Hiraga

Hiraga refers to a family of Japanese naval vessels that served during the early 20th century. The term typically encompasses two distinct classes of destroyers: the Hiraga-class (also known as the Kaba-class) and the more numerous Fujinami-class. These destroyers were designed and built in Japan, with some of the earlier vessels being purchased from European shipyards.

The Hiraga-class destroyers, numbering four in total, were relatively small vessels for their time, primarily serving in scouting and escort roles. They were characterized by their compact design and were equipped with torpedo tubes and light artillery. Their service was largely confined to the pre-World War I period and the early years of the conflict.

The Fujinami-class destroyers, however, represented a more significant development in Japanese naval engineering. These were larger and more heavily armed vessels, with a greater emphasis on torpedo armament. They were a significant part of the Imperial Japanese Navy's expansion efforts in the years leading up to and during World War I. The Fujinami-class saw extensive service in various theaters, including patrols in the Pacific and operations in the East China Sea. Their design influenced subsequent Japanese destroyer classes, marking a step towards more capable and robust naval vessels.