I read quite a bit about the Yamato. Apparently the design had been in
the works for some years and two keels were laid down. One was the
Yamato and I believe the other was to have been an aircraft carrier
(but don't hold me to that). In any event the second hull was launched
and then sunk by torpedo while being hauled to whatever yard was going
to fit it out.


Bruce in Bangkok
(brucepaigeATgmailDOTcom)

As I was told, the two keels were laid for two Yamato class
battleships. It was later that one of the keels was built into an
aircraft carrier. you are right. It was sunk by torperdos.

Admiral Yamamoto was a hero of mine. Having spent some time travelling
across the US, he was opposed to going to war with America as he knew
that once awoken, they could mobilise a vast industrial resource that
would be no match for Japan's. When he was ordered to prepare plans
for war, he wanted a lightning attack on Pearl Harbour to destroy the
Pacific fleet in the hope of an armistice. It was the disobeying of
his orders for a second attack by his admiral in charge of the carrier
fleet that cost him his planned devastation. The same man also
disobeyed his orders at the Battle of Midway. He could not be removed
as he was appointed, not by Yamamoto, but by the Imperial Navy Board.
The same man disobeyed him many times later.

Peter