Kotetsu
From SamuraiWiki
- Kanji: 甲鉄 (Koutetsu), literally "Iron Armored." Later renamed 東 (Azuma), literally "East."
- Entered Japanese Service: 3 February 1869
Statistics | |||
Displacement | 1,300 tons | ||
Length | 193 feet | ||
Beam | 31 feet | ||
Draught | 14 feet | ||
Propulsion | Two 350 horsepower double reciprocating engines | ||
Fuel | Coal - 200 tons | ||
Speed | 10.5 knots | ||
Complement | 135 | ||
Armament | 1 x 300-pounder Armstrong
2 x 70-pounder Armstrong | ||
Armor | Turret – 4 3/8 inches of iron
Hull – 4 inches of iron |
Construction and life in France
- Name while in service: Sphinx
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/StaerkodderPlans2.gif/300px-StaerkodderPlans2.gif)
A basic plan set for the ironclad.[1]
- Names while in service:
- Stærkodder (literally "Strong Otter")
- Olinde
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Starkodder1.jpg/300px-Starkodder1.jpg)
The ironclad as the Stærkodder in the Royal Danish Navy in 1864.[2]
- Name while in service: CSS Stonewall (named for slain Confederate General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson)
- Engagement: Pursued by United States warships Sacramento, Niagara, and Kearsarge.
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Belem_firing_on_Niagara_and_Sacramento.jpg/300px-Belem_firing_on_Niagara_and_Sacramento.jpg)
The Tower of Belem firing on the United States ships Niagara and Sacramento in Lisbon Harbor.[3]
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Harpers-13May1865.jpg/300px-Harpers-13May1865.jpg)
The ironclad as the CSS Stonewall crossing the Atlantic Ocean.[4]
"Surrender" to Spanish authorities in Cuba
Spain turns the vessel over to the United States. For a price.
- Name while in service: Ex-CSS Stonewall
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Stonewall-Washington.jpg/300px-Stonewall-Washington.jpg)
The ironclad in United States custody in the Washington Navy Yard.[5]
Japan enters the age of the ironclad
- Names while in service:
- 甲鉄 (Koutetsu [literally "Iron Armored"])
- 東 (Azuma [literally "East"])
- Engagements:
- 宮古湾海戦 - Miyako Wan Kaisen (Naval Battle of Miyako Bay) March 1869.
- 函館湾海戦 - Hakodate Wan Kaisen (Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay) 4 through 10 May 1869.
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Azuma-port.jpg/300px-Azuma-port.jpg)
The ironclad as the Koutetsu at full sail in port during the late 1860s.[6]
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/BattleOfHakodate.jpg/300px-BattleOfHakodate.jpg)
The ironclad as the Koutetsu during the 函館湾海戦 (Hakodate Wan Kaisen [Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay]), June 1869.[7]
The ironclad as the Koutetsu during the 函館湾海戦 (Hakodate Wan Kaisen [Naval Battle of Hakodate Bay]).[8]
![](https://mywikis-wiki-media.s3.us-central-1.wasabisys.com/samuraiwiki/thumb/Azuma3.jpg/300px-Azuma3.jpg)
The ironclad after being renamed Azuma.[9]
Notes
- ↑ Greene and Massignani. Ironclads at War. Page 202
- ↑ From the collection of the Orlogsmuseets (Royal Danish Naval Museum).
- ↑ From Harper's Weekly, 13 May 1865.
- ↑ Harper's Weekly, 13 May 1865.
- ↑ From the United States Naval Historical Center.
- ↑ From the United States Naval Historical Center.
- ↑ From the United States Naval Historical Center.
- ↑ From the Illustrated London News, 11 September 1869.
- ↑ From the United States Naval Historical Center.
References
- Greene, Jack and Alessandro Massignani. Ironclads at War: The Origin and Development of the Armored Warship, 1854-1891. Pennsylvania: Combined Publishing, 1998.
- “Japanese Imperial Fleet Attacking the Rebels of Hakodadi.” Illustrated London News, 11 September 1869.
- Naval War Records Office. Official Records of the Union and Confederate Navies. Series I Volumes 3 (1896), 5 (1897), 12 (1901), 16 (1903), 17 (1903), 22 (1908), 27 (1917). Series II Volumes 1 (1921), 2 (1921), 3 (1922). Washington, D.C.: Government Print. Office, 1894-1922.
- “The Confederate Steam Ram ‘Stonewall’ leaving Lisbon Harbor.” Harper’s Weekly, 13 May 1865, p. 301.
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