The Japanese aircraft carrier Akagi sank on June 5, 1942, primarily because Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto ordered it to be scuttled after it became inoperable. Its scuttling was carried out by several destroyers which fired torpedoes into the carrier.
The Decision to Scuttle
Akagi, a prominent aircraft carrier of the Imperial Japanese Navy, was rendered inoperable, making its repair or recovery impossible. Faced with this critical situation, on June 5, 1942, Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto issued the command for the carrier's deliberate sinking. This act, known as scuttling, was intended to prevent the damaged vessel from being captured by enemy forces or becoming a navigational hazard.
The Final Act of Sinking
To ensure its complete destruction and prevent any salvage efforts, the order to scuttle Akagi was executed by multiple Japanese destroyers. These vessels performed the final act by firing torpedoes into the crippled carrier, leading to its eventual and definitive submersion.
Here are the destroyers involved in the scuttling of Akagi:
| Destroyer Name | Action |
|---|---|
| Arashi | Fired torpedoes |
| Hagikaze | Fired torpedoes |
| Maikaze | Fired torpedoes |
| Nowaki | Fired torpedoes |
For additional historical context and details about the Akagi, you can explore resources such as NOAA Ocean Exploration.
