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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
901 M STREET SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- JAPANESE NAVY SHIPS --

Kikuzuki (Destroyer, 1926-1942).
Originally named (destroyer) Number 31

Number 31, a 1772-ton Mutsuki class destroyer, was built at Maizuru Dockyard, Japan. Completed in November 1926, she received the name Kikuzuki in 1928. On 4 May 1942, while supporting the Japanese occupation of Tulagi, Solomon Islands, she was attacked by aircraft from USS Yorktown (CV-5) and was sunk near shore in Halavo Bay, a few miles east of Tulagi. Shortly afterwards, she slipped into deeper water and was completely submerged.

In mid-1943, the U.S. Navy undertook the salvage of Kikuzuki, in an effort to gain intelligence about Japanese weapons and other capabilities. Later in 1943, after salvage work was largely completed, she was moved into nearby Purvis Bay and allowed to settle in shallow water. Her wreck remains visible to this day, though it is now much deteriorated.

This page features views of Kikuzuki under salvage, prior to the time she was moved to Purvis Bay.

For views of Kikuzuki after she was moved, see: Kikuzuki in Purvis Bay.

If you want higher resolution reproductions than the Online Library's digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: USMC 59615

Kikuzuki

(Japanese Destroyer, 1926-1942)

Under salvage in Halavo Bay, Florida Island, near Tulagi, August 1943, seen from the stern of USS Menominee (ATF-73). She had been sunk there by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes on 4 May 1942.
Note tents on shore in the background.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 145KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: USMC 59608

Kikuzuki

(Japanese Destroyer, 1926-1942)

Under salvage in Halavo Bay, Florida Island, near Tulagi, in August 1943. She had been sunk there by USS Yorktown planes on 4 May 1942.
This view looks aft from the ship's forecastle. Note crane on barge at right.
Upper works of USS Menominee (ATF-73) are visible beyond Kikuzuki's bridge.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 116KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: USMC 59610

Kikuzuki

(Japanese Destroyer, 1926-1942)

Under salvage in Halavo Bay, Florida Island, near Tulagi, on 10 August 1943. She had been sunk there by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes on 4 May 1942.
This view looks aft from the ship's bow, with USS Menominee (ATF-73) and a crane barge working off her stern.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 154KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: USMC 59611

Kikuzuki

(Japanese Destroyer, 1926-1942)

View inside the ship's pilothouse, showing speaking tubes and binnacle. Photographed in August 1943, while she was being salvaged in Halavo Bay, Florida Island, near Tulagi. She had been sunk there by USS Yorktown (CV-5) planes on 4 May 1942.
Note broken helmsman's wheel at left.

U.S. Marine Corps Photograph.

Online Image: 126KB; 740 x 610 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 

Photo #: 80-G-89212

Kikuzuki

(Japanese Destroyer, 1926-1942)

Afloat near Tulagi, Solomon Islands, 14 October 1943, after being salvaged by the U.S. Navy. She had been sunk by USS Yorktown planes when they raided Tulagi on 4 May 1942.
Photographed by the 34th Construction Battalion.
The view was probably taken off the Halavo seaplane base, where Kikuzuki was originally salvaged, at the time she was moved into Purvis Bay.

Official U.S. Navy Photograph, now in the collections of the National Archives.

Online Image: 62KB; 740 x 600 pixels

Reproductions of this image may also be available through the National Archives photographic reproduction system.

 



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10 May 1999