HIJMS Kotaka

TORPEDO BOAT FOR THE JAPANESE GOVERNMENT.

THE JAPANESE NAVY'S SEA-GOING TORPEDO BOAT KOTAKA.

We give a photograph of the Japanese Government's new torpedo boat, HIJMS Kotaka, lately completed by Messrs. Yarrow & Co., of Poplar, which is of more than usual interest, as she is a distinct departure from the now stereotyped form of torpedo boat. Not only is she the largest that has hitherto been built, but she embodies several new features. The principal novelty is that vulnerable parts of the the vessel, including the machinery, are all protected by one inch steel armor which may be considered as an almost perfect defense against machine-gun fire, having in view the distance at which a torpedo boat attacks and the acute angle of fire at which it would be hit. The dimensions are 166 ft. long by 19 ft. beam, and she will be propelled by twin screws driven by engines indicating 1,400 horse power, from which a speed of nineteen to twenty knots, or about 23 miles an hour, maybe reasonably expected. The vessel has already been shipped in pieces to Japan, where she was put together; and if the trials come up to the expectations formed, there is no doubt that this type of torpedo boat will find much favor with many governments. For not only is good protection obtained, but the vessel, from her large size, offers great and very comfortable accommodation for the officers and crew, and is undoubtedly deserving of being considered thoroughly sea-going. How far the advantages gained by the one inch of steel armor will counter-balance the disadvantages of reduced speed and increased cost in consequence is for naval authorities rather than for engineers and shipbuilders to determine.

The Kotaka's armament consists of two torpedo tubes placed forward for direct firing ahead, the torpedoes being ejected by gunpowder. There will also be amidships and aft, on the deck, turntables, upon each of which will be mounted two torpedo guns, placed at an acute angle with one another and arranged for firing over the side. These guns, by being nearly, but not quite, parallel with each other, if fired simultaneously, will clearly very materially increase the probability of the vessel aimed at being hit. It is a remarkable fact that the Japanese were the first to introduce sea-going torpedo boats into their navy, Messrs. Yarrow & Co. having, some eight years ago, constructed a number of such craft for the Japanese Government, under the superintendence of Sir E. J. Reed. Again they have taken the initiative, in conjunction with Messrs. Yarrow and Co., in adopting a vessel of such an entirely new type and possessing such evident advantages over their predecessors. —The Engineer.

Technical Specifications:

Class	Year	MS	Ram	Spd	Hs	Blt	Bty	Blk	Trt	Deck	Armament
TB	1888	(4)	N	3	3	-	-	-	-	-	BT-2, DT-4, 4QF

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