The Anatomy of Yamato: Understanding Her Weight and Significance

When discussing the grand scale and engineering prowess of World War II battleships, the name Yamato stands out prominently. This iconic Japanese battleship is often shrouded in mystery and myth, especially regarding her weight and displacement. In this article, we will delve into the numbers and facts surrounding the Yamato, clarifying the confusion around her true weight and dispelling some myths.

The Weight of Yamato

One of the persistent questions about the Yamato is her exact weight. There are various figures mentioned, ranging from her standard displacement of 64,000 tons to a fuller load of 72,000 to 74,000 tons. However, it is essential to understand the different terms used in naval architecture and their implications.

The Yamato was a colossal ship, with significant displacements at different states of loading. According to some sources, her displacement at standard load was 65,027 tons, while fully loaded, she reached 71,659 tons. These figures are based on historical records and documentation from the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN).

Musashi: A Sister Ship for Comparison

The Yamato had a sister ship, the Musashi, which was also a formidable battleship. Interestingly, while the Yamato was slightly larger, the Musashi was not as large as one might expect from its sister. The Musashi claimed a weight of 63,000 tons at a standard load. This difference in sizes raises the question of why the Yamato was considered the largest battleship in the world during its era.

Myths and Realities

The Yamato is often erroneously cited with a weight of 720,000 tons, which is astronomically high and simply inaccurate. It is a commonly held belief that a ship of such grand proportions would have been better equipped with advanced radar fire control and aerial support. However, the realities of naval design and the technological constraints of the time paint a different picture. The U.S. battleship Iowa, for instance, was far more technologically advanced, with superior radar fire control systems and better aerial support capabilities.

The source of these misperceptions often stems from the legendary status the Yamato held in Japanese naval history. Often, the Yamato is portrayed as a paragon of Japanese naval might, and her perceived might is sometimes attributed to her sheer size rather than her design or technological superiority.

Conclusion

The true weight of the Yamato is a complex issue, with figures ranging from 65,027 tons to 71,659 tons based on historical records. The Yamato and her sister, the Musashi, were two of the largest battleships of their time, but the technological capabilities of the Iowa class U.S. battleships were significantly more advanced. Understanding the true weight and capabilities of the Yamato helps to put into perspective the grandeur of this ship and its place in naval history.

References

Source: Japanese Warships of World War II, Anthony Watts