Furutaka was the lead-ship of the four Furutaka-class light cruiser reclassified as heavy cruisers (two ships if we exclude the Aoba-subclass cruisers). The Furutaka-class ships were ordered under the 1923 fiscal year, her design were to counter the American Omaha-class and British Hawkins-class which are all post-WWI cruisers, the Furutaka-class relatively had more firepower compare to their counterparts while having the almost maximum speed of the Omaha-class. She was laid down at Mitsubishi Shipyard on December 5, 1922, she was launched on February 25, 1925, then commissioned on March 31, 1926. Her initial standard displacement is 7,950 tons, she's equipped with four Parsons Geared Turbine, twelve Kampon Boilers with four shafts capable of producing 102,000 horsepower, and her initial maximum speed is 34.6 knots. Her initial armaments are six single 20cm (7.9-inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type 'Type A' naval guns, four single 79mm (3.1-inch) high-angle secondary turrets, and two quadruple 61cm (24-inch) torpedo tubes. The Washington Naval Treaty was implemented on 1922, the treaty limits the total displacement to 10,000 tons and gun caliber to 8 inch for all cruisers but this did not limit the armament possession. Furutaka-class light cruiser were reclassified as heavy cruisers making them the first heavy cruisers to be commissioned in the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Upon commissioning, she was assign to the 5th CruDiv. On April 22, 1930, the Naval Treaty of London was signed, the treaty distinguished the difference between light cruisers and heavy cruisers, 6.1 inch was the total limit caliber for light cruisers while 8 inch caliber is the total limit for heavy cruiser, the treaty was implemented on February 6, 1931. On December of 1931, she was put under reserve ship. By 1933, the installed an aircraft catapult on her, she carries one Nakajima E4N2 floatplane then 2 Kawanishi E7K2 floatplanes on 1936. She served off Chinese waters and engaged intensive combat practice till 1936. The Second London Naval Conference began on December 9, 1935, the conference limits the displacement of light cruisers to 8,000 tons, the gun caliber was still limited to 6.1 inch, Japan withdrawn from the conference on January 15, 1936, the treaty was signed on March 25, 1936.
On 1936, she undergone to extensive modernization at Kure Naval Base, her standard displacement was increased to 8,700 tons, this decreased her speed to 32.95 knots. They also replaced her armaments, she's armed with three twin 20.3cm (8-inch) 50 cal. 3rd Year Type 'Type E-2' naval guns and four single 11.9cm (4.7-inch) 45 cal. dual-purpose secondary turrets, they also replaced her torpedo tubes, and her fire control system was changed. Her reconstruction was completed on April 30, 1939.
On November 28, 1941, she was assigned to the CruDiv 6, 1st fleet, commanded by Rear Admiral Goto Aritomo, she was together with Kako, Aoba and Kinugasa. On December 4, 1941, CruDiv 6 departed from Hahajima to support the invasion force to Guam. On December 10, 1941, the invasion force landed 5,500 troops in Guam, CruDiv 6 departed for Truk on the same day. On December 13, 1941, since the first attempt to occupy Wake Island somehow failed, CruDiv 6 departed from Truk and joined to support the second attempt to occupy Wake Island together with the 2nd CarDiv. After putting a stubborn resistance, American force in Wake Island finally surrendered on December 23, 1941. CruDiv 6 departed for Truk and arrived on January 10, 1942.
On January 18, 1942, CruDiv 6 departed from Truk to cover the invasion forces to Rabaul and Kavieng. The Japanese captured Kavieng on January 24, 1942 and Rabaul on February 9, 1942. On January 20, 1942, CruDiv 6 arrived at Rabaul. On February 1, 1942, USS Enterprise CV-6 from Task Force 8 commanded by Vice Admiral Halsey raided Kwajalein and Wotje in the Marshall Islands, the CruDiv 6 departed from Rabaul to pursuit the Task Force. They arrived at Roi then at Kwajalein, then they proceed to Truk after failing to locate the Task Force, they arrived on Truk on February 10, 1942.
On February 20, 1942, a Kawanishi H6K flying boat spotted USS Lexington CV-2 from Task Force 11 commanded by Rear Admiral Brown, TF-11 was ordered to raid Rabaul on that day, Furutaka together with Kako and Kinugasa sortied from Truk to pursuit the task force but they were unsuccessful, TF-11 also aborted their mission. She arrived at Truk on February 23, 1942. On March 2, 1942, CruDiv 6 departed from Truk to Rabaul, they arrived on March 5, 1942. On March 8, 1942, CruDiv 6 supported the invasion force to Lae and Salamaua, New Guinea, together with Tenryuu and Tastuta from CruDiv 18, the towns were occupied on the same day. On March 9, 1942 onwards, CruDiv 6 together with CruDiv 18 covered invasion forces to several areas in Solomon Islands and New Guinea, which are Buka, Shortland, Kieta, Manus and Admiralty Islands, on April 10, 1942, she arrived at Truk, she was refitted afterwards.
On April 30, 1942, CruDiv 6 together with light carrier Shouhou sortied from Truk to support the invasion force to Tulagi. CruDiv 6 arrived at the Queen Carola anchorage near Buka on May 3, 1942, they provide distant cover for the invasion force. On May 4, 1942, the invasion force occupied Tulagi and its nearby islands, then Task Force 17 commanded by Rear Admiral Fletcher, which composed of USS Yorktown CV-5, 3 heavy cruisers and 6 destroyers, Yorktown launched three strikes at Tulagi, on the same day CruDiv 6 was ordered to proceed near Guadalcanal to pursuit the Task Force. On May 5, 1942, she arrived at Shortland Islands, she was refueled by oil tanker Iro. On the next day, four B-17 heavy attacked CruDiv 6 while they were at Shortland Islands, the air attack was somehow unsuccessful.
During the Battle of the Coral Sea on May 7, 1942, CruDiv 6 rendezvous with Shouhou, then at 11:00, Shouhou was attacked by aircraft from USS Lexington CV-2 and USS Yorktown CV-5, Shouhou sank afterwards. On May 8, 1942, USN carriers attacked Shoukaku and Zuikaku from the 5th CarDiv, Shoukaku was damaged from the attack, Furutaka and Kinugasa were detached from CruDiv 6 to escort Shoukaku back to Truk, then Zuikaku counterattack against the carriers, her planes damaged Yorktown and sank Lexington, but Zuikaku's air complement was depleted during the battle. On May 9, 1942, she departs to Shortland Islands. Because of the result in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the Japanese aborted their thrust to Port Moserby. On May 13, 1942, she arrived at Shortland Islands and refuels. Two days later, they departed Shortland Islands for Truk, she arrived at Truk on May 17, 1942, then she departed for Kure, she arrived at Kure on June 5, 1942, she was docked for maintenance afterwards.
On June 15, 1942, she was undocked, she departed from Kure for Truk on June 28, 1942, she arrived at Truk on July 4, 1942, then she proceeds to Kieta afterwards, she arrived at Kieta on July 19, 1942 and refuels. On July 14, 1942, the IJN undergone to a major reorganization, this also creates the 8th fleet commanded by Vice Admiral Mikawa Gunichi. From July 14, 1942 onwards, she responded to several calls from various IJN bases within Solomons, New Britain and New Ireland, then she proceeds to Mowe Base near Kavieng. On July 27, 1942, CruDiv 6 was reassigned to the 8th Fleet, they were based at Kavieng. On August 7, 1942, CruDiv 6 departed from Kavieng and proceed to Guadalcanal.
On the Battle of Savo Islands on August 9, 1942, CruDiv 6 engaged Task Force 62 commanded by Rear Admiral Crutchley, which composed of 6 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers and 15 destroyers, TF-62 were ordered to provide cover to the transport ship for the invasion of Guadalcanal. At 23:00, Furutaka together with Choukai and Kako, launched their floatplanes, the aircraft drops flare to illuminate the Allied ships. Then all Japanese ships began to open fire, the USN lost 4 heavy cruisers and 1 heavy cruiser and 2 destroyers were damaged while Choukai was heavily damaged, Tenryuu were moderately damaged and Kinugasa and Aoba were lightly damaged, the 8th Fleet immediately retired to Rabaul after the engagement while CruDiv 6 retreated to Kavieng. While steaming back to Kavieng, on August 10, 1942, they were spotted by USN submarine USS S-44 SS-155, the submarine fires four torpedoes, three torpedoes hit Kako, Kako blows up and sunk afterwards, CruDiv 6 arrived at Kavieng on the same day.
On August 17, 1942, she departed from Kavieng and proceed to Rekata Bay, on August 20, 1942, she departed from Rekata Bay and proceed to Shortland Islands. On August 23, 1942, Furutaka departed from Shortland Islands together with Choukai and provided distant cover for the reinforcement convoys to Guadalcanal, she was attacked by a patrolling PBY flying boat but sustained no damage. On August 26, 1942, she detaches from CruDiv 6, she shuttled between Kieta and Rabaul as needed to refuel and resupply until mid-September. On September 12, 1942, she was unsuccessfully attacked by USN Submarine USS S-47 SS-158. On October 1, 1942, she reunites with CruDiv 6 while at Shortland Islands.
On the Battle of Cape Esperance on October 11, 1942, CruDiv 6 with Fubuki and Hatsuyuki from DesDiv 11 departed from Shortland Islands to provide distant cover for the Tokyo Express by shelling Henderson Field. The IJN force engaged Task Force 64 commanded by Rear Admiral Scott, which composed of 2 heavy cruiser, 2 light cruisers and 4 destroyers. TF-64 was escorting transport ships to Guadalcanal before the engagement. At 22:35, the IJN force were detected under radar by USS Helena CL-50, TF-64 reversed course and crossed the IJN's 'T', Aoba, leading the IJN force, was heavily damaged from the engagement, Fubuki sunk and Hatsuyuki was also damaged, Furutaka and Kinugasa covered the damaged Aoba and engaged the USN ships. Destroyer USS Duncan DD-485 launched two torpedoes at Furutaka but do no damage. Furutaka continued firing her guns until she was put out of action by numerous shells. At 23:54, a torpedo hit her at her forward engine room. A total of 90 shells hit Furutaka, some had ignited her Type-93 torpedoes aboard which caused heavy fire, the fire draws more gunfire, Kinugasa withdrawn from the battle and towed Aoba back to Shortland Islands. At 02:28 of October 12, 1942, she sunk stern first, 33 of her crew were killed while 514 survivors including CO. Araki were rescued by Hatsuyuki, Murakumo and Shirayuki, 101 of her crew were declared MIA, 115 were captured by the Americans.
Furutaka sunk on October 12, 1942, she rests within the Ironbottom Sound.
Searchlight EyeCompleted in October 1926, Furutaka is the first ship of the Furutaka Class heavy cruisers. Because Kako is constructed first, initially they're called Kako class heavy cruisers, but because Furutaka's construction finished earlier, they're then named Furutaka class heavy cruisers.
When talking about Furutaka's special feature, of course it's her shining eye. Added with the equipment engulfing her right arm, she looks like a cyborg.
So unlike other girls who fight with weapons, it looks as if Furutaka's body is also getting modification.
But even with that appearance, she has a modest and cute personality. How do you say it... she looks heroic, and I like that.Battle of Cape Esperance
Finally in October 11th to 12th, 1942, Furutaka met her end in the sea of Savo island in Solomon islands.
While in a transport fleet centered on Chitose, their flagship Aoba misidentified the enemy fleet. To protect her, Furutaka entered battle while shining her searchlight and received concentrated attack until she's dead on the water. Then, as if joining Fubuki, she sank into the Ironbottom Sound.
Although originally designed as a light cruiser with high firepower, in the wake of the Washington naval treaty Furutaka somehow changed into Japan's first heavy cruiser.Aquarium
To fight against foreign light cruisers who packed more firepower than the Nagara and Sendai class, Furutaka class is designed based on the experimental ship Yuubari who has higher firepower and speed compared to the enemy, all in more compact form.
At the time, it's widely believed that ship of her displacement wouldn't be able to mount 20cm guns, so the achievement acquired her attention from the world.
But there's also many things to pay from this weight reduction. The ammunition for her 20cm guns, each weight more than 100kg, have to be loaded manually.
In addition, thanks to the heavy armours, her draught is increased above the waterline. As result, the window of lower decks have to be locked or else water will flood into the quarters. Because the windows are located underwater, she's also called aquarium.
6th Cruiser Division
Furutaka received modernization in 1937. In preparation of the coming war, her main gun is upgraded to mechanized 20.3cm twin turrets. She's also equipped with bulge among others.
Together with Kako, Aoba and Kinugasa they formed the 6th Cruiser Division that fight in operations in the southern front. After that they're placed under Choukai as flagship in the 8th fleet, becoming part of the active Mikawa fleet into the first Battle of Solomon Sea.
As result, despite successfully dealing damage to the enemy fleet, Kako is lost by submarine attack while they are returning.
