Nagato
Message Board

4.
Aug. 2, 2009

I served on the Lexington during WWII, I transferred to the USS Delta AR-9 at the end of the war. We tied up alongside the Nagato to make repairs for the trip to the Atomic tests. Funny thing the Lex pasted it I think in July and I helped to repair it. Fate. Would like to hear from anyone who served on it.

Dewey Wilkerson


3.
Jan. 21, 2009

I'm looking into the history of these NIKKO binoculars that I have. I do know what the Japanese writing says and the shipyard that these were made/ installed. From what I was told from the person that I bought these from. Was that these were liberated from a Japanese warship that steamed into Subic bay Philippines. After the surrender of the Japanese middle of 1945. I find this hard to believe for one not many ships were even moving at that time because of no fuel. And two I can't find no record of any warships that surrendered at that time at that naval base, I could be wrong.

I do believe that these were removed from a ship that surrendered to the US. These were made in 1943 November and in excellent shape. Do you know of any ships that were numbered with #28. I have found in several locations on these the number 28 followed by the serial number 660. I think this may be a ships laid down number that they were made for. Only one that I can find is the NAGATO with the laid down number 28 August 1917. And this ship did survive the war, along with several others. Any help that you may know that a ship was I.D. with the number 28 would be appreciated.

Thank you,
Monte
Oct. 14, 2009 Update: My research on my Nikko 20x120 3 degrees binoculars, again this is just my opinion. The I.D. tag reads.

12centimters angle of elevation binoculars
660 th number
19.3 kilograms
1943 November
Japan Optical Industries Co.

The number 660BC is legendary with the Japanese people. October 1940 Yokohama Bay a celebration of the 2, 600th anniversary of the Emperor Jimmu's enthronement of 660 BC was taking place. The Battleship NAGATO was the JIN flagship for this celebration. A number or date of that importance would not have been over looked by the JIN.

I believe that these binoculars were one of two 20x120 of the Type two infrared signaling device fitted on the NAGATO in June of 1944. In 1945 NAGATO was assigned to the Special (Coast) Guard Fleet. NAGATO'S rangefinders searchlights, and I believe her binoculars were moved either to nearby Urayama mountain or nearby Okusuyama mountain. These binoculars were mounted on a tripod which have been with them since the end of the war.

Being painted in battleship gray these binoculars are in excellent shape. The optics are crystal clear and the three silk bags with the silica crystals are still wrap up in rice paper in the desiccant box. The reticle is perfect and clear. And can be illuminated with a external light source.

Again this is just my opinion but everything fits. The fact is that only a hand full of ships made it to the end of the war. And the Battleship NAGATO was one of those few.
-Monte
 


2.
Nov. 3, 2008

Recently my father died he was one of many sailors who boarded the surrender of the Japanese Battleship Nagato. The sailors were told they could take a trophy and my father took a ships light with casing and globe. I am wondering if their is a museum who will take this or should I offer it for sale on ebay? I prefer it to go back to the country of origin. Thanks for your help.

The daughter of HTCS Don P. Willis
Melissa Willis
Norfolk, Va.


1.
Sept. 11, 2008

A friend of mine has a chair that came form the Nagato. He is looking to find some information on where the
chair was manufactured and any other information he can get about the chair. The chair has some markings on
it that may help in identifying it's background. I would appreciate any help, advice, suggestions that I could
pass on to him.

Thanks,
Marlen Sommers

To post a message, comment or reply please email the webmaster.
All replies will be forwarded to the original sender.


Class Overview
Builder's Data
Page published Sept. 13, 2008