Japanese destroyer Matsukaze (1906)

The Matsukaze was a Kamikaze-class destroyer of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in the United Kingdom, she was commissioned in 1906. These destroyers were part of the first wave of domestically produced or foreign-built destroyers intended to supplement the fledgling Japanese fleet and were based on British designs.

Matsukaze saw service during World War I, primarily on patrol duties in support of the siege of Tsingtao. She was later used for coastal patrol and as a training vessel. The Kamikaze-class destroyers, while considered advanced for their time, were relatively small and lightly armed, reflecting the naval technology of the early 20th century. They were gradually phased out of front-line service as newer and more capable destroyers were built.

Details regarding the specific armament and dimensions of the Matsukaze are as follows: The Kamikaze-class typically displaced around 375 tons and were armed with two 76 mm (3 inch) guns and two twin 457 mm (18 inch) torpedo tubes. They were powered by coal-fired boilers and reciprocating steam engines, giving them a top speed of around 29 knots.

After World War I, Matsukaze was eventually decommissioned and scrapped, a fate common to many early destroyers as naval technology rapidly advanced in the interwar period. Her career, though not marked by major battles, reflects the early development of Japan's destroyer force and its efforts to modernize its navy.