W-17 Class Minesweepers
(W-18 scanned from SOTW, V. 507)

The W-17 class of two units suffered from a top-heavy design. After torpedo boat TOMOZURU capsized in a storm in 1934, the IJN took a number of similar vessels in hand, including the W-17s, to add more ballast to improve their sea-worthiness. In 1943-1944, their minesweeping gear was removed and they were rearmed with five Type 96 25-mm AA guns and 36 DCs.

Builders and
Years Completed:		 Mitsui and Hitachi
1935-1936
Displacement: 578-tons standard.
Dimensions: 237' x 25.9' x 8.3'
Propulsion: 2 sets GT, 2 Kampon boilers, 2-shafts, 3200 i.h.p, speed 19 knots
Armament: 2 x 4.7-inch (120-mm)/45 cal HA, 2-13.2-mm MG, 2 depth charges