IJN
Mutsuki Class
Destroyer

Dimensions
338' / 30' / 9'9"

Armament
4 x 4.7"
6 x Torpedoes
16 x Mines
2 x 7.7mm MG

Tons
1,772

Crew
150

Pre-war via Kamino

USN 1944

John Innes 2002

Justin Taylan 2003

Ship History
Built by Kosakubu in Maizuru, Japan. Laid down June 15, 1925. Launchhed May 15, 1926. Comissioned November 20, 1926. This ship was originally had the name "Destroyer 31", was renamed Kikuzuki (Crysanthemum Moon) in 1935.  Sometimes, this ship's name is translated to be spelled 'Kikitsku'. Had number 23 painted on the bow.

Wartime History
In early December, it escorted the Japanese invasion force bound for Guam and then conducted anti-submarine patoling in the area. Next, traveled from Saipan to Truk. On January 23, 1942 escorted the Kavieng invasion force, and then proceeded to Rabaul for patrol and escort duties. On February 9 escorted the Gasmata invasion force, and then returned to Truk. In March - April Kikuzuki was part of the escort force for the occupation of Salamau, Lae and Manus.

Sinking History
During the occupation of Tulagi on May 4, 1942, the invasion force was surprised by 28 SBD and 12 TBDs from the USS Yorktown around 6:20am. The Kikuzuki and Yuzuki were fueling the Okishima (flagship of Tulagi invasion force). Eight torpedoes were dropped at Kikuzuki, but all missed, possibly due to aiming miscalculation from the cutwater camoflage on her bow.  As she got underway, one TBD's torpedo found its mark, dropped by pilot Ed Williamson, it hit her starboard machinery room.  12 were killed in the attack, 14 wounded. Towed by Toshi Maru No. 3 (sub chaser), but the Kikuzuki sunk during the high tide from damage. She sunk near the shore at Halavo Bay, a few miles east of Tulagi.

Salvage
In mid-1943, the U.S. Navy undertook the salvage of Kikuzuki, raising the ship and towing it to Nggela Sule (Big Gela) Island to the anchorage known as Tokio Bay in an effort to gain intelligence about Japanese destroyers. Later in 1943, after salvage work was completed, she was moved into nearby Purvis Bay and allowed to settle in shallow water. The wreck remains visible to this day, though it is now much deteriorated.

Shipwreck
The wreck was abandoned, and over the decades, additional scrap metal salvaged from the ship, leaving only the cut-down hulk today. The stern faces the island, and bow outward. Only a few recognizable items, like the gun mounts, a gun barrel and a few portholes remain on the deck of the ship.

Morris Hall reports:
"There's very little left of the Kikuzuki now. A few scraps of superstructure and about 2/3rds of the deck can now be seen a foot or so above the high tide level. The barrel of a large gun is on the foredeck."

Justin Taylan adds:
"At low tide the ship is exposed, the outline of the deck at the waterline.  At least one gun barrel is still there, and other identifing features."

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