No.251-class auxiliary submarine chaser
# No.251-class auxiliary submarine chaser

The No.251 class auxiliary submarine chaser (第二百五十一号型駆潜特務艇,, Dai 251 Gō-gata Kusen-Tokumutei) was a class of submarine chasers of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN), serving during World War II. 3 vessels were built in 1936 – 1939 under the Maru 2 Programme. They have two subclasses, this article handles them collectively.

## Background

* In 1934, the IJN planned an experimental model of a high-speed coast defense submarine chaser. The IJN wanted over 20 kn (23 mph; 37 km/h), however the Navy Technical Department (Kampon) had not designed this type of small craft and the needed high-powered diesel engines yet.
* The IJN ordered the hull design from Thornycroft, and the high-powered diesel design from MAN, to study a small-sized high-speed boat.

## Design

* The Thornycroft drawings were not able to satisfy the IJN, because the design's center of gravity was too high, and had bad drainage. Kampon made a hull design based on the Hayabusa class torpedo boat instead.
* The IJN was satisfied with MAN diesel specifications, however their designs were very complicated and very expensive. The IJN bought two engines and labeled them MAN Mk.1 diesel (マ式1号ディーゼル,, Ma-Shiki 1 Gō diesel). Further, the IJN ordered copies of these engines from Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
* Also, 1 vessel was equipped with a Kampon turbine, because the MAN diesel engines were unsuitable for a mass production.

## Service

* The IJN deployed them to a mine warfare school after having finished their examination, because they were too small.
* They became a training ship of the mine warfare school, and they acted in Tokyo Bay.

## Ships in classes

### No.251-class

* Project number K5A. 2 vessels were completed. They were equipped with MAN design diesels. The No.252 was equipped the copied MAN diesels by Kawasaki and Mitsubishi.

**No.251**

* 14 December 1936: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.51 (第51号駆潜艇,, Dai 51 Gō Kusentei) at Nihon Kōkan, Tsurumi Shipyard.
* 9 June 1937: Launched.
* 30 September 1937: Completed.
* 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.51 (第51号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 51 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
* 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.251 (第251号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 251 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* 28 August 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1658 (公称第1658号,, Kōshō-Dai 1658 Gō).
* August 1945: The end of war at Uraga, later nothing more was heard.

**No.252**

* 14 December 1936: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.52 (第52号駆潜艇,, Dai 52 Gō Kusentei) at Nihon Kōkan, Tsurumi Shipyard.
* 25 August 1937: Launched.
* 25 July 1939: Completed.
* 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.52 (第52号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 52 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
* 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.252 (第252号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 252 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* 15 February 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1650 (公称第1650号,, Kōshō-Dai 1650 Gō).
* August 1945: The end of war at Uraga, later nothing more was heard.

### No.253-class

* Project number K5B. 1 vessels was completed. She was equipped with Kampon turbine. She was classed in the No.251-class in the IJN official documents.

**No.253**

* 9 January 1937: Laid down as the Submarine Chaser No.53 (第53号駆潜艇,, Dai 53 Gō Kusentei) at Ōsaka Iron Works, Sakurajima Factory.
* 15 July 1937: Launched.
* 31 October 1937: Completed.
* 15 November 1940: Classified to the Auxiliary submarine chaser, and renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.53 (第53号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 53 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* (after): Assigned to the mine warfare school (Kurihama).
* 30 April 1943: Renamed Auxiliary Submarine Chaser No.253 (第253号駆潜特務艇,, Dai 253 Gō Kusen-Tokumutei).
* 15 February 1944: Classified to the Support vessel (tugboat), and renamed No.1651 (公称第1651号,, Kōshō-Dai 1651 Gō).
* August 1945: The end of war at Uraga.
* August 1946: Sink by unknown effect.

## Footnotes

* ↑ At first No.51 class submarine chaser (第五十一号型駆潜艇,, Dai 51 Gō-gata Kusentei), until 15 November 1940.
