IJN
Heavy Cruiser
October 26, 1944
Ship History
Laid down on December 8, 1921 at Uraga Dock Company. Launched on March 16, 1923. Completed on May 26, 1925.
Battle of the Surigao Strait
On October 25 Japanese warships enter Surigao Strait, the force is attacked by American PT-boats. A torpedo fired from PT-137 approaches to within 900 yards of a destroyer, and fires a torpedo, it runs deep and passes underneath the destroyer. This same torpedo continues on and hits Abukuma near the No. 1 boiler room, killing 30 crew. After emergency repairs, Abukuma, down by the bow, resumes course at slow speed. At 0445, Captain Hanada increases speed to 20 kts. At 0535, he reverses course and joins the other units of Shima's force retiring from Surigao.
Sinking History
On October 26 departed with Ushio for Coron. While underway in the Sulu Sea, attacked three times between 10:06 - 10:44 by B-24 Liberators of the 13th AF, 5th BG. Suffers a direct hit near the No. 3 140-mm gun mount.
First, 5th Bomb Group B-24s attacked and scored one hit. Later, at 10:20, B-24s 5th AF, 22nd BG, 33rd BS attacked. B-24 "Gypsy" bombardier 1st Lt. Cappola scored two direct hits aft that start heavy fires. Power was lost, the steering gear breaks down and her speed falls off. The fire spreads to the aft engine and torpedo rooms. At 1037, four Type 93 Long Lance torpedoes explode.
Between 1100-1130, the crew abandons ship. At 1142 hours, she sinks by stern near Negros with the loss of 250 crewmen. Captain Hanada and 283 crewmen are rescued by Ushio. One of the only instances when a Heavy Cruiser was sunk by heavy bombers during the war.
References
At Close Quarters pages 379-380, 384, 390, 496
Revenge of the Red Raiders pages 328 - 331
Tabular Movement
9 20N
122 32 E
