description IJN Yamato Overview
Yamato was an Imperial Japanese Navy battleship commissioned during the Second World War and the lead ship of its class. Along with its sister Musashi, it carried 46-centimeter main guns and ranks among the largest and most heavily armed battleships constructed. On 7 April 1945, United States carrier aircraft sank it during Operation Ten-Go while it was sailing toward Okinawa, killing most of the crew aboard.
insights Ranking position
IJN Yamato ranks #1 of 186 in the Shipwreck ranking, ahead of RMS Titanic.
help IJN Yamato FAQ
Why was Yamato sent toward Okinawa without enough fuel to return?
Operation Ten-Go was effectively a one-way mission intended to attack the American invasion fleet off Okinawa. Yamato sailed from Japan on 6 April 1945 with a small escort and limited air protection.
How did American aircraft sink Yamato?
US Navy carrier aircraft attacked with bombs and torpedoes on 7 April 1945. Repeated torpedo hits caused severe flooding and a fatal list before Yamato capsized and suffered a massive magazine explosion.
What made Yamato different from other battleships?
Yamato and her sister Musashi were the largest battleships ever constructed by displacement. Their main batteries used nine 46 cm guns, the largest guns mounted on any battleship.
Has the wreck of Yamato been found?
Japanese expeditions have located and surveyed Yamato's remains in the East China Sea. The wreck is broken into major sections at a depth of around 340 meters.
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