The Japanese battleship Yamashiro was a massive, pagoda-masted dreadnought that met a tragic end.

Countries & Cities · Published 15 October 2026 · Updated 25 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Launched in 1915, the Yamashiro was a formidable dreadnought that underwent extensive modernization to remain relevant in the Pacific War. Despite its imposing pagoda mast and heavy armament, the vessel ultimately faced a superior Allied force in the Battle of Surigao Strait, resulting in a dramatic, final stand.

The Yamashiro was the second Fusō-class dreadnought built for the Imperial Japanese Navy. Initially commissioned in 1917, the ship was defined by its unique 2-1-1-2 turret arrangement and an iconic, towering pagoda mast added during a major reconstruction between 1930 and 1935. This modernization also bolstered the ship's armor, replaced its machinery, and added torpedo bulges to improve underwater protection. Despite these upgrades, the ship remained outclassed by newer vessels due to its 14-inch main guns and the inherent design flaws of its light anti-aircraft weaponry.

For most of World War II, the Yamashiro served in auxiliary roles or as a training vessel, spending significant time at the Hashirajima anchorage. It was only in 1944 that the ship was pushed into front-line combat. As the flagship for Vice-Admiral Shōji Nishimura’s Southern Force, the battleship participated in the Battle of Surigao Strait, the final engagement of the Battle of Leyte Gulf. In the early hours of 25 October 1944, the ship faced a massive American and Australian fleet, including six battleships and several cruisers, which utilized radar to devastating effect.

During the intense night battle, the Yamashiro was struck by multiple torpedoes and heavy naval gunfire. Despite sustaining catastrophic damage and widespread fires, the crew continued to return fire until the ship capsized and sank stern-first. Of the roughly 1,636 personnel on board, only 10 survived. The wreck remained lost until 2017, when it was discovered by Paul Allen’s team aboard the RV Petrel, resting upside down on the seafloor. This discovery confirmed the ship's final state, with its bow folded back over the hull, marking the end of a vessel that had served the Japanese Navy for nearly three decades.

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