Japan's Chitose class light aircraft carriers

Photos

Design

Originally completed as seaplane tenders the Chitose and Chiyoda were converted into carriers after the Battle of Midway.^1,2,3,4,6 The original ships were specially designed to facilitate later conversion.^2,6

The Chitose and Chiyoda were ordered under the 1931 - 1932 Supplementary Program.⁶

Conversion

To help with stability large bulges were added.^4,6

Elevators

There were two elevators that served a single hangar.^3,6

Engines

There was a mix of oil and diesel turbines.⁶ The diesel allowed for long range, and the oil for speed.⁶

Hangars

There were one^3,6 / two hangars.⁴ The hanger was 300' long.⁶

Ships

IJN Chitose (a city near Hokkaido⁵)

• Manufacturer: Kure Navy Yard^1,2,3,6
• November 26, 1934: Laid down.⁶
• November 29, 1936: Launched.^1,2,3,6
• July 25, 1938: Commissioned.^2,3,6
• 1941: Modified for launching of midget submarines.⁶
• January 4, 1942: Damaged by bombs dropped by B-17 at Davao, Philippines.⁶
• June 1942: Midway Reserves.⁶
• August 1942: Damaged during Battle of Eastern Solomons.⁶
• 1942 - 1944⁶, January 1943 - January 1, 1941^2,3, January 1943 - January 1944⁴: Conversion to carrier at Sasebo Navy Yard.^1,2,3,4,6
• January 1, 1944: Recommissioned.⁶
• February 1, 1944: Member of Carrier Division 3.²
• May 22, 1944: Hit by two dud torpedoes from USS Bonefish near Tawi Tawi.²
• June 1944: Member of Carrier Division 3 at Battle of Philippine Sea.¹
• June 20, 1944: Member of Van Group during Battle of Philippine Sea.²
• July 1944: 18 25 mm guns added.^1,3 Six 25 mm triple mounts were added.⁴
• October 25, 1944: Sunk at Battle of Leyte Gulf.^1,2,3,4,6 Damaged by planes from USS Essex and USS Lexington.^2,6 Hit by three torpedoes.⁴ Sunk while under tow by Isuzu 235 miles east of Cape Engano.^2,6

IJN Chiyoda (a city near Tokyo⁵)

• Manufacturer: Kure Navy Yard^1,2,3,6
• December 14, 1936: Laid down.⁶
• November 19, 1937: Launched.^1,2,3,6
• December 15, 1938: Commissioned.^2,3,6
• 1941: Modified for launching of midget submarines.⁶
• June 1942: Midway Reserves.⁶
• December 1942 - October 31, 1943^2,3, December 1942 - October 1943¹: Conversion to carrier at Yokosuka Navy Yard.^1,2,3,6
• October 31, 1943: Recommissioned.⁶
• February 1, 1944: Member of Carrier Division 3.²
• March - April 1944: Participated in two aircraft ferrying operations.⁴
• June 1944: Member of Carrier Division 3 at Battle of Philippine Sea.¹
• June 19 - 20, 1944: Member of Van Group during Battle of Philippine Sea.² Hit by 500 lb bomb.²
• June 20, 1944: Damaged by a bomb.⁴
• July 1944: 18 25 mm guns added.^1,3 Six 25 mm triple mounts were added.⁴
• October 20 - 25, 1944: Member of Main Body at Battle of Leyte Gulf.²
• October 25, 1944: Sunk at Battle of Leyte Gulf.^1,2,3,4,6 Aircraft from USS Franklin, USS Langley, and USS Lexington set Chiyoda on fire.² Hit by four bombs.⁴ Sunk by gunfire from USS Wichita, USS New Orleans, USS Sante Fe, and USS Mobile (Task Force 38⁶) 260 miles east-northeast from Cape Engano.^2,6 There were no survivors.⁴

Usage

Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Chitose and Chiyoda were members of Admiral Ozawa's Decoy Force at the Battle of Leyte Gulf.

Specifications