Nagara-class cruiser

Class overview
Japanese light cruiser Nagara
Name:	Nagara class
Operators:	Imperial Japanese Navy
Preceded by:	Kuma class
Succeeded by:	Sendai class
Built:	1920–1924
In service:	1922–1944
In commission:	1920–1945
Completed:	6
Lost:	6
General characteristics
Type:	Light cruiser
Displacement:	5,570 long tons (5,659 t) normal (7203 t deep load)
Length:	162.1 m (531 ft 10 in) o/a 158.6 m (520 ft 4 in) w/l
Beam:	14.2 m (46 ft 7 in)
Draft:	4.8 m (15 ft 9 in)
Propulsion:	4 shaft Gihon geared turbines 12 Kampon boilers 90,000 shp (67,000 kW)
Speed:	36 knots (41 mph; 67 km/h)
Range:	6,000 nmi (11,000 km) at 14 kn (26 km/h)
Complement:	450
Armament:	7 × 14 cm/50 3rd Year Type naval guns 2 × 8 cm/40 3rd Year Type naval gun s 8 × 610 mm (24 in) torpedo tubes (4x2) 48 naval mines
Armor:	Belt: 60 mm (2.4 in) Deck: 30 mm (1.2 in)

The six Nagara-class cruisers (長良型軽巡洋艦, Nagaragata keijun'yōkan^?) were light cruisers operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy. The Nagara-class cruisers proved useful in combat operations ranging from the Aleutian Islands to the Indian Ocean throughout World War II. Most served as flagships for destroyer or submarine squadrons, and were deployed for transport or local defense missions. Towards the end of the war, the surviving vessels were increasingly obsolete and were retained as second-line units.

The Nagara class was followed by the very similar Sendai class.

A final three 5,500 ton class light cruisers authorized under the 8-4 Fleet Program were ordered by the Imperial Japanese Navy in 1920. Due to minor changes in design, primarily due to advances in torpedo technology, these three vessels were initially designated as “modified Kuma-class”, or “5500-ton class Type II”, before being re-designated after the lead vessel, Nagara. A second set of three vessels was authorized in late 1920. These final three vessels were initially to be named Suzuka, Otonase, and Minase until November 1921.

The Nagara class was the second class of light cruisers in the Imperial Japanese Navy based a standardized 5,500 ton displacement. In terms of dimensions and performance, it is almost identical to the previous Kuma-class cruisers; however, it was the first class of cruisers to be equipped with the new 610-millimetre (24 in) Type 93 Long Lance Torpedoes, which required a larger launcher.

The Nagara class used the same hull, engine, and armaments layout as the Kuma class. The Nagara-class hull design was based on a 5,500 ton nominal displacement, with a high freeboard and light bridge structure, behind which was a tripod mast with the fire control platform and two searchlights, the same as the Kuma class.

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