CH-4-class submarine chaser

The No.4 class submarine chaser was a class of submarine chasers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, serving during and after World War II. Nine vessels were built between 1937 and 1939 under the Maru 3 Programme.

Design

Developed under project number was K7, the No.4 class submarine chaser was an improved variant of the No.3 class, with increased freeboard. Other general features were the same as the No.3 class. Their design was elaborate, because the Navy Technical Department (Kampon) devoted itself to making them small. However, the design was not able to accept additional anti-aircraft guns and depth charges.