Mutsu

0.6.9.1.1

Mutsu

Battleship | Japan | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points58 400

Aircraft

Main Battery

410 mm/45 3rd Year Type4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2 shots/min.

Reload Time30 sec.

Rotation Speed3.8 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time47.37 sec.

Firing Range20.35 km.

Maximum Dispersion230 m.

HE Shell410 mm HE Type0

Maximum HE Shell Damage6500

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell30 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity805 m./s.

HE Shell Weight938.5 kg.

AP Shell410 mm AP/APC Type88

Maximum AP Shell Damage12 400

Initial AP Shell Velocity790 m./s.

AP Shell Weight1000 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

140 mm/50 3rd Year Type20 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire7.5 shots/min.

Reload Time8 sec.

AP Shell140 mm AP Type2

Maximum AP Shell Damage2700

Initial AP Shell Velocity850 m./s.

Secondary Armament #2

127 mm/40 Type89 A14 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell127 mm HE Type0

Maximum HE Shell Damage2100

Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Single4 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.86 shots/min.

Reload Time21 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo533 mm Type6

Maximum Damage10 833

Torpedo Speed57 knot

Torpedo Range6.99 km.

AA Defense

7.7 mm/80 Type923 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second4.8

. . . Firing Range0.99 km.

40 mm "HI" Type912 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second15.8

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

127 mm/40 Type89 A14 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second40.4

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed26.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius770 m.

Rudder Shift Time13.7 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.92 km.

Air Detectability Range13.29 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

0.6.9.1.1

Mutsu

Battleship | Japan | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

General

Purchase pricepromo

Hit Points58 400

Aircraft

Main Battery

410 mm/45 3rd Year Type4 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire2 shots/min.

Reload Time30 sec.

Rotation Speed3.8 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time47.37 sec.

Firing Range20.35 km.

Maximum Dispersion230 m.

HE Shell410 mm HE Type0

Maximum HE Shell Damage6500

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell30 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity805 m./s.

HE Shell Weight938.5 kg.

AP Shell410 mm AP/APC Type88

Maximum AP Shell Damage12 400

Initial AP Shell Velocity790 m./s.

AP Shell Weight1000 kg.

Secondary Armament #1

140 mm/50 3rd Year Type20 х 1 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire7.5 shots/min.

Reload Time8 sec.

AP Shell140 mm AP Type2

Maximum AP Shell Damage2700

Initial AP Shell Velocity850 m./s.

Secondary Armament #2

127 mm/40 Type89 A14 х 2 pcs.

Firing Range4 km.

Rate of Fire12 shots/min.

Reload Time5 sec.

HE Shell127 mm HE Type0

Maximum HE Shell Damage2100

Initial HE Shell Velocity725 m./s.

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shel8 %

Torpedo Tubes

533 mm Single4 х 1 pcs.

Rate of Fire2.86 shots/min.

Reload Time21 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

Torpedo533 mm Type6

Maximum Damage10 833

Torpedo Speed57 knot

Torpedo Range6.99 km.

AA Defense

7.7 mm/80 Type923 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second4.8

. . . Firing Range0.99 km.

40 mm "HI" Type912 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second15.8

. . . Firing Range2.01 km.

127 mm/40 Type89 A14 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second40.4

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed26.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius770 m.

Rudder Shift Time13.7 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range16.92 km.

Air Detectability Range13.29 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

promo

Mutsu — Japanese promo premium Tier VI battleship.

A Nagato-class battleship designed using experience gained in World War I to become one of the first "high-speed" battleships. The ship's armor protection was very good for her time. In addition to her primary armament, she also carried torpedo tubes.

Mutsu was released on both the NA and EU servers on 17 February 2017.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
410 mm/45 Tipo tercer año en una torreta gemela	2	47,37	230	6500	30	12 400		0	0

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Mutsu	58 400	16	330	4	4/20	4/3/2	4			0	0

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180 Degree Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Tipo 6	2,9	21	7,2	10 833	57	7		0	0

	Firing Range Increase (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Tipo 6 mod. 1	0	20,4		0	0

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsión: 80 000 CV	26,5		0	0

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM030_MainWeapon_Mod_I_bb1e79efbcc73dfa03a6dd5ae173566ee691b77e3a6587389d6f7ea07eb03588.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM031_SecondaryWeapon_Mod_I_5369d8b071df59a515906433ea1fff10a55841495258bcd04d3365467e61e4af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del armamento auxiliar|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0armamento_auxiliar]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM032_PowderMagazine_Mod_I_9607d8ec91ddcca4a95443845b888fbd9de4cd81df5a30a199d400657a552017.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la santabárbara|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0santab.C3.A1rbara]]
Slot 2	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM006_MainGun_Mod_II_bffc35efc4e090487fd6110a10a2be1f5d51b7918303f724194817e698055412.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 de la batería principal|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_principal]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM012_SecondaryGun_Mod_II_c87da07dc4aebb94da59f3df3f8c2934279decb9677334a1a7e4b1f1c9f9ad04.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la batería secundaria|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0bater.C3.ADa_secundaria]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM018_AirDefense_Mod_III_d3f357c6dc4e5e627a86e17a16432cb38da32bb1b7999b4a7852371491511770.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los cañones AA|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0ca.C3.B1ones_AA]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM033_Guidance_Mod_I_10c7521afe2d577c42618dd04cf6834f2be78cf6b64503844cf87793a5816484.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los sistemas de tiro|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0sistemas_de_tiro]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM070_Torpedo_Mod_IV_9e34ebc4f1a15656201b4148e32870eb1c67ddb2fb1a0bc410406236b472d1dd.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de los tubos de torpedo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_los.C2.A0tubos_de_torpedo]]
Slot 4	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM020_DamageControl_Mod_I_bbc708467bc8f1e6264ac88fb8999ea40660e4b0b94b59ab7b3f1a8b60539ed8.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM069_Movement_Mod_I_ca8429dcc45fdad36cdd474a13e5a289d6f7cf27ae32c9f30d42b72b9db493af.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Protección de la sala de máquinas|link=Ship:Upgrades#Protecci.C3.B3n_de_la_sala_de_m.C3.A1quinas]]
Slot 5	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM023_DamageControl_Mod_II_3c6aea0c5bccc94f1d8f1fa52662232afa007d784638ce6e981c8ad3457c63fa.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 2 del sistema de control de daños|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A02_del.C2.A0sistema_de_control_de_da.C3.B1os]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM024_Engine_Mod_II_4b4f4c217cf5cf580f47ccbbf76ecede110c5143055c55ab45a82d19e87423fb.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 de la propulsión|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_de_la.C2.A0propulsi.C3.B3n]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM025_SteeringGear_Mod_II_523c86ce4c7d228e73ee3d2cb406f4d78a205aa2453fec45b0925dec519bf7c5.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del aparato de gobierno|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del.C2.A0aparato_de_gobierno]]	[[File:wows icon_modernization_PCM087_AirSupport_Mod_I_d26ea96903bf2c47669142777cfa61b0285e652ce26304ed9502bc8de35d0ded.png", "local": "{\"default\": \"gui|44px|Modificación 1 del ataque aéreo|link=Ship:Upgrades#Modificaci.C3.B3n.C2.A01_del_ataque_a.C3.A9reo]]

Player Opinion

Performance

Mutsu is a Tier VI Japanese Battleship, sister ship to Tier VII's Nagato. However, Mutsu is a tier lower as she has her pre-refit hull, meaning she has weaker armor and slower-loading guns with World War I-era shells.

Featuring eight (8) 410mm guns in a 4x2 configuration, Mutsu has the largest guns available at Tier VI — allowing her to overmatch the thinner plating of most ships at tier — partially making up for the deficiency in raw penetrating power her early shells have. However, these shells will still struggle against battleship belt armor at range, so captains will have to aim for the superstructure or use HE against them. Mutsu’s other standout characteristic is her torpedo tubes. She carries two single launchers per side, firing a 7km range torpedo that does 10,833 dmg and has a 21 second reload. However, these torpedo mounts are very fragile and have narrow firing arcs, meaning Mutsu must turn broadside in order to use them, greatly limiting their effectiveness. Mutsu’s other large disadvantage is that she has extremely lackluster anti-aircraft armament, so don't expect to shoot down many planes with her.

LittleWhiteMouse's Premium Ship Review: Mutsu from the NA forums

Pros:

• Has two (2) torpedo launchers on each side.
• Very good main battery firing range.
• Second fastest Tier VI battleship.
• Highest maximum AP and HE shell damage of its tier.
• Most hit points out of all Tier VI battleships.
• Decent dispersion, gets better with upgrades.

Cons:

• Torpedoes have narrow firing arc and low speed.
• Weak armor; does not have the 289mm thick citadel armor that Nagato has in some places.
• Virtually non-existent anti-aircraft suite.
• Large detectability range.
• No torpedo bulge at all like her sibling Nagato.

Research

As a premium ship, Mutsu doesn't have any upgrades to research.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

Main Armaments Modification 1 is likely the best choice in Upgrade Slot 1, though captains concerned about Mutsu’s history might prefer to opt for Magazine Modification 1 instead. Her lack of meaningful anti-aircraft defenses make AA Modification 2 unattractive in Upgrade Slot 2; Aiming Systems Modification 1 is likely the best bet. Damage Control System Modification 1 remains the top pick in Upgrade Slot 4, while Upgrade Slot 5 is captain's choice between Steering Gears Modification 2 and Damage Control System Modification 2.

Commander Skills

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★★★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of modules. ★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched. ★	Aircraft Servicing Expert +5% to HP of carrier-based aircraft. -10% to servicing time of carrier-based aircraft.	Direction Center for Catapult Aircraft +1 catapult aircraft. -20% to the speed of catapult aircraft.	Dogfighting Expert +10% to average damage per second of fighter for each tier of difference between them. +10% to fighters ammunition.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Evasive Maneuver -20% to detectability of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. +75% to HP of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier. -30% to airspeed of strike aircraft when returning to the carrier.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★★★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range.	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen.	Expert Rear Gunner +10% to average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated.
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★★★	Survivability Expert +350 HP for each ship tier.	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. -20% to servicing time of torpedo bombers.	Emergency Takeoff Makes it possible to launch and recover aircraft while the ship is on fire. +100% to aircraft servicing time while aircraft carrier is on fire.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to average damage per second of AA defense. ★	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★	Demolition Expert +2% to chance of fire on a target caused by a main caliber shell, secondary shell, or bomb.	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament -15% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier I-VI ships. -60% to the maximum dispersion of shells for the secondary armament of Tier VII-X ships.	Fire Prevention -7% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three. ★★★	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -3% to chance of fire on target caused by HE shells.	Air Supremacy +1 fighter per squadron. +1 bomber per squadron.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +20% to AA defense firing range. ★	Manual Fire Control for AA Armament +100% to average damage per second of AA guns with a caliber exceeding 85mm against a designated target.	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship (that isn't an aircraft carrier). The enemy player is alerted that a bearing has been taken on their ship.	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of destroyers. -12% to the detection radius of cruisers. -14% to the detection radius of battleships. -16% to the detection radius of aircraft carriers. ★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Consumables

Mutsu has access to the following consumables: Damage Control Party, Repair Party, and Spotting Aircraft. Premium versions of Damage Control Party and Repair Party are recommended for captains willing to spend the credits (or doubloons).

Camouflage

As a premium ship, Mutsu comes included with Type 10 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Signals

Recommended Signal Flags
Combat
November Echo Setteseven +10% average damage per second of all anti-aircraft mounts. +10% average damage per second of self-defense armament for aircraft with rear gunners.	Mike Yankee Soxisix +5% to secondary battery maximum firing range. -5% to maximum dispersion of secondary battery shells. -5% to secondary battery loading time. ★★	India X-Ray +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Juliet Whiskey Unaone +15% chance of causing flooding. +5% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating.	Victor Lima +1% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber above 160mm. +0.5% chance of causing a fire for bombs and shells with a caliber below 160mm. +4% chance of flooding (against your ship).	Hotel Yankee -20% to damage received when ramming the enemy. +50% to damage dealt when ramming the enemy. ★
November Foxtrot -5% reload time on all consumables. ★	Sierra Mike +5% to the ship's maximum speed. ★	India Delta +20% to the amount of HP recovered when the Repair Party consumable is used. ★★★	Juliet Yankee Bissotwo -20% to flooding duration. ★★	India Yankee -20% to fire duration. ★★	Juliet Charlie -100% to the risk of your ship's magazine detonating. ★★
Economic
Zulu +20% credits earned for the battle. ★★	India Bravo Terrathree -10% to the cost of the ship's post-battle repair.	Equal Speed Charlie London +50% XP earned for the battle.	Zulu Hotel +50% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Papa Papa +300% Free XP earned for the battle.
Special
Wyvern +50% credits earned for the battle.	Red Dragon +100% XP earned for the battle. +100% Commander XP earned for the battle.	Dragon Flag +333% Commander XP earned for the battle. ★	Ouroboros +777% Free XP earned for the battle.	Hydra +50% XP earned for the battle. +150% Commander XP earned for the battle. +250% Free XP earned for the battle.
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Not Useful

Gallery

• 

  Mutsu opens up with her 16-inch battery.

• 

  Mutsu fires a full broadside.

• 

  Independence dive bombers score hits.

• 

  A Wildcat fighter is shot down by the Mutsu AA.

• 

  Torpedo bombers from an enemy Independence class aircraft carrier drop their ordinance as the Mutsu fires at their home base.

• 

  Mutsu finishes the job.

Historical Info

Construction

Yokosuka Naval Yard; Yokosuka, Japan

Laid down: 1 June 1918

Launched: 31 May 1920

Commissioned: 22 November 1921

---

Specifications

32,700 tons displacement, standard

215.8m length

28.96m beam

9.08m draft

---

Machinery

21 boilers, 4 turbines

---

Performance

26.7 knots at 80,000 shaft horsepower

5,500 nautical miles at 16 knots

---

Armor

Main belt: 102-305mm

Decks: 178mm main, 38-76mm upper deck

Barbettes and Turrets: 305mm barbette, 356mm face, 305mm side

Casemates: 25mm

Conning tower: 368mm

---

Armament

Main

Eight (4x2) 410mm guns

Secondary

Twenty (20x1) 140mm DP guns

Eight (4x2) 127mm DP guns

Anti-Aircraft

Three (3x1) 7.7mm machine guns

Four (2x2) 40mm AA guns

Torpedo

Four (4x1) 533mm torpedo tubes

Four (4x1) 533mm submerged torpedo tubes

History

Design

The Nagato-class battleships were the last pair of battleships build by the Japanese Navy before the global hiatus on capital ship construction due to the ratification of the Washington and London Naval Treaties. As such, the Nagato-class is seen as the culmination of all the experience learned by the Japanese Navy in dreadnought design and construction up through the end of World War I.

Led by famed naval architect Yuzuru Hiraga, planning and design for the Nagato-class began in 1916. By this time, Japan was a steadfast, growing naval power and wanted their designs to reflect such a status. As such, from the outset the Nagato-class were set to be first-rate dreadnoughts, competitive with the offerings of the other navies of the world (chiefly the Colorado-class battleships that were being built by the United States). Hiraga and his team were meticulous, delaying final completion of her plans until mid-1917 in order to incorporate the lessons learned from the Battle of Jutland the previous year. What ultimately emerged were the most advanced battleships afloat in the world.

The Japanese determined that high-speed was an integral asset to making a battleship an effective weapon; as such, the Nagato-class were designed to be the fastest battleships in the world. It was decided to fit no less than twenty-one (21) Kampon boilers into them: fifteen (15) oil-fired and six (6) mix-fired. These boilers then fed into four (4) geared turbines that each powered a single screw. Altogether, they generated 80,000 shaft horsepower and propelled the ships to speeds above 26 knots, significantly faster than their competition. This was not a fact the Japanese Navy boasted about, however, instead electing to keep the true speed a closely guarded secret. In fact, the US Navy didn’t know the true speed of the class until well into the late 1930s.

In electing to focus on propulsion and speed, weight had to be saved from the armoring. Ergo, the Japanese opted to implement the “all-or-nothing” armor principle that was championed by the US; maximal armor to the vital areas whist non-critical surfaces receives minimal armor. The main belt and the barbette rings received 12 inches of armor, whilst the conning tower and the turret faces received 14 inches and 18 inches of armor, respectively. While this was sufficient to rival other battleships of the period, British and US battleships all had heavier armor, with belt armors exceeding 13 inches for many classes.

After experimentation with the six turret design of the Fuso and Ise classes, Hiraga and his designers decided to revert back to a quadruple turret design, determining this configuration to be the most effective. In order to not decrease overall firepower — by reducing the number of barrels from 12 to 8 — the caliber each rifle was increased from the traditional 14 inches to 16 inches; in fact, the Nagato-class battleships were the first ships in the world to mount 16-inch naval rifles. To supplement the primary artillery, twenty (20) 5.5-inch casemate guns were added to the hull. Interestingly, the Nagato-class retained the Japanese tradition of fitting torpedo tubes to their battleships. Historically, eight (8) total tubes were incorporated in the design; four (4) above the waterline and four (4) submerged (only the four above the waterline are available in-game).

Mutsu (陸奥, named after Mutsu Province) was the second of the two Nagato-class battleships, built at the Naval Arsenal in Yokosuka. She was laid down 1 June 1918, launched 31 May 1920, and completed 24 October 1921.

The Nagato-class underwent a modernization in the late 1920s and a reconstruction in the 1930s to keep the designs combat-capable. During the 1920s modernization, the first funnel was replaced with a serpentine funnel with a raked-top in order to attempt to fix the issue of the superstructure being occluded with smoke; the very funnel seen in-game. Furthermore, the torpedo tubes were traded-in for anti-aircraft artillery, in order to counter the growing threat of aircraft. Unique to Mutsu, her bow was remodeled in order to decrease water spray to her foredeck. The 1930s reconstruction proved to be a more extensive overhaul. The iconic 7-masted superstructure was replaced with a pagoda-mast style design, and the first funnel was removed altogether. The old boilers were replaced; the overall number was also reduced to just ten (10). Interestingly, the old turrets were replaced by the ones of the incomplete Tosa class battleships, allowing for greater gun elevation, ergo greater range. Furthermore, torpedo bulges were introduced. To mitigate the loss in ship speed due to the added weight, the length of the battleships were increased. Finally, a catapult was added to launch scout planes off the deck.

Service

Commissioned in October 1921, Mutsu survived the Washington Naval Treaty, was assigned to BatDiv (Battleship Division) 1, and began an uneventful interwar career. From 1927 to 1933, Mutsu would receive periodic modifications, but in September 1934 she entered drydock for a complete rebuild and modernization. She remained in yard hands until September 1936.

With the beginning of war with China in July 1937, Mutsu — having returned to BatDiv 1 alongside Nagato — joined the fleet for security and blockade patrols off the China coast. Mutsu would continue operations off China until March 1941. In August 1941, Mutsu began preparations for combat as Japan planned for hostilities with the United States.

Mutsu would spend the beginning of World War II, from December 1941 to May 1942, in reserve and training. In June, she and the rest of BatDiv 1 — now including Yamato — sortied as part of the Main Body for Operation MO, the invasion of Midway. Other than to receive the transfer of survivors from Akagi, Kaga, Hiryu, and Soryu, Mutsu would not participate in the battle, and returned to Japan.

In July, BatDiv 1, less Yamato, was attached to the 2nd Fleet. In August, they departed for Truk after the US landing at Guadalcanal. In late August, Mutsu was assigned to support the Main Body for the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, where she fired at an aircraft shadowing the fleet. This would prove to be her only shots fired in combat during the war.

In September, Mutsu landed a party to help train anti-aircraft crews at Truk. She would remain and participate in exercises until January 1943, when she returned to Japan. Excepting one aborted sortie to the Aleutians after the Battle of the Komandorski Islands in late March 1943, Mutsu continued to conduct training and gunnery exercises until June 1943.

On 8 June 1943, Mutsu was moored in Hashirajima harbor when, at approximately 1200 hours, her No. 3 turret suffered an explosion. The blast tore her in two, and the section forward the No. 3 turret rolled over and quickly sank. Her stern section sank early the next day. Of her 1,474 crew, 1,121 were killed. An investigation concluded human error was responsible for the explosion, and the Japanese Navy consequently altered regulations for the handling of explosives aboard ships.

Mutsu was struck from the Navy List on 1 September 1943.

Post-war salvage attempts proved to be failures, though Mutsu’s No. 4 turret, anchors, and other parts of the ship — including her bow — were successfully recovered in the 1970s. The gun barrels from the salvaged No. 4 turret were restored and are now on display in separate locations in Japan: one at the Museum of Maritime Science in Tokyo, and the other outside the Yamato Museum in Kure.

Historical Gallery

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  Mutsu under construction at Yokosuka Naval Shipyard, 24 September 1920.

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  Mutsu fitting out at Yokosuka.

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  Mutsu underway, 19 October 1921.

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  Mutsu at anchor shortly after completion, circa 1922.

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  Mutsu anchored at Sasebo, 28 May 1925.

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  Mutsu (far left), Tenryu (left), HMS Hermes (center), and Fuso (right) anchored in Victoria Harbor, Hong Kong, 14 April 1928.

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  Mutsu on sea trials off Yokosuka following her reconstruction, 27 July 1936.

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  Mutsu anchored at Yokosuka, February 1937.

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  Mutsu anchored at Kagoshima, circa 1941. The extensive torpedo bulges added during reconstruction are clearly visible.

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  An up close and personal view of the forward turrets in Mutsu’s main battery.

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  US Office of Naval Intelligence recognition drawing of a Nagato-class battleship.

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  Mutsu’s original No. 4 turret — removed during her reconstruction period in the mid-1930's — on display at the grounds of the former Imperial Japanese Naval Academy at Etajima, circa 1947.

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  In the early 1970's, salvage operations were conducted that removed large portions of Mutsu’s wreck from the ocean. This is turret No. 4 following its removal from the wreck in 1971.

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  A 140mm 3rd Year Type naval gun salvaged from Mutsu is on display at the Yasukuni Museum in Tokyo, Japan.

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  One of Mutsu’s 410mm guns is on display outside the Yamato Museum in Kure, Japan.

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  Another of Mutsu’s 410mm guns is on display outside the Museum of Maritime Science in Tokyo, Japan.

Ships of Japan

Battleships