F-9 Class Minelayer:
Because of their short operating range, Kuckikukan-10 class Destroyers were decommissioned between 1924 and 1927 as the more capable Okaze Class units were entering service. Still, their 33-knot top speed had not been overlooked by the Naval Staff, which after the quick and succesful conversion of the arlier Kuchikukan 1 class recognized the feasibility of converting them to other roles were they could have still exploited their high speed. Starting in 1924, as they were decommissioned, all ships sailed for Kumoi arsenal for conversion into Minelayers: All torpedo tubes and one of the five 76mm guns were removed, rails and new deckhouses added and all empited magazine spac turned into stowage for naval mines. Overall, the units so converted could have carried up to 120 warheads. Renamed Fusetsukan 9 through 12 and commissioned between 1925 and 1928, the four units replaced the four older Fusetsukan 1 and served in frontline duties until 1938, when they were placed in reserve and relegated to training duties.
At the start of the Pacific War the entire class was recalled into active duty. Despite beign truly obsolete by that point all four had the 76mm guns removed and replaced by two twin 25mm machine guns, later augmented by two more single and a triple mount. By 1944 depth charge racks were also added in the vain attempt to counter US Sumbarine activity.
All four units were lost during the war: F-10 fell from submarine attack, the other three were lost because of air attacks.
Ships in class:
F-9 (ex DD-10) Converted 1924-1925 - Sunk 1944
F-10 (ex DD-11) Converted 1925-1926 - Sunk 1944
F-11 (ex DD-12) Converted 1927-1928 - Sunk 1945
F-12 (ex DD-13) Converted 1927-1928 - Sunk 1944