Minesweepers at Qingdao 1914

[jerryasher]

Is there a list of the minesweepers that took part in the Qingdao campaign. I know a couple were sunk. Many thanks in advance.

[fontessa]

Hello jerryashe,

I think minesweepers were created form 1921.
Destroyers 曙 Akebono and 朧 Oboro were reclassified into minesweepers on 30 April 1921.

fontessa

[Akira Takizawa]

「日独戦史」stated that 13 掃海船(minesweeper) participated in the campaign, though I don't know what is 掃海船.

https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/956838 (Frame 52)

Taki

[jerryasher]

Thank you Fontessa and Taki.

[fontessa]

「日独戦史」stated that 13 掃海船(minesweeper) participated in the campaign, though I don't know what is 掃海船.
https://dl.ndl.go.jp/info:ndljp/pid/956838 (Frame 52)
Taki

Thanks Taki for the info.
I checked JACAR and picked up the below.
Both 甲掃海隊 Ko Mineswper Unit and 乙掃海隊 Otsu Mineswper Unit belonged to 2nd Fleet.

甲掃海隊
文月丸 Fumizuki Maru、皐月丸 Satsuki Maru、巻雲丸 Makigumo Maru、漣丸 Sazanami Maru、霞丸Kasumi Maru、敷波丸 Sikinami Maru
乙掃海隊
琉球丸 Ryukyu Maru、第2長門丸 2nd Nagato Maru、第3長門丸 3rd、第5長門丸 5th、第6長門丸 6th、第8長門丸 8th、第3西宗丸 3rd Seiso Maru

The positions of 22 September 1914 were as the below near Qingdao. For confidentiality reasons, the berth location was not specified.
(第6長門丸 sank on 6? September 1914.)
第1地点 1st Position
皐月丸, 巻雲丸, 琉球丸
第6地点方面 6th Posision Area
文月丸、漣丸、霞丸、敷波丸、第2長門丸、第3長門丸、第5長門丸、第8長門丸、第3西宗丸

fontessa

[jerryasher]

Thank you Fontessa; That leads to a question about destroyers which I will post now. Again thank you.

[fontessa]

Hello jerryasher,

It turns out that the six ships of 甲掃海隊 have been reclassified from destroyers to Minesweep ships.

文月丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep ship) on 13 August 1913
Abandoned on 28 June 1915
霞丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 (掃海船) on 13 August 1913
Reclasified as Destroyer on 1 July 1920
皐月丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 (掃海船) on 13 August 1913
Reclasified as 雑役船 (標的船 Target Ship) on 31 March 1916
巻雲丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 (掃海船) on 13 August 1913
Abandoned on 28 June 1915
敷波丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 (掃海船) on 13 August 1913
Abandoned on 28 June 1915
漣丸
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913 (Previous destroyer)
Clacified as 雑役船 (掃海船) on 13 August 1913
Reclasified as 雑役船 (標的船 Target Ship) on 31 March 1916

fontessa

[jerryasher]

Thank you Fontessa: According to, "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945" Fumizuki Maru, and Satsuki Maru are former Russian destroyers,
Thank you for improving our knowledge.

[fontessa]

Hello jerryasher,

Thank you Fontessa: According to, "Warships of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1869-1945" Fumizuki Maru, and Satsuki Maru are former Russian destroyers,

Fumizuki: Former Сильный Sirinui
Satsuki: Former Бедовыйb Bedovy
Shikinami: Former Aйдамак Gaida Mark
Makigumo: Former Всадник Husardnik

fontessa

[tupolev16]

Good evening,
This article says about two small minesweepers lost. Smth smaller than 300-tons ex-destroyers?

http://www.gwpda.org/naval/tsingtao.htm

[jerryasher]

Welcome to the forum: Many thanks for sharing.--Stay safe and well.

[fontessa]

Hello tupolev16,

The below is the history of five destroyers (ex three destroyers and two gunboats) in the Japanese Navy after being captured by Japan.

Fumizuki 文月 (Ex Сильный)
Captured: 1 January 1905
Renamed to Fumizuki 文月: 2 September 1905
Listed as Destroyer: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第3駆逐隊 3rd Destroyer Division: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第15駆逐隊 15th Destroyer Division: 1 February 1912
Listed as 3rd Rank Destroyer: 28 August 1912
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep Ship): 23 August 1913
Renamed to Fumizuki Maru 文月丸: 23 August 1913
Transferred to 甲掃海隊 Ko Mineswper Unit / 第2艦隊 2nd Fleet: 19August 1914 [Ko Mineswper Unit CO : LCDR Yanagihara Tsugio 柳原継雄 (7)]
Commanding Officers:
LT / LT Kitamura Eiko 北村栄虎 (28): 15 August 1908 - 1 March 1910
LT / LT Matsumoito Kennosuke 松本謙之助 (29): 1 March 1910 - 23 May 1911
LT / LT Tanabe Kinjiro 田辺金次郎 (29): 23 May 1911 - 22 May 1912
LT / LT Honjuku Naojiro 本宿直次郎 (30): 22 May 1912 - 1 December 1912
LT / LT Matsudaira Ban 松平胖 (30): 1 December 1912 - 1 April 1913

Fumizuki.jpg

Yamabiko 山彦 (Ex Решительный)
Captured: 12 August 1904
Renamed to Akatsuki 暁: 17 January 1905
Renamed to Yamabiko 山彦: 19 October 1905
Listed as Destroyer: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第3駆逐隊 3rd Destroyer Division: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第15駆逐隊 15th Destroyer Division: 1 February 1912
Listed as 3rd Rank Destroyer: 28 August 1912
Removed form the list on 1 April 1917
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (水雷標的船 Torpedo Target Ship): 1 April 1917
Renamed to Yamabiko Maru 山彦丸: 1 April 1917
Abandoned: ??? 1919
Commanding Officers:
(ADD) LCDR / LCDR SHIGA Hidenobu 滋賀秀修 (16): 12 December 1905 -25 January 1906
(ADD) LCDR / LCDR Kuwashima Shozo 桑島省三 (20): 25 January 1906 - 12 April 1907
(ADD) LT / LT Seki Saiemon 関才右衛門 (26): 12 April 1907 - 20 November 1908
(ADD) LCDR / LCDR Nango Jiro 南郷次郎 (26): 1909年5月25日 - 1909年5月25日
(ADD) LCDR / LCDR Nakagiri Keiji 中桐啓太 (26): 1909年5月25日 - 1909年5月25日
LT / LT KAWANO Sutekuma 河野捨熊 (30): 1 December 1909 - 13 September 1911
LT / LT AKAMINE Ichiro 赤峰一郎 (30): 13 September 1911 - 1 December 1911
LT / LT NOJIMA Shinnojo 野島新之丞 (30): 1 December 1911 - 5 July 1912)
LT / LT FUKUOKA Seiichi 福岡成一 (30): 5 July 1912 - 1 December 1912
LT / LT OSHIMA Eigi 大島衛義 (30): 1 December 1912 - 1 December 1913
LT / LT Ikuta Yaichi 生田矢一 (32): 1 December 1913 - 25 December 1914
LT / LCDR TAGAWA Kaoru 田川薫 (32): 25 December 1914 - 1 December 1916
LT / LT NISHIO Saburo 西尾三郎 (34): 1 December 1916 - 15 March 1917 (1916.12.2.Frm14 / 1917.3.16.Frm3)
(ADD) LT / ??? MIKI Taichi 三木太市 (35): 15 March 1917 - 1 December 1917 (1917.3.16.Frm3)日

Yamabiko.jpg

Satsuki 皐月 (Ex Бедовыйb)
Captured: 28 May 1905
Renamed to Satsuki 皐月: 6 June 1905
Listed as Destroyer: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第3駆逐隊 3rd Destroyer Division: 12 December 1905
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep Ship): 1 April 1913
Renamed to Satsuki Maru皐月丸: 1 April 1913
Transferred to 甲掃海隊 Ko Mineswper Unit / 第2艦隊 2nd Fleet: 19August 1914 [Ko Mineswper Unit CO : LCDR Yanagihara Tsugio 柳原継雄 (7)]
Reclasified as 雑役船 (水雷標的船 Torpedo Target Ship) on 31 March 1916
Abandoned: ??? 1921
Commanding Officers:
LCDR / LCDR Mizushina Sanjuro 水科三十郎 (17): 12 December 1905 - 12 July 1906
LT / LT Hiraoka Zennojo 平岡善之丞 (26): 12 July 1906 - 5 April 1907
LT / LT Kamishiro Moritsugu 神代護次 (28): 5 April 1907 - 10 December 1908
LT / LT Matsubara Hikosuke 松原彦介 (29): 10 December 1908 - 1 December 1909
LT / LT Asada Sotoijiro 朝田外次郎 (29): 1 December 1909 - 28 June 1911
LT / LT HORI Tomeru 堀富 (29): 28 June 1911 - 22 May 1912
LT / LT Nakahara Ichisuke 中原市介 (31): 22 May 1912 - 1 April 1913

Satsuki.jpg

Shikinami 敷波 (Ex Гайдамак)
Captured: 1 January 1905
Renamed to Shikinami 敷波: 31 October 1905
Listed as Destroyer: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第15駆逐隊 15th Destroyer Division: 13 November1910
Transfdeered to 3rd Fleet 第3艦隊: 14 October 1911
Transfdeered to 3rd Fleet: 14 October 1911
Listed as 3rd Rank Destroyer: 28 August 1912
Removed form the list on 1 April 1913
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep Ship): 23 August 1913
Renamed to Shikinami Maru敷波丸: 23 August 1913
Transferred to 甲掃海隊 Ko Mineswper Unit / 第2艦隊 2nd Fleet: 19August 1914 [Ko Mineswper Unit CO : LCDR Yanagihara Tsugio 柳原継雄 (7)]
Abandoned: 28 June 1915
Commanding Officers:
LT / LT Nishino Sakutaro 西野作太郎 (29): 1 November 1909 - 21 April 1910
(ADD) LT / LT Moriyama Akira 森山明 (29): 21 April 1910 - 4 October 1910
(ADD) LT / LT Takeuchi Tadashi 竹内正 (30): 4 October 1910 - 1910年12月1日
LT / LT Takeuchi Tadashi 竹内正 (30): 1910年12月1日- 12 April 1911
LT / LT Fukuoka Seiichi 福岡成一 (30): 12 April 1911 - 10 August 1911
LT / LT Horie Heiya 堀江平弥 (30): 10 August 1911 - 27 December 1911
LT / LT Fukuoka Seiichi 福岡成一 (30): 27 December 1911 - 5 July 1912
LT / LT Nomura Shinnojo 野島新之丞 (3): 5 July 1912 - 1 April 1913

Shikinami.jpg

Makigumo 巻雲 (Ex Всадник)
Captured: 1 January 1905
Renamed to Makigumo 巻雲: 31 October 1905
Listed as Destroyer: 12 December 1905
Transferred to 第15駆逐隊 15th Destroyer Division: 13 November1910
Transfdeered to 3rd Fleet 第3艦隊: 14 October 1911
Listed as 3rd Rank Destroyer: 28 August 1912
Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep Ship): 23 August 1913
Renamed to Makigumo Maru巻雲丸: 23 August 1913
Transferred to 甲掃海隊 Ko Mineswper Unit / 第2艦隊 2nd Fleet: 19August 1914 [LCDR Yanagihara Tsugio柳原継雄 (7)]
Abandoned on 28 June 1915
Abandoned: 28 June 1915
Commanding Officers:
LT / LT Noda Tameyoshi 野田為良 (28): 23 December 1908 - 1 December 1910
LT / LT Nakamuta Takemasa 中牟田武正 (27): 1 December 1910 - 23 May 1911
LT / LT Togawa　Saburo 砥川三郎 (30): 23 May 1911 - 1 December 1912
LT / LT Ozawa Kiyoshi 小沢潔 (31): 1 December 1912 – 1 April 1913


Was the warship flag Russian?

Makigumo.jpg

fontessa

[fontessa]

Hello tupolev16,

Good evening,
This article says about two small minesweepers lost. Smth smaller than 300-tons ex-destroyers?

http://www.gwpda.org/naval/tsingtao.htm

No. As evidenced in my last post, both Shikinami 敷波 (Ex Гайдамак) and Makigumo 巻雲 (Ex Всадник) survived the battle in Qingdao.

fontessa

[tupolev16]

Dear fontessa,
Thank you for your post. Very informative and helpful. Which book is the source of information?
Regarding last photo - yes, it's Russian navy flag. Sadly, there are no photos of Makigumo and Satsuki under Japanese flag.
The photo of Yamobiko is dated back to the battle of Tsushima when it was still under the name of Akatsuki.

Vsadnik&Gaidamak.jpg

Here's the photo of two gunboats sank by their crews in Port-Arthur. Japanese raised them and they became Shikinami and Makigumo.

Could you kindly clear out this:
"Clacified as 雑役船 Miscellaneous Ship (掃海船 Minesweep Ship): 23 August 1913"
What does it mean? a ship was set both for miscellaneous services and minesweeping?

Best wishes,
Tupolev16

[jerryasher]

Good morning Tupolev 16: The article you referred me to, mentioned something that I had never heard of before and ask if you could follow up. When did Imperial Russia ask Japan to "form these ships into a squadron and send them to reinforce the Russian Fleet in the Baltic....? Many thanks in advance--Stay well --Stay safe.