The Kagerō class was an enlarged and improved version of the preceding . Their crew numbered 240 officers and enlisted men. The ships measured 118.5m (388.8feet) overall, with a beam of 10.8m (35.4feet) and a draft of 3.76m (12.34feet).[1] They displaced 2065t at standard load and 2529t at deep load.[2] The ships had two Kampon geared steam turbines, each driving one propeller shaft, using steam provided by three Kampon water-tube boilers. The turbines were rated at a total of 52000shp for a designed speed of 35kn. The ships had a range of 5000nmi at a speed of .[3]
The main armament of the Kagerō class consisted of six Type 3 1271NaN1 guns in three twin-gun turrets, one superfiring pair aft and one turret forward of the superstructure. They were built with four Type 96 251NaN1 anti-aircraft guns in two twin-gun mounts, but more of these guns were added over the course of the war. The ships were also armed with eight 610mm torpedo tubes for the oxygen-fueled Type 93 "Long Lance" torpedo in two quadruple traversing mounts; one reload was carried for each tube.[2] Their anti-submarine weapons comprised 16 depth charges.[3]
Participating in the Battle of Midway, the heavily damaged aircraft carrier was scuttled by Hagikazes two torpedoes, Kaga being fatally damaged by US aircraft from during the battle.
On 7 August 1943, Hagikaze was sunk between Kolombangara and Vella Lavella (-7.8333°N 211°W) during the Battle of Vella Gulf, by torpedoes and gunfire from the US destroyers,, and, with 178 killed.