Japanese destroyer Ushio - Definition and Overview

Built by the Uraga Dock Co., this Fubuki class destroyer was the only one of the 20 ships in its class to survive World War II. The Ushio, which translates to "the tide" in English was laid down on 24 December 1929 and was completed on 14 November 1931. It was assigned to the 7th Destroyer Division which provided cover for the 1st Carrier Division.

The Ushio was damaged, along with several other ships of the Imperial Japanese Navy in a storm in 1935. It was repaired and took part in many of the major sea battles of the Pacific, including Pearl Harbor and Guadalcanal. Ushio was involved in at least two actions against American submarines. USS Perch (SS-176) which was scuttled after being attacked by Ushio and the destroyer Sazanami on 3 March 1942. USS Bergall (SS-320) which was holed by Ushio after torpedoing the cruiser Myoko on 5 December 1944 although Bergall escaped. The Ushio was damaged several times in combat including damage from American shore batteries at Midway on 7 December 1941 and an American air attack at Manila on 13 November 1944. Ushio survived the war and was scrapped in 1948.