JAPANESE LIGHT CRUISER AGANO

The Agano was a Japanese light cruiser, the keel of which was laid in 1940, launched in October 1941, and commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy in October 1942. The ship was 174.5 meters long, 15.2 meters wide, and had a full displacement of 8,500 tons. The cruiser Agano's top speed was 35 knots. The main armament at the time of the launch was 6 152 mm guns in three turrets, two guns each, and the additional armament included: 4 80 mm guns and two quadruple 610 mm torpedo tubes. Agano was the first cruiser of the type to bear the same name - ie the Agano. This type of cruisers was created in connection with the need to expand the Japanese light forces, which occurred in the late 1930s. Agano type units were to serve as the so-called "Leaders" or units that lead the destroyer flotillas. This type of task led the Japanese designers to place an emphasis on powerful torpedo armament and high top speed in these cruisers. As a result, very successful ships were created, but less armored than their British or American counterparts. During World War II, the light cruiser Agano took an active part in the last phase of the fighting for Guadalcanal. Shortly thereafter, he participated in the Battle of Empress Augusta's Bay in November 1943. During this battle, and shortly thereafter, it was badly damaged, which forced it to undergo a long renovation at the base on the island of Truk. During her trip to Japan on February 17, 1944, Agano was sunk by the submarine USS Skate.