm (5 in) L/40 AA guns 8 × Type 96 25mm AA guns
Aircraft carried	6 + 1 (Aichi E13A or Aichi B7A)
Aviation facilities	catapult and deck

The Hayasui (速吸, "Quick Absorption") was a Japanese fleet oiler (hybrid tanker/carrier) of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II.

Construction

Hayasui was completed as one of the Kazahaya class fleet oilers. After lack of reconnaissance planes was identified as a contributing factor to defeat of the IJN at the Battle of Midway, aviation facilities were added to Hayasui for accompanying the carrier task force. The IJN added the function of food supply ship to Hayasui to improve carrier task force endurance following experience at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

Service

• 24 April 1944 : Completed.
• May 1944 : Sailed to Tawi-Tawi for Operation A.
• 5 May 1944 : Collided with submerged submarine I-155.
• 19 to 20 June 1944 : Participation to the Battle of the Philippine Sea and damaged.
• 10 August 1944 : Repairs were completed for convoy Hi-71 departure from Moji to Singapore.

Fate

• 03:20, 19 August 1944 : Hayasui was torpedoed (2 hits) by USS Bluefish at west of Vigan City.
• About 05:00 : Explosion and sunk at 17°34′N 119°24′E.
• 10 October 1944 : Decommissioned.

References

Bibliography

• "Rekishi Gunzō"., History of Pacific War Vol.62 "Ships of The Imperial Japanese Forces, Gakken (Japan), January 2008, ISBN 978-4-05-605008-0
• Ships of the World special issue Vol.47, Auxiliary Vessels of the Imperial Japanese Navy, "Kaijinsha"., (Japan), March 1997