2 replies to this topic

[Richard Cornwell]

Hi

 

I'm designing an operational scenario where some Japanese destroyers are towing Diahatsu landing barges. Any ideas on the cruising speed with these?

 

Richard

[Cpt M]

Very slow!  Generally, any speed above that the barge could manage on their own would likely result in the barge swamping.  Barge towing was an exercise in patience.

[MatthewB]

One of these?:
 

Daihatsu Landing Craft/Barge

 

They typically could make 8kts on their own, like the "Higgins Boats" of the USN, but could be towed at up to 15kts, but were usually towed at 12kts.

Tameichi Hara talks about them in his book: Japanese Destroyer Captain, in the chapter where he talks about the battles along Kolombangara and Vella Lavella (I am thinking it was Kula Gulf), where the Destroyers acted as decoys to draw the US force away from the Barges being towed (Maybe it was the Naval Battle of Vella LaVella itself???).

In any event, he makes a statement that the barges being towed could make 15kts at best, and then they would be in danger of being damaged or of swamping, but that they were cruising at 12kts while towing them.

MB