page_title: Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka
hierarchical_section_title: Japanese minelayer Hatsutaka
caption_attribution_description: English: Japanese minelayer "Hatsutaka" at Aioi, completed at Harima shipyard on Oct 31, 1939. 日本語: 日本海軍敷設艦「初鷹」。相生の播磨造船所での竣工直後。
context_page_description: Hatsutaka was the lead vessel in the Hatsutaka-class of medium-sized minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was in service during World War II. She was designed as an improved version of Shirataka anti-submarine netlayer. However, during the Pacific War, due to the critical shortage of escort patrol ships, she was fitted with depth charge racks, her minelaying rails were removed, and she was used primarily for convoy escort duties.
  She was sunk in action by USS Hawkbill, losing 70 men.
context_section_description: Hatsutaka (初鷹, "Years First Hawk") was the lead vessel in the Hatsutaka-class of medium-sized minelayers of the Imperial Japanese Navy, which was in service during World War II. She was designed as an improved version of Shirataka anti-submarine netlayer. However, during the Pacific War, due to the critical shortage of escort patrol ships, she was fitted with depth charge racks, her minelaying rails were removed, and she was used primarily for convoy escort duties.
  She was sunk in action by USS Hawkbill, losing 70 men.
caption: Hatsutaka in 1939
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